God Protects His People in Egypt and the Exodus
Old Testament 2
Weekly Bulletin Notes
The following summaries of this quarter’s Growing in Christ® and Cross Explorations Sunday School lessons are intended to provide a Sunday School link to parents and the congregation. The first several weeks of the following quarter are also included. These paragraphs can be copied from the Director CD using a word-processing program.
Consider using these summaries:
•	Print them in your congregation’s weekly bulletin or newsletter.
•	E-mail them as a weekly e-mail encouragement for student and parent Sunday School participation.
•	E-mail them as a review e-mail follow-up to Sunday School each week.
•	Use them in a “staying in touch” note or e-mail for students or families who are absent.

Lesson 1
For the next few weeks in Sunday School, the children will be studying true story of the life of Joseph. It begins today with the account of “Joseph and His Brothers.” Though the brothers didn’t know it, God would use their treachery to bring about His plan to deliver His people and ultimately to deliver us from sin and death through Jesus. A family discussion might include, “How can hatred and unkind thoughts lead to hateful words and actions?” On the cross, Jesus saved us from the hurt and harm of our own sins and the sins of others.
Lesson 2
The account of “Joseph’s Troubles” continues the study of Joseph’s life in the Sunday School lesson for today. God was with Joseph; and in Christ, God is with us in all the situations of life, providing, protecting, and forgiving us. As a family, you might discuss, “How do we usually react when we are falsely accused of wrongdoing? How can we learn to trust Jesus to work out all things for our good?”
Lesson 3
Today in Sunday School, the children will learn how “Joseph Feeds Egypt” during a great famine. Ask your children, “How do our sins cause suffering for both ourselves and others?” God sent His Son, Jesus, to save all humanity from sin, death, and the devil. Discuss the reality that in spite of how awful life seems, Jesus is with us through His Word and Sacraments, caring for us always.
Lesson 4
Today in Sunday School, the children will complete their study of how God worked in Joseph’s life. “Joseph Forgives” and reveals himself to his brothers, telling them that though they meant evil, God used their acts for good. Our Lord Jesus Christ reveals Himself to us and forgives us in His Holy Word and Sacraments. Families could discuss, “How was God with Joseph, blessing him through all that happened, the good and the bad? How has God turned bad or evil things in your life or world into blessings for your good?”
Lesson 5
The Sunday School lesson today begins a series of lessons about Moses. Today’s lesson is “The Birth of Moses.” The children will learn that God was with Moses, caring for him and protecting him. God saved His people through Moses, who led them out of slavery. Family discussions might include, “How does God show His love and cares for us? How does God deliver us from evil?” 
Lesson 6
Today in Sunday School, the lesson recalls the account of “Moses and the Burning Bush.” Just as God had Moses remove the sandals from his feet, God in Christ removes our sins from us, making us fit to approach God and stand in His presence. Discuss, “Who makes us holy before God? What did Moses have to do, and why, in order to be in God’s presence?”
Lesson 7
Today’s Sunday School lesson is “Moses and the Plagues.” Through a series of horrific plagues, God punished the Egyptians for their sinful treatment of His people and freed His people from bondage. Through His horrific suffering and death on the cross, Jesus took the punishment for our sin and freed us from sin’s bondage. Ask your children, “What does it mean to be freed from the slavery of sin? Tell about the plagues and talk about the power of God Almighty.”
Lesson 8
In Sunday School today, the children will learn the account of “The Passover.” This true story, about the night when the angel of death passed over the homes of God’s people who had painted their doors with the blood of a lamb, foreshadows Christ, God’s Son, who became the Lamb whose blood was shed for us. Jesus is our Passover Lamb, and thus we will never die—we have the gift of eternal life. Ask your children, “Who gives us the faith to believe that Jesus is our Savior?”
Lesson 9
Today in Sunday School, the children will learn about how God saved the Hebrews by parting the waters in “Crossing the Red Sea.” Ask your children to tell you what they know about this story. Talk about, “How does God fight for us and save us from sin, death, and the devil?” Discuss Baptism and how water combined with God’s Word washes you clean from sin and gives you eternal life.
Lesson 10
“God Provides Manna, Water, and Quail” is the Sunday School lesson for today. Just as God provided manna, water, and quail for the hungry and complaining Israelites to preserve them, in Christ, God feeds us with the manna of His Word and the water of forgiveness, satisfying our eternal hunger and quenching our eternal thirst. Consider discussing, “How does sin cause us to be lost and hungry and thirsty for what we cannot have?” Talk about Jesus, the bread of life and the living water, and how He satisfies our spiritual hunger and thirst. 
Lesson 11
The account of God giving “The Ten Commandments” to Moses is today’s Sunday School lesson. The children will learn that the law was given through Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Talk about God’s laws and how they guide us and show us our sin when we cannot keep them. Ask your children, “Who kept the Law perfectly for us?” Though we sin much, daily we have God’s forgiveness because of Christ, His Son. 
Lesson 12
Today in Sunday School, students will study “Worship in the Tabernacle.” In the tabernacle, God dwelled with His people, cleansing them and making them holy through the blood of sacrifices. In Christ, God now dwells among us, cleansing us and making us holy through His blood, sacrificed for us on the cross. Ask students, “Why did God direct the people to build the tabernacle? Where do we worship God today?”
Lesson 13
Today’s Sunday School lesson, “The Bronze Serpent,” is one of the more challenging stories in the Old Testament. Just as the bronze serpent was lifted up to heal and save the Israelites, Christ was lifted up on the cross to heal and save us from sin, death, and the devil. Ask students, “How did God rescue people bitten by the serpent? How does God rescue you?”