TEACHER BIBLE STUDY LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE

4th-6

th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide

Unit 5, Session 3: The Passover

© 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources

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TEACHER BIBLE STUDY The tenth plague was the most severe and had the greatest impact on the Egyptian people. God told

Moses that around midnight, every firstborn male in Egypt would die. No one would be excluded. Even

the firstborn of the livestock would die.

But God gave specific instructions to the Israelites. They were to slaughter a lamb or goat and put its

blood on their doorposts. The blood on the doorpost would be a distinguishing mark. When God saw the

blood, He “passed over” the house.

The Israelite people were sinful, and they deserved death just as much as the Egyptians did. But God, by

His grace, provided them a way out. By marking their doorposts with the blood of a lamb, they were

spared from the judgment and death they deserved. They deserved to die; the lamb was killed instead.

The tenth plague happened just as the Lord said. The Lord struck every firstborn male in the land of

Egypt. There wasn’t a house without someone dead. Pharaoh had finally had enough. “Get up, leave my

people, … and go, worship Yahweh as you have asked,” he said. (See Exodus 12:29-31.)

As Christians, we are redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or

blemish” (1 Peter 1:18-19). The heart of the gospel is found in the story of the Passover: Jesus was

crucified, not for His sins, but for our sins. We deserve death, but He died instead.

Jesus is “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). His death was the ultimate

sacrifice, and those who are under His saving blood will be passed over in the final judgment. God gave

the Passover to show us His loving provision for sinful man to be made right with Him.

LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE Session Title: The Passover

Bible Passage: Exodus 11:1–13:16

Big Picture Question: Why is the Passover important? The Passover was the way God chose to save His

people and is a picture of Christ’s sacrifice for sinners.

Key Passage: Exodus 6:7

Unit Christ Connection: God saved His people from physical captivity in Egypt as He would one day

send Jesus to save His people from spiritual captivity.

Transition Time

Welcome time

Activity Sheet/Table Centers

Session starter (10 minutes)

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Lesson

Countdown

Introduce the session (2 minutes)

Big picture question (1 minute)

Timeline map (1 minute)

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes)

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)

Key passage (5 minutes)

Discussion starter video (6 minutes)

Sing (5 minutes)

Prayer (2 minutes)

Table Time

Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes)

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Activity choice (10 minutes)

Prayer (5 minutes)

THE BIBLE STORY/OVERVIEW The Passover

Exodus 11:1–13:16

No, no, no, no! Pharaoh refused over and over to let the Israelites go. “I will bring one more plague on

Pharaoh and on Egypt,” God said. “After that, he will let you go from here.” Moses confronted Pharaoh

and told him exactly what would happen: “About midnight God will go through Egypt, and every

firstborn male in the land of Egypt will die, from Pharaoh’s firstborn to the firstborn of the servant girl.

Even the firstborn of the livestock will die. There will be a great cry in Egypt, but none of the Israelites

will be harmed. Then you and your officials will come down and bow before me and tell us to leave.”

Despite Moses’ warning, Pharaoh did not let the Israelites go. So the tenth plague would happen as

God had planned.

God gave to the Israelites specific instructions to prepare for that night. Every Israelite family would

kill a lamb or goat and sprinkle its blood on the doorposts of their houses. This would be a special mark

that God would see and “pass over” the houses of the Israelites. No one in their families would die.

God also told them to eat the lamb as a meal at midnight. The lamb was to be unblemished: no broken

bones, no marks, no deformities. They were also to eat unleavened bread (bread without yeast) and bitter

herbs. God said, “When you eat it, get dressed and put on your sandals. Eat the meal quickly and be

ready to go!”

The Israelite families obeyed God’s instructions and got everything ready. While the Egyptians were

sleeping, the Israelites were busy making a meal and putting blood on their doorposts.

Then, at midnight, God struck every firstborn in the land of Egypt. Pharaoh’s son died. The prisoner’s

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son died. The firstborn of the livestock died. There was a great cry in the land of Egypt because there

wasn’t a house without someone dead. Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron and said, “Get up, leave my

people, and go, worship Yahweh as you have asked.”

The Israelites were ready! A whole army of them—600,000 men and their families—left Egypt

quickly. They took with them bread and their animals. The Israelites even asked the Egyptians for their

riches, and the Egyptians were so afraid that they handed them over!

God lead His people out of Egypt. He was preparing a place for them in a land called Canaan

(KAY nuhn). For 430 years, the Israelites had been slaves in the land of Egypt. They were finally free!

Christ Connection: By His grace, God spared the Israelites from judgment by requiring the blood of a

lamb. Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. His death was the ultimate

sacrifice, and those who trust in Christ are under His saving blood and will be passed over in the final

judgment.

TRANSITION TIME Session Title: The Passover







Welcome time Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group.

Ask kids to share about a time when they had trouble being patient waiting for a special trip or vacation.

Where were they going? Why was it hard to be patient?

Activities/Table Centers Table Centers (Miscellaneous Activities)

“Mealtime” / “Sandal Sort” activity page, 1 per kid (Lesson Specific)

Pencils

Bibles, 1 per kid

Ask kids to write or draw a picture of their favorite meal on the “Mealtime” activity page.

Say How often do you eat your favorite meal? Do you only have it on a special occasion like your

birthday or Christmas? Do you eat your meal once a week? Why is this meal your favorite? What

makes it so special to you?

Today we will hear about a special meal the Israelites had. This meal was so important that God

instructed them to have it once a year to remember what He had done for them.

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Every time they sat down to eat the meal, they were to remember and celebrate a special time that

God had provided for them. The meal was a time for grandparents and parents to share with their

children how great God is and that He is the one true God.

Read Exodus 12:5, 8, 20 to discover what the Israelites ate during their special meal.

As time allows, guide kids to build their Bible skills by completing the “Sandal Sort” activity page.

You may choose to extend the activity by calling the name of a Bible book aloud and asking kids to

respond by announcing whether it is an Old or New Testament book.

Session starter (10 minutes) “Find Your Shoes” Game Instructions

Option 1: Find your shoes

Instruct kids to remove their shoes and pile them in the middle of the room or small group area. Lead

kids to hold hands and form a circle around the pile of shoes. Without releasing hands, kids must put on

their shoes again (on the correct feet).

Say In today’s Bible story, we will hear that God told the Israelites to be ready to go. They had to have

their sandals on and their staffs in hand to leave Egypt quickly.

Option 2: Color give away red and yellow individually wrapped candies, beads, buttons, or other items small enough to fit into a closed hand

items of each color, 3 per kid

5 craft sticks: 2 with a yellow marker dot, 2 red, 1 blank

opaque container such as a cup or mug

Tip: Use any two colors you have.

Provide each kid with three items of each color. On each turn kids will select one item to hold in their

closed hand. You will select a craft stick from the container. If the item in their hand is the same color as

the marker dot on the craft stick, they must forfeit the item. Play several rounds.

Say Did you like giving up your items? In today’s story the Egyptians gladly give the Israelites their

jewelry and other valuables. Listen to find out what the Egyptians gave away.

Transition to large group

LESSON Session Title: The Passover


Big Picture Question: Why is the Passover important? The Passover was the way God chose to save

His people and is a picture of Christ’s sacrifice for sinners.




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Countdown countdown video (Insert provided DVD with lesson videos and worship)

Show the countdown video as you clean-up table centers, set up classroom chairs for lesson, and set it to

end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (2 minutes) archaeologist attire for large group leader

wooden or ceramic cross

piece of paper, folded

Create a spot where an archaeological discovery is in progress. Partially hide an old-looking cross in this spot, surrounded by

tools. Cross can be any size.

Place the folded piece of paper on stage in a spot kids can easily see.

[Dress as an archaeologist in white and khaki clothing, work boots, and a wide-brimmed hat. Begin

calling for the professor while off stage.]

Leader Professor! Professor! Professsoooorrrr! That professor sure is a busy guy. Seems like I can

never find him around. Did you all come to find the professor so you can learn more about biblical

archaeology, too? Interesting. Well, I guess I’ll just sit over here and wait for the professor. Cool! It

looks like he left some of his tools.

[Walk over to the spot with the archaeology tools and the hidden cross. Depending on how you arrange

the cross you can finish unburying it or just find it already unburied.]

Leader Let’s check them out. OK, here’s the trowel. That’s a good tool for digging. And here’s his

brush to dust off the dirt to see what has been found. The bucket is for getting the dirt out of the way

while you dig. And what do we have here? I see another archaeological discovery. Hang on a minute

while I uncover it. It is an old cross. Interesting. I wonder what it means. Maybe the professor left us

a note again this week that will help us figure out this discovery.

Big picture question (1 minute) 11x17 poster provided

[Look around the stage for the folded piece of paper. Allow the kids to point out to you where it is.]

Leader Thanks, kids! You would be great archaeologists. You discovered our note very fast. Our note

says, “Today’s big picture question is, Why is the Passover important?” The Passover? What’s the

Passover? Maybe we need to figure out what the Passover is so we can figure out why it’s important.

Maybe our timeline will tell us where we can find the Passover story in the Bible.

Timeline map (1 minute) Timeline Map (Posted on wall in classroom. Additional copies provided for Table Time Review)

Leader Here is our archaeological dig site. I see our Bible story pictures about Moses and the burning

bush and Moses confronting Pharaoh. And here on the timeline it says the Passover is found in Exodus

11. Does everyone know where Exodus is in the Bible? I heard someone say it! Yes, it is the second

book of the Bible, right after the Book of Genesis.

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Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) “The Passover” video

Bibles

Big Picture Question: Why is the Passover Important? – 11x17 poster provided

Bible Story Picture – 11x17 poster provided

Open your Bible to Exodus 11 and tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video

“The Passover.”

Leader The Passover became a very special time of remembrance for the Israelites. God instructed them

to celebrate the Passover every year so they would remember all He had done to free them from

slavery. God required a sacrifice in order to provide salvation for the Israelites. Although the Israelites

worshiped the one true God, they were still sinners. They didn’t deserve to be saved. They couldn’t

earn a way to be saved. But God chose to save the Israelites because He is gracious and loving. God

promised Abraham that He would free his descendants from slavery in Egypt, and that is exactly what

God did. God gave the Israelites instructions to follow so they would be protected during the final

plague.

Sadly, Pharaoh and the Egyptians faced a very difficult consequence for their sin. They lost every

firstborn son—human and animal. Even Pharaoh’s son died.

Why is the Passover important? The Passover was the way God chose to save His people and is a

picture of Christ’s sacrifice for sinners. Sin always has consequences, even if we don’t see them

immediately. The greatest consequence for sin is that it separates us from God. Without the sacrifice

of Jesus as the Lamb of God, we could not be saved. But God graciously provided Jesus, the Lamb of

God, to be our sacrifice. Jesus’ death paid the price for our sin.

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Tip: Anytime you share how to become a Christian in a large group environment, try to have teachers available to meet one-on-

one with kids. Make sure kids know who they can talk to and when they can talk.

Use the guide provided to explain the gospel to boys and girls. Encourage kids who have questions about

becoming a Christian to ask an adult or teacher.

Key passage (5 minutes) Key Passage Poster: Exodus 6:7 (provided)

Worship Song: “I Am Yahweh!” (on provided DVD)

Leader God redeemed the Israelites just like He told Moses He would. He took the Israelites to be His

people. He would be their God. The Passover shows us these things.

Sing “I Am Yahweh!”

Leader Does anyone know our passage from memory?

If you have a volunteer, allow him to quote the passage. Gently assist him if needed.

Discussion starter video (6 minutes) “Lord’s Supper” video (on provided DVD)

Leader Why is the Passover important? The Passover was the way God chose to save His people and

is a picture of Christ’s sacrifice for sinners. God instructed the Israelites to celebrate the Passover

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every year so they would never forget how He rescued them from their physical captivity in Egypt.

Right before Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He instructed people who trust in Him to observe a

new event as a way to remember Him and His sacrifice on the cross. Let’s watch this video and see if

we recognize this special time of celebration and remembrance.

Show “Lord’s Supper” video.

Leader Did anyone recognize what was happening? What did the plate of unleavened bread represent?

What did the cup of juice represent? Why do Christians celebrate the Lord’s Supper or Communion?

Great answers!

Some of you may be like the kids in the video and you didn’t know what was going on during the

Communion time. The Lord’s Supper or Communion is a special time that Christians celebrate to

remember how Jesus Christ saved us from spiritual captivity. All people are captive to sin, but the good

news is that Jesus came to rescue us and free us to follow and serve Him—not sin!

Sing (5 minutes) Worship Song: “You Lift Me Up” (on provided DVD)


is a picture of Christ’s sacrifice for sinners. God’s chosen people would see God come to their rescue

again and again. God would provide for them. He would save them. He would lift them up when they

were weak just like He lifted them out of their captivity.

Sing “You Lift Me Up.”

Prayer (2 minutes)


is a picture of Christ’s sacrifice for sinners. After I pray, watch your small group leader for the signal

to leave. In your small groups you will talk more about the Passover and how it is a picture of Jesus,

the Lamb of God.

Close in prayer. Ask God to help boys and girls understand the sacrifice that Jesus made for them.

Dismiss to small groups for Table Time

Insights for Large Group Leaders The Passover lamb is a picture of Jesus, the Lamb of God, who conquered sin and death for God’s people.

Help kids understand the significance of sin and that it requires a payment. Jesus gave His life as the

payment for their sins.

Here are some tips to guide you as you present the gospel to kids.

Try to have teachers available to meet one-on-one with kids. Make sure kids know who they can

talk to and when they can talk.

Be as concrete as possible. Avoid abstract or highly symbolic phrases like “inviting Jesus into your

heart.” Abstract phrases often lead to distraction and confusion in concrete thinkers.

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The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means “good news.” It

is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the

gospel with kids.

God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of

everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians

1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean.

We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God.

(Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us

from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23)

God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son Jesus, the perfect

solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners,

could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9.

Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose

again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God’s family for eternity. This is

the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18.

We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these

aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done

on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus.

Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus.

TABLE TIME LEADER Session Title: The Passover







Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Bibles, 1 per kid

Timeline - small group visual pack

Tip: It is OK if you do not complete all the activities in a session because kids are asking questions about Jesus and salvation.

Always follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance and don’t feel pressured to cut short any needed conversations.

Review the timeline. Note again how much time passed between God’s promise to Abraham and the

Passover.

Guide kids to look up the following verses to review the Bible story: Exodus 11:1-3; Exodus 11:4-6;

Exodus 12:5,21-23; Exodus 12:29-32; Exodus 12:35-36. Assign verses to kids individually or in groups.

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Say Why is the Passover important? The Passover was the way God chose to save His people and is a

picture of Christ’s sacrifice for sinners.

Who is the Lamb of God? (Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.)

Because Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice to pay for our sins, as Christians we no longer celebrate

the Passover. We now celebrate the Lord’s Supper as a time of celebration and remembrance of

Jesus, the Lamb of God, who gave His life to take away our sin.

You may choose to review how to become a Christian with boys and girls. Take time to answer any

questions kids may have about the gospel. Encourage boys and girls to talk to you, another church leader,

or their parents if they need to.

God rules. God created and is in charge of everything. (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; Col. 1:16-17)

We sinned. Since Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Rom. 3:23; 6:23)

God provided. God sent His Son Jesus to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. (John 3:16;

Eph. 2:8-9)

Jesus gives. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again so we can be

welcomed into God’s family. (Rom. 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 3:18)

We respond. Believe that Jesus alone saves you. Repent. Tell God that your faith is in Jesus.

(Rom. 10:9-10,13)

Key passage activity (5 minutes) “Pass the Plate” Game Instructions

Key Passage Poster (11x17 poster provided)

Laminated paper plate picture (the key passage is on the reverse side of the paper plate)

Tip: If kids are struggling with a particular section of the key passage, play the game with just that section for a few rounds.

Allow kids to pass the paper plate—facing up—around the circle as they quote the key passage. Only the

person holding the plate is allowed to provide a word. If someone forgets a word or hesitates too long,

start the key passage again. Allow kids to turn the plate over and read the verse before restarting the

game. If time allows, repeat the game a few times.

Say Every year when the Israelites celebrated the Passover, they remembered how God had delivered

them from slavery. Our key passage mentions that God would redeem the Israelites and they

would be His people.

Activity choice (10 minutes)

Option 1: Door frame relay index cards

markers

painter’s tape or masking tape

“The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me”

Tips: Do not allow kids to jump to touch the top of the door frame edge.

If you do not have a door frame, draw one on long paper or poster board and allow kids to attach the index cards to the paper

door frame.

Guide kids to draw the symbols and write the five key statements from the gospel plan poster on an index

card. Form two teams. Allow teams to race to attach their card to any part of a door frame.

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Say The Israelites were required to cover the lintel and the doorposts with the blood of a lamb. This

was a picture of how Jesus would die for sinners to be saved. The lintel was a wooden crossbeam

at the top of the doorway.

Jesus was our sacrificial lamb. He paid the price for our sins so we could have forgiveness. The

Lord’s Supper is how Christians celebrate and remember Christ’s sacrifice.



Encourage kids to remove their cards from the doorway and use them to share with others about Jesus

Christ.

Option 2: Prayerwalk paper

pens or pencils

tape

Tips: Preprint notes for kids to sign to save time.

If you cannot leave your teaching space, ask kids to name groups of people in other rooms around the church, or ask the church

office for a list of Bible study groups. Take turns praying for each group or class.

Explain to kids that you are going on a prayerwalk. A prayerwalk is when you walk to specific places or

along a specific path for the purpose of praying for people in those places or along the path. Today your

class will be walking to stand outside a classroom door in your church to pray for the people meeting

inside that classroom.

Ask for a kid volunteer to pray for the people in each classroom where you stop. Allow kids to write a

note for the class telling them they were prayed for today. Attach the note to the door frame. Help kids

understand that you do not want to interrupt the class you are praying for.

Inform kids ministry leaders where your group is walking and when you will be back. If time is

limited, visit only one classroom door.

Say What did the Israelites have to do to be saved from the last plague? (Kill an unblemished lamb and

spread its blood on the lintel and doorposts of their house; Ex. 12:5,21-23)

What do we have to do to be saved from our sins? (Believe that Jesus alone saves you. Repent. Tell

God that your faith is in Jesus; Rom. 10:9-10,13)

Every week we have the opportunity to share about Jesus with people inside and outside our church.

Not everyone who comes to church is a Christian. We can pray every week that someone at our

church will understand the gospel and respond to Jesus.



Prayer and Clean-Up (5 minutes)

Allow boys and girls to share any prayer requests they have for the upcoming week. Give the kids a few

minutes to pray a silent prayer to God about His gift of salvation. Kids may wish to pray for people they

know who have not accepted God’s gift of salvation.

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Say God provided the Israelites with physical salvation from captivity, but His plan was to send Jesus to

provide people salvation from their spiritual captivity to sin.

Close in prayer.

Clean-up room.

Dismiss

TM

God Formed His NationUNIT 5 • Session 3 • Older Kids Activity Pages

Instructions: Draw a picture or write a description of

your favorite meal or a special meal your family

eats to celebrate a holiday or special event.

The Israelites were given instructions to eat a special meal. Read Exodus 12:11 to reveal what name

this special meal was given. This meal became a traditional time of remembrance for the Israelites.

© 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources.

TM

God Formed His NationUNIT 5 • Session 3 • Older Kids Activity Pages

Instructions: Circle the Old

Testament books and draw a

box around the New Testament

books of the Bible.


TMThe WildernessUNIT 5 • Gospel Plan Poster


OK tO print

god rules.

we sinned.

god provided.

jesus gives.

we respond.

gos·pel – noun. good news. the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation.

theGOSPELgod’s plan for me

The Bible tells us God created everything, including you and me, and He is in charge of everything. Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:16-17

Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He’s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. John 14:6; Romans 10:9-10,13

He lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be wel-comed into God’s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 2:8-9

God sent Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It’s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9

We all choose to disobey God. The Bible calls this sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God’s punishment of death. Romans 3:23; 6:23

TM

Family Journal Page

God Formed His NationSession Title: The Passover


Big Picture Question for preschoolers: Why is the

Passover important? God saved His people at the �rst

Passover.

Big Picture Question for kids: Why is the Passover

important? The Passover was the way God chose to

save His people and is a picture of Christ’s sacri�ce for

sinners.


Christ Connection: By His grace, God spared the

Israelites from judgment by requiring the blood of

a lamb. Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away

the sin of the world. His death was the ultimate

sacri�ce, and those who trust in Christ are under

His saving blood and will be passed over in the �nal

judgment.

If everyone in your family is a Christian, consider hosting a family Lord’s Supper.

Otherwise, have unleavened bread and juice as part of a meal. Talk about how these elements

were part of the Passover meal and what they mean as part of the Lord’s Supper. Let the

kid(s) draw the elements you shared.


OK TO PRINT

TM OK TO PRINT

God Formed His Nation

I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God,

and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has brought

you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

Exodus 6:7

TEACHER BIBLE STUDY LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE

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