J1Y1BK3 MARCH-MAY
Lesson
12
Moses’ Failures
and successes
Bible Background
O v e r v i e w
Bible Text
Exodus 2:11-15; 4:1-17;
Acts 7:17-36
Bible Truth
Moses needed God’s help
to reach his goal
Lesson Aim
To acknowledge our weaknesses and get help from
God
Memory Verse
“He leads the humble in
what is right, and teaches
the humble his way.”
(Proverbs 25:9)
143
Egypt could be considered the bread basket
of the ancient world. The Nile River, which
flows through Egypt even today, continually
deposited rich, fertile, well-watered soil along
its banks. Crops flourished in that strip of
land alongside the Nile. When food became
scarce in Canaan, people would travel to
Egypt. Both Abraham and Isaac, and eventually Jacob and his sons did this. After settling
in Egypt, Jacob’s descendants, the Israelites,
were “fruitful and increased greatly; they
multiplied and grew exceedingly strong; so
that the land was filled with them.” (Ex 1:7)
Despite this, the Israelites were still foreigners and their lives were very different from
the Egyptians. The Israelites worshiped one
God; the Egyptians worshiped many gods.
The Israelites were wanderers; the Egyptians
had a deeply rooted culture. The Israelites
were shepherds; the Egyptians were builders.
Also, the Israelites were physically separated
from the rest of the Egyptians: They lived in
Goshen, north of the great Egyptian cultural
centers. (page 105, Life Application Bible,
1991.)
Historically, Moses’ birth (c. 1526) and
youth take place during the New [Kingdom]
Period (c. 1570~1150 B.C.). It was a time
when Egypt ruled the East, pharaonic rulers
enjoyed great splendor, and the Israelites
Bible Background, continued
About
Your
were enslaved for royal building projects. Great
pharaohs of this era include Amenhotep I, Thutmose I,
Thutmose II, Queen Hatshepsut, and Thutmose III
who was a great builder, conqueror and enslaver of the
Israelites. (page 86, Unger’s Bible Handbook, 1966)
Because Moses was brought up by Pharoah’s
daughter, he “was instructed in all the wisdom of the
Egyptians” (Acts 7:22), and according to Jewish tradition this included arithmetic, geometry, poetry, music,
astronomy, and many other subjects. (page 77, The
New Manners and Customs of Bible Times, 1987)
Acknowledging weakness, as your students are learning, is not one of the traits highly valued in our society.
Students are being taught to have confidence: if you
believe you can do it, then you can; don’t let anyone
know your weaknesses. Help your students understand
that many traits we learn in society do not help us in
God’s kingdom. In fact, acknowledging our weaknesses
is one of the traits that are valued in God’s eyes.
Remember Apostle Paul said that in weakness we shall
be strong. Thus, weakness is a good trait for a
Christian. Weakness also helps us to be humble. It is
when we realize that we are weak that we can fully seek
God’s help. This is one of the great mysteries of God but
when we can understand what it means to be strong
when we are weak, we would be a true Christian to God.
Students
Spiritual
Food
The Bible says that we need to strive for perfection
because God is perfect and he wants us to be perfect,
too. However, as humans we all have weaknesses. Can
we continue onward to perfection in our journey of
faith without realizing what weaknesses we have? No,
we can’t. Only when we review the paths we have trod
do we see whether or not we’ve been meeting up to
what God hopes and wants from us. Therefore, it is
important for us to take a step back and take some
time to really look at ourselves. When was the last time
you spent some quiet time by yourself and considered
your areas-in-need-of-improvement? Was it a year ago?
A month? Last week?
The Bible says that Moses was the most humble
man on the face of the earth. This was because he
walked with God. Ever in the presence of God’s awesome perfection, Moses would naturally be aware of his
own imperfection and need of God. He didn’t start off
having that “perfect and humble” attitude: he had his
struggles and failures. However, the more he walked
with the Lord, the more Moses would improve.
Likewise, as we continue our journey of faith, we can
emulate Moses’ example by regularly asking ourselves
the question, “How am I doing spiritually?” If you are
struggling, give yourself quiet time and pray; meditate
on the words of God, and ask the Lord to help you. In
time, you will recognize what you need to improve and
God will help you understand what you you can do
about it, giving you strength to move forward, on to a
new stage.
For
Thought
144
Preparing
Your
Ask your students:
Hearts
• Who has ever pretended to know where they were
going or what they were doing when actually they had
no clue? Why did they pretend?
• Who has ever fought to keep tears back at a sad
moment because they were in the presence of others?
Why did they do that?
• Do they have a habit or characteristic they would
rather not let their school friends know about them?
Why don’t they want their school friends to know?
• Did they ever “play along,” pretending to know
something that their friends were talking about when
actually they didn’t know? Why did they do that?
In our society, you don’t see too many people admitting their shortcomings or weaknesses. Why? (People
might look down upon you, treat you with less respect,
they might laugh or mock at you, they might not want
to associate with you because they don’t want to be
dragged down too or they don’t want to be associated
to the shortcoming or weakness.) In any case, people
may end up relying upon themselves till the bitter (and
unnecessary) end because they don’t want to reveal a
weakness or shortcoming. In today’s lesson, we will see
how good it is to acknowledge our weakness or short145 coming—to God!
Bible
Bible Study, continued
Study
Worksheet #2
Worksheet #1
Part B: Scenario One
12
When Moses was ______
(forty) years old, he
went out to where his
own people were and he
Scenario One:
watched them at their
hard labor. He saw one
of them being ______
(mistreated or beaten)
by an Egyptian, so he
went to his defense and
Scenario Two:
______ (avenged) the
Hebrew man by ______
(killing) the Egyptian.
Moses thought that his own people would realize that
God was using him to ______ (deliver or rescue) them,
but they did not. Rather than recognize his leadership
or accept his help, they rejected Moses.
Instead of rescuing his people, Moses ended up
______ (running) away for his life and hiding in the
land of ______ (Midian). While he was living there,
Moses got married, became a ______ (father), and
worked as a ______ (shepherd) for his father-in-law.
B i b l e
Moses’ Failures and Successes
Lesson
Then have the students read
Exodus 2:11-16, 21-22; 3:1
and Acts 7:23-29 before they
complete Part B: Scenario
One of the worksheet.
D i s c o v e r y
Read Exodus 1:1-14 and Acts 7:20-22 before you work on part A.
Worksheet #1
Part A
Teacher’s Note:
Have the students read
Exodus 1:1-14 and Acts 7:2022 before they complete Part
A of the worksheet.
Part A
Moses was a Hebrew, an Israelite, but he was raised as
an ______ (Egyptian). As he was growing up, Moses
lived among royalty while his people the Israelites were
ruthlessly oppressed by the ______ (Pharaoh) with
forced labor.
Egypt was an advanced and powerful nation so
Moses was very fortunate to be “______ (instructed or
educated) in all the ______ (wisdom) of the
Egyptians.” With his high status and education, he
“was ______ (mighty or powerful) in his ______
(words or speech) and ______ (deeds or actions).”
Moses was a Hebrew, an Israelite, but he was raised as an __________________ . As he
was growing up, Moses lived among royalty while his people the Israelites were ruthlessly
oppressed by the __________________ with forced labor.
Egypt was an advanced and powerful nation so Moses was very fortunate to be
"___________________ in all the __________________ of the Egyptians." With his high status
and education, he "was _____________________ in his ____________ and ________________."
Read Exodus 2:11-16, 21-22; 3:1 and Acts 7:23-29 before you work on Part B: Scenario One.
Part B
When Moses was ___________ years old, he went out to where his own people were and
he watched them at their hard labor. He saw one of them being ________________ by an Egyptian,
so he went to his defense and ________________ the Hebrew man by ________________ the
Egyptian. Moses thought that his own people would realize that God was using him to
_________________ them, but they did not. Rather than recognize his leadership or accept his
help, they rejected Moses.
Instead of rescuing his people, Moses ended up _________________ away for his life and
hiding in the land of ________________. While he was living there, Moses got married, became a
Check Your Bible Knowledge!
Q: What did Moses do the first time to rescue his
people?
(Moses struck and killed an Egyptian; he tried to be a
leader by settling a dispute between two Hebrews.)
Q: Moses seemed pretty convinced that he was the
one to rescue his people. What circumstances do
you think made Moses think he was the one?
(Moses had a unique and exceptional background.
When he was a baby, he was spared from Pharaoh’s
edict to kill all male Hebrew babies. Not only did he
escape death but he grew up in a position of privilege
and authority. While the Israelites were being worked
ruthlessly by the Pharaoh, Moses received royal education and training. He was well-nourished, well-educated, and knowledgeable about Egyptian court, politics,
and society. He was mighty in his speech and actions.
His knowledge, abilities, and special circumstance
could’ve seemed to make him the perfect candidate to
lead a rescue.)
______________, and worked as a ___________________ for his father-in-law.
Read Exodus 3:9-10; 4:1-17; 12:40-41 and Acts 7:30-34, 36 before you work on Scenario Two.
After ______________ years had passed, God called Moses to help his people so Moses
returned
to
Egypt.
He
appeared
before
the
__________________
and
did
______________________________________________. In the end, Moses led _________ of the
Israelites safely out of Egypt.
Finally have the students read
Exodus 3:9-10; 4:1-17;
12:40-41 and Acts 7:30-34,
36 before they complete
Scenario Two.
49
Scenario Two
After ______ (forty) years had passed, God called
Moses to help his people so Moses returned to Egypt.
He appeared before the _______ (Pharaoh) and did
______ (wonders and miraculous signs). In the end,
Moses led ______ (all) of the Israelites safely out of
146 Egypt.
Q: Forty years later, the LORD appeared to Moses
and told him to do the same thing that he had
tried to do before—rescue the Israelites. Funny,
even though Moses cared for his people, he wasn’t
so quick to be their rescuer this time. He even tried
to get out of doing it! In the past, he was so confident about it; what made him resistant now?
(Moses was resistant because he knew he lacked the
authority and ability to rescue the Israelites. Also, he
was afraid. During the last forty years, Moses had been
hiding in Midian. To Moses, the simple, low-key life he
had been living didn’t exactly make him rescuer material. He was an eighty-year old husband/father/shepherd/exile—hardly the strong, heroic, eloquent prince
of the past. If his people didn’t accept his leadership
then—when he had princely ability and authority—they
certainly weren’t going to follow him now, especially if
he was turning up after forty years of absence and
claiming that God had sent him. And if his own people
weren’t going to listen to him, how much less would
147 the powerful Pharaoh of all Egypt! Moses didn’t want
Bible Study, continued
to fail again. When he was younger he could afford to
be recklessly heroic but now he had a family and his
own life to think about. If he messed up he could die,
be imprisoned or enslaved. Also, Moses might have
been afraid to return to Egypt since the last time he
was there, Pharaoh wanted him dead.)
Q: What did the LORD provide Moses so he
could accomplish the task?
(The LORD knew about Moses’ insufficiencies and
weaknesses even better than Moses did. The LORD
didn’t expect Moses to have special abilities or knowledge to accomplish the task so he was ready to provide
Moses what he needed: Power and authority to perform wonders and miracles, the staff as a reminder of
God’s abidance and to perform miracles with, wisdom
to speak, and even a companion to work with.)
Q: Finally, Moses accepted the task. Even though
he still had fears and concerns in his heart, he cared
about his people and he had faith that God could
help him. He went ahead and made arrangements
to return to Egypt. When he went back, what did
Moses take with him?
(Moses took the staff of God in his hand. This shows
he was putting his reliance on God’s power and God’s
guidance.)
Q: Moses approached things differently this time.
How does the Bible describe his second attempt to
rescue the Israelites
(Ex 7:6, 10, 20)?
(Moses did and said as
12
the LORD command✎
ed. He didn’t rely on
his own ability or
✎
understanding. Even
when the LORD com✎
manded him to do
something pretty
✎
incredible and potentially embarrassing like
✎
throw handfuls of ashes
in the air, Moses did it
✎
faithfully (Ex 9:8-10).)
Lesson
Moses’ Failures and Successes
Check Your
Bible Knowledge!
What did Moses
do the first time to
rescue his people?
Moses seemed pretty convinced that
he was the one to rescue his people.
What circumstances do you think
made Moses think he was the one?
Forty years later, the LORD appeared to
Moses and told him to do the same thing
that he had tried to do before—rescue the
Israelites. Funny, even though Moses cared
for his people, he wasn’t so quick to be their
rescuer this time. He even tried to get out of
doing it! In the past, he was so confident
about it; what made him resistant now?
What did the LORD provide
Moses so he could accomplish
the task?
Finally, Moses accepted the task. Even though
he still had fears and concerns in his heart, he
cared about his people and he had faith that
God could help him. He went ahead and made
arrangements to return to Egypt. When he
went back, what did Moses take with him?
148
Compare the results
Compare the results of Moses’ first attempt to rescue
the Israelites with his second attempt.
B i b l e
Moses’ Failures and Successes
12
Worksheet #3
D i s c o v e r y
COMPARE
the results of Moses’ first
attempt to rescue the Israelites
and his second attempt.
Moses’ 1st Attempt
Moses’ 2nd Attempt
(Ex 2:15)
(Ex 11:3; 10:7; 12:31)
(Acts 7:25-28)
(Ex 4:29-31; 12:28, 50)
What was the
attitude of the
Egyptians toward
Moses?
What was the
attitude of the
Israelites toward
Moses?
How many people did
Moses rescue?
(Ex 12:40-41)
Which attempt was a
success and which a
failure?
Moses never could have rescued the Israelites without God’s help. The first time he tried, he relied on his own
understanding and abilities but he failed. The second time was different. He put his trust in God and God led
him all the way. But it was only after acknowledging his own weakness and insufficiency that Moses could
depend on God. Only then could he put his trust into God’s instructions and follow them faithfully. This wonderful combination (Humility + Trusting + Obeying) was the key to Moses’ success. It can be the key to
our success, too.
51
B i b l e
D i s c o v e r y
Worksheet #2
50
Worksheet #3
Lesson
Bible Study, continued
Moses approached things
differently this time. How
does the Bible describe his
second attempt to rescue the
Israelites (Ex 7:6, 10, 20)?
What was the attitude of the Egyptians toward
Moses?
1st Attempt--(Ex 2:15): Pharaoh wanted to kill Moses.
2nd Attempt--(Ex 11:3; 10:7; 12:31): Pharaoh’s officials and the people regarded Moses highly and feared
him/took what he said seriously;
Pharaoh became submissive/afraid of Moses, urged
Moses to leave Egypt and asked Moses to bless him.
What was the attitude of the Israelites toward
Moses?
1st Attempt--(Acts 7:25-28): They rejected Moses, did
149 not accept his authority and leadership.
Life Application, continued
How many people did M. rescue?
1st Attempt: None
2nd Attempt--(Ex 12:40-41): All the Israelites
Which attempt was a success and which a failure?
1st Attempt: Failure
2nd Attempt: Success
Write down the weakness or burden that keeps you
from accomplishing your goal:
(Bad temper, laziness, fear, no confidence, shyness,
embarrassment, lack of skill or knowledge, forgetfulness, etc.)
L i f e
Moses’ Failures and Successes
12
T HE K EY TO S UCCESS
Worksheet #4
Application
Lesson
2nd Attempt--(Ex 4:29-31; 12:28, 50): They believed
Moses and accepted him, they obeyed him.
Lesson
Bible Study, continued
L i f e
Moses’ Failures and Successes
12
Worksheet #4
T HE K EY TO S UCCESS
Application
Humility + Trusting God + Obeying God
Humility + Trusting God + Obeying God
Step 3: Obeying God
Step 1: Humility
Proverbs 3:6 says:
The apostle ______________ had a goal to preach the gospel. When he was feeling physically and spiritually weak, the
Psalm 119:105 says:
1 Samuel 15:22 says:
Lord told him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9)." This helped
the apostle ______________ understand that human weakness and humility are the beginning of God’s power and
strength (2 Cor 12:8-10).
What is a personal or important goal that you have in
the Lord:
Humility and Trusting God are the first two steps to success but they would be USELESS without Obedience to God.
Conclusion:
Moses never would have been able to rescue the
Israelites on his own. The first time he tried, he relied
on his own understanding and abilities but he failed.
The second time was different. He put his trust in God
and God led him all the way. But it was only after
Moses acknowledged his own weakness and insufficiency that he could depend on God. Only then could he
put his trust in God’s instructions and follow them
faithfully. This wonderful combination (Humility +
Trusting + Obeying) was the key to Moses’ success. It
can be the key to our success, too.
Life
Application
Worksheet #4
The Key to Success:
HUMILITY
+
TRUSTING
GOD +
OBEYING GOD
Step 1: HUMILITY
The apostle ______(Paul) had a goal to preach the
gospel. When he was feeling physically and spiritually
weak, the Lord told him, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9).”
This helped the apostle ______(Paul) understand that
human weakness and humility are the beginning of
God’s power and strength (2 Cor 12:8-10).
What is a personal or important goal that you have
in the Lord:
(Suggestions: To stop cussing, to bring your family to
Christ, to preach to classmates, to interpret for church,
to make a certain amount of offering, etc.)
150
_______________ was personally chosen by God to be
Write down the weakness or burden that keeps you
from accomplishing your goal:
the first king of Israel. He was very humble and trusting
at the beginning of his reign but when he deliberately disobeyed the LORD he was rejected as king (1 Sam 13:1314; 15:20-23).
Step 2: Trusting God
Proverbs 3:5 says:
James 1:5 says:
What specific actions can you take to obey these
Biblical instructions or teachings?
_______________ was humble and trusting and he did
everything as the LORD commanded him. Because of
this, the LORD guided him along his wilderness journey
and blessed him with lasting strength and good vision,
(even till he was 120 years old!) so that he could complete his tasks successfully (Deut 34:7).
____________________ was young and inexperienced when he inherited his father David’s throne. He remembered how
his father trusted in the LORD and how the LORD helped his father be a great and mighty ruler; therefore
____________________ also turned to God for help to rule Israel (1 Kg 3:5-9).
52
Write down instructions or teachings you know from
the Bible that will help you meet your goal if you obey
them:
Write down what you want to ask from God to help you meet your goal:
Now that you have a plan, the next step is for you to
carry it out. Remember to keep your goal in prayer. God
will lead and teach you when you are humble and
willing to trust and obey him.
53
Step 2: TRUSTING GOD
Proverbs 3:5 says:
(“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not
rely on your own insight.”)
James 1:5 says:
(“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who
gives to all men generously and without reproaching,
and it will be given him.”)
______(Solomon) was young and inexperienced when
he inherited his father David’s throne. He remembered
how his father trusted in the LORD and how the
LORD helped his father be a great and mighty ruler;
therefore ______(Solomon) also turned to God for
help to rule Israel (1 Kg 3:5-9).
Write down what you want to ask from God to
help you meet your goal:
(Free response.)
Step 3: OBEYING GOD
Proverbs 3:6 says:
(“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make
straight your paths.”)
Psalm 119:105 says:
(“Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my
151 path.”)
Life Application, continued
Activity
Personal Motivation Poster
1 Samuel 15:22 says:
(“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and
sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken
than the fat of rams.”)
Purpose: To remind the students daily to rely on God
to help them
Materials: Large sheets of color art paper, markers,
white drawing paper, glue, yarn.
Let the students know that humility and trusting
God are the first two steps to success but they
would be USELESS without the third step:
Obeying God.
Procedure:
Tell the students to choose one of the following verses:
______(Saul) was personally chosen by God to be the
first king of Israel. He was very humble and trusting at
the beginning of his reign but when he deliberately disobeyed the LORD he was rejected as king (1 Sam
13:13-14; 15:20-23).
______(Moses) was humble and trusting and he did
everything as the LORD commanded him. Because of
this, the LORD guided him along his wilderness journey and blessed him with lasting strength and good
vision, (even till he was 120!) so that he could complete his tasks successfully (Deut 34:7).
“And God is able to provide you with every blessing in
abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good
work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
Write down instructions or teachings you know
from the Bible that will help you meet your goal if
you obey them:
(Free response.)
Explain that they will be making a poster, using their
verse, to hang in their own rooms as a daily reminder
to rely on God. Encourage them to make the poster
large enough so that they will notice it every morning
or to hang it in a noticeable spot, like in their bathroom. When everyone is finished, set the posters on
the floor or table so that everyone can have a look.
Take a moment to let students share why they selected
their particular verse and what it means to them.
Although the posters are meant for their personal
motivation and to be put up in their own rooms at
home, ask for volunteers who would be willing to
donate their poster to the classroom or to hang somewhere else around church.
“I can do all things in him who strengthens me.”
(Philippians 4:13)
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence does my help
come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven
and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2)
What specific actions can you take to obey these
Biblical instructions or teachings?
(Free response.)
Teacher’s Note:
Now that the students have a plan to pursue their goal
successfully, all that remains is for them to actually
carry it out. Encourage the students to humbly and
faithfully put their goal in prayer. God will not turn his
back. He will help them reach their goal because the
Bible says God leads and teaches the humble. But
where God leads, they must try to obediently and
bravely follow. This is a good opportunity to share with
your students a time when you personally went
through this humbling process and sought after God’s
help.
152
Conclusion
Evaluation
Reading
Assignment for this
week:
Acts 18-20
Hopefully, the students have been encouraged by this
week’s lesson to search inwardly, recognize their weaknesses, and bring their weaknesses to God. Share with
them how good it is to bring our weaknesses to God
because he never thinks we are weak or stupid (and he
153 will never laugh at us like people might). Instead, our
Conclusion/Evaluation, continued
God is filled with compassion for us because he knows
we are only made of dust (Ps 103:13-14). He is very
willing to listen and to lead us if we let him. Suggest
ways for the students to talk to God about their weaknesses: Prayer, writing their thoughts down in a personal letter or in their diary. Also suggest ways for
them to follow God’s leadership: Practice obeying the
Bible’s teachings, keep alert for God’s instructions during their daily life, or take action when they hear good
advice or helpful suggestions.
154