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. In Exodus 14, God guided the Israelites from Egypt through the Red Sea and saved them from Pharaoh’s army. Today, He guides Christians through the death of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Bible, for those ready to do His will.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

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.

How did God guide the Israelites in Exodus 14?

Pharaoh pursues the Israelites

When the Israelites left Egypt, God directed Moses to lead them back and encamp in front of Pihahiroth near the sea. Moses did as God told him. When Pharaoh was told that the Israelites had left Egypt, he and his servants changed their minds towards them.

Pharaoh took his army and chariots and pursued the Israelites. When the Israelites saw them approaching, they were very afraid, but Moses told them not to be afraid because God would fight for them.

Crossing the Red Sea

God told Moses to stretch his rod to the Red Sea and it parted to the right and left to allow the people to pass through dry land. Moses did as he was instructed. Immediately, a strong east wind caused the sea to divide into two, forming walls on both sides, and all the Israelites crossed the sea on dry land.

The Egyptians tried to cross to the other side as the Israelites did, but God told Moses to stretch his rod again and Moses did as he was told. Immediately, the waters came back upon the Egyptians and they were drowned. This event made the Israelites fear God, and they believed in Him and Moses.

How does God lead people today?

God’s guidance is possible only for those who are ready to do God’s will and accept His guidance. Apart from Israel, God guides all people called Christians.

• God sent His Son into the world to die and redeem them from sin, which is the first step.
• Jesus Christ sent the Holy Spirit to guide all believers in their daily activities.
• God also gave us the Bible as our guide. It shows His person, His attitude and, most of all, His love over the issues of life.

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.

Assignment

1. Discuss the different ways God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness.
2. List examples of how you have received guidance from God.