Younger Primary Lesson Plan: Exodus 1–6

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.

1. Put the “bush” on the floor. Shine the flashlight on it. Whisper: “Moses saw a bush that looked like it was on fire!”
2. Invite kids to tiptoe closer with you.
3. 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:

1. Put two papers on the floor: “HOLY” and “EVERYDAY.”
2. Let children take turns placing a picture on one side.
3. 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:

1. Make a simple path around the room.
2. Have kids tiptoe quietly like Moses walking on holy ground.
3. 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:

1. 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.”
2. 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:

1. Give each child a paper with two simple shoe outlines (or help them trace).
2. Have them color and add one small picture on the shoes: a church, praying hands, or scriptures.
3. 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:

1. “What do you see?”
2. “How do you think Moses felt when God asked him to do something important?”
3. “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

1. Alternate sit/stand every 2–3 minutes (story → tiptoe → craft) to match short attention spans.
2. Use a “Reverence signal”: finger to lips + whisper “holy ground.” Practice it once before the story.
3. If kids get wiggly during the song, let them do actions standing—movement helps them stay engaged while learning reverence.