“Boys & girls, let’s play a game and have fun!“

1. Divide the players into two lines, facing each other. Make sure they stretch their arms out so they can touch the other lines’ hands.
2. Choose one player at a time to run between the lines. The runner should start from the front of one line and go all the way to the end of the other line.
3. Here’s the twist: The runner must be blindfolded. You can use three socks tied together as a blindfold or ask them to simply close their eyes.
4. Safety first: Have a coach or supervisor stand at the end of the lines. Their job is to stop the runner when they finish the run, ensuring everyone’s safety.
5. It’s important for the players in line to understand that are not to touch the runner, UNLESS the runner starts to veer off course, they should gently guide the runner back into line.
6. Designate one player to be the runner for each round. They’ll start at one end and finish at the other, guided by their fellow players’ voices and support.

“Boys & girls, listen carefully. Can you uncover today’s powerful Bible Discovery? Ready?”
THE CIRCUMSTANCE: (Exodus 13:21-22; Deuteronomy 2:1-16; 8:2-3)
After God helped the Israelites to escape Egypt they disobeyed God and found themselves in a vast desert. As they wandered in the desert for 40 years, it gave them time. Time to learn to trust and obey God completely with their whole hearts. During this journey, the people would experience great hardships and the promise of living in their own land.  They were God’s chosen people, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They had been slaves in the land of Egypt, but now, they were free! As they embarked (started) their journey, they found themselves led by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. The cloud and the fire displayed God’s presence. Surrounded by the harsh landscape, these pillars became symbols of hope and guidance, a reminder that they were not alone, God was with them. Day by day, they followed the cloud, and by night, they were bathed in the comforting glow of the fire.

THE CHOICE:  (Deuteronomy 8:2-3)
Children as the Israelites wandered in the desert their faith was tested. During this time some Israelites faced moments of doubt, grumbling (murmuring), and uncertainty. They questioned the path they were on, wondering if the desert was going to be their life from now on. When they were hungry God gave them Manna from heaven and quails (birds) to cook and eat and when thirsty God provided water from a rock. Boys and girls, can you tell me the three things God gave them to eat? 1. Manna 2. Quails 3. Water. I want this half of the area to shout the three things God gave them. Now this half of the half shout. Both sides did great. Let’s shout it all together. 1. Manna 2. Quails 3. Water. Children can you believe some of the people still complained This showed their hearts were not true to God and they were ungrateful for His gifts to them. Everyone had to make the choice to follow or disobey God. Could they trust the cloud that guided them, even when it led them through the desert? Could they find pleasure in the manna, the heavenly bread that fed them daily? These questions are similar to questions we often face today, like questions of faith, and finding joy in difficult (hard) times.

THE CONSEQUENCE: (Exodus 13:21-22; Deuteronomy 2:1-16)
Their choices bore consequences, as choices often do. Some among them, burdened by doubt, and grumbling, questioned the wisdom of their journey. They were tired of setting up camp, taking it down and forever walking in the desert.
They longed for the familiarity of Egypt, despite its chains of slavery. Because they complained and turned away from God’s promise of hope, their consequence was wandering in the desert for 40 years. Boys and girls, I know they had to wander for 40 years because of disobedience but I wonder what happened to their hearts as they traveled through the land. What do you think happened to their hearts (Allow a few children to give an answer?) Good answers. It was during this time, learned to TRUST GOD. Let’s shout TRUST. This time shout, “I will trust God.” Yes, that is what they learned TRUST. Through the trials of the desert, they learned to trust God, for his care and providing for them. The Israelite’s journey of the heart,(children pat, your heart) is a journey that transformed rebellious people into one that served and obeyed the almighty God. Through all of their choices good and bad, one thing remained constant—the presence of God guiding, leading, and loving His people. It’s easy to let a complaining (grumbling) attitude take over when things are not going our way. As God’s children, we need to trust that he is in charge and will work things out. Sometimes delays are the fault of our own disobedience and sometimes they are meant to help us grow. In either case, grumbling displeases God and should be avoided. God our heavenly father wants us to have hearts that thank Him for the good things He has done for us. When we grumble and complain it shows that we are ungrateful for His gifts. may we find our hearts anchored in faith.
“Boys & girls, what did we discover about God in this Bible History? (Coaches: answers will vary.) Let’s become great discoverers by asking some fun & challenging questions. Ready?”