Leadership: Moses as a Leader – SS2 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Moses was the Hebrew leader whom God called to rescue the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.

Bible reference: Exodus 1, 2, 3 and 4:1-17 (the call and its background), and Exodus 14 (the crossing of the Red Sea).

Behavioural objectives

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

1. describe the birth of Moses and how he came to live in Pharaoh’s palace;
2. explain why Moses fled to Midian;
3. state how God called Moses at Mount Horeb;
4. narrate how Moses led the Israelites across the Red Sea;
5. list the qualities of Moses as a leader and the lessons Christians can learn from them.

Why was Moses born at a dangerous time?

Moses was born while a new Pharaoh was oppressing the Israelites and ordering the death of their baby boys.

• New Pharaoh: he came to power after Joseph died and did not know Joseph.
• His fear: he was afraid because the Israelites in Egypt were increasing in number.
• Forced labour: he made the Israelites serve with rigour and bitterness.
• Order to the midwives: he told them to kill Hebrew sons at the birthstool.
• The midwives’ response: they feared God and did not obey him.
• Order to all Egyptians: every Hebrew son born was to be thrown into the river Nile.

How was Moses born and saved?

Moses was born to Amram and Jochebed of the tribe of Levi, and God saved him through Pharaoh’s daughter.

1. His mother hid him for three months.
2. When she could no longer hide him, she made a basket of bulrushes and daubed it with bitumen pitch.
3. She put the child in the basket and placed it among the reeds at the river bank.
4. His sister Miriam stood at a distance to watch what would happen.
5. Pharaoh’s daughter came to wash at the river, saw the basket and picked up the child.
6. Miriam offered to call a Hebrew nurse, and brought the child’s own mother.
7. Moses was nursed by his mother, then taken to the palace and adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter.

Why did Moses flee to Midian?

Moses fled to Midian because he killed an Egyptian and his act became known.

• His upbringing: he grew up in Pharaoh’s house but knew he was a Hebrew.
• His anger: he hated the wicked treatment of his people by the Egyptians.
• The killing: he killed an Egyptian who was beating a Hebrew.
• The discovery: when he tried to settle a quarrel between two Hebrews, he found that his act was known.
• The flight: he ran away to Midian.

Moses in Midian

• Jethro: the priest of Midian, who had seven daughters, took care of Moses.
• Marriage: Moses married Zipporah, one of Jethro’s daughters.
• Son: they named their son Gershom, meaning “I have been a sojourner in a strange land”.
• Work: Moses kept the flock of Jethro.

How did God call Moses at Mount Horeb?

God called Moses from a burning bush while he was keeping Jethro’s flock on Mount Horeb.

1. Moses saw a bush that was burning but was not consumed.
2. God spoke to him from the bush and told him the ground was holy.
3. God commanded him to go and rescue the Israelites from their taskmasters.
4. Moses gave reasons why he could not go.
5. God answered each reason and promised to be with him.
6. Moses finally obeyed and went.

What objections did Moses raise?

How did Moses lead the Israelites out of Egypt?

Moses led Israel out of Egypt after God sent plagues on Egypt and then parted the Red Sea.

The plagues and the release

• Hardened heart: God told Moses that Pharaoh’s heart would be hardened and he would refuse to let Israel go.
• Plagues: God sent ten plagues, including blood in the Nile, frogs, locusts, darkness and the death of the firstborn.
• Release: after the last plague, Pharaoh allowed the Israelites to leave.
• Pursuit: Pharaoh changed his mind and chased them with his army.

The crossing of the Red Sea

1. The Israelites found the Red Sea in front of them and the Egyptians behind them.
2. The people were afraid, and Moses told them to trust God.
3. God commanded Moses to stretch his rod towards the sea.
4. The water parted to the right and to the left.
5. The Israelites walked across on dry ground.
6. The Egyptians followed them into the sea.
7. God told Moses to stretch out the rod again, and the water closed over the Egyptians, who drowned.

What were the qualities of Moses as a leader?

Moses was a patriotic, selfless, courageous, obedient and prayerful leader.

• Patriotism: he rendered selfless service to his people.
• Selflessness: he put the interest of his people before his own.
• Intercession: twice God threatened to wipe out the Israelites and make a great nation of Moses’ descendants, but he refused and pleaded for the people.
• Courage: he faced Pharaoh in spite of the danger.
• Obedience and faith: he obeyed God and had strong faith in him.
• Humility: he doubted his own ability and depended on God’s help.

What lessons can Christians learn from Moses?

Christians can learn patriotism, reverence for God, courage and concern for others from the leadership of Moses.

1. Christians should show a high sense of patriotism and give selfless service when they are called to lead.
2. Christians should respect and fear God and depend on him to guide them in all their ways.
3. Leaders should pray for the people they lead, as Moses did.
4. Christians should be courageous in standing against injustice and oppression.
5. Christians should trust God’s promise of help when a task seems too hard.

Evaluation

1. Describe how Moses was saved from Pharaoh’s order to kill Israelite boys.
2. Why did Moses flee to Midian?
3. How did God call Moses at Mount Horeb?
4. Describe how the Israelites crossed the Red Sea.
5. State four qualities of Moses as a leader.

Assignment

Explain two lessons Christians can learn from the leadership of Moses.