MOSES AND THE BURNING BUSH
Opening Activity-Mad Libs Exodus 3:1-12
Mad Libs are fun for all ages! Simply read the small print descriptions on the Mad Lib and fill in the
blanks with suggestions from the youth.
Read the Mad Lib to the class. Enjoy the fun.
Ask someone to read Exodus 3:1-12 while others follow along. (Pass out Bibles ahead of time or ask
them to look up the scripture on their phones.)
The two stories were quite different. And as crazy as the Mad Lib sounded, the actual story of what
happened to Moses when he encountered God may sound just as crazy to us today.
Ask: What do you know about Moses? Most of us have heard many stories of Moses throughout our
time in Vacation Bible School, Children’s Sermons, and Youth Group. Have youth share things they know
about Moses and list these on the dry erase board.
There is a lot to Moses’ story. Today we are going to focus on Moses conversation with God through the
Burning Bush.
Set the Scene: God came to Moses through a burning bush. There were many things that led Moses to
this moment.
Share the following synopsis of Moses’ life. If you want, give a few prompts for each one and see if the
youth can fill in the rest.
 Moses was born a Hebrew (who were slaves to Egypt) but was raised in the Pharaoh’s
household.
 Moses learned of his Hebrew heritage.
 Moses killed an Egyptian taskmaster when he saw him beating a Hebrew slave.
 Moses fled to Midian when he realized people knew of the murder.
 Moses married and became a shepherd.
In Exodus 3:11, Moses asks God an important question “Who am I that you should choose me to do
this?”
So who is Moses?
 He’s a Hebrew saved from a Pharaoh bent on genocide.
 He’s the adopted child of the same Pharaoh.
 He has the best education, best food, best housing, best everything.
 He is trained for leadership in the court of the king.
 Moses has a passion for the oppressed. He is aware that he is Hebrew, he knows that his people
suffer as slaves even if he is not. He sees that they are broken by the very people who raised
him.
 He made a terrible mistake in killing Egyptian taskmaster.
 He ran when he was discovered.
 He is now a lowly shepherd.
 Moses is broken. His call to vocation is lost. His identity is shattered. He has retreated into
himself, a stranger in a strange land, aware that his people not too far away are desperately
struggling under the iron fist of Egypt. He heard their cries. He knows their suffering. And he has
chosen to watch someone else’s sheep.
DISCUSSION
This can either be done as a large group, or divide into groups of 3-5 youth. Have small groups discuss
then share what they talked about with the large group.
 Why did God choose Moses to be the one to confront Pharaoh and free the Hebrews from
captivity?
 What qualifications did he have?
 What challenges or obstacles to success did Moses have?
 Why do you think God chose such an unusual way of communicating with Moses?
How does God answer Moses’ question? (verse 12)
But instead of saying "well Moses, because of your beard, your outstanding leadership skills, and your
ability to talk to burning bushes", God answered in a very surprising way "I will be with you". That's it!
Ask: What happened next?
Moses is not so excited to accept this assignment from God. First, Moses wants clarification on who is
sending him. He asks God for His name. God says “I am who I am.” God then tells Moses exactly what
will happen and that he will be successful.
Moses immediately begins making excuses.
Ask: What excuses does Moses make?
If youth do not know, tell them to scan Exodus 4:1-16.
EXCUSES
 They won’t believe me or pay attention to me. (Hebrews do not have the highest opinion of
Moses.)
 I have a slow mouth and thick tongue. (He doesn’t speak well, perhaps even a speech
impediment.)
When the excuses do not sway God to release him from this assignment, Moses resorts to begging
asking God “Please Lord, just send someone else.” Now let’s give Moses a break. Let’s think about what
God is asking Moses to do.
Moses lives a nice, quiet, secure life. He has a wife, a steady job. He is probably enjoying country living.
God is calling him to go face Pharaoh, the most powerful man (although Egyptians believe Pharaoh is
God) and demand he let his millions of slaves go free. Slaves the entire country of Egypt depends on for
their livelihood. God calls Moses to challenge Pharaoh, to call his power and authority into question, and
to lead millions of people who see him as a traitor. What a calling!
DISCUSSION
 Has God ever called you to do something? Have you felt God telling you or pushing you in a
certain direction?
 Did you make excuses or obey right away?
 God called Moses to a very difficult thing. What would be a very hard thing for God to call you
to? (to something that scares you or you are uncomfortable with, etc.)
Share a personal story of God calling you. Perhaps to your occupation, a move, something about your
family, etc. Share excuses you have made to avoid following God’s call.
Moses was ordinary in many aspects. He had a bad job. He lived in a small community. He had a lavish
life in Egypt, but now lived anonymously without any real prospect of reuniting with his family or
redeeming himself in the eyes of his people.
DISCUSSION
 What are some real life examples of ordinary people being called by God to do extraordinary
things for God?
 Why does God choose ordinary people for opportunities to stand out and do big things?
Some examples are:
 Zach Hunter - teen author and modern day abolitionist
 Mother Theresa - amazed in one lesson a while back how few youth had heard of her.
 Shane Claiborne - country boy from Tennessee who lives in a homeless community in PA.
Written several books and travels the world speaking to youth, adults, officials, etc.
Moses chose to stay hidden away as a shepherd even though he knew his people were suffering. But
God has also heard the cries of the Hebrews. God also knows their suffering. And God knows Moses –
knows his heart, knows his passion, knows his failure and his loss. God knows Moses is still capable of so
much more and has the confidence that Moses is the one person in the entire world that can make
God’s plan to get the Israelites out of Egypt work. God remembers who Moses is. God remembers who
the Israelites are. And now it’s time to redeem both of their identities – Moses as a leader and the
Israelites as a light unto the nations.
God makes Moses’ calling very clear. God gives a detailed account of where Moses is to go and what he
is to do.
God makes it clear that in order to fulfill his calling Moses must have two things.
 God’s help.
 Others. Aaron, Moses’ brother would be his mouthpiece.
God gives us our own burning bushes. Ways that God speaks to us - a movie, a friend, smile of a child,
images of suffering, etc.
DISCUSSION
 In what ways does God speak to us today? What are modern day burning bushes?
 Has God ever called you to do something? What? If not yet, what do you think God might be
preparing you for in the future?
 What keeps us from following God’s call? What excuses do we give?
 How can you overcome these challenges / excuses to pursue God’s call?
ACTIVE OPTION
Pass out sticky notes or pieces of paper. Have youth write down modern day burning bushes – ways
God speaks to us and calls us. Have youth stick or tape these to a large sheet of paper or the dry erase
board. Invite a volunteer to read these to the class.
Close in Prayer
Video Option: This is an awesome scene depicting Moses and the burning bush.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LMlTfwyN88
Funny Video Option: Moses spoke to the Burning Bush. In this scene, the Three Amigos encounter the
Singing Bush. They do not get a call or even a conversation going with this shrub though! Warning – this
has nothing to do with the lesson, but will get some laughs-hopefully.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yNV-GXoeCM