YEA Lesson Library
Water From a Rock
About This Lesson
This lesson teaches that Moses struck the rock to bring forth water for the Israelites to drink.
Scriptures
Exodus 17:1-7
Psalm 78:15-20
Psalm 105:41
Isaiah 41:17-18
John 4:10
John 7:37
Revelation 21:6
Words to Know
FAUCET - the end of a pipe where water comes out, having a lever to turn it off and on
SLAVERY - a person being owned by someone else and forced to work for them
The Lesson
The Lord brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. He saved them from Pharaoh's army. God even opened the Red Sea so the people could walk across on dry ground. Then God gave the Israelites food to eat in the desert. You would think the Israelites would know that God loved them. You would think they would be thankful - but no.
The Israelites made camp in a place where there was no water. They were thirsty. So what did they do? They got mad at God and started grumbling - again. This time they told Moses, "Give us water to drink!" They said that Moses brought them out of Egypt for them to die.
But, where was Moses going to find water? He didn't carry enough water for everyone. And remember, there was no place for him to buy water. So, Moses did the very best thing he could do - he prayed to his Heavenly Father. Moses said, "What can I do with these people? 'They are ready to kill me."
God told Moses that He would give the people water. It would not come out of a faucet. There was no lake or river around. God showed Moses a rock. He told Moses to take his rod and hit the rock. When Moses obeyed God, cool water came splashing up out of the rock. Everyone had enough to drink. Their animals had water to drink, too.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - John 4:10
Monday - Psalm 78:15-16
Tuesday - Numbers 20:7-8
Wednesday - Revelation 21:6
Thursday - Exodus 17:3
Friday - Exodus 17:6
Saturday - Isaiah 41:17-18
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the children will be able to:
1. Name someways that God was taking care of the Israelites.
2. Tell what Moses did when the people became angry with him. (Prayed.)
3. Explain what God told Moses to do to get water for the people to drink.
4. State that God hears and answers our prayers.
Topics & Themes
God’s Provision
Grumbling
Israelites
Moses
Prayer
Prayer, Answered
Rock
Water
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA Students' and Teacher's books, attendance and memory verse charts, stickers, CD or cassette, music player, songbook, socks, felt, wiggle eyes, Tacky glue, pitcher of water, gardenhose, rock, canteen, stick, bottle of water
Preparation
Children have been taught that God loves them, so talking to Him makes perfect sense. Talking to Him is a natural way to respond to His love. Children are confident that God listens to and understands their prayers. So, they talk to Him honestly and from their hearts.They expect God to answer their prayers. Oh, that we adults had this same innocence and trust!
Encourage the children's faith and trust by this example of God meeting the needs of His people. Because of Moses' obedience, God supplied water in the wilderness. Emphasize that there is nothing too hard for Him. He will hear and answer their prayers, too.
Before you come to class, make a nondescript hand puppet. Place an old gray sock on your hand so your fingers are near the toe and your thumb in the heel. Glue two wiggle eyes near the toe of the sock. Cut a red oval out of construction paper or felt for a mouth. Glue the mouth between your thumb and fingers.
Review Questions
Use a nondescript puppet to ask the review questions. Say: This is my friend, Rocky. He has a few questions about today's lesson.
1. What are some of the ways God helped the Israelites in the desert?
2. Were the Israelites thankful for all these things that God did? What did they do?
3. When the people were thirsty, what did they say to Moses?
4. Was there a river or lake nearby for the people to get a drink? Was there a store to buy water?
5. How did Moses know how to get water for the people?
6. What did God tell Moses to do?
7. Is there anything too hard for God?
REACH Activity
Letter: R
Words: red, rock, river, rod, remember, ready
Sentence:
THERE WAS NO RIVER, BUT MOSES HIT THE ROCK WITH HIS ROD AND WATER CAME OUT.
Song
“My God Is So Big” is on page 14 of the Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Ask the children if they have something they need to pray for. Lead them in prayer, thanking God for their food, clothes, homes, families, even the water they drink. Thank God for hearing their prayers when they are sick, sad, or when they need something.
Printable Pages
