Are We There Yet? - Week 4
Can you imagine needing to walk through the desert? You’d be surrounded by cacti, sand, snakes, and more sand. With the heat of the sun, we’d wind up so thirsty and wondering “Are we there yet?” That’s probably how the Israelites felt as they wandered around the desert, waiting to enter the Promised Land. But no matter how tired our feet get, we can focus on what’s happening in our lives right now rather than just on where we’re going. In this five-week series based on stories from Exodus, our families will explore how we can choose to be thankful, love God and others, turn to God when we’re lost, go to God when we need rest, and remember God’s promises.
BIG IDEA: We can go to God when we need rest.
BIBLE: Exodus 33:7–23; Matthew 11:25–30
MEMORY VERSE
Elementary: "I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19B (NIV)
Toddler Twist: "Jesus makes a way for me!" Isaiah 43:19
WATCH:
Preschool- teaching video
Elementary- teaching video
DISCIPLE: Read or summarize Exodus 33:7-23
INSTRUCTIONS: Show an image of a bushcraft shelter. Have you family try to build a tent using blankets, towels, clothespins, rubber bands, and other supplies you have on hand.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how challenging was the building process? Now, imagine trying to build a shelter with things that you find in the wilderness around you. That takes it to a whole new level!
When you train to go out into the wilderness, one of the survival skills you learn is how to build a shelter. You can't always carry a tent with you so you have to use the materials you find in the wild to build your shelter. A shelter protects you from the weather and whatever wildlife might be camping nearby. When you feel safe, it's easier for you to rest.
In today's Bible story, Moses was promised two things: God's presence and rest. But these were not unrelated things. Moses was able to experience rest because he was in God's presence. He was able to calm his worries when he talked with God in the tent of meeting, and even more when he saw God's glory . . . at least from the back. God's presence was like a shelter that gave Moses rest.
God does this for us too. We can go to God when we need rest.