What is God Like?

MOSES
AIM: God shows us His character through events

God is PATIENT (Y3 T1 U2)

Teaching Idea: God shows us He is PATIENT by the many warnings He gave the king
Learning Tool: Bead with ‘PATIENT’ written on it for bracelet
Bible Verse: “The Lord … is patient with you…” 2 Peter 3:9

Role Play

Monday after school (Rebecca rushes in)
Rebecca:        Hi, Mum
Mum:             Hello Rebecca. Had a good day?
Rebecca:        Yes
Mum:             Have a drink and an apple and then go and tidy your room.
You did not make your bed this morning. Remember what we agreed. If you don’t leave your room tidy you will not be allowed to watch TV.

            Tuesday after school (Rebecca comes in)
Rebecca:        Hi, Mum
Mum:             Hello Rebecca. When you have had something to eat, go and make
your bed and tidy your room please.

            Wednesday after school (Rebecca comes in)
Rebecca:        Hi, Mum
Mum:             Your bed was not made again this morning, Rebecca, so no TV
tonight.

Why do you think Mum did not stop Rebecca from watching TV on Monday or Tuesday nights? What was Mum being? (Patient)

What are other ways parents and teachers are patient?

Why do you think that parents and teachers should be patient?

When our parents’ or teachers’ patience runs out, they will discipline us in some way. For Rebecca, it was no TV for the night. By disciplining us our parents and teachers are hoping to teach us.

What was Rebecca’s mother hoping to teach her when she disciplined her by not allowing her to watch TV?

God is better than either our parents or our teachers. He is more patient with us than they are, but He also will discipline us in order to teach us what He wants us to know if we will not learn in any other way.

The Plagues

When Moses first approached the king of Egypt to tell him that God wanted him to let the people go, the king had not been impressed. He had asked, “Who is the LORD? Why should I listen to Him and let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, and I will not let Israel go!” The king was angry, and instead of obeying the LORD, he had made the work of the slaves even harder. The people felt as if God had forgotten them, but of course He had not. When Moses prayed to the LORD He had reminded him that He was concerned for the people and that He would teach the king who He was. The king had said, “Who is the LORD? I don’t know Him!” and God was about to teach him – we will see how patient God was with Pharaoh, and how many chances He gave him to do what he was told. But first, Moses was to go back and tell the king to let the people go.

Through many warnings to the king of Egypt, God shows that He is patient. God patiently gives the king chance after chance to obey Him. He warns and punishes the king to teach the king that He is LORD.

Warnings Worksheet: Read Bible verses and fill in the gaps.
#1. Exodus 7:17 - Blood
#2. Exodus 8:2 - Frogs
#3. Exodus 8:16 – Gnats

Exodus 8:18 & 19 – By the time warning #3 had come some of the king’s magicians had learnt that God is the LORD. But the king was stubborn and refused to listen!

#4. Exodus 8:20-32 - Flies

How was this warning different from the first three warnings which God had given?

(vs 22. No flies in Goshen where the Israelites lived)

What could the king have learnt from this warning if he had taken notice of it?

(vs 22 & 23. God was all powerful and serious about the king letting the Israelites go)

It looked as if the king was going to obey God at last, but what was wrong with what the king said that he would do?

(vs 25 & 28. When it came to the crunch, the king refused – again!)

Why do you think that God kept trying to teach the king who He was?

God shows us He is PATIENT by the many warnings He gave the king. God has not given us the same kind of warnings which He gave the king, but God does give us chance after chance to come to know Him and obey Him as Lord.

How does God give us chance after chance to come to know Him and obey Him as Lord?
In what way would you say that God is being patient with you?

Prayer

Draw two large blank speech bubbles labelled: 1. God’s patience with the king of Egypt
2. God’s patience with us
What could we say to God about His patience with the king of Egypt?
(Write comments in first speech bubble)
What could we say to God about His patience with us?
(Write comments in second speech bubble)

When the speech bubbles are completed either you read out the ideas and have the group say ‘Amen’, or have two different girls read out the ideas and have the group say ‘Amen’.