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Full Lesson Flow
Teaching Outline
Work through the lesson in order, with each section building on the last.
Happy Opening (2 minutes): “Sparkly Shoes!”
Hold up a pair of shoes (or paper “shoes”). Smile and ask: “Do we wear shoes everywhere? What about at church?”
Tell them: “Today we’ll learn about Moses and a very special place where God talked to him.”
Main idea teaser: “When something is holy, we act reverent.”
Simple Scripture Story (6 minutes): “Moses and the Burning Bush” (Exodus 3:1–5)
Props: a small plant (or paper bush) and a flashlight.
- Put the “bush” on the floor. Shine the flashlight on it. Whisper: “Moses saw a bush that looked like it was on fire!”
- Invite kids to tiptoe closer with you.
- Explain simply: “God spoke to Moses.”
Read the key part (short and clear) and act it out:
- “Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5)
Ask: “What did Moses do with his shoes? Why?”
Connect to opening: “Just like we take care with our bodies at church, Moses showed reverence on holy ground.”
Big Idea (repeat often):
“Holy places are special. I can be reverent.”
Wiggle and Learn Activities (12–16 minutes total)
1) Object Lesson: “Holy or Common?” Sorting Game
Materials: 6–8 simple picture cards (draw quick pictures): church, scriptures, temple (simple outline), home, toys, playground, prayer, snack.
Steps:
- Put two papers on the floor: “HOLY” and “EVERYDAY.”
- Let children take turns placing a picture on one side.
- After each choice, say: “Holy things are special. I can be reverent.”
Connect: “Moses was on holy ground—let’s find other holy things!”
2) Music & Movement: “Tiptoe Reverence Walk”
Materials: none.
Steps:
- Make a simple path around the room.
- Have kids tiptoe quietly like Moses walking on holy ground.
- Freeze when you say “Holy!” and put a finger to lips.
What to say: “When something is holy, our bodies can be calm and quiet.”
Connect: “We practiced walking reverently—now let’s practice what reverent hands and voices look like.”
3) Game: “Reverence: Thumbs Up / Thumbs Down”
Materials: none.
Steps:
- Say quick scenarios; kids show thumbs up/down.
Examples: “Whisper at church,” “Run in the chapel,” “Fold arms for prayer,” “Shout during a prayer,” “Listen when someone is talking about Jesus.” - After each, repeat: “Holy places are special. I can be reverent.”
Connect: “Now that we know what reverence looks like, let’s make something to remember Moses and holy ground.”
4) Hands-On Craft: “My Reverent Shoes”
Materials: paper, crayons, stickers (optional).
Steps:
- Give each child a paper with two simple shoe outlines (or help them trace).
- Have them color and add one small picture on the shoes: a church, praying hands, or scriptures.
- Write (or say for them to repeat): “I can be reverent.”
What to say: “Moses took off his shoes because the ground was holy (Exodus 3:5). My shoes can remind me to be reverent in holy places.”
Connect: “Now we’ll look at a picture that helps us remember Moses and God’s message.”
Picture Time (3 minutes): Gospel Art Book
Use: “Moses and Aaron Speak to the People” (listed in the bundle).
Ask:
- “What do you see?”
- “How do you think Moses felt when God asked him to do something important?”
- “What can we do when God wants us to do something?”
Tie to the week’s teaching idea: “God gives power to people He calls to do His work” (from the bundle, Exodus 3–4 section).
Song and Actions (3 minutes): “Reverence Is Love” (Children’s Songbook, 31)
Actions (simple):
- On “reverence,” put finger to lips.
- On “love,” hug yourself.
- On “quiet,” sit down softly.
Say: “Reverence is one way we show love to Heavenly Father and Jesus.”
Jesus Loves Me Moment (2 minutes)
Soft voice: “God loved Moses and talked to him. God loves you too.”
Repeat the Big Idea together: “Holy places are special. I can be reverent.”
Invite sharing: “I can be like Jesus when I am reverent by ______.” (help them fill in: “listening,” “folding arms,” “using a quiet voice.”)
Take-Home Hug (this week)
“Practice a ‘holy moment’ at home: fold arms and whisper a short prayer.”
Teacher Survival Tips
- Alternate sit/stand every 2–3 minutes (story → tiptoe → craft) to match short attention spans.
- Use a “Reverence signal”: finger to lips + whisper “holy ground.” Practice it once before the story.
- If kids get wiggly during the song, let them do actions standing—movement helps them stay engaged while learning reverence.