Added on 05 Mar 2008
Aim
To help children in understanding value of trust and trustworthiness.
Introduction
Use as props 'sausages' and stethoscope; if ill taken to doctor, if looking for meat etc go to butcher, trust them to give us something good, the right pills or good food.
Feedback: Who do they trust? Are they trusted with a job?
Lead to story about trusting.
Story
Moses and the people of Israel escape and cross the Red Sea.
Action leader explains to children they will copy his/her actions/noises.
Long, long ago God's special people – the Israelites – were living in Egypt. The King of Egypt – Pharaoh – used them as slaves to do all the hard work. God had chosen a man called Moses to the leader of the Israelites. He chose Moses because he believed this was a man who could be trusted.
'Moses' to move across and back during next narration.
Moses kept asking Pharaoh to let the Israelites go free from slavery so they could live in their own country, but each time Pharoah said "No".
"No!" wagging finger
He didn't want to let them go because if they did, he wouldn't have anyone to do all his hard work. But Moses kept on trying.
Then suddenly all sorts of nasty things started to happen to Pharoah's people and he got so worried that finally he said to Moses:
Shoo away action
"Go, go away! Take all your belongings and go away … NOW!"
So Moses and all the people set off.
Children thump with fists on floor, imitate walking
They walked and walked for a long time until they reached the sea.
'Sea' ripples
'Horror' action
Whatever were they going to do then? How were they going to get across?
Meanwhile back in Egypt Pharoah had changed his mind and wanted the people back again as his slaves. So he set out again in his chariot with his entire army behind him to catch the Israelites.
Imagine how frightened the Israelites must have been!
Look back: horror action
The Egyptian army behind them and the sea in front of them – no escape!
Sea ripples again, more
But Moses told the people not to be afraid. He trusted God and knew that he would help them.
And God told Moses to hold his shepherd's staff out over the sea and a path would be made for them through the water. Well, some people might have laughed at that and said it was impossible – but not Moses. He trusted God so he did as he was told.
Moses holds out staff
He held his staff out over the sea and sure enough a path opened up through the water and the Israelites were able to walk through to the other side.
Sea/sheets begin to move apart, Moses and chosenhildren move thro' gap.
When they were all safely over on the other side, God told Moses to stretch out his hand over the sea again.
Moses holds out staff, sea/sheets close again
He did and the waves all came together again and the sea returned to normal.
Now isn't that a most amazing story! Because Moses trusted God to look after them the Israelites were able to escape to safety.
How happy they must have been and how they must have thanked and praised God.
Reflection
Theme of trust: Moses trusted God; the people trusted Moses to lead them. Emphasise trustworthiness and trusting God.
Prayer
To be added.
Other
Possible use of John Hardwick 'Trust in the Lord' played as children come in and again to close with, at end suggest children may like to sing along with it.