Bread from Heaven

Additional resources are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject.

Use Week of:

Unit 1 • Session 1

TEACH THE STORY(15–20 MINUTES)

PAGE 82

EXPERIENCE THE STORY(25–30 MINUTES)

PAGE 84

REVIEW THE STORY(10+ MINUTES)

PAGE 86

Bread from Heaven


BIBLE PASSAGE: Exodus 15–17

STORY POINT: God gave His people food and water.

KEY PASSAGE: Matthew 22:37

BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is God like? God is holy, good,

and loving.


78 Preschool Worship GuideUnit 5 • Session 1

1/20/19

1

LEADER Bible StudyThe Israelites’ future looked bright. The Lord, through Moses, had rescued them from slavery in Egypt. He fought for them, displaying His power by parting the Red Sea and subsequently destroying Egypt’s army. God was working out His plan to bring the Israelites to the promised land, the land God promised to Abraham’s family.

But the journey from Egypt to Canaan was not direct. The Lord led His people into the wilderness. The Israelites’ bright future seemed to fade. Their dry mouths and rumbling, empty stomachs produced complaints and accusations. They doubted the Lord’s goodness.

The Israelites traveled three days into the wilderness and were unable to find water. When they found water at Marah, they must have rushed to it—only to find the water was too bitter to drink. The people grumbled to Moses. Of course, Moses had no power to change the water. But the Lord did. Moses cried out to the Lord, and He showed Moses a tree. Moses threw the tree into the water, and the water became drinkable.

Then the Israelites moved farther into the wilderness. Their hunger produced despair: “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt … Instead, you brought us into this wilderness to … die of hunger!” (Ex. 16:3).

Again, the Lord gave the Israelites what they needed. Moses and Aaron explained the purpose behind the Lord’s provision: “You will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt” (Ex. 16:6). God sent bread from heaven and quail for the Israelites to eat. They ate manna in the wilderness for 40 years.

The Lord is our Provider. Like He provided for the physical needs of His people in the wilderness, He provided for our spiritual needs by sending His Son, Jesus—the Bread of life (John 6:35)—so we can live forever.

79Toward the Promised Land

The BIBLE Story

Bread from HeavenExodus 15–17

Moses led the people away from the Red Sea, and they came to the wilderness. When they could not find good water to drink, they complained to Moses. God told the people, “If you obey Me

and do what is right, I will not punish you like I punished the Egyptians.” Then the Israelites came to a

place called Elim (EE lim) where there was plenty of water, and they camped

there.The Israelites left Elim and

went out into the wilderness. When they got hungry, they complained to Moses.

“We are starving!” they said. “You brought us out here to die!” But Moses had not brought them out there to die. God knew what He was doing.

God said to Moses, “I heard the Israelites complaining. Tell

them that they will eat meat for dinner, and in the morning they

will eat bread until they are full. Then they will know that I am their God.”

That evening, quail came into the camp and the people ate meat for dinner. In the

morning, fine flakes like frost were on the ground.“What is it?” the Israelites asked.“It is bread,” said Moses. “The Lord has given you bread to eat.”

Bible Storytelling Tips

• Use props: Place a feather, piece of bread, and a bottle of water in a gift bag. Pull them out as you tell the parts of the story about God providing meat, bread, and water.

• Thumbs up or down: Show children how to “thumbs up” for something good and “thumbs down” for something not good. Name a few items and have the children signal whether it is good or not good. Encourage children to signal “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” to different parts of the Bible story.



Bread from HeavenExodus 15–17

Moses led the people away from the Red Sea, and they came to the wilderness. When they could not find good water to drink, they complained to Moses. God told the people, “If you obey Me

and do what is right, I will not punish you like I punished the Egyptians.” Then the Israelites came to a

place called Elim (EE lim) where there was plenty of water, and they camped

there.The Israelites left Elim and

went out into the wilderness. When they got hungry, they complained to Moses.

“We are starving!” they said. “You brought us out here to die!” But Moses had not brought them out there to die. God knew what He was doing.

God said to Moses, “I heard the Israelites complaining. Tell

them that they will eat meat for dinner, and in the morning they

will eat bread until they are full. Then they will know that I am their God.”

That evening, quail came into the camp and the people ate meat for dinner. In the

morning, fine flakes like frost were on the ground.“What is it?” the Israelites asked.“It is bread,” said Moses. “The Lord has given you bread to eat.”

Bible Storytelling Tips

• Use props: Place a feather, piece of bread, and a bottle of water in a gift bag. Pull them out as you tell the parts of the story about God providing meat, bread, and water.

• Thumbs up or down: Show children how to “thumbs up” for something good and “thumbs down” for something not good. Name a few items and have the children signal whether it is good or not good. Encourage children to signal “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” to different parts of the Bible story.

The Israelites called the bread manna, which means “what is it?”

God gave the people instructions for eating the bread. He told them to gather only what they needed to eat that day. If they gathered too much, the leftovers went bad. On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much so they could rest on the seventh day. The seventh day was the Sabbath day, a day to rest.

The Israelites did not always do what God said to do. Sometimes they gathered too much manna, and sometimes they tried to gather manna on the Sabbath day. Moses was upset that the Israelites did not trust God and obey Him.

For many years, the Israelites traveled in the wilderness, going wherever God told them to go. One day, they stopped to camp but they had no water.

“Moses, give us something to drink,” they said. But Moses did not have any water.

“Lord, what should I do?” Moses prayed. God showed Moses a rock and told him to hit the rock with his staff. When he did, water came out of the rock and the people drank the water. God was with His people.

Christ Connection: When God’s people were hungry and thirsty, God gave them food and water. Later, God sent His Son, Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35). Bread and water give people life for a little while, but Jesus gives people life forever!


TEACH the Story

SESSION TITLE: Bread from HeavenBIBLE PASSAGE: Exodus 15–17STORY POINT: God gave His people food and water.KEY PASSAGE: Matthew 22:37BIG PICTURE QUESTION: What is God like? God is holy, good, and loving.

Welcome and worship with songGreet preschoolers with a smile. As preschoolers arrive, sing an action song such as “Holy God (Holy, Holy, Holy)” to engage them and help them feel welcomed. Begin worship by leading preschoolers in “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah.”

Watch or tell the Bible storyShow the Bible story picture from last week’s session “The Red Sea Crossing.” Briefly review the Bible story.SAY • Wow! Don’t you think the Israelites never worried

or complained about anything ever again after they saw God divide the sea just to save them? [Allow responses.] Not long after God rescued His people, they started to complain! They actually said they wished they were back in Egypt! Listen to the Bible story to hear what happened.

Open your Bible to Exodus 15. Show the video or tell the Bible story using the provided storytelling tips. Use the bolded version of the Bible story for young preschoolers.

Practice the key passage and a Bible skillPlace the key passage marker at Matthew 22:37. Invite a volunteer to open your Bible to the key passage. Read the

• “Holy God (Holy, Holy, Holy)” song

• “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” song

• Bible Story Picture Poster from Unit 4, Session 6

• Bible• “Bread from Heaven”

video (optional)• Bible Story Picture

Poster• Story Point Poster• Giant Timeline

• Bible• Key Passage Marker• Key Passage Poster• “Your Heart, Soul, and

Mind” song


key passage aloud. Create motions for preschoolers to use as they say the key passage. Use the key passage song video for inspiration.SAY • Your heart, soul, and mind make up all of you. Our

key passage tells us that God wants us to love Him with all of us. God loves us so much He sent His Son, Jesus, to give us life forever with Him!

Sing the key passage song “Your Heart, Soul, and Mind” together.

Learn the big picture question and answerSAY • Our big picture question is, What is God like?

The answer is God is holy, good, and loving. God showed the Israelites that they could trust Him. He is good. He gives His people what they need. God loves His people and is always with them. He hears our prayers and always does what is best. God loves us and cares for us.

Respond through song and prayerSAY • When God’s people were hungry and thirsty, God

gave His people food and water. Later, God sent His Son, Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” Bread and water give people life for a little while, but Jesus gives people life forever!

Sing “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” and “One Heart” as preschoolers move with the music. Prepare for prayer by singing “Trust in Jesus.” You may also collect an offering. SAY • God, thank You for always giving us what we need.

Thank You most of all for sending Jesus. Amen.

Transition to experience the story

• Big Picture Question Poster

• Story Point Poster • “Guide Me, O Thou

Great Jehovah” song• “One Heart” song• “Trust in Jesus” song• offering basket

• countdown video (optional)


EXPERIENCE the Story


Make a listAsk preschoolers to name ways they know God loves them. Make a list of preschoolers’ answers on chart paper or a dry erase board. Number the list to introduce preschoolers to the concept of list-making. SAY • This list is a great reminder of how God loves us. In

our Bible story, God showed He loved the Israelites when God gave His people food and water. God always gives us what we need. God gave us what we needed most of all when He sent Jesus. Bread and water give people life for a little while, but Jesus gives people life forever!

Make a handprint quailTrace a child’s hand with fingers pointed to the right on a sheet of paper. Encourage him to draw an eye and beak on left side of the handprint and draw feet on the bottom of the handprint to create a quail. Write the story point on each child’s paper.SAY • You used your hands to make a quail! God gave His

people food and water. God heard the prayers of the Israelites and provided food for His people. When you look at your quail, you can remember to thank God for taking care of us.

• dry erase board or chart paper

• marker

• paper• markers or crayons


Gather mannaScatter pom-poms around the room. Give each preschooler a plastic spoon and a cup. Direct preschoolers to use only their spoons to pick up as much “manna” as they can and put it in their cup. Consider timing older preschoolers. SAY • God gave His people food and water. God provided

bread called manna for the Israelites. I wonder if the Israelites collected their manna as fast you did? Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” The manna gave people life for a little while, but Jesus gives people life forever!

Taste bread and drink waterPost an allergy alert. Wash hands. Provide several types of bread for children to taste. Serve water to drink. SAY • When God’s people were hungry and thirsty, God

gave His people food and water. Later, God sent His Son, Jesus. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” Bread and water give people life for a little while, but Jesus gives people life forever!

Experiment with waterCover a table with towels. Help preschoolers use a funnel to place sand, small rocks, and water in empty plastic water bottles. Secure tops on the bottles with duct tape. Allow a child to shake the bottle and observe what happens.SAY • God made water come out of a rock so the people

would have water to drink. God gave His people food and water. Water gives people life for a little while, but Jesus gives people life forever!

Transition to review the story

• pom-poms• plastic spoons, 1 per

child• cups• timer (optional)

• Allergy Alert download

• different types of bread

• plates• napkins• cups • water• hand sanitizer

• towels• empty plastic water

bottles• water• funnel• rocks• sand• duct tape

• countdown video (optional)


REVIEW the Story


ReviewPoint to the giant timeline as you review today’s Bible story. Ask the following review questions:

1. Who led the people in the wilderness? (Moses)2. How did God provide bread for His people? (He

sent fine flakes like frost on the ground for them togather.)

3. How did God provide water for His people? (Moseshit a rock. God made water come out from the rock.)

4. Who is the “bread of life?” (Jesus)5. Who gives people life forever? (Jesus)6. What is God like? God is holy, good, and loving.

SAY • God had not brought His people out of Egypt only to let them go hungry and thirsty. God gave His people food and water. God wanted the Israelites to know that He was the One who had rescued them from the Egyptians. He would be the One to give them everything they needed. Later, God gave us what we need even more than food or water—Jesus! Jesus is the “bread of life” because anyone who trusts in Him will have life forever with God.

Sing the theme song “Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” or the key passage song “Your Heart, Soul, and Mind.”

• Bible• Bible Story Picture

Poster• Giant Timeline• Story Point Poster• Big Picture Question

Poster• Key Passage Poster• “Guide Me, O Thou

Great Jehovah” song (optional)

• “Your Heart, Soul, and Mind” song (optional)


PrayInvite preschoolers to tell you any prayer requests they have.SAY • God, thank You for always taking care of us and

giving us what we need. Thank You for helping Your people and providing food for them. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” Bread and water give people life for a little while, but Jesus gives people life forever. Amen.

Missions momentSAY • God gave the Israelites what they needed,

and He gives us what we need today. Pastor Jamie started Reborn Community Church in Illinois. God has used the church to give the people who live in that community the things they need. Most of all, they are telling people the good news about Jesus. Let’s watch how they helped one man named Frank.

Show the “I Am Not Alone” missions video.

Play “Rock, Manna, Quail”Show preschoolers how to make different hand signals for rock, manna, and quail. For rock, make a fist. For manna, lay hand flat. For quail, flutter fingers. Call out rock, manna, or quail, and guide preschoolers to do the appropriate signal. Vary the speed and order of the commands. Challenge older preschoolers to use the hand signals to play “Rock, Manna, Quail” like “Rock, Paper, Scissors.” Let rock beat quail, manna beat rock, and quail beat manna. SAY • God gave His people food and water. Bread and

water give people life for a little while, but Jesus gives people life forever!

• “I Am Not Alone” missions video


Documents

Bread from Heaven