Moses and the Burning Bush: Sunday School Lesson
Exodus 3
Big Idea
God sees His people, He calls us by name, and the great I AM is mighty to save.
Story Summary
While Moses was keeping the flock in the wilderness, he came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There he saw a bush that burned with fire but was not burnt up. When he turned aside to see, God called him by name out of the bush: 'Moses, Moses.' God told him to put off his shoes — the ground was holy — and to go to Pharaoh and bring His people out of Egypt. When Moses asked God's name, God said, 'I AM THAT I AM.'
Memory Verse (KJV)
“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM... Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”
Exodus 3:14
Discussion Questions
- What was Moses doing when God called him?
Teacher hint: Keeping the flock of Jethro (Exodus 3:1).
- Why did Moses go closer to the bush?
Teacher hint: He wanted to see the great sight — why the bush was not burnt up (Exodus 3:3).
- Why did God tell Moses to take off his shoes?
Teacher hint: The ground was holy because God was there (Exodus 3:5).
- What name did God give Himself?
Teacher hint: I AM THAT I AM — the eternal, ever-living God (Exodus 3:14).
- How might God be calling you by name to obey Him today?
Craft Idea: Tissue-Paper Burning Bush
Supplies
- Brown card stock cut as a bush
- Red, orange, and yellow tissue paper squares
- Glue stick
- An Exodus 3:14 label
Steps
- Glue the brown bush onto a sheet of paper.
- Scrunch tissue squares and glue them onto the bush as bright flames.
- Below the bush, write 'Holy ground.'
- Stick the Exodus 3:14 label at the bottom to read all week.
Printable Worksheet
The printable bundle includes the story page, an Exodus 3:14 memory-verse card, a 10-question quiz worksheet with answer key, and a Burning Bush coloring page.
Lesson flow (45 minutes)
- Welcome (5 min): Pray, then read the memory verse aloud three times together.
- Story (10 min): Tell the story summary in your own words; open a KJV to Exodus 3.
- Discussion (10 min): Walk through the questions above. Let every child answer at least once.
- Craft (15 min): Make the tissue-paper burning bush.
- Wrap-up (5 min): Hand out the worksheet to finish at home and recite the memory verse one last time.
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Where to go next
Teaching Moses and the Burning Bush? Here is what to grab next for your class.