YEA Lesson Library
The Lord Speaks!
About This Lesson
This lesson teaches that God is the primary authority; just as the Israelites assembled before Mt. Sinai to hear God’s Law, the student should also listen to God’s voice through reading the Bible, going to church and praying.
Scriptures
Exodus 19:1-25
Deuteronomy 13:3-4
Psalm 12:6-7
Psalm 29:1-11
Psalm 34:4-6
Psalm 81:11-13
Jeremiah 11:3-4
2 Timothy 3:16
Revelation 3:20
Words to Know
AUTHORITY- person with the power
COMMITMENT - a promise or pledge
DEDICATE- set apart for a special purpose
The Lesson
Teachers and students listened as Mr. Thompson announced a special meeting to be held in the gym. Something important must be happening.
Mr. Thompson was the principal - his was the voice of authority. What he had to say affected the whole school. Not listening could carry serious consequences.
The Israelites had been traveling for three months through the wilderness. Now they were camped in the land surrounding Mount Sinai. Moses climbed the rugged mountain to meet with God. From somewhere in the mountain God called to him and said, "Give these instructions to the people of Israel. Tell them, You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I brought you to myself as though on eagles' wings.
“Now if you will obey me and keep your part of my contract with you, you shall be my own little flock from among all the nations of the earth; for all the earth is mine. And you shall be a kingdom of priests to God, a holy nation.”
After this meeting, Moses returned from the mountain. He called the leaders of the people and told them what God said. They all responded with one voice, "We will certainly do everything God asks of us." Then Moses reported back to God and told Him that they would do what He said.
No one can look on God's face and live. So God didn't speak to Israel face to face. But they had no doubt that it was God speaking. A dark cloud formed so they could hear God. For two days they sanctified themselves by bathing and washing their clothes. God is so pure He doesn't want us to be dirty when we come to Him. God set boundary lines to make sure the people didn't get too close. If they did, they would die. The people were told to stay completely away from the mountain. When the ram's horn made one long blast, they could gather at the foot of Mount Sinai.
Two days after all of the preparation began, there was an awesome thunder and lightning storm and a huge cloud came down on the mountain. Then a very loud blast on the ram's horn was heard. This was so awesome that all the people trembled. Moses led the people to the foot of Mount Sinai. It was covered with smoke because God had descended upon it in the form of fire. The smoke billowed up to the sky and the mountain shook from an earthquake. The sound of the trumpet got louder and louder. Moses spoke and God thundered His reply. This was no casual conversation with God. God actually came down to the top of Mount Sinai and called for Moses to go up to the top of it. Moses went up.
God told Moses to go back down and warn the people not to cross the boundaries He had set. If they did, they would die. Moses went down and told the people what God said.
This was one oft h e most awesome times in man's history. God was getting ready to give the Ten Commandments to Israel. This law is so pure, so holy, so righteous that all of this had to take place before God would give it to Israel. God gave us His Law so we would know what things will hurt us and which ones will make us happy. God's Law is for our good. Keeping it will make us happy.
Mr. Thompson, the school principal, had the voice of authority. Because of that, everyone in the class listened. But, more importantly, God has the highest voice of authority. When He speaks everyone should listen. So, the Israelites paid attention to what Moses told them.
When the Israelites saw what was happening, they were terrified! They were convinced that this was the Almighty God. And when Moses told them what God had said, all the people replied, "We will do everything the Lord has said."
God wanted the Israelites to know He was the Almighty, the Holy One, the Creator of heaven and earth. He also wanted the Israelites to know who they are - God's chosen people. God wanted total commitment, nothing half-hearted. And finally, God was going to give the Israelites rules to live by.
It is important for us to pay attention when God speaks. In Moses' time God spoke to the Israelites from a mountain top cloud, with thunder and lightning. He also speaks to us today. He speaks to us in His Word, the Bible. God also uses people, like ministers and teachers, to speak to us.
God wants to have a relationship with you. He wants to share with you, and wants you to share with Him. To get to know God you must hear what He has to say. You should also talk to Him in prayer. God's Word will cheer you up, correct your mistakes, teach you truth and judgment, and train you to do right.
The Israelites knew God meant business when He spoke. They would do whatever God said. How about you? Are you ready to hear what God has to say? Are you ready to do what He tells you?
Student Prayer
Dear Almighty God,
Thank you for taking the time to speak to me. Your words are my final authority. Help me to listen when you speak to me. Make me be willing to do whatever you tell me.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - 2 Timothy 3:16
Monday - Psalm 12:6-7
Tuesday - Psalm 34:4-6
Wednesday - Jeremiah 11:3-4
Thursday - Exodus 19:5, 6, 8
Friday - Psalm 81:11-13
Saturday - Deuteronomy 13:3-4
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the students will be able to:
1. State that God's voice is our highest authority. When He speaks everyone should listen.
2. Explain that the Israelites knew without a doubt that it was the Almighty God speaking to them.
3. Describe how God spoke to the Israelites.
4. Name some of the ways that God uses Scripture to speak to us.
Topics & Themes
Authority
Chosen
God’s Law
God’s Voice
Israelites
Moses
Mt. Sinai
Obedience
Relationship with God
Ten Commandments
Trumpet
Materials Needed
Bible, YEAStudents' and Teacher's books, attendance and memory verse chart, stickers, music player and CD or cassette, songbook, blank cassette tape and recorder/player, (ingredients), bowl, spoon, waxed paper, napkins, index cards, pencils
Preparation
The pre-adolescent has strong opinions about fairness and insist on rigid adherence to rules. Now is a good time to introduce them to God's standards for living. God has laid out a roadmap and plan for living our lives. To ensure that our lives will be pleasing to Him requires obedience and adherence to His plan.
Since this is the last lesson in this book, allow time or the students to recite their longer memory work that was assigned in the first lesson (1 Corinthians 1:25-31). Give a small award to each student who loves God enough to memorize these verses.
Before you come to class, record the recipe and instructions for making no-bake cookies on a cassette tape (Ham it up, but be sure to speak clearly and slowly enough for the students to follow the directions.). Assemble all the ingredients needed (do not pre-measure) and bring them to class. You might want to make a batch ahead of time for the students to eat.
How to Teach This Lesson
Listen Up! - Begin with this object lesson: Set up a table with all of the ingredients, bowl and spoon to make no-bake cookies. Ask several students to help you make the cookies. Tell them you have a recording of the famous TV chef, Emeril Lagasse, with the recipe and instructions on the cassette tape. Place the tape in the tape player and turn it on (Make sure the volume is turned completely down so you hear nothing). Tell the students you want them to make the cookies. Ask: Why aren't you making the cookies? (Of course, they can't because they can't hear the instructions!) Oh yeah, to make these cookies you have to listen!
Camped At Mt. Sinai - Briefly review the three-month journey through the wilderness to the base of Mt. Sinai and God calling Moses up into the mountain with instructions for the Israelites.
Get Ready! - Ask: What were the Israelites supposed to do to get themselves ready to hear God's message? What were they commanded to do? (Wash themselves & their clothes). What were they commanded not to do? (They were not to set foot on the mountain.) Have one of your better readers read Exodus 19:12 aloud.
God Appears - God didn't speak to the Israelites face to face. Ask: Describe how they knew that the Almighty God had truly come down to speak to them. How did it make the Israelites feel? God wanted the Israelites to know, without a doubt, that He was the Almighty, Holy One, the Creator of heaven and earth. Discuss what God wanted them to know about themselves.
The Voice of Authority - Ask: Why do we say God was the voice of authority? Who gave God the final authority? What can happen if you don't listen to people who have authority over you, like your parents, teachers, principal, etc?
God Speaks Today - Discuss some of the ways and people God uses to speak to us and guide us today (Bible, ministers, teachers, parents, and others in authority, etc.). Ask: What kinds of messages does God have for you in His Word? Have someone read 2 Timothy 3: 16 aloud.
Are You Listening? - The Israelites knew God meant business when He spoke. Every one of them declared, "We will do everything the Lord has said.” God was going to give them the Ten Commandments, the rules by which they were to live. But these commandments were to be heard and obeyed. What about you - are you listening to what God says to you? Do you obey Him? If you don't turn the volume up and really listen, you will be like the kids who couldn't make the cookies. You just won’t know how to do it!
Review Questions
Before you begin this lesson, give each student two index cards and a pencil. Tel them to listen closely as you are teaching and write out one or two question about the lesson that can be used to review the lesson. Collect their cards and add their questions to the ones listed below.
1. What convinced theIsraelites that the Almighty God was speaking to them?
2. What did God want the Israelites to know about themselves?
3. Name some ways that God speaks to you from His Word.
Teacher-Directed Activity
Play the recording of the no-bake cookie recipe. Allow the students to measure and mix the ingredients, making a snack for everyone. Remind them that listening and doing what the voice on the recording said is the best way to make cookies! Let the kids eat their cookies.
Honey Nutters
1 c. chunky peanut butter
2/3 c. honey
1/2 c. instant non-fat dry milk
16 graham crackers, crushed
1c. shredded coconut
Combine peanut butter, honey, and milk in a mixing bowl. Stir until blended. Add graham cracker crumbs to peanut butter mixture; mix with hands until well blended. Make little balls of peanut mixture. Pour coconut on a plate. Roll each ball into coconut.
REACH Activity
Back to the Bible: God’s Covenant
Exodus 19:5-6 is God’s promise to the Israelites if they would obey His voice and keep His covenant. Divide a piece of notebook paper into two columns. In the left column, write Exodus 19:5-6. On the right side, write 1 Peter 2:9. God’s covenant with His people is an incredible blessing - if we will only listen and obey!
Journal Jot: Listen and Obey
You would think that God’s people would listen to Him and obey Him! The Israelites had seen plague after plague on Egypt. They saw the miracles. They experienced being rescued from Egypt and walking across the Red Sea while the Egyptians were drowned. They were given food for forty years. They were given water. The pillar of fire and cloud were with them for forty years! And yet . . . over and over, they complained and grumbled. At the foot of Mt. Sinai, they promised that they would do everything God commanded. That didn’t last long either. But here’s the thing: we do the same thing. We read the stories. We know the goodness of God. We know His commandments. And still, when we’re faced with a choice of following God or doing what we want to do, we often make the wrong choice.
Talk about this with your family. Then spend some quiet time thinking about this. Then write a paragraph in your Bible notebook about the proclivity of people to go their own way instead of obeying God always.
Word Study: shâma
The Hebrew word for “listen” or “earnest heed” in Exodus 15:26 is shâma. It means “to hear intelligently with attention or obedience.” This particular word is used in the Old Testament around 1160 times. (Source: Zodhiates’ Hebrew-Greek NAS Key Word Study Bible, 1990.) The rewards for earnestly listening and obeying God are great!!
Write this word, its definition, and the scripture reference in your Bible notebook. Then write down five commands of God that you obey. What are the rewards for your obedience of these commandments?
Just Toolin’ Around: You Would Not Listen
Over and over God says that His people would not listen to Him. He sent prophets. He told the people how to live and what would cause them to be blessed. They would not obey. Using a concordance or Bible app, find five verses which state that the people would not listen to God. Write the entire verse and scripture reference in your Bible notebook.
Did you Know? Mt. Sinai
There is quite a debate among scholars about where, exactly, Mt. Sinai actually is. Some think it is on the Sinai peninsula. Others think it’s in Arabia. If you’re interested in finding out the reasons why they think it’s in each of the locations, spend some time with a Bible encyclopedia, an archaeological study Bible, a Bible map book, or even some videos like The Search for the Real Mt. Sinai.
Stretch It Out: Picture This
Read all of Exodus 19. Then draw a picture of what Mt. Sinai might have looked like: animal and people kept away, the fire and smoke, the sound of the trumpet, the mountain trembling violently. Add color with your favorite art tools. Then provide a caption for the picture. Display where your whole family will enjoy it.
Music Notes: O Come, My People, To My Law
This hymn is on page 102 of the CEM Hymnal.
The words are from the psalter and are set to music by George Kingsley who lived in the 19th century. He was a church organist and taught music in the public schools.
As you sing this hymn, pay close attention to the last verse. It sums up the way we must live our lives: we learn God’s ways and resolve with all of our being to follow Him. Write down your favorite line from this hymn.
Questions?
Remember to write down any questions that you think of as you are reading your lesson, daily devotionals, or doing the REACH activities. Plan to ask your parents or your pastor these questions.
Song
"Thy Word Have I Hid In My Heart" is on page 75 of Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Have the kids stand in a circle, holding hands, and lead them in prayer. Thank the Lord for taking time to speak to you in His Word, and for listening while you speak to Him. Ask God to make the kids willing to listen and do whatever He tells them.
Printable Pages
