Goals:
To hear the story of Moses: his early life, his calling by God and his leadership of the Hebrew people to freedom.
(for older kids) To consider the meaning of persecution and oppression.

Materials for making a mural:
Sheet of mural paper long enough to contain the 4 parts of the Moses story
Paint, brushes, water (or markers or crayons if you prefer)

Activities:
Read the Background for Moses in the Bulrushes, Background for Moses and the Burning Bush, Background for Let My People Go. After each story draw or paint pictures on the mural to tell that part of the story as you discuss the questions.
Be sure your kids know the meaning of the words:
descendant (a person with a long line of ancestors—those who lived before)
midwives(women who help deliver babies)
persecute (to bother or harm someone because of his or her beliefs)
bondage (slavery)
boils (big sores on your skin)
multitude (many, many people)

Read the 1st story: “Moses in the Bulrushes.”

Discuss:
When people are being persecuted, they often have to make very hard choices. Moses’ mother had to give him up so that he could live. Did she love him even though she gave him up? How do you think his sister, Miriam, felt?

Most of the times when the ancient Israelites were persecuted, it was because they believed in one god instead of the goads their neighbors worshiped. Sometimes they were forced to worship the gods of others or die. What are other examples of hard choices people might have to make?
Pharoah’s daughter felt pity for Moses. What is pity? What did her feelings of pity cause Pharoah’s daughter to do?

Read the 2nd story: “Moses and the Burning Bush”

Discuss:
Sometimes people get a felling that they must do something—that they are “called” to help others. Martin Luther King, Jr. felt called to help black people. Gandhi felt called to help oppressed of India. Dorothea Dix, a Unitarian, felt called to help the poor, imprisoned, and the insane. What was Moses “called” to do?

Moses, Dix, King, and Gandhi are people who dedicated their lives to serving others. Who are some others who have dedicated their lives to serving others? Have you heard about any other people who felt “called” to do something special? What did they do? Is there something you feel you should dedicate your life to? What is it?

Read the 3rd story: “Let My People Go”

Discuss:
What would you have done if you were Pharaoh?
How did the Hebrews feel about Moses at the beginning of the story? Do you think the miracles convinced them? How would you feel about leaving your home to wander in the wilderness?
The story of the Exodus of the Hebrew people from Egypt has become an important symbol for freedom fighters around the world, and a symbol of how freedom can be gained even when it seems impossible. What are some other examples of people being oppressed? Who? Where? When? By whom?