Summary of Citywide Children’s Meeting Fellowship
Regarding Lessons on
The Travels of the Chosen Children of Israel
February 2, 2025
Travels-Forefathers-Abraham
- The Background in the original lesson mentioned a number of names and stories in a condensed way (Noah, Tower of Babel, etc.) We revised the lesson to reduce the number of names and stories mentioned so that the children do not get confused.
- Emphasize God’s promises each week, and note their fulfillment as they are covered. We can have a running list of God’s promises. Promises include making Abram (Abraham) a great nation, giving him the land, and giving him seed (meaning many descendants).
- Visual: It may be helpful to show a map of Abram/Abraham’s travels, and point out the locations for the children.
February 9, 2025
Travels-Forefathers-Isaac-The-Promised-Son-of-Abraham-1-of-2
- Emphasize God’s promises. Continue a running list of God’s promises and their fulfillment. This lesson will only focus on the miraculous birth of Isaac, promised to Abraham and Sarah.
- God needed to give Abraham and Sarah a child in order to fulfill His promise.
- After fellowship concerning this lesson, we have decided to remove the story of the offering up of Isaac as this may be disturbing to children. It may also be premature and not age-appropriate to talk to the children about the Old Testament offerings and the sacrifice of animals.
- We have posted the updated, edited lesson.
- We also deleted an application about asking the children to give up their favorite toy, as a comparison to God asking Abraham to offer up his son Isaac. Since we are removing that story, this application is no longer applicable.
February 16, 2025
Travels-Forefathers-Isaac-The-Promised-Son-of-Abraham-2-of-2
- A previous version of this lesson mentioned Eliezer as the name of the servant, but Genesis 24 does not identify the name of the servant. Although it is possible that Eliezer, mentioned in Genesis 15 before the birth of Isaac, is still in the position as the oldest servant, this is not definite. To be accurate, we removed his name from the lesson.
- Emphasize God’s promises. Continue a running list of God’s promises and their fulfillment. God promised to make Abram (Abraham) a great nation, give him the land, seed (a son & many descendants).
- We also revised the Approach to reflect that only God keeps His promises all the time. We do not, and sometimes our parents are also not able to keep their promises.
- We can have the children list some of Abraham’s character traits, such as obedience, and trusting God’s Word.
February 23, 2025
Travels-Forefathers-Jacob (split into two weeks)
- This lesson provides two weeks of content. It is a condensed telling of Jacob’s life as a forefather of the children of Israel, and intentionally leaves out some details. For example, the prior version of this lesson had mentioned Jacob’s four wives, but we removed this detail as it might become distracting for the point we’re focusing on, God’s promises.
- As we have done in previous weeks, we can emphasize that God fulfills His promises. Isaac and Rebekah having children was a fulfillment of God’s promise that Abraham’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the heavens and the sand of the seashore.
- For this lesson, we can just tell the story, the facts according to the Bible. We reduced the number of applications.
March 2, 2025
Travels-Forefathers-Jacob (second part of a two-week lesson)
- This is a continuation of the prior week’s lesson, which is a condensed telling of Jacob’s life as a forefather of the children of Israel. Week 2: Cover Jacob working for his uncle Laban for many years until the end of the lesson mentioning his 12 sons.
- As we have done in previous weeks, emphasize God’s promises. Continue a running list of God’s promises and their fulfillment.
- For this lesson, we can just tell the story, the facts according to the Bible. We reduced the number of applications in the lesson to simplify.
March 9, 2025
Travels-Birth-of-Moses (covered over two weeks)
- This lesson will be covered over two weeks.
- Week 1 includes a condensed background to introduce the children of Israel multiplying in the land of Egypt, and Pharaoh’s ill treatment of them.
- Week 2 introduces the midwives fearing God and the birth of Moses.
- In each week, we can see how God is working to fulfill His promises.
March 16, 2025
Travels-Birth-of-Moses (second part of a two-week lesson)
- This is a continuation of the prior week’s lesson. Last week included a condensed background to introduce the children of Israel multiplying in the land of Egypt, and Pharaoh’s ill treatment of them.
- Week 2 (this week) introduces the midwives fearing God and the birth of Moses.
- In each week, we can see how God is working to fulfill His promises.
March 23, 2025
Travels-Moses-Burning-Bush
- This lesson continues the telling of Moses’ life in a condensed way, including his killing of an Egyptian, God’s appearing in the burning bush, and Jehovah telling him that He would send Moses to Pharaoh to bring His people out of Egypt.
- For younger children, we can reduce the amount of details we tell.
March 30, 2025
Travels-Plagues-1-of-2
- We will cover the ten plagues in two separate lessons. In this week’s lesson, we can ask the children some of the negative character traits about Pharaoh. He was stubborn with a hard heart.
- We should have a soft heart and be willing to listen to the Lord and His representatives, including our parents.
- Reminder to serving ones to read the Scripture as part of their lesson preparation.
April 6, 2025
Travels-Plagues-2-of-2
- Pharaoh did not keep his promises, but our God always keeps His promises.
- Reminder to serving ones to read the Scripture as part of their lesson preparation and study the details carefully.
April 13, 2025
Travels-Passover – Regional Conference in NJ with brother Ed Marks
- Due to the regional conference, some families may be away. The Passover lesson can be repeated next week, or we can review the ten plagues.
- We should be obedient to the Lord and obedient to the Word of God. It is important and serious to obey and do what the Lord says, and to obey our parents. We should build a habit of obedience.
- At school, there may be fire drills or other class instructions given by teachers. We need to listen and obey for our own safety. If our parents ask us to do something or go somewhere, we should obey right away.
- The Lord wants to bless us and keep us safe. There may be restrictions placed on us and specific instructions to follow. We need to accept those.
April 20, 2025
Review of Passover or Ten Plagues
- Depending on each district, the serving ones may cover last week’s lesson again (Travels-Passover) due to conference attendance, or review the ten plagues lessons (Travels-Plagues-1of2; Travels-Plagues-2of2)
April 27, 2025
Travels-Red-Sea
- Reminder to serving ones to read the Scripture as part of their lesson preparation to study the details carefully.
- This is a well known Bible story and some children may say they know it from watching a movie. It is crucial to let the children know that a movie (and illustrated children’s Bibles) may not be accurate or may have added details that are not in the Bible.
- Even if the children think they know the story, there is usually some lesser known fact they don’t know. For example, we can ask a challenge question: How many chariots were there? (Exo. 14:7) This will help keep the children engaged to listen to the story. We can also have the children participate by sharing some facts they know.
- Encourage them that every time they read the Bible, the Word of God is fresh and they can learn something new. The Bible is not like any other book. Even if the children “know” something, the Lord can show them something new.
May 4, 2025
Travels-Food-and-Drink-1
- Reminder to serving ones to read the Scripture as part of their lesson preparation to study the details carefully. We do not need to tell the children all the details, but the portion is rich and good for the serving ones to know.
- As you tell the lesson, we can apply the applications of not complaining and also following instructions. God did not let the children of Israel go hungry or thirsty. He was faithful in providing what they needed.
- We can have older kids read some of the direct Scripture from the Bible.
- After we tell the story, we can ask the children what instructions Moses gave them about the collection of manna.
May 11, 2025
Travels-Ten-Commandments-1of2
- The focus of this lesson is not on the Ten Commandments specifically, the do’s and don’ts, which are covered in detail in another series. It’s not just the “rules” of the Ten Commandments, but knowing the principles are important.
- Our focus is that God wants a relationship with us. By giving the children of Israel the Ten Commandments, God was opening His heart to man to show man what He loves and what He hates. God wanted to be close to His people. If we obey God’s Word, We are His personal treasure! Exodus 19:5 says, “Now therefore if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My personal treasure from among all peoples, for all the earth is Mine.”
- Everyone likes “treasures.” It’s so wonderful that by obeying God’s Word, we can be God’s personal treasure!
May 18, 2025
Travels-Ten-Commandments-2of2
- The focus of this lesson is not on the Ten Commandments specifically, the do’s and don’ts, which is covered in detail in another series.
- The previous lesson covered the first four Commandments which deal with man’s relationship with God. This lesson covers the last six Commandments which deal with our relationship with other people.
May 25, 2025
- We can repeat the Travels Ten Commandments lessons since some children may be away for the Memorial Day weekend.
- Possibly use activity sheets or other group games to conduct the lesson.
June 1, 2025
Travels-Tabernacle
- We have edited this lesson to streamline the details. The prior version had many details that might be too much for the children to absorb.
- For this lesson, it would be helpful to bring some illustrations of the tabernacle. Engage the children by having them point out different parts that are being mentioned in the lesson.
June 8, 2025
Travels-Priesthood
- It may be helpful to show illustrations of Old Testament priests and the different parts of the special garments.
- Be aware not to give the children too many details beyond what they can absorb. They can help point out different parts of the illustrations, or try to find the item being referred to.
June 15, 2025
Travels-MoltenCalf
- All of the examples in the applications should be to help the serving ones with their questioning of the children. Try to have conversations with the children rather than merely giving them all the examples listed.
- For the youngest children, end the lesson before the last three paragraphs (because the additional information would probably exceed their attention span). End with the sentence which reads – we should never let anything replace God in our heart – this is a good ending and leads well into the application.
- For younger children, it might be good just to stick to one application.
- A good application to cover with the children is: “We should give the Lord the first place.” Don’t just mention all these things and tell them don’t do this and don’t do that, but have a conversation with the children about giving the Lord the first place in your heart. See if you can bring some of these examples out of them. A testimony from the serving ones might help the children understand and even be open about some things they have put before the Lord.
- For older children, we do not necessarily have to give all the details either. Please be sensitive to your children and leave out details as necessary.
June 22, 2025
Citywide Gathering at Hall 1
June 29, 2025
Travels-Murmurings-and-Criticism
In the Bible, there are accounts of death or other severe consequences due to rebellion against God or God’s representative. The children should realize that God disciplines His people, just as parents discipline their children, and also executes judgment. The children should have a healthy fear of God. However, we should pray and exercise discretion in how much detail to provide, and tell the children in a way that is age-appropriate.
July 6, 2025
Travels-Spying-the-Good-Land
Only two of the twelve spies had believing hearts. The other ten spies spread discouraging news, which caused the people of God to doubt God’s Word and God’s promises.
As in prior lessons, there is discipline from God when His people rebel against Him and refuse to believe God’s Word. We should exercise discretion in how much detail to provide, and tell the children in a way that is age-appropriate.
Here is an original coloring page illustrated by one of the saints.
July 13, 2025
Travels-Rebellion (Part 1 of 2)
This lesson was previously written as one lesson, Rebellion Against God’s Authority, and contains two cases of rebellion. However, we felt it was too much to cover and digest with children in one lesson, so we have split the lesson into two weeks.
Week 1 (July 13) – Miriam and Aaron speaking against Moses.
Week 2 (July 20) – The rebellion of Korah and his followers.
There are consequences when we rebel.
In the Bible, there are accounts of death or other severe consequences due to rebellion against God or God’s representative. The children should realize that God disciplines His people, just as parents discipline their children, and also executes judgment. The children should have a healthy fear of God. However, we should pray and exercise discretion in how much detail to provide, and tell the children in a way that is age-appropriate.
July 20, 2025
Travels-Rebellion (Part 2 of 2)
Please see fellowship notes from the previous week. The lesson is split into two weeks.
July 27, 2025
Travels-MeribahandAaronsDeath
Moses had to learn to exercise self-control. He misrepresented God in his reaction to the children of Israel. Even though the children of Israel were rebellious, God still had mercy on them and provided water for them.
We have to lead by example. For example, parents have to be patient to help children learn patience. Moses lost his temper with the children of Israel.
We don’t have to cover all the applications. Focus on the facts in the story and ask the children what they have learned from the story.
We removed the paragraph about the death of Aaron and changed the aim to reflect that. We felt it was not necessary for this lesson.
August 3, 2025
Travels-Fiery-Serpents
The last application is a gospel message for the older kids if time allows.
August 10, 2025
Travels-Death-of-Moses
Moses’ heart was for the people. Even though he could not enter into the good land, he cared for the people to enter in.
Moses was not jealous when Joshua became leader.
August 17, 2025
We will not have a new lesson today as this is the Lord’s Day following Family Bible Camp. We can share a slideshow of highlights from the Family Bible Camp with the children. Please contact your district serving ones for a copy of the video. We are not posting it publicly due to the privacy of the children in the video. Consider also having a special snack for the summer.
You may also consider having a review of prior lessons. One suggestion is to insert questions about prior lessons in between songs during singing time to make it more fun for the children.