Free Bible lesson for kids · In the Wilderness
Moses Sees the Promised Land
At the end of his life Moses went up mount Nebo to the top of Pisgah, and the LORD showed him all the land He had promised to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. Moses died there in the land of Moab at a hundred and twenty years old, with his eye not dim, and Joshua, full of the spirit of wisdom, led Israel on. There was never another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, and one day Moses would stand on a high mountain talking with Jesus (Matthew 17:1–3).
- Bible passage
- Deuteronomy 34:1–12
- Big idea
- God keeps His promises from one generation to the next.
- Memory verse
Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.
Psalm 90:1 (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
Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho (Deuteronomy 34:1). The LORD showed him all the land, as far as the sea (Deuteronomy 34:1–3). The LORD said, “This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob” (Deuteronomy 34:4). Moses saw it, but God said he would not go over into it (Deuteronomy 34:4).
Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, and no one knows where his grave is (Deuteronomy 34:5–6). He was a hundred and twenty years old, and his eyes were not dim (Deuteronomy 34:7). Israel wept for him thirty days (Deuteronomy 34:8). Then Joshua, full of the spirit of wisdom, led the people, and they obeyed him (Deuteronomy 34:9). No other prophet in Israel arose like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face (Deuteronomy 34:10).
Read it in the Bible: Deuteronomy 34:1–12 (KJV)
1And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan, 2And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea, 3And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar. 4And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. 5So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. 6And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. 7And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. 8And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended. 9And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses. 10And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, 11In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, 12And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.
Questions to ask
Where did Moses go up to see the promised land?
Unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho (Deuteronomy 34:1).
How old was Moses when he died, and how strong was he?
An hundred and twenty years old; his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated (Deuteronomy 34:7).
Who led Israel after Moses?
Joshua the son of Nun, who was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands upon him (Deuteronomy 34:9).
What this story teaches
- God always keeps the promises He makes (Deuteronomy 34:4).
- Our lives are in God’s hands, from beginning to end (Deuteronomy 34:5).
- God gives His people new leaders filled with wisdom (Deuteronomy 34:9).
- The LORD spoke with Moses face to face, as a friend (Exodus 33:11).
- God has been the home of His people in every generation (Psalm 90:1).
Jesus Is Greater Than Moses
Moses was faithful in God’s house as a servant. Jesus is worthy of more glory, for He is the Son over God’s house.
Hebrews 3:3–6
A 45-minute lesson plan
| 5 min | Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Thank God that He is faithful to every generation and keeps every promise. |
|---|---|
| 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 keeps His promises from one generation to the next.” What does that mean for us? |
| 5 min | Memory verse. Say Psalm 90:1 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
I Spy the Promised Land
You need: A big poster or projected picture of a beautiful land, a step stool
- One child stands safely on the step, like Moses on the mountain.
- They say, “I spy with my little eye something…” and a color.
- The others guess what they see in the picture.
From the top of the mountain, God showed Moses all the land He had promised. God keeps every promise.
For youth group · game · outdoors · about 15 minutes
Baton Pass Relay
You need: A baton (or a rolled-up paper), a track or field
- Run a relay where the handoff is everything: a dropped baton costs ten seconds.
- Practice the handoff, then race.
- Talk: Moses passed the leadership to Joshua. Who is handing faith on to you?
Moses finished well and passed the work to Joshua. Faith is a relay, not a solo race.
Pray
Thank God that He is faithful to every generation and keeps every promise.