The Red Sea
video
LEADER GUIDE
(Exodus 14:1-30)
evel
Age-L iew
Overv
Age-Level Overview
Open the Bible
Activate Faith
Spark Resources: Spark Story Bibles
Spark Resources: None
Supplies: Map of Egypt including the
Supplies: Go Diego Go! It’s a Bug’s World
Red Sea, basin filled with water, tube
that can float on top of the water,
small objects that can fit in the tube
(dice, plastic chips, rubber erasers)
OR Scholastic Storybook Treasures:
Corduroy, DVD player and TV,
flashlight, compass
Spark Resources: Spark Bibles, Spark
Spark Resources: None
Lower Elementary
Workshop Focus: God watches out for
us!
Ready, set . . . rescue! Kids watch a
video in which one character comes to
the rescue of another.
Upper Elementary
Workshop Focus: God sends help in
unexpected ways.
Bible Stickers
Seas part and we’re still together:
Supplies: Toy car with spring-loaded
Kids watch a video that shows
the parting of the Red Sea and its
aftermath for the Egyptian army and
the Israelites.
wheels, toys that walk when you wind
them up, pictures of items depicted
in the Red Sea story (chariots, pillars
of cloud and fire, and a parted sea ;
optional)
Supplies: The Ten Commandments OR
The Prince of Egypt, DVD player and TV
All Kids
Workshop Focus: God calms our fears
and shows great power!
Spark Resources: Spark Story Bibles,
Spark Bibles, Spark Bible Stickers
Help is on the way: Kids watch a video
Supplies: Megaphone, bullhorn, or a
that portrays a powerful character
helping others out of a jam at just the
right time.
cheerleader’s announcing cone
Spark Resources: None
Supplies: My Neighbor Totoro OR The
Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch
and the Wardrobe, DVD player and TV
Visit www.sparksundayschool.org for more Spark content. Watch a short Lesson Prep Video that will
prepare you and give you confidence to explore this Bible story with the kids you are leading. You will also
find a downloadable Family Page for this rotation’s story filled with ideas for families to use to explore this story
and live out their faith at home.
Video Workshop, The Red Sea Rotation Leader Guide. Spark™ Sunday School © 2009
Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.
The Red Sea — 119
video
LEADER GUIDE
The Red Sea
(Exodus 14:1-30)
Lower ry
ta
Elemen
Workshop Focus: God watches out for us!
Keep these tips in mind as you welcome kids to the workshop and explore the story
together.
•
Each week, remember to welcome kids to the rotation. Keep in mind that for
some kids, it may be the first time they are visiting your workshop!
•
If kids have heard the story several times during previous weeks, read it again!
Kids learn through repetition, and every workshop will explore the Bible story
in a slightly different way.
•
Remember that the Shepherds are there to support you as they accompany
kids each week.
•
Be sure to visit www.sparksundayschool.org to download the Family Page for this
story. Make copies of it and ask Shepherds to distribute it during the Wrap Up.
Open the Bible (10 minutes)
The Red Sea Storytelling
Gather in a circle and begin when everyone has arrived. Welcome to Video! Today
we are going to talk about the day God’s people crossed the Red Sea! The Red
Sea is located here (point to map) in Egypt. Egypt is located on the continent of
Africa.
Our Bible story today tells how God parted the Red Sea so the Israelites could
escape Pharaoh and his army. Read The Red Sea from the Spark Story Bible (pages
84-89). Invite kids to follow as you read.
It must’ve been scary and exciting to walk through the parted Red Sea. We can
kind of imagine what it was like. Let’s look at this tub of water. It was almost like
God put a tube inside the water to help the people get safely across.
Spark Resources
Spark Story Bibles
Supplies
Map of Egypt including the
Red Sea
Basin filled with water
Small objects that can fit in
the tube: dice, plastic chips,
rubber erasers, etc. These
will stand in for people.
Video Workshop, The Red Sea Rotation Leader Guide. Spark™ Sunday School © 2009
Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.
VIDEO
As you watch today’s video, think about how a rescue can really comfort
someone who’s scared and needs help.
The Red Sea — 121
Activate Faith (25 minutes)
Ready, Set . . . Rescue!
Set Up: Preview and select the DVD clip you would like to use. Collect the
additional supplies for the video you will be showing. Set up the TV and DVD
player in your space, making sure that everyone in the room will be able to see it.
If desired, prepare a snack for the kids to enjoy while they watch the DVD. Before
serving any food, always check with caregivers for kids who have food allergies. Provide
an alternative if necessary.
Video Option 1: Go Diego Go! It’s a Bug’s World (2008 Nick Jr. video, animated)
Start cue: (On main menu, press “episode selection,” then “more,” then select the
episode “Diego the Hero.” Start at 4:54, when Diego says, “There’s the rescue boat,
and there’s Alicia with the penguins.”)
End cue: (21:32) After Diego and Alicia sing “Rescuing Together,” Diego says,
“You’re great at rescuing animals.”
Spark Resources
None
Supplies
Option 1: Go Diego Go! It’s a
Bug’s World
DVD player and TV
Flashlight
Compass
Option 2: Scholastic Storybook
Treasures: Corduroy
DVD player and TV
Flashlight
Compass
Scene set-up: Diego helps his sister Alicia come to the aid of some penguins on a
rescue boat that is stuck in icy waters.
Activity Instructions for Go Diego Go! It’s a Bug’s World
Move to the area where you will watch the video. Today we’re going to learn about
how God rescued the Israelites from a bad situation as they fled Egypt. The
penguins in this video are in danger, too. Notice how they get rescued.
Pose the following questions, helping kids understand what an obstacle is and
what it means to overcome huge obstacles. Have you ever needed an adult’s help
to get around a huge obstacle? Without that help, what do you think you’d do?
What’s the first thing you do if you get stuck somewhere? Allow time for kids to
respond.
Show the kids the flashlight and compass and talk briefly about them. See how this
flashlight can help you find your way when it’s dark? And when it’s light, you
might use a compass to help you follow a course. What are some other ways that
you can stay on course and avoid getting lost? Allow time for kids to respond.
Have you ever used maps? Directions? Followed a leader? Allow time for kids to
respond.
Show Go Diego Go! It’s a Bug’s World, using the cues above for starting and stopping
points.
122 — Workshop Leader Guides
Video Workshop, The Red Sea Rotation Leader Guide. Spark™ Sunday School © 2009
Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.
Following the clip, discuss the video using these questions: Does Diego let the tall
grass stop him? Or the tall mountain? (No!) What does he do when he gets stuck
in the tall grass? (He walks over it.) Where does he find tools to help him rescue
animals on his mission? (his rescue pack)
Moses had a kind of “rescue pack” that he used often: his prayers to God. In
response, God parted the Red Sea so the Israelites could cross safely.
Video Option 2: Scholastic Storybook Treasures: Corduroy (2008, animated)
Start cue: Select the story “Corduroy” in “episode selection.” Play from start of
episode.
End cue: (15:50) End of episode.
Scene set-up: Corduroy longs for someone to take him home from the department
store. He thinks that finding his lost button may help, so he searches the store
when it is closed. Will anyone come to his rescue?
Activity Instructions for Scholastic Storybook Treasures: Corduroy
What do you think it would be like if you were trapped somewhere and wanted
to get out? In our clip, we’ll meet a teddy bear that wants to leave the toy store
where he lives. He thinks he’ll get out if he can only find his lost button. What he
really needs is someone to rescue him—just like the Israelites needed God.
Show the kids the flashlight and compass and talk briefly about them. See how this
flashlight can help you find your way when it’s dark? And when it’s light, you
might use a compass to help you follow a course. What are some other ways that
you can stay on course and avoid getting lost? Allow time for kids to respond.
Have you ever used maps? Directions? Followed a leader? Allow time for kids to
respond.
Show Scholastic Storybook Treasures: Corduroy, using the cues above for starting and
stopping points.
Following the clip, discuss the video using these questions: How do you think
Corduroy felt living in the toy store? (sad, lonely) What did he want? (He wanted
to go home with the girl.) Does anyone help Corduroy find his button? (no.) What
happens when the toy store opens up the next day? (Lisa comes back for him.)
Does Lisa take him to a better place? (yes—her house)
VIDEO
In our lesson today, the Israelites are stuck by the Red Sea, kind of like how
Corduroy was stuck in the toy store. But in the movie, Lisa comes and takes
Corduroy home with her so Corduroy can rejoice! Similarly, in our story today,
God makes a way for the Israelites to safely cross the Red Sea. Then they rejoice
because they know God is with them. God is also with us!
Video Workshop, The Red Sea Rotation Leader Guide. Spark™ Sunday School © 2009
Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.
The Red Sea — 123
Send (5 minutes)
Wrap Up
Remind the Shepherds to distribute the Family Page for this story if the kids haven’t
already received it, and come together for Wrap Up.
When the people of Israel leave Egypt, they step out into something scary,
strange, and unknown. It’s a good thing that God is there to protect them and
guide them. God does the same for us, too!
Spark Resources
Family Pages
Supplies
None
Prayer Time
Invite kids to echo each line:
We need a leader, strong and bright,
that we can follow, day or night
When there’s danger all around,
with you, God, we know we’re safe and sound.
Amen.
124 — Workshop Leader Guides
Video Workshop, The Red Sea Rotation Leader Guide. Spark™ Sunday School © 2009
Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.
video
LEADER GUIDE
The Red Sea
(Exodus 14:1-30)
Upper ry
ta
Elemen
Workshop Focus: God sends help in unexpected ways.
Keep these tips in mind as you welcome kids to the workshop and explore the story
together.
•
Each week, remember to welcome kids to the rotation. Keep in mind that for
some kids, it may be the first time they are visiting your workshop!
•
If kids have heard the story several times during previous weeks, read it again!
Kids learn through repetition, and every workshop will explore the Bible story
in a slightly different way.
•
Remember that the Shepherds are there to support you as they accompany
kids each week.
•
Be sure to visit www.sparksundayschool.org to download the Family Page for this
story. Make copies of it and ask Shepherds to distribute it during the Wrap Up.
Open the Bible (10 minutes)
The Red Sea Storytelling
Now, almost all the Israelites were on foot. They got a good head start. But
Pharaoh and his army came after them with chariots that roll much faster than
feet can walk! Ask two students to help you wind up the car and the walking
toys. Let’s recreate the race by giving the walking toys a good head start before
sending the car after them. Now, feel free to cheer for whomever you want
to win. Ready? Set? GO! Have the kids release the toys. Cheer afterward, and
encourage the kids to make noise. Now who won? I guess you can see that it’s
a lot easier to move fast if you use wheels rather than feet. Do you think the
people of Israel were scared? I’ll bet they were! Our Bible story today tells all
about the big rumble at the Red Sea. Let’s hear more!
Video Workshop, The Red Sea Rotation Leader Guide. Spark™ Sunday School © 2009
Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.
Spark Resources
Spark Bibles
Spark Bible Stickers
Supplies
Toy car with spring-action
wheels that rolls forward
when you back it up
Toys (plastic duck, penguin,
etc.) that walk when you
wind them up
Pictures of chariots, pillars of
cloud and fire, or a parted
sea as depicted in the Red
Sea story (optional)
The Red Sea — 125
VIDEO
Gather in a circle and begin when everyone has arrived. Welcome to Video! Today
we are going to talk about how God led Moses and the Israelites out of Egypt.
You’d think that would be easy after all the plagues God sent to punish Pharaoh.
But what did Pharaoh do after he let the Israelites go? (He changed his mind and
went after them.)
Read the account of the Red Sea story in Exodus 14-10, 21-30 on page 75 in the
Spark Bible. As an option, consider using pictures of chariots, pillars of cloud and
fire, or a parted sea to punctuate the action.
What do you think it would be like to walk across a parted sea, with walls of
water on either side? Allow time for kids to discuss. Why didn’t Pharaoh send
for boats after the Israelites crossed the sea? (He gave up. He’d had enough.) Did
any of the Egyptian chariots make it across the sea? (no.) Until then, how did the
Israelites feel about leaving Egypt? (Some wanted to go back.) Allow time for kids
to discuss.
Invite kids to use their Spark Bible Stickers if they wish, and then to share which
verses they marked.
Today we are going to watch a video clip that shows an animated account of
what happened in Egypt when the Israelites left behind their captivity in Egypt
for good.
Activate Faith (25 minutes)
Seas Part and We’re Still Together
Set Up: Preview and select the DVD clip you would like to use. Set up the TV and
DVD player in your space, making sure that everyone in the room will be able to
see it. If desired, you can prepare a snack for the kids to enjoy while they watch
the DVD. Before serving any food, always check with caregivers for kids who have food
allergies. Provide an alternative if necessary.
Spark Resources
None
Supplies
Video Option 1: The Ten Commandments (2007, PG, animated)
Option 1: The Ten
Commandments
DVD player and TV
Start cue: (Chapter 6, 46:05) Moses steps out of Pharaoh’s palace and greets the
Israelites by raising his staff above his head.
Option 2: The Prince of Egypt
DVD player and TV
End cue: (Chapter 6, 56:10) Moses says, “On to the promised land,” and the
people begin to cheer.
Scene set-up: Moses is leading his people out of Egypt when he meets the Red Sea
on one side and sees Pharaoh’s army approaching him from the other. His people
begin to doubt the decision to leave captivity.
Activity Instructions for The Ten Commandments
Move to the area where you will watch the video and invite kids to be seated. God
knows when we get in a jam that’s too hard for us to handle alone, but we may
not think God is watching. Even the Israelites had their doubts as Pharaoh’s
chariots approached, but God came through with a miracle and the Israelites
were saved!
126 — Workshop Leader Guides
Video Workshop, The Red Sea Rotation Leader Guide. Spark™ Sunday School © 2009
Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.
Brief the kids with the scene set-up before starting the film. Ask them to observe
how God works through someone who doesn’t have all the answers all the time.
When the clip is over, use the following questions to discuss it: Did Moses always
seem 100 percent sure of himself and what he would do? What does he do? (He
doesn’t seem sure, but he goes to the Red Sea and parts it.) In what ways did God
protect Moses and the people from Pharaoh’s army? (with fire, making the wheels
fall off the chariots, drowning the Egyptian soldiers) What do you think of Pharaoh
making one more attempt to go after Moses and his people? Allow kids time to
discuss.
Option 2: The Prince of Egypt (1998, PG, animated)
Start cue: (Chapter 24, 1:16:55) Moses is walking down an Egyptian street at night,
alone.
End cue: (Chapter 27, 1:31:26) The film ends, credits begin.
Scene set-up: Moses is leading his people out of Egypt when he meets the Red
Sea on one side and sees Pharaoh’s army approaching him from the other. For a
moment, Moses seems unsure about what to do.
Activity Instructions for The Prince of Egypt
Move to the area where you will watch the video and invite kids to be seated. God
knows when we get in a jam that’s too hard for us to handle alone, but we may
not think God is watching. Even the Israelites had their doubts as Pharaoh’s
chariots approached, but this scene reminds us that God is always with us and is
watching over us.
VIDEO
When the clip is over, use the following questions to discuss it: Did Moses always
seem 100 percent sure of himself and what he would do? What did he do? (It
doesn’t seem like he was sure, but he decided to press on and trust in God anyway.)
What do you think of Pharaoh making one more attempt to go after Moses and
his people? Allow kids time to discuss.
Video Workshop, The Red Sea Rotation Leader Guide. Spark™ Sunday School © 2009
Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.
The Red Sea — 127
Send (5 minutes)
Wrap Up
Remind the Shepherds to distribute the Family Page for this story if the kids haven’t
already received it, and come together for Wrap Up.
Thank you all for joining in the Video Workshop today. And thank you to the
Shepherds who brought you here: Let’s give them all a high five!
Prayer Time
Spark Resources
Family Pages
Supplies
None
If time and space permit, invite participants to form a circle for closing prayer.
Invite participants to take a moment to remember the Red Sea story, which shows
God watching out for God’s people in their greatest hour of need.
As we gather in a circle, think about the miraculous things God did to free the
Israelites. God parted the sea, guided Moses and the Israelites through the
parted waters, and wiped out a strong army. God gave mighty signs of love!
What are some signs of love that God has shown to you? Invite kids to respond.
What signs will you give others that you’ll love and watch out for them? Invite
kids to respond.
Let’s pray. Please repeat each line after me when I pray it, and use hand motions:
God, whose love could part the sea (spread arms out)
And set captive people free: (hold palms open in front of waist)
Never let us from your sight. (point to eyes)
We pray you guide us, day and night. (hands folded)
Amen.
128 — Workshop Leader Guides
Video Workshop, The Red Sea Rotation Leader Guide. Spark™ Sunday School © 2009
Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.
video
LEADER GUIDE
The Red Sea
All Kids
(Exodus 14:1-30)
Workshop Focus: God calms our fears and shows great power!
Keep these tips in mind as you welcome kids to the workshop and explore the story
together.
•
Each week, remember to welcome kids to the rotation. Keep in mind that for
some kids, it may be the first time they are visiting your workshop!
•
If kids have heard the story several times during previous weeks, read it again!
Kids learn through repetition, and every workshop will explore the Bible story
in a slightly different way.
•
Remember that the Shepherds are there to support you as they accompany
kids each week.
•
Be sure to visit www.sparksundayschool.org to download the Family Page for this
story. Make copies of it and ask Shepherds to distribute it during the Wrap Up.
Open the Bible (10 minutes)
The Red Sea Storytelling
Gather in a circle and begin when all kids have arrived. Welcome to Video! Today
we’re going to talk about the parting of the Red Sea. Would you believe that
Pharaoh, even after 10 plagues and losing his son, still wanted to tangle with
Moses? He still thought he was god! But Pharaoh had to learn the hard way that
he was tangling with God, the real God, too. Let’s listen to the Red Sea story!
Read the Red Sea story. If your group is made up of primarily younger kids, use the
Spark Story Bible (pages 84-89). If the group is primarily older, use the Spark Bible
(Exodus 14:10, 21-30, on page 75). Read the Red Sea story with special emphasis
on the danger the Israelites faced on all sides. Were they scared? You bet!
Spark Resources
Spark Story Bibles
Spark Bibles
Spark Bible Stickers
Supplies
Megaphone, bullhorn, or a
cheerleader’s announcing
cone
Video Workshop, The Red Sea Rotation Leader Guide. Spark™ Sunday School © 2009
Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.
VIDEO
If you are reading from the Spark Story Bible, ask kids to provide sound effects
every time they reach a key point—the rumbling of chariots, the roar of the pillar of
fire, the splashing of the water as the seas part. Feel free to cue them as you see fit,
saying: Okay, everyone, now let’s hear those rumbling chariots!
The Red Sea — 129
Using a megaphone, bullhorn, or cheerleader’s cone, imitate a battle general giving
commands as you do this. You may want to start the Bible reading with a mock
announcement from an Egyptian general, declaring war on Moses and his people.
If you are reading from the Spark Bible, invite kids to use their Spark Bible Stickers
to mark the story.
Pharaoh, who was fueled by hate, had a strong will. But God, who loved God’s
people, was stronger. Our video today will help us think about the way a rescuer
acts selflessly to help so many.
Activate Faith (25 minutes)
Help Is On the Way
Set Up: Preview and select the DVD clip you would like to use. Set up the TV and
DVD player in your space, making sure that everyone in the room will be able to
see it. If desired, you can prepare a snack for the kids to enjoy while they watch
the DVD. Before serving any food, always check with caregivers for kids who have food
allergies. Provide an alternative if necessary.
Video Option 1: My Neighbor Totoro (1988, G, animated)
Start cue: (Chapter 8, 0:47:47) Start of chapter: Satsuki and Mei run in the rain to
catch a bus. Satsuki says, “There’s the bus, Mei!”
End cue: (Chapter 9, 1:01:33) Totoro, Satsuki, and Mei sit in a treetop, playing
ocarinas (a flute-like instrument).
Spark Resources
None
Supplies
Option 1: My Neighbor Totoro
DVD player and TV
Option 2: The Chronicles of
Narnia: The Lion, the Witch
and the Wardrobe
DVD player and TV
Scene set-up: Two sisters, Satsuki and Mei, receive a package of acorns from their
monster friend Totoro. They want to plant them to grow a garden for their mother,
who is sick in the hospital. With some help from Totoro, the acorns sprout into an
enormous tree.
Activity Instructions for My Neighbor Totoro
Invite kids to be seated. Brief them with the scene set-up before starting the film.
Ask them to think about what it might feel like to really need a hero or a protector.
As you watch the video, pretend you’re Satsuki or her younger sister Mei. Your
mom is in the hospital and you feel worried about her. Then you discover Totoro,
a magic creature with a growl like a bear who lives in the forest near you. How
might you react if he appeared and tried to protect you?
130 — Workshop Leader Guides
Video Workshop, The Red Sea Rotation Leader Guide. Spark™ Sunday School © 2009
Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.
When the clip is over, use the following questions to discuss it: What does Satsuki
want to do with the acorns Totoro gives her? (plant them in a garden for her sick
mother) When she plants the acorns, what happens at first? (nothing) Then
Totoro visits late one night. What does he do? And then what happens? (He
dances around the acorns, and they sprout into an enormous oak tree.) How is the
miracle of Totoro’s gift like the miracles God performs for God’s people? (Totoro
loves the girls, just as God loves the Israelites.)
Video Option 2: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
(2005, PG)
Start cue: (Chapter 21, 1:57:46) Lucy and Susan find Mr. Tumnus frozen as a
statue.
End cue: (Chapter 22, 2:02:23) Aslan the Lion says, “It is finished.”
Scene set-up: First, Aslan the Lion breathes on the statue of Mr. Tumnus and
brings him back to life, showing his power and strength to rescue those he loves.
Then he rescues Peter in battle from the White Witch by vanquishing her.
Activity Instructions for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the
Wardrobe
Invite kids to be seated. Brief them with the scene set-up before starting the
film. In this movie, four siblings find a magic kingdom by passing through a
professor’s wardrobe closet. But just as Egypt had the Pharaoh, this land has an
evil White Witch who rules over it. It’s up to the brave and powerful Aslan the
Lion to set his people free!
When the clip is over, use the following questions to discuss what you just saw.
VIDEO
What did Aslan do to the statue of Mr. Tumnus to bring him back to life? (He
breathed on him.) Who is more powerful: the White Witch, who rules by hate,
or Aslan, who rules by love? (Aslan) What happens to the White Witch’s evil
soldiers after Aslan defeats the White Witch? (They disappear.) How does this
remind you of that happened to Pharaoh? Allow kids time to discuss.
Video Workshop, The Red Sea Rotation Leader Guide. Spark™ Sunday School © 2009
Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. May be reproduced for local use only.
The Red Sea — 131