Aaron and Hur Hold Up Moses’ Hands Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “Aaron and Hur held up his hands.”
God’s people were traveling through the wilderness. They came to a place called Rephidim. There was no water to drink. But God had just given them water out of a rock! Moses hit the rock with his rod, and water came out for everyone.
Then one day, the people of Amalek came to fight against God’s people. God’s people needed help.
Moses spoke to Joshua. Joshua was Moses’ helper. Moses said, “Choose men for us, and go out to fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill.” He would take God’s rod in his hand.
God’s rod was Moses’ long shepherd’s staff. With it, Moses had held out his hand over the Red Sea. And now he would hold it up on the hill.
The next day, Joshua did as Moses had told him. He and his men went out to fight. Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Aaron was Moses’ brother. Hur was a leader of the people too. Climb, climb, climb! Down in the valley, Joshua and his men were fighting. Up on the hill, Moses watched and lifted up his hands.
When Moses held up his hands, God’s people were winning. But when he let his hands down, Amalek was winning. Can you hold your arms up high? Keep them up… keep them up! Up, up, up!
Moses held his hands up for a long time. But his arms got heavy. So very heavy! Can you let your arms sink slowly down?
What could they do? Moses could not hold his arms up all by himself. What do you think Aaron and Hur did?
Aaron and Hur took a stone. They put it under Moses, and he sat down on it. Now he could rest his legs.
Aaron stood on one side. Hur stood on the other side. Each one held up one of Moses’ hands. Moses was not alone. Aaron and Hur held up his hands.
The sun moved slowly across the sky. Aaron and Hur did not let go. His friends stayed with him. Moses’ hands stayed steady until sunset – until the sun went down. Steady means they did not shake or drop. Aaron and Hur held up his hands.
And Joshua and his men won against Amalek. The people of Amalek could not beat God’s people.
Then Moses built an altar to God. An altar is a pile of stones for worshiping God. He called it “The LORD our Banner.” A banner is a flag that you hold up high. Can you wave a pretend flag? Aaron and Hur held up his hands.
Think of it: a tired man, a stone to sit on, and two good friends, one on each side. Moses had held up his hands to God, high like a banner. And God had helped his people.
The LORD helped his people that day. And two good friends helped Moses when he was tired. Aaron and Hur held up his hands.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think Moses’ arms felt after holding them up so long?
- Who helps you when you are tired?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Color the 2 friends who held up Moses’ hands, and the 1 stone he sat on.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Aaron and Hur held up his hands” — Exodus 17:12 (Aaron and Hur → point to the left, then to the right; held up his hands → lift your arms high)
Dear God, thank you for friends who help me when I am tired. Thank you that you help us. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Helping Hands Are a Gift
Memory verse: “Aaron and Hur held up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side. His hands were steady until sunset.” — Exodus 17:12 · WEB
The Bible story
When brave Moses grows too tired to hold up his hands, two loyal friends step in to help him, and God's people are kept safe in the great desert.
Talk about it
- Where were God's people walking at the start of the story? — A desert
- Who was the kind leader of God's people? — Moses
- Who came marching to fight God's people? — The Amalekites
- Who did Moses send to lead the men in the fight? — Joshua
- What did Moses hold up high on the hill? — God's wooden staff
- What happened when Moses lifted his hands up high? — Joshua's men began to win
Where is Jesus in this story?
Moses' arms grew tired, and Aaron and Hur had to hold them up until sunset (Exodus 17:12). Jesus never grows tired like that. The Bible says He is at God's right hand, praying for us (Romans 8:34), so even on days when you feel weak, Jesus is standing up for you.
What God wants to tell us
God shows us that we were never meant to do everything all alone. Even strong, wise Moses grew tired and needed his friends. When Aaron and Hur held up his hands, they became a beautiful part of God's rescue. God gives us people to hold us up when we are weary, and He lets us be that helping hand for others too. Reaching out to help a friend is one of the kindest ways we can love God and love each other.
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for good friends who help me when I am tired. Please help me to be kind and to hold others up, just like Aaron and Hur helped Moses. Thank You that You are always with me and never grow tired. Amen.
Read the story · Coloring page 1 · Coloring page 2 · Quiz · All lessons
Home · All stories · Topics · Coloring pages · Quizzes · Sunday school lessons
