YEA Lesson Library
A Basket Boat
About This Lesson
This lesson teaches the story of Moses’ mother putting him in a basket in the Nile, and Moses being rescued by Pharaoh’s Daughter.
Scriptures
Exodus 1:8-22
Exodus 2:1-10
2 Chronicles 16:9
Psalm 9:9
Psalm 25:5
Psalm 33:12
Psalm 33:18-19
Psalm 46:1
Ephesians 1:11
Hebrews 3:1
Words to Know
PHARAOH - leader of Egypt, something like a king
The Lesson
A new Pharaoh came to be the leader in Egypt. This Pharaoh saw that Joseph's family was growing. They were called Israelites. Pharaoh was afraid of the Israelites. He thought they would take over his land. So, he decided to put a stop to them. He ordered that all the baby boys be killed. That was a terrible thing to do!
An Israelite mother loved her baby boy very much. She hid her baby from the Egyptian soldiers. But, as he grew it was harder to hide him. So, she made him a little “Basket Boat.” She took her baby to the river. There she carefully put him into the basket. Then she placed the basket in the river. She hoped someone kind would find her baby and save his life.
The baby's big sister, Miriam, hid in the tall grass. She watched the little “Basket Boat” to see what would happen. Pharaoh's daughter came to the river to take a bath. She heard the baby cry and picked him up. What do you think will happen to the baby?
Miriam saw what was happening. She ran to the princess. She asked if she should find someone to take care of the baby. Then she brought her own mother to the princess to take care of the baby.
The princess named the baby Moses. And Moses grew up living in the palace. God saved his life. He had big plans for Moses. And God used Miriam to be His helper. God chose you to be one of His people, too.
Daily Devotions
Sunday: 2 Chronicles 16:9a
Monday: Psalm 33:18-19
Tuesday: Ephesians 1:11
Wednesday: Psalm 9:9
Thursday: Psalm 46:1
Friday: Psalm 25:5
Saturday: Psalm 33:12
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the children will be able to:
1. Tell why Moses' mother placed him in a basket in the river.
2. Describe how Miriam watched over the baby.
3. Tell how Moses came to grow up in the palace.
Topics & Themes
Egypt
God’s Plan
Miriam
Moses
Nile
Pharaoh
Pharaoh’s Daughter
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA students' and teacher's books, attendance and memory verse chart, stickers, cassette tape or CD and music player, construction paper, scissors, glue, magazine or calendar pictures of babies
Preparation
Preschoolers love to "show off" skills that they can do by themselves. Every child has a skill that can be used to help others. Once a preschooler sees how helping someone makes others happy, they are eager to help again.
Today's story about baby Moses is an example of a child being obedient and being used by God to save the life of her little brother. Your preschoolers are too young for such responsibility, but they are not too young to be used to help others.
Before you come to class, cut a basket and 4 strips for each child. (Patterns can be found on the Pattern Page.) Cut the vertical slits in each basket before class. Cut out pictures of babies from magazines or calendars. Arrange to have an extra helper or two for the craft activity.
Depending on the size of your class, the wave and grass motions mentioned in the story can be performed by the whole class or by groups in turn.
Review Questions
1. What terrible thing did Pharaoh do when he thought there were too many Israelites?
2. What did Moses' mother make to keep her baby safe?
3. Where did she put the Basket Boat?
4. Who watched over the baby in the river?
5. Who found baby Moses?
6. Where did Moses grow up?
REACH Activity
Letter: B
Words: basket, boat, baby, boy, big, bath, be
Sentence:
GOD HAD BIG PLANS FOR THE BABY IN THE BASKET.
Song
“He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands” is on page 43 of the Kids Classics Collection.
(Verse 2 sing: “He’s got little baby Moses in His hands. . .”)
Closing Prayer
Lead the children in prayer thanking God for watching over Moses and choosing him for His own. Ask God to help the children obey Him and live like God's people.
Printable Pages
