December 14th, 2025
Recap: Sunday December 14th, 2025
Story 13: God Raises Up a Deliverer (Exodus 1-3)
*Continue the conversation at home reading through Exodus 1-3 and going through The Biggest Story Family Devotional that corresponds with Story 13!
Big Picture: The book of Genesis ends with the story of Joseph. Remember that messy story and its happy ending? The last line in Genesis, however, ends on a sad note: “So Joseph died . . . and he was put in a coffin in Egypt” (Gen. 50:26). The book of Exodus starts on the same sad note: “Then Joseph died, and all his brothers and all that generation” (Ex. 1:6). And while the next generation had lots and lots of children (“the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them,” 1:7), matters went from bad to worse, or sad to sadder. “There arose a new king [a new Pharaoh] over Egypt, who did not know Joseph” (1:8).
Remember how the old Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all of Egypt? This new Pharaoh didn’t even know who Joseph was. The memory of the hero who saved Egypt quickly faded. This new Pharaoh cared only about the Egyptians. And because “the Egyptians were in dread of the people of Israel” (1:12) and they feared the Israelites would outnumber them if a war broke out, Pharaoh made God’s people slaves for over four hundred years. So very sad. (From The Biggest Story Curriculum)
Big Truth: God raises up a leader to deliver his people out of slavery.
Memory Verse: I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to . . . a land flowing with milk and honey.” (Exodus 3:17)
Extension Activities:
Burning Bush Cup Craft: Each child was given a cup with a thin layer of Modge Podge brushed on the outside. Next, they took the tissue paper squares to make a “fire” inside their cup. Then they stuck on their leaves with the saying “ And God said, I will be with you.” Finally they each got a tea light to put in their cups.
Resources for Parents about Exodus:
Does your child have questions about some of the topics brought up in Exodus? Unsure how to answer those in a way that is age appropriate?
Do you need help teaching the Bible in your family? This guide to family worship helps you engage with your children in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The last four books of the Pentateuch pick up where Genesis left off, showing how God faithfully led Israel out of Egypt and dealt with them faithfully during forty years of wilderness wanderings. Use this simple, helpful guide to teach your children how the types and shadows of the Old Testament have pointed God's people of all times to Jesus, the ultimate deliverer of His people.
Wilderness: Family Worship in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy By Joel R. Beeke & Nick Thompson is a great additional resource to The Biggest Story Family Devotional, diving deeper into specific questions and reflection throughout Genesis.
The Bible Project overview video on on Exodus 1-18, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In Exodus, God rescues the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and confronts the evil and injustice of Pharaoh.
