Free Bible lesson for kids · The Exodus
Moses Runs to Midian
When Moses was grown, he went out to see the hard burdens of his people, and when he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, he tried to help in his own way and killed the Egyptian. Pharaoh sought to slay him, so Moses fled to the land of Midian, where he stood up for seven sisters at a well, married Zipporah, and kept sheep as “a stranger in a strange land.” Meanwhile the children of Israel cried out in their bondage, and God heard them and remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
- Bible passage
- Exodus 2:11–25
- Big idea
- God hears the cry of His people, and He never forgets His promises.
- Memory verse
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
Psalm 34:15 (KJV)- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Time
- About 45 minutes
- Included, free
- Animated story film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
The story
When Moses was grown, he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people (Exodus 2:11). Moses looked this way and that way, then killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand (Exodus 2:12). The next day two Hebrews were fighting, and one said, “Who made thee a prince and a judge over us?” Moses was afraid, and Pharaoh sought to kill him (Exodus 2:13–15).
So Moses fled to Midian and sat down by a well (Exodus 2:15). When shepherds drove away the seven daughters of the priest of Midian, Moses stood up and helped them water their flock (Exodus 2:16–17). Moses married Zipporah, and he named his son Gershom, for he said, “I have been a stranger in a strange land” (Exodus 2:21–22). In Egypt the Israelites cried out, and God heard them and remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Exodus 2:23–24).
Read it in the Bible: Exodus 2:11–25 (KJV)
11And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. 13And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? 14And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known. 15Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well. 16Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. 17And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock. 18And when they came to Reuel their father, he said, How is it that ye are come so soon to day? 19And they said, An Egyptian delivered us out of the hand of the shepherds, and also drew water enough for us, and watered the flock. 20And he said unto his daughters, And where is he? why is it that ye have left the man? call him, that he may eat bread. 21And Moses was content to dwell with the man: and he gave Moses Zipporah his daughter. 22And she bare him a son, and he called his name Gershom: for he said, I have been a stranger in a strange land. 23And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage. 24And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God had respect unto them.
Questions to ask
Why did Moses run away to Midian?
Because Pharaoh heard what Moses had done and sought to slay him (Exodus 2:15).
How did Moses help the seven daughters of the priest of Midian?
When the shepherds drove them away, Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock (Exodus 2:16–17).
What did God do when the children of Israel cried out?
God heard their groaning, and remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob (Exodus 2:24).
What this story teaches
- Trying to fix things our own way brings trouble (Exodus 2:14–15).
- God hears His people when they cry out to Him (Exodus 2:24).
- God never forgets the promises He has made (Exodus 2:24).
- God sees His people and cares about their troubles (Exodus 2:25).
- The LORD’s ears are open to the cry of the righteous (Psalm 34:15).
Jesus Keeps God’s Promise
God heard Israel’s cry and remembered His covenant with Abraham. He sent Jesus to save His people, just as He promised Abraham long ago.
Luke 1:68–73
A 45-minute lesson plan
| 5 min | Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Thank God that He always hears us when we cry out to Him. |
|---|---|
| 10 min | The story. Play the story film: each verse appears on screen in the King James Version while the scene plays. Pause to ask what happens next. |
| 10 min | Talk about it. Ask the three questions below. Then ask: “God hears the cry of His people, and He never forgets His promises.” What does that mean for us? |
| 5 min | Memory verse. Say Psalm 34:15 together, covering one word at a time until the children can say it alone. |
| 10 min | Activity. Younger children color the coloring page while you retell the story; older children do the class sheet (memory-verse fill-in, word search and questions). |
| 5 min | Pray and send home. Pray together and send the sheet home so families can talk about the first question this week. |
- Preschool: keep it short and physical. Act out the story, use a simple prop, and repeat the big idea in one sentence.
- Elementary: let children find the passage in their own Bibles. Ask “who, what, where” questions first, then “why.”
- Preteens: read the verses before and after the passage, and ask how this story fits the whole story of the Bible.
Game time
For kids · game · indoors · about 10 minutes
Sheep Herding
You need: Balloons for sheep, pool noodles, a pen made of chairs
- Scatter the balloon sheep across the floor.
- Kids are shepherds who herd the sheep into the pen with pool noodles. No hands!
- Count the sheep in the pen when the time runs out.
Moses kept sheep in Midian for forty years. God was getting him ready to lead His people.
For youth group · activity · indoors · about 20 minutes
Pause Button
You need: Scenario cards
- Read Exodus 2:11–15: Moses tried to help, but in his own way and in anger.
- In pairs, read a scenario and decide: what would “acting fast” look like? What would God’s way look like?
- Share and pray for wisdom.
Moses wanted to help his people, but God had a better way and a better time.
Pray
Thank God that He always hears us when we cry out to Him.