Exodus 1–6
The invitation to live in Egypt saved Jacob’s family. But after hundreds of years, their descendants were enslaved and terrorized by a new pharaoh who “knew not Joseph” (Exodus 1:8). It would have been natural for the Israelites to wonder why God allowed this to happen to them, His covenant people. Did He remember the covenant He had made with them? Were they still His people? Could He see how much they were suffering?
There may be times when you’ve felt like asking similar questions. You might wonder, “Does God know what I’m going through? Can He hear my pleas for help?” Israel’s deliverance from Egypt answers such questions clearly: God does not forget His people. He remembers His covenants with us and will fulfill them in His own time and way. “I will redeem you with a stretched out arm,” He declares. “I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under [your] burdens” (Exodus 6:6–7).
For an overview of the book of Exodus, see “Exodus, book of” in the Bible Dictionary.
What impresses you about the women described in Exodus 1–2? How did they help fulfill God’s plan for His people? What do their efforts teach you about service in God’s work?
Before you begin reading Exodus, you might think about a hardship you’re going through—something you hope the Lord will deliver you from. What words and phrases in Exodus 1–3 sound similar to spiritual captivity or other things we face today? Notice also how the children of Israel sought deliverance and how the Lord responded (see, for example, Exodus 2:23–25; 3:7–8). How has the Lord “come down to deliver” you?
Throughout the book of Exodus, you might also note some similarities between Moses and Jesus Christ (see Deuteronomy 18:18–19; 1 Nephi 22:20–21). For example, what similarities do you see between Exodus 1:22; 2:1–10 and Matthew 2:13–16? Or between Exodus 24:18 and Matthew 4:1–2? What do you feel the Lord wants you to understand about Himself and His power?
I can show reverence for holy things and places.
Can you think of a time when something filled you with awe and wonder? How did you react? How would you describe the emotions you felt?
With that in mind, read Exodus 3:1–6. What impresses you about Moses’s inspiring experience? What did Moses do to show reverence for God? What connections do you see between his actions and reverence for sacred things?
Reading these verses might prompt you to think about holy things and holy places in your life. Why are they sacred to you? How do you treat them differently from things that are common? To guide your pondering, you could refer to the section titled “Remembering the Promises” in Elder David A. Bednar’s message “Exceeding Great and Precious Promises” (Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 91–93). You might also sing or listen to a hymn that inspires awe, like “I Stand All Amazed” (Hymns, no. 193) and ponder what it is about the gospel that amazes you.
Of course, even when we’ve had wonderful spiritual experiences, there’s a danger of becoming too casual about sacred things. How do you avoid this? Here are two messages that address this issue; pick one, and look for statements that help you: Ulisses Soares, “In Awe of Christ and His Gospel” (Liahona, May 2022, 115–17); Gérald Caussé, “Is It Still Wonderful to You?” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 98–100).
See also Doctrine and Covenants 6:10–12; 63:64.
Today we know Moses as a great prophet and leader. But Moses did not see himself that way when the Lord first called him. As you read Exodus 3–4, list Moses’s concerns and how the Lord responded to each. What do you find in these chapters that might inspire you when you feel inadequate? When have you seen God empower you or others to do His work?
See also “The Church Gives Us Opportunities to Assist in God’s Work” in “Church Organization” in Topics and Questions, Gospel Library.
It can be discouraging when our sincere efforts to do good don’t seem to be working—when we’re trying to do the Lord’s will but we’re not seeing the results we expected. To learn about a similar experience Moses had, read Exodus 5:4–9, 20–23. How did the Lord help Moses overcome his feelings of discouragement? (see Exodus 6:1–13). How has the Lord helped you persist in doing His will?
See also Jeffrey R. Holland, “Waiting on the Lord,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 115–17.
Why did Moses slay an Egyptian?
Who was Jethro?
What can we learn about the glory of God from the burning bush?
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Because this Sunday is the fifth Sunday of the month, Primary teachers are encouraged to use learning activities in “Appendix B: Preparing Children for a Lifetime on God’s Covenant Path.”
Moses had a major role in freeing Israel from bondage. But he wouldn’t have been able to accomplish this if his mother, his sister, Pharaoh’s daughter, and other faithful women hadn’t protected and cared for him. Help your children learn about these women in Exodus 1:15–20; Exodus 2:2–10 (see also Numbers 26:59); and Exodus 2:16–21. You could also use this week’s activity page and “Baby Moses” (in Old Testament Stories, 61–63) to tell their stories. How did these women help fulfill God’s plan? Talk with each other about other people you admire who help with God’s work, including in small and simple ways. How can we follow their example? 1:36Baby Moses
After reading Exodus 3:1–5 together, ask your children to summarize these verses in their own words (see also “Moses the Prophet” in Old Testament Stories, 64–66). You could also review the beginning of Elder Ulisses Soares’s message “Reverence for Sacred Things” (Liahona, May 2025, 108). How did Moses show reverence in the Lord’s presence? How does the Lord want us to show reverence? You might also ask your children to help you find (or draw) pictures of sacred places or activities where we should be reverent. What can we do to make our home a sacred place? 1:26Moses the Prophet
Sing together a song about reverence, such as “Reverence Is Love” (Children’s Songbook, 31). As you do, your children could find words or phrases that explain what it means to be reverent. If we were bringing a friend to church for the first time, how would we explain what it means to be reverent?
Using the account in Exodus 3; 4:1–17, let your children take turns pretending to be Moses. It might be fun to include objects or simple props, such as a flashlight and a plant to represent the burning bush. Help your children discover how Moses felt about the assignment the Lord gave him (see Exodus 3:11; 4:1, 10). Maybe you could share with each other times when you had similar feelings. What advice would we share with Moses to help him? Read about how the Lord encouraged Moses in Exodus 3:12; 4:2–9, 11–12. Tell the children how the Savior has helped you fulfill a calling, follow a prompting, or do something else that was hard for you.