God Cares for His People Through Guidance – SS2 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

God’s guidance is His leading and direction of His people along the right path.

Behavioural objectives

1. Narrate how God guided the Israelites at the Red Sea (Exodus 14).
2. State what happened to the Egyptians who pursued the Israelites.
3. Explain how the Israelites responded after the crossing.
4. Describe how God leads Christians today.
5. State the conditions for receiving God’s guidance.

What are the key terms in this topic?

The key terms are guidance, Red Sea, Pihahiroth, rod, pillar of cloud and redeem.

• Guidance: God’s leading and direction of His people along the right path.
• Red Sea: the sea the Israelites crossed on dry land when leaving Egypt.
• Pihahiroth: the place near the sea where God told Moses to make camp.
• Rod: the staff Moses held up at God’s command when the sea parted and when it closed.
• Pillar of cloud: the sign of God’s presence that led the Israelites by day (Exodus 13:21).
• Redeem: to save people from sin by paying the price, as Jesus did by His death.

How did God guide the Israelites in Exodus 14?

God guided the Israelites by commanding Moses, protecting them with the pillar of cloud and opening the Red Sea for them to cross on dry land.

How did Pharaoh pursue the Israelites?

Pharaoh changed his mind about letting the Israelites go and chased them with his army.

• God’s instruction: God told Moses to lead the people back and camp in front of Pihahiroth, near the sea.
• Moses’ obedience: Moses did exactly as God told him.
• Pharaoh’s change of mind: Pharaoh was told that the Israelites had left Egypt, and he and his servants changed their minds towards them.
• The pursuit: Pharaoh took his army and chariots and chased the Israelites.
• The people’s fear: the Israelites saw the Egyptians approaching and were very afraid.
• The complaint: they blamed Moses for bringing them out of Egypt to die in the wilderness (Exodus 14:11-12).
• Moses’ answer: Moses told them not to be afraid, to stand still and see God’s salvation, because God would fight for them (Exodus 14:13-14).
• God’s protection: the pillar of cloud moved behind the Israelites and stood between them and the Egyptian camp (Exodus 14:19-20).

How did the Israelites cross the Red Sea?

The Israelites crossed the Red Sea on dry land after God divided the water through Moses.

1. God told Moses to stretch his rod towards the Red Sea.
2. Moses did as he was instructed.
3. A strong east wind blew and divided the sea into two.
4. Walls of water stood on the right and left sides.
5. All the Israelites crossed the sea on dry land.

What happened to the Egyptians?

The Egyptians were drowned when the sea closed over them.

1. The Egyptians tried to cross the sea as the Israelites had done.
2. God told Moses to stretch his rod again, and Moses obeyed.
3. The waters came back upon the Egyptians immediately.
4. The Egyptians were drowned.
5. The Israelites saw the dead Egyptians on the seashore (Exodus 14:30).

How did the Israelites respond?

The Israelites responded with fear of God, belief in God and belief in Moses.

• Fear of God: the event made the Israelites fear God with respect.
• Belief in God: they believed in Him.
• Belief in Moses: they accepted Moses as God’s servant and leader.
• Praise: Moses and the people sang to God in thanks for the victory (Exodus 15).

What lessons do we learn from the event?

The event teaches that God protects, leads and defends those who trust and obey Him.

• God protects His people: He saved the Israelites when they had no way of escape.
• God works through obedient leaders: Moses obeyed each instruction and God acted.
• Fear should give way to trust: Moses told the people to trust that God would fight for them.
• God overcomes those who oppose His plan: Pharaoh’s army was destroyed.

How does God lead people today?

God leads Christians today through the death of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Bible.

Who can receive God’s guidance?

God’s guidance is for people who are ready to do His will and who follow it.

• Willingness: God’s guidance is possible only for those ready to do His will.
• Acceptance: the person must accept God’s guidance and follow it.
• Trust: the person must rely on God and not only on personal understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).
• Who it covers: God guided Israel in the past, and He guides all who are called Christians today.

What are the ways God guides Christians?

There are three main ways God guides Christians: the death of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Bible.

Which Bible texts teach about God’s guidance?

Several Bible texts show that God guides those who trust Him.

• John 16:13: the Spirit of truth guides believers into all truth.
• Psalm 119:105: God’s word is a lamp to the feet and a light to the path.
• Proverbs 3:5-6: trust in the Lord and He will direct your paths.
• Psalm 32:8: God promises to instruct and teach people in the way they should go.
• Romans 8:14: those led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

Evaluation

1. What did God tell Moses to do when the Israelites reached the Red Sea?
2. What happened to the Egyptians when they tried to cross the sea?
3. How did the Israelites respond after the event?
4. State three ways God guides Christians today.
5. Who can receive God’s guidance?

Assignment

1. Choose one of the three ways God guides Christians today (the death of Jesus, the Holy Spirit or the Bible). Explain it and give an example of how you have received guidance in that way.