Leader Guide
Teaching Time
- Flame Page
- Painter's tape or masking tape
- One sheet of cardstock
- Optional: orange, red, and yellow markers or crayons to color that page if printing it in black and white
- Scissors
- Two costume beards (preferably white) for Aaron and Moses
- Toy snake; stuffed, plastic, or rubber snake (from Object to Go!)
- Walking cane, walking stick, or yardstick for Moses' staff
- Bible or Superbook Bible App
Optional: Actors can play the roles without costumes. Or, if you have the time and assistants, you can add some or all of these accessories:
• Dish towels, cloth strips, rope or yarn to make head wraps for Pharoah and the Israelites
• Sandals for Moses
Play Video (Bible story)
Moses and the Burning Bush
Bible Story
Print the Flame Page in color or black and white on cardstock.
If the page is printed in black and white, color the flames with crayons or markers.
Cut 3 strips of tape, then form each into a small ring (sticky side out) and to the back of each flame.
Select volunteers to play the following roles:
● Moses
● Aaron
● Burning bush
● 3 Israelites
● 3 sheep
Adjust the number of sheep and Israelites as desired
Using the rings of tape, attach the three flames to the palms and forehead of the burning bush actor.
Assist Moses and Aaron with their beards
Give Moses the “staff” to hold.
Tell the Bible story slowly using the bullets provided. Bring excitement and interest to the story by varying your voice and volume level.
Pause at the bolded text which indicates that it is time for the actor or actors to enter the designated area and/or perform as instructed.
When God speaks, use a deep but not scary voice.
● There was a man named Moses who lived in the desert. Moses enters with his staff or walking stick.
● Moses was a shepherd who cared for his sheep. All the sheep said “baa!” The sheep enter and wander around on their hands and feet/knees or crouch down, “baaing” as Moses walks around them.
● Uh-oh! Suddenly a bush began to burn. The bush enters and stands a few feet away from Moses with flames turned toward him.
● Moses was surprised; he had never seen anything like this before. Moses looks at the bush with a surprised face.
● The bush burned brightly with fire, but it did not burn up! Let’s see the burning bush waving its branches. Burning bush actor waves hands.
● This was no ordinary bush. God was speaking to Moses through it!
● God told Moses to take off his shoes because the ground was very special and holy.
● Then God said, “I see what Pharoah is doing to my people, the Israelites. Pharoah makes them work very hard, and they are tired and hurting!”
● God said: “Moses, I am going to send you to free them so they can live in a new land that has everything they need!”
● Moses was afraid; He put his head down. Moses lowers his head.
● Moses did not think he was the man God should send.
● God said, “I will go with you to Pharaoh; you will not be alone!”
● Moses shook his head no. He did not think anyone would believe him. Moses shakes his head no.
● God said, “Moses, put your staff on the ground.” The leader puts the staff on the ground.
● God did a miracle and the staff turned into a living snake! The leader picks up the staff and lays the snake on the ground.
● Hmmmm, now where have we seen this snake before? Children respond.
● Yes, now we know why it is here!
● God told Moses He would do more miracles to prove He had sent Moses.
● Moses shook his head no. He was STILL scared because he could not talk well to people. Moses shakes his head no.
● God told Moses that He created people with a mouth to talk and ears to listen. He would teach Moses what to say.
● Moses shook his head no again. Again, he asked God to send someone else! Moses shakes his head no.
● Moses had a brother named Aaron. God sent Aaron to help Moses. Aaron enters, stands beside Moses, and puts his hand on Moses’ shoulder.
● Moses smiled; He was happy to see his brother Aaron! Now he had the courage to go to Pharaoh.
● Moses and Aaron went to the Israelite people. The Israelite actors enter and stand in front of Moses and Aaron.
● Moses told the Israelite people that God cared about them and wanted to free them from the hard work that Pharaoh gave them.
● The Israelite people were happy. The people raised their arms and jumped up and down. Then they bowed down and worshiped God!
● Even though Moses was afraid, God was kind and patient. He gave Moses the strength and courage to go to Pharaoh.
● Raise your hand if you believe God is always with you! Children respond
● It is true, we are never alone. God will never leave us! And that is God’s promise to us in today’s Bible verse!