Mountaineering with Moses

Introduction

Today we are going to gather around an unusual campfire and then take a hike up a very special mountain, where we will be with Moses when he encounters God and receives some special instructions for how to live.
Today there are two stories and there are two choices for each section. You might do it all in one go. You might want to split it into two session. Or use the ones best suited to you.

Story

The team at All Saints, Allesley are telling our stories today. (The readings are in second book of the Bible: Exodus 3:1-15 and then Exodus 20:1-21)

It's about a man called Moses who had been brought up in the Egyptian palace but he was actually an Israelite. The Israelites were God's people but the Egyptians used them as slaves. When Moses stood up for a slave he had to run away because he was scared about what would happen. But God doesn't forget about the plan he has for Moses...
I wonder how Moses reacted when he first heard God’s voice coming from the burning bush?

I wonder if you can remember a time where God has spoken to you or feel that He helped to guide you?

​Moses does go back to Egypt and eventually (after 10 plagues) Pharaoh releases the Israelites. They escape into the desert and Moses finds himself preparing for a mountaineering expedition.
I wonder how Moses felt reading the 10 commandments for the first time?

I wonder if there’s a commandment which you think is the hardest to live by?

Our stories today show us that God is holy. When He gives us His commandments it is to encourage us to live in a way that is good for us and is devoted to God.

Activity

Enjoy getting your hands messy? Both activities for today need glue...it's up to you how messy it gets though.
​Make a burning bush lamp
*This activity requires adult supervision*
  1. ​Remove the lid from the jar.
  2. Cut out your flames from the different coloured tissue paper.
  3. Stick them onto the outside of the jar using PVA glue, overlapping slightly.
  4. Now cut out a tree shape from some dark paper and stick on the jar so the flames are all around it.
  5. Paint over the top with PVA glue.
  6. ​Leave to dry. Your jar is now ready for some illumination. An LED tealight would be safest. If you are using a real tealight/candle, an adult must light it and you must not leave the jar unsupervised.
  7. When you have finished using your Burning Bush lamp, blow out/turn off the candle and screw the lid back on.
You will need
  • Clear glass jar
  • PVA glue
  • Dark coloured paper
  • Tissue paper (yellow, red, orange)
  • Scissors
  • LED tealight (or tealight but be very careful)
​You can use your Burning Bush lamp for prayer. Simply light it and sit quietly, looking at it. Do you feel God is speaking to you as you do?

​The 10 Commandments
When Moses climbed the mountain, God gave him ten laws for the Israelites to live by.​
  1. Draw round both of your hands onto coloured paper or print out the template (on Notes for leading at the bottom) or decorate/paint your hands and press them on to a blank sheet of paper.
  2. Next, cut out each of the Ten Commandments and stick one on each finger in order.
  3. Say them as you stick them down.
​Can you learn them all and say them and count them off on your own hands?
Ideas to use:
  • Print out from notes below.
  • Paper
  • Paint
  • Glue
  • Scissors

Prayer

You can pray with words, through craft and through building blocks. It's really good to explore how we connect with God.
Burning bush prayer
For this prayer activity you will need some paper, a black pen and some yellow, red and orange papers. Get creative! You could use wrappers from chocolates or crisps, scrapbooking paper, tissue paper, craft paper, wrapping paper. Any kind of paper really!
On your paper draw the outline of a bush- with a trunk and some branches.
  1. Cut out flames from your different red, orange and yellow papers.
  2. ​When Moses saw the Burning Bush he realised he was standing on holy ground. God spoke to him. Stick on each flame. Take your time, this is a special time for you to think about meeting with God. As you stick on each flame, talk to God in your heart and let Him talk to you.
  3. When you have filled the bush with flames, think about any words you want to write that best explain what you have been talking to God about, what He has said to you and any feelings this time has given you. Write them around the flames with your black pen. 
Your burning bush picture will be a special record of your time spent quietly sitting with God. 

Mountain prayer
For this prayer activity you will need some bricks, preferably Lego or Duplo but you could use wooden bricks or boxes or anything else stackable, and something to represent you e.g. a Lego person or a photograph of you perhaps. 
​​You are going to build a mountain, like the one Moses went up to meet with God.
  1. As you place each brick, think about the guidance God gave to Moses through the Ten Commandments. Are there any you know you need to take more seriously? Think about them as you place each brick.
  2. When you have made your mountain, place your chosen representation of yourself at the top. Spend a few moments in quiet reflection and ask God to help you with the things you would like to be better at.
  3. People often place flags when they reach a summit (the top of a mountain). Did you know there are prayer flags at the top of Mount Everest? Make yourself a little flag to celebrate this special moment meeting with God. Do a design that really represents you. Stick it at the top of your mountain

Worship song

St Giles, Exhall are leading today's song. I've got peace like a river. Join in the actions, sing at the top of your voice or find somewhere cosy to listen to the words. 

Passport reflection

​Colour in the burning bush and the tablets of the law. Think about God as holy and the instructions He gave to Moses about how we should live.

Meal chatter

Later on take time to sit together and ask and answer these questions together. Make sure everyone in the family has the opportunity to share:
  • Is it good to have rules for living?
  • Why do you think God gives us these rules for life?
  • Have you had a moment like Moses when you just knew you were ‘on holy ground’ and God was present?
  • What was it like?
  • What did you feel God said to you?

Venture out

Today's venture involves sticks.
  • Go out and gather sticks but also things that are brightly coloured and/or will wave in the wind.
  • Find a space to turn your sticks into your own burning bush (or campfire). What would you do if you saw a bush on fire?
  • Turn it into a fire using the bright flowers, leaves and things that wave.
  • Create a 'Holy space' around the fire by removing your shoes and sitting in a circle. How can God talk to us now? Do you ever hear or feel God speaking to you?

So how can God speak to us?
  • We can hear his voice.
  • Visions or dreams from God.
  • A feeling or sense of God.
  • See God in nature and beauty around us.
  • In other people's words and actions.
  • Through the Bible.

Downloads for the session

Click to download:​

Safeguarding

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