‘Moses said to God, “Behold, when I come to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what should I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” and he said, “You shall tell the children of Israel this: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” God said moreover to Moses, “You shall tell the children of Israel this, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and this is my memorial to all generations. ‘ Exodus 3:13-15
Spending time in nature
For fun outside activity, see if you can visit a farm where the kids can see lambs in action. If this is not an option, create an obstacle course to train up the young shepherds in your family. The start can have hula hoops, water noodles in a ring shape, or tires in two rows, and everyone has to step in each ring to get from one side to the other. Right after, you can have balance beams made from anything that can support everyone’s weight (4×4’s, a cement sidewalk edge, a parking bump, a row of steady chairs). These obstacles represent the muddy mess and sometimes high ridges shepherds have to navigate when keeping their flock. Next, take a broom and scattered balloons or various sports balls and try to “herd” them together in one area, or if you’re really ambitious, a small corral. Next, have a milking station made up of disposable gloves filled with water; prick a small hole in the fingertips and hang somewhere. To help practice their throwing skills, if a predator comes around, create a target (tape the ends of a water noodle together) or various targets. Try to throw a rock or water noodle through the ring(s). Next, go to a table and stack fifteen cups in a triangle shape; this represents building a corral. Next, fill a beg with a weighted item and a small bag of birdseed (optional) that can be scattered after reaching the end. This final act is bringing feed to the herd. Through the course, we can see there are many tasks shepherds need to do to keep the flock safe and healthy, but a shepherd’s life also gave Moses patience, humility, and a keen ear. These things can be hard to teach.
Tip
In the states, we are taught about farm animals at an early age, but I thought it was just a silly thing we did. This scholastic parent has five great reasons kinds should know their farm animals by age 3, including language development and caring about creatures in the world.
Do Something Creative
If your child might play with fire when there isn’t an adult around, DO NOT do this experiment. Create a landscape of sheep with cotton balls or there are various Moses and the burning bush print outs you can find. If you feel comfortable the kids have a strong since of fire safety, then lets try to set Ice on Fire. First, put on the safety goggles, and have the fire extinguisher ready. Next place the ice in your fire proof container. Next you’ll want to have your kitchen lighter ready (once you pour the alcohol on the ice you’ll immediately light it). Now pour less than 1/2 a teaspoon of alcohol on the ice and set it on fire. In this experiment the ice will melt, but the bush, set on fire with the eternal flame, remained.
What you will need:
- 99% Isopropyl Alcohol Antiseptic Solution (rubbing alcohol)
- BBQ lighter
- A large block or ball of ice
- Goggles
- Fire-proof bowl
- Fire Extinguisher
**Warning: This project is NOT safe for kids to do alone. Only a parent/adult should conduct the experiment with proper safety gear (goggles, a fire extinguisher) on hand just in case.
The fire can spread and catch unexpectedly. This is a science demonstration only, not something kids should touch.**
Family worship idea
For family worship, get red, orange, and or yellow crape paper and a bright flashlight. Form the paper/material around the flashlight and set it up in the middle of the Sabbath room to create a small fire pit. Have everyone sit around the fire and read Exodus 2:11- 4:18. If the kiddos need something to keep their hands busy as you read, see if you have some old mittens or thin gloves laying around. Give them some craft supplies and make puppets you can donate to the mothers’ room. Once you’re done reading through the story, talk about Moses’ time in the wilderness. Moses watered the flocks of the seven daughters of Jethro, just as Jesus waters the sheep of the seven churches. You can also talk about how Moses heard the words of God at the burning bush. God had always planned to bring the people out of Egypt after 400 years, but here we see God heard the collective cry of His people. He’ll listen if His people cry out again, and He’ll come back to bring us home. This time He won’t send an intercessor; He’ll return himself and carry us home.
Personal thoughts
Before Moses left Egypt, his brothers asked him a question. They asked, “Who made you a ruler and a judge over us.” Moses would leave his brothers behind and grow to be the leader he became in Midian. When he returned, he tried to remind the Israelites of the Sabbath commandment. He tried to prepare the people to go home. But here, at his humble beginning, he might have been scared to go before, not only the followers of God but the leaders of Egypt. It wouldn’t take long before Moses took on his leadership role. His preparation for this position didn’t involve military training or years of training in an institution (though he likely received this during his upbringing with the Pharaoh’s daughter). He gained humility and gentleness while working with sheep every day for forty years. Our time on Earth is consumed daily with tasks that don’t enhance our relationship with the creator, but Moses was gifted with time. He stopped every day and observed the flock in front of him. He noticed when the bush was burning; he recognized when it wasn’t consumed. As we continue to grow and take in our disciple training, we need to slow down and see what is around us. It is exciting to recognize the flame when it is burning near us. More importantly, it is good to recognize when the flame is burning inside of us.
Hiding His word in your ❤
‘For the Lord is our judge. The Lord is our lawgiver. The Lord is our king. He will save us. ‘
Isaiah 33:22
Sabbath Catalyst 