X Is for X Marks the Spot n' Exit It! ABC: Deuteronomy for Me: Raising a Caleb Kid in a Disrupted World
This Day Know Ye!
This day know ye--
his greatness,
his mighty hand,
his stretched out arm,
his miracles,
his acts you did* see--
this day know ye!
* do, will From Deut.
11:2,3
This lesson reminds us of the amazing signs and wonders God did for his special people the Israelites. This same God cares for and helps us today too! May we thank and praise him for all He has done as Jethro did, when he blessed the Lord saying, "Blessed be the LORD, who hath delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh, who hath delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians, Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods...." (Exodus18:10,11) Do you know Him?
Little Kids: Ages 4-7
E Is for Exit It!
E is for exit it,
words we say
when we leave
one location
and go away.
when we leave
one location
and go away.
Journal It: A Look at Xx
Make Xs on your white board. Point out that X is a letter that has two sounds. Sometimes, if it is at the beginning of a word it can have a "Zz" sound as in xylophone or it has a "Ks" sound as in x-ray. You can also hear it at the end of words such as ax or ox. If you combine it with a short e as in exit you can hear it as well.
On your White Board write Xxs having kids practice writing them in their journal. Let 4s/Ks write "exit." Have 1st./2nd write xylophone, x-ray, ax, ox, and exit.
Mention that we begin the alphabet with a,b,c and we end the alphabet with x,y,z. Do you know what number the letter "Xx" is ? If an alphabet lineup is available count to find out. How many more lessons do we have before we exit or leave our Deuteronomy ABCs?
Talk About It: "X Marks the Spot!"
The words "X Marks the Spot" is often found on an old map that tells where treasure is supposed to be buried. In our lesson we'll make Xs next to/on some verses that have special words we want to remember.-- they will be our treasure verses.
Think About It: "X Marks the Spot" Page
Copy the page here. Here's a clever little page about "X Marks the Spot!" Notice the little explorer with its "X Map." Use scissors to pop up the little map. Add an "X" to its hat, shirt, and eyes. Color the page. Mention our Bible is like a giant treasure box with treasure words throughout. In it we'll mark some verses we want to especially remember. Find the page here:
A song I sang as a little girl was: "I Have a Wonderful Treasure." It's first verse went: "I have a wonderful treasure, the gift of God without measure. And we will travel together, my Bible and I." May your Bible become the book you explore more and more every day to find its amazing treasures.
Mark It: "X Marks the Spot" Verse List
Deuteronomy 1:27 4:20, 4:34-35, 4:45-46, 5:6, 5:15, 6:21-23, 7:8, 7:19, 8:14, 9:7, 9:12, 9:28-29, 11:10, 13:5, 13:10, 16:1, 16:3, 16:6, 20:1, 24:9, 25:17, 26:8, and 29:25.
Make It: X Marks the Spot Marker
Prep It: 2"X5" paper, small upper case X with finger hole, tape, printed words...
Make It: Tape or glue just the bottom of the X onto the marker top.
Mark It: Place a X by a verse with an "out" in it--e.g."brought out" Circle "o."
Read It: Hold marker over verse and peer through hole to read!
Hint: Can even stick index/pinkiefinger through hole and swing marker back and
forth as you say a verse. Look at marker in photo section!
Explain It! EXIT! EXIT IT!
Here's the word: "exit." Write it. Hear its short vowel and its "ks" sound. What other little word do you see? Write "EXIT It" too. Exit what? Egypt.
What does "EXIT" mean? Exactly, to go out, leave, or depart. Read rhyme. From what country did God's people go out of or leave? Yes, Egypt. Why did they want to leave or exit it? The answer is they were slaves and treated badly by the Egyptians. Who helped them get out of Egypt? God did! Who finally said they should hurry up and get out? Pharaoh!
Where do you often see the word: "EXIT?" That's right, over a door to tell you that is a way out. What color is that word? Red. 4s, 5: Write "EXIT!" 1st./2nd: Write rhyme "E Is for Exit It."
Make It: The "EXIT" Marker
Prep It: paper, letters, scissors, tape, .... Print EXIT in caps; cut from red paper or find red EXIT on line. Use sturdy paper to cut out a marker. Accordion fold one small pop-out.
Make It: Glue EIT on paper; put little accordion folded springy paper below "X" so it pops out. View marker at end of lesson! Find an "exit it" verse.* Place the marker there! See a photo below.
*See verse list above.
X It! X It Map Game
Prep It: Paper; print Bible History "The Exodus map"; small x from letter stickers or cutouts; and X locations list. Find map here: The Exodus - Bible Maps (bible-history.com)
Make It: Glue map to paper.
Play It: Give each child a map, and small "x" to cover spots called. Give different ones a chance to be a "caller." Help younger ones! See who can "x it" first. Play a practice game. Then keep score.
Locate It List: Egypt, Exodus, Red Sea, Sinai Peninsula, Dead Sea, Horeb, The Great Sea, Aqaba, Mt.Horeb, Kadesh-Barnea, Mt. Nebo, Wilderness of Zin, Wilderness of Sin, Wilderness of Paran, pyramids .... See map page example photo!
Moses and the Exodus - Kids Bible Maps is another great Exodus' resource.
Explain It: The Exit Egypt Explanation!
Deuteronomy says when kids asked their parents why they exited Egypt they were to say: "We were Pharaoh's bondsmen (slaves) in Egypt; and the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand : ... signs and wonders ... before our eyes." Deut. 6:21,22 Add actions to this verse: droop arms, look sad, raise fists, encircle eyes!
Hear it: Exit It! Get Out Now!
God's people were slaves in Egypt. Every day they had to do such hard work. The people cried out to the Lord. God heard them. He sent Moses to beg Pharaoh to let them go right away to have a special time in the desert. But Pharaoh said, "NO!" God even sent bad things to their land. Still Pharaoh said, "NO!
Finally, God sent a really awful plague where the oldest boy in each Egyptian family died. Now, the Israelite firstborn sons didn't die for God had said to put blood from a little lamb on three sides of their doors. And when God's angel saw the blood on each Israelite door, he passed by those houses. That plague made Pharaoh say: "Exit now, get out, go! Go serve your God. Go, go, go!"
The people quickly packed up. They took dough for bread in their sacks. The Bible says the Egyptians were so happy to have them go they gave them treasures: gold, silver, and clothing too. God helped them by giving them a cloud pillar to follow by day and a fire pillar to follow by night.
Out they exited-- a humongous exodus of people, animals, and children. Off they exited by the Red Sea. There God opened it up so the people could walk across on dry ground. Once they exited the Red Sea they were safe, for God delivered them! There their Exodus journey began. Always after that God told them not to forget his powerful signs and wonders he did in Egypt and in the desert wilderness.
(From Exodus 12-14)
X It! O It!: Numbers 15:41
In Numbers 15:41 God reminded them it was He who brought them out: It says, "I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the Lord your God." Numbers 15:41
Back up one book from Deuteronomy to Numbers. Find chapter fifteen; go down to verse forty-one. Place a X in front of verse and an O or circle around "out." Where did God bring them out of? Which words are repeated two times? Why do you think that might be? I think God wanted them to know it was he who did the miracles all along the way from Egypt through the desert. They did not come out all by themselves! Use an Exodus or OUT marker to place by the verse.
In Journal: 4s/5s Write or trace over: "I am the LORD your God." 1st./2nd. Write entire verse. Circle "out." Highlight two parts of verse exactly the same. Underline the word "Egypt." Write the word: "Exodus" and explain what that means! Notice Exodus has an "x" and an "o" in it! What itty bitty word do you also see? (us) Print X and add reinforcement O's around your verse.
O It! "O Bible Verse Ring"
Prep It: pattern; paper, and printed word "out".
Make It: Copy "o" from ABC outline pattern. Trace it onto heavy paper; cut out center. Print paper with "out" on it. Glue to "O". May add curled ribbon and second O below it. Find outline lowercase Os here: lower case o outline letters for preschool - Bing images , or see page from my book Celebrate the Bible below.
Idea: Make an "X" finger ring too; use to say verses.
Wear It: Put "O" on finger; say Numbers 15:41 shouting "out" loudly and lifting finger.
View It: Exodus by Brian Wildsmith
Listen to the exciting Exodus story here: Exodus by Brian Wildsmith | Kids Book Read Aloud Bible Storytime - Bing video I would especially recommend you go to your library and get an actual copy of this book in order to read it for yourself and to examine its outstanding art work. Notice its shiny golden pictures inserted on almost every page. There's one mistake you'll hear as the story is read regarding Moses' burial. Can you detect it? Find the answer in the last book of Deuteronomy!
Older Kids: Ages 8-12
Learn It: Great Verses to Rehearse Deuteronomy 4:34, 35
"... hath God assayed (tried) to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation, (Egypt) by temptations, by signs and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched our arm, and by great terrors, according to all the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? ... that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him."
Rehearse It: Two Great Verses: Find verses in Deut. 4. Highlight the seven bys, "before your eyes," and "know."
In Deuteronomy God kept reminding the people that he'd chosen them and took them out of Egypt and through the desert by his power! Can you see the seven "by" parts -- the ways God took them out of Egypt before the eyes of Pharaoh, the Egyptians, and his people? Why did God do all these mighty acts? Exactly to show that he was God alone!
Make It: The "By Marker"
Prep It: 6"X9" orange paper; black paper; b-y letters; Bible; Deut. 4:34,35 verses; scissors; glue; markers; ....
Make It: Fold paper in half lengthwise for a open-up marker. Print outline b,y; cut from black paper. Go to King James Bible on line here: Print out Deut.4:34,35. Cut around verses. On cover glue "by" vertically. From verse print cut out: Deuteronomy 4:34,35, by temptations, by signs, and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand, by a stretched out arm, by great terrors. In that order (SEE photo at end.) on the marker edge glue various "by parts" all around the "by.." Inside glue verses. Circle bys, The Lord your God, and know. Look at the marker in the photo section.
Mark It: Read it, rehearse it, and place in Bible at Deut. 4.
Hear It: "Jethro: What God Has Done!"
Do you remember the "J Is for Judge It!" Lesson where Moses' father-in-law gave Moses advice on how to judge the people? Well, Exodus 18 tells us more of Jethro's story. It begins with Jethro's visit to Moses after hearing all that God had done for the Israelites by bringing them out of Egypt.
Once there, Jethro and Moses greeted each other. Then they went into Moses' tent. There Moses told Jethro all that the Lord had done to the Egyptians, and had done to help them in the wilderness. Jethro rejoiced with Moses. And he blessed the Lord! "Now I know," said Jethro, "that the LORD is greater than all other gods!" After, Jethro worshipped and brought a sacrifice and offering to God and ate with Aaron and the leaders of Israel.
Often Scripture mentions that the nations round about heard what was happening to the Israelites and to Moses. Even though there weren't communications like we have now, those who traveled to various places told the stories. Jethro was so impressed with all that he heard, he too praised the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. From Exodus 18
View It: The Jethro Story Video
View and listen to Exodus 18 read in this video: (1) Exodus 18: Jethro Visits Moses | Bible Story (2020) - Bing video
Put It in Order! The Jethro Jumble
After, give kids scrambled sequence of events strip page. e.g. Jethro hears the great things the Lord did in Egypt. Jethro visits Moses and so on. You design the sentences. Let them cut apart the page or rewrite it putting the events in order! Here is the correct sequence order: Jethro hears, Jethro visits, Jethro listens, Jethro rejoices, Jethro blesses, Jethro knows, Jethro sacrifices, Jethro joins, Jethro advises, Jethro exits.
Don't Miss It! The "His" List
Copy "This Day Know Ye".* Like our Deuteronomy 4 verses it has a list of God's great acts. It mentions: his greatness, his mighty hand, his stretched out arm, his miracles, and his acts. We too have seen God's greatness, and what he has done for us. Can you name something special God has done for you? Illustrate this. Have you thanked him?
* Beginning of lesson.
I Remember It: Uncle Johnny's Journey
Uncle Johnny was my mom's uncle born in England in 1888. Now, I never knew a lot about him until I read my parents' old letters. In them they mention how Uncle Johnny had left his home and brought my mom, her friend, and her mom to visit my dad's family. Exactly why they made that journey I do not know.
But, this I know, that in one week dad met my mom, fell in love, and found Jesus shortly after--all because Uncle Johnny left his home, took a journey, and drove to New Jersey. Now, Ancestry.com helped me find out who he was. Incidentally, Uncle Johnny was one avid traveler it seems for more than once I could glimpse travel documents of him crossing borders--into and out of Canada e.g. How happy I was to learn some of his story! All of us are on a journey in our life. Often we exit one place and enter another. After hearing the story and all that happened later, I knew that God planned that journey joining two people together, who in turn told many of what the Lord had done! And those two people then passed that love for their Savior on to me!
Read It & Sing It!: Discuss It!
Read aloud Deut. 11:1-7. Notice it repeats "what he did!" After: Sing: "My God Is So Big!" Hear it here: There's a song: "Count Your Many Blessings" that says; "Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you 'what the Lord has done.'" The lesson is that God gives examples from the past to help us know how to live in the present: The Israelite's journey, Jethro's journey, and even Uncle Johnny's journey give us examples to think about!
Color It: The Lord Our God Coloring Book 17
Prep It: The Lord Our God Color Book, crayons, markers, highlighters, scissors, ....
Book Title: "The Lord Our God" is a phrase used to refer to God in Exodus. In Deuteronomy while we do not find "The Lord Our God" we find "The Lord Thy God," and "The Lord Your God"! If you made an X on all of them your might get tired because these words are used over and over again! You can't miss them! Order the color book here:
Color It: Mark It: Read It:
1st. Page: Color the sun. Check out the Pyramids. Color them; pop them out. What land was this a picture of? Highlight: word means troubles; (affliction); slave master (taskmaster) Color the journey bubbles. Name the three "their" words: their cry, their taskmasters, their sorrows 2nd. Page: Color the honey bee/honey and the journey bubbles. Highlight the two "outs." What land did they exit from? enter? 3rd. Page: Color "chain." Cut round it; pop it up. Find/highlight: the cry, oppression, and Egyptians. What does "oppression" mean? Note: This word "oppression" and "oppressors" are key buzz words being used with kids right now. Discuss CRI or Critical Race Theory with your youngsters. Read: S Is For Social Justice by Mary Danielson. Find here: BOOKLET - S is for Social Justice The Language of Today’s Cultural “Revolution” (lighthousetrails.com) Why is a picture of a chain used? 4th. Page: Color; highlight I AM THAT I AM. Inside Page: Color "The Lord Our God." Cut into a marker; glue to heavy paper. Go down to photos to see the color book, and its pages.
Mark It: Define It Marker
Prep It: paper 2 1/4"X6 1/2"; in different fonts print strips as "Exit it!, Depart!, Leave!, Come Out!, Go out!"; print verse from list "X Marks the Spot" section; scissors; glue; ....
Make It: cut apart strips; place randomly on marker; glue. On reverse side glue Bible verse. Place in Bible. See marker ideas below.
Read It Aloud: Rainbow Garden by Patricia St. John
Rainbow Garden is a story about a girl named Elaine who suddently had to leave London because her mum begins a new job. But Elaine can't go with her, and dreads having to travel to Wales to live with a strange family. This upcoming journey upsets Elaine for she was very much used to having her own way and getting lots of special attention. In fact when she met her new family of friendly children, she was very unhappy. To get away from them, Elaine would escape to a nearby garden where she met a mysterious man. Who was this man? How does Elaine get involved with him later on? Whose garden is it really anyway? When Elaine has to exit Wales back to London how does she feel? How does the theme of joy change Elaine's life? Where was fullness of joy to be found? Read it! You'll like it, and want to know more about Wales besides! To order book click here:
Teachers, Parents, Grandparents, & YOU!
Expose It: The Titanic and Today's Church
In our lesson we've talked of exiting a place to take a journey to another area. In his recent book The Titanic and Today's Church author Warren B. Smith points out that just as the Titanic exited England touting it was unsinkable but later sinking into the ocean, so the church has been touting many false teachings that have left the church sinking into apostasy.
In it, Smith has several pages referring to Deuteronomy 18 which fit perfectly with our study. In another part there is a referral to the "Caronica," the first ship to give the Titantic a warning of the impending icebergs. Now that ship, just happened to be the one my maternal grandfather sailed on from England to America very near to the time period of the sinking of the Titantic. Order this riveting expose here: The Titanic and Today's Church: A Tale of Two Shipwrecks (lighthousetrails.com)
Ponder It! Signs and Wonders In the Past, and Now!
In Deuteronomy we find five verses that have the words "signs and wonders." They are: Deuteronmy 4:34; 6:22; 7:19; 26:8, and 34:11. Note: Deut. 13:1,2 mentions a sign or a wonder, or the sign or the wonder!
Speaking of "Signs and Wonders" Light House Trails' chief editor David Dombrowski, in its Research Journal Volume 9 Number 2 Summer 2021, wrote a provacative article titled: "Signs & Wonders! Five Things You Should Consider" that helps one think about signs and wonders now and in the past. In it he notes both testaments use the words "signs and wonders" in mostly a positive way. He writes, "In the Old Testament, the most common examples were those referring to how Moses delivered the Israelites through signs and wonders, while in the New Testament, the most common examples were those of God confirming the preaching of the Gospel by the apostles through "signs" and "wonders." He points out the same words were usually used in "prophetic warnings" telling us to steer clear of false teachers and prophets.
While he emphasizes we shouldn't call all signs and wonders bad, however we most certainly need to endeavor to find out the source from which any prophetic sign or wonder comes. Says Dombrowski, many automatically assume that all signs and wonders have to be from God. However, he observes Deuteronomy 13:1-4 is one OT passage that strickly forbids the unquestioning acceptance of all signs and wonders. In short, he warns, all signs and wonders must line up with the Word of God! (p.4-5) To read more find the journal here: Lighthouse Trails Research Journa - Lighthouse Trails
As we exit this Xx lesson, reread the final verses of Deuteronomy's last chapter that declares there arose not another prophet like unto Moses whom the Lord knew face to face and in all the "signs and wonders" the Lord sent him to do. Count the alls!
Understand It: Israel Redeemed From Slavery!
Egypt is a picture of the world with its slavery to sin. The final plague involves the shedding of the blood of an innocent little lamb portraying the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Moses' leading the children of Israel out of Egypt reminds us that we can be free from our sins and be redeemed from our old ways. The song says, "I will sing of my Redeemer And His wonderous love to me; On the cruel cross He suffered, From the curse He set me free."
Exodus 6:6-7 sums it up: "Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and great judgments: I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians."
Click on each photograph to make it larger!
