Younger Primary Lesson Plan: Exodus 14–18

Happy Opening (2 minutes): “Blanket Sea!”

Do: Lay a blue blanket (or towel) on the floor and say, “This is the sea!” Have children stand on one side. Wiggle fingers like waves.

Say: “Today we’ll learn that Heavenly Father can help us when we feel stuck.”

Main idea preview: “The Lord will help me.”

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Simple Scripture Story (6–8 minutes): Moses and the Red Sea

Props: Blue blanket, two chairs (or two lines of tape), a small toy person (optional).

1. Set the scene: Put the blue blanket between two chairs like a big sea.
2. Tell the story simply: “The Israelites were trapped. The Red Sea was on one side, and the army of Pharaoh was on the other.”
3. Read the Lord’s message (short and powerful):

“Fear ye not. … The Lord shall fight for you” (Exodus 14:13–14).

4. Act it out: Slowly pull the blanket open down the middle so it looks like a path. Let children tiptoe through “on dry ground.”

Ask:

• “How do you think they felt when they saw the sea?”
• “How do you feel when you need help?”

Connect back: “Just like our blanket sea opened, the Lord can help us.”

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Big Idea (repeat often)

Big Idea: The Lord will help me. (When children repeat it, let them put hands on heart and say it together.)

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Wiggle and Learn Activities (12–15 minutes total)

1) Game: “Stand Still, Then Step!” (Physical Activity)

Materials: None Do (2–3 steps):

1. Children march in place like they are walking.
2. Teacher says, “Stand still!” Everyone freezes.
3. Teacher says, “See the salvation of the Lord!” Everyone takes 2 careful steps forward.

Say: “Sometimes we stop, listen, and trust. The Lord will help me.” Connect: “Now let’s see how the Lord helped them with food every day!”

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2) Object Lesson: “Daily Manna Toss” (Object Lesson + Game)

Materials: Small paper circles/balls (“manna”) in a bowl or bag Do:

1. Put “manna” on one side of the room.
2. One at a time, children gently carry one manna to a “family bowl” (another container).
3. Repeat quickly so everyone gets a turn.

Say: “The lesson says, ‘The Lord offers me daily spiritual nourishment’ (Exodus 16). The Lord helped His people day after day.” Connect: “After food, people also need water, let’s do our rock activity!”

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3) Acting: “Rock and Water!” (Role-Play & Acting)

Materials: A clean rock (or a big block), a small cup (optional) Do:

1. Put the rock in the middle. Children pretend to be thirsty (tiny panting).
2. One child touches the rock, and everyone pretends water comes out (wiggle fingers downward like a waterfall).
3. Everyone pretends to drink.

Say: “The lesson teaches: ‘Jesus Christ is my spiritual rock and living water’ (Exodus 17:1–7). When we need help, Jesus can help us.” Connect: “Sometimes we also help each other, like Moses’s friends did.”

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4) Movement Helper Game: “Heavy Hands Help” (Physical Activity)

Materials: None Do:

1. One child holds arms up like Moses.
2. After a few seconds, two children stand by and gently “help” by holding elbows (or just standing close if touching is not preferred).
3. Switch quickly so several children try.

Read:

“When Moses’ hands were heavy, … Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands” (Exodus 17:12).

Say: “We can help each other. And the Lord will help me, often through loving people.”

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Picture Time (2–3 minutes): Crossing the Red Sea (Gospel Art Book)

Show “Crossing the Red Sea, by Otto Semler.”

Ask (simple):

• “What do you see?”
• “Where are the people going?”
• “Who helped them?”

Say: “The Lord helped them when they felt trapped.”

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Song and Actions (3 minutes): “I Feel My Savior’s Love” (Children’s Songbook)

Actions:

• “I feel…” → hands on heart
• “His love” → hug self
• “When I do…” → point to self, then open hands like sharing

Tie-in: “When the Lord helps us, we can feel His love.”

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Jesus Loves Me Moment (2 minutes)

Say: “Today we learned about the Red Sea and the Lord’s message:”

“Fear ye not. … The Lord shall fight for you” (Exodus 14:13–14).

Invite children to finish one sentence (help them with choices):

• “I know Jesus loves me because He helps me when I feel ___.”
• “I can be brave because ___.”

Bear a simple, gentle testimony: “I know the Lord can help us, just like He helped His people at the sea.”

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Take-Home Hug

This week: When you feel worried, hold your hands on your heart and say: “The Lord will help me,” then give someone a hug or help with one small job.

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Teacher Survival Tips

1. Keep turns fast: Use “1–2–3 switch!” so no one waits long.
2. Use repeat phrases: Anytime attention drifts, cue: “Big Idea!” and they answer, “The Lord will help me.”
3. If kids get extra wiggly: Do the “Stand Still, Then Step!” freeze game again for 30 seconds and return to the next part.