Water from a Rock Theme: God is our provider.

Object: The children will play the game Rock, Paper, Scissors. Scripture: The Lord answered Moses. He said, Walk on ahead of the people. Take some of the elders of Israel along with you. Take in your hand the wooden staff you used when you struck the Nile River. Go. I will stand there in front of you by the rock at Mount Horeb. Hit the rock. Then water will come out of it for the people to drink. So Moses hit the rock in the sight of the elders of Israel. (Exodus 17:5-6, NIrV) How many of you have ever played the game Rock, Paper, Scissors? People all over the world play that game. Not just children either -- even adults play the game. Did you know that there is an international tournament each year and players from all over the world come together to compete in Rock, Paper, Scissors? Yes, Rock, Paper, Scissors is a very popular game. As you probably know, each player holds one fist in front of him and hits it with his other fist three times. Then, on the fourth time, the players top hand forms either a rock, paper, or scissors. (Demonstrate each as you say the words.) This is how you know who wins: a rock smashes scissors, paper covers a rock, and scissors cut paper. Lets play! You can all play against me and you can keep track of how many times you win. Ready? One, two, three, go. Okay, I made a rock. If you made paper, you win. If you made scissors, I win. If you made a rock, we tied. (Play the Rock, Paper, Scissors for a few minutes.) The great thing about Rock, Paper, Scissors is that any one of them can be a winner. I have a real rock, paper, and scissors this morning. If you are going to write a letter, a rock or scissors wouldnt be much help, but a piece of paper would, wouldnt it? If you wanted to cut a piece of paper, a rock or paper wouldnt help, but a pair of scissors would. If you were really thirsty and needed a drink of water, a piece of paper or a pair of scissors wouldnt be much help, but a rock might be exactly what you need. What? Some of you are looking at me like you think Im crazy! Dont you think a rock would help you if you needed a drink of water? Well, in our Bible story today, that is exactly what happened. Our Bible story today is called, Water from a Rock. Moses was the leader of the people of Israel. He was leading them from Egypt to a land that God would give to them. They were wandering through the desert and people were thirsty. They began to grumble and complain to Moses. We are dying, they said, our children are dying, and our cattle are dying. Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die out here in the desert? Moses went to his tent and fell on his knees before God. What should I do? Moses prayed. There is no water in the desert. The people are thirsty and they are ready to kill me. God answered Moses and said to him, Take your shepherds staff and walk ahead of the people. I will meet you by the rock at Mount Sinai. When you come to the rock, strike it with your staff and water will flow from the rock. The people will be have plenty of water to drink. Moses did exactly what God told him to do and guess what happened? He got water from a rock! So, what should you and I do when we face an impossible situation? We should ask God for his help, and then trust in him. Sometimes we may not understand the way God is leading, but we just have to trust him. After all, who would have thought you could get water from a rock? Dear Father, when we face impossible situations, help us to remember that we serve a God who can get water from a rock. Amen.

This week I learned

This week we learned the story of water from a rock from Exodus 17. 17 . Scripture: The Lord answered Moses. He said, Walk on ahead of the people. Take some of the elders of Israel along with you. Take in your hand the wooden staff you used when you struck the Nile River. Go. I will stand there in front of you by the rock at Mount Horeb. Hit the rock. Then water will come out of it for the people to drink. So Moses hit the rock in the sight of the elders of Israel. (Exodus 17:5-6, NIrV) : ( 17:5-6) Questions to ask : What was the people of Israel asking at Rephidim? (Exodus 17:1) ? ( 17:1)

What was the people of Israel complaining about? (Exodus 17:2-3) ? ( 17:2-3)

What did God command Moses to do in response? (Exodus 16:4-6) ? ( 16:4-6)

What was the place where the water from a rock came called? (Exodus 17:7) ? ( 17:7)

Family activity : Our message this week was Water from a Rock. Sit down and talk as a family about how God provides for us even today. . .

Water from a Rock

Scripture: The Lord answered Moses. He said, Walk on ahead of the people. Take some of the elders of Israel along with you. Take in your hand the wooden staff you used when you struck the Nile River. Go. I will stand there in front of you by the rock at Mount Horeb. Hit the rock. Then water will come out of it for the people to drink. So Moses hit the rock in the sight of the elders of Israel. (Exodus 17:5-6, NIrV)

1st and 2nd Grade Coloring Page

Moses Strikes the Rock Exodus 17:1-7

Water from a Rock

Scripture: The Lord answered Moses. He said, Walk on ahead of the people. Take some of the elders of Israel along with you. Take in your hand the wooden staff you used when you struck the Nile River. Go. I will stand there in front of you by the rock at Mount Horeb. Hit the rock. Then water will come out of it for the people to drink. So Moses hit the rock in the sight of the elders of Israel. (Exodus 17:5-6, NIrV)

3rd Grade Page

Water from a Rock

Scripture: The Lord answered Moses. He said, Walk on ahead of the people. Take some of the elders of Israel along with you. Take in your hand the wooden staff you used when you struck the Nile River. Go. I will stand there in front of you by the rock at Mount Horeb. Hit the rock. Then water will come out of it for the people to drink. So Moses hit the rock in the sight of the elders of Israel. (Exodus 17:5-6, NIrV)

4th Grade Page

Water from a Rock

Scripture: The Lord answered Moses. He said, Walk on ahead of the people. Take some of the elders of Israel along with you. Take in your hand the wooden staff you used when you struck the Nile River. Go. I will stand there in front of you by the rock at Mount Horeb. Hit the rock. Then water will come out of it for the people to drink. So Moses hit the rock in the sight of the elders of Israel. (Exodus 17:5-6, NIrV)

5th Grade Page

Each number represents a letter of the alphabet. Substitute the correct letter for the numbers to reveal the coded words.