Choose Life — Moses’ Last Charge 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: “God wanted his people to live.”
Moses was God’s helper. For many years he led God’s people through the desert. Now Moses was very old. He was one hundred twenty years old! And God’s people were close to their new land.
Moses called the people together. He had some last, important words for them. God wanted his people to live.
First Moses reminded them how God had cared for them. “I have led you forty years in the wilderness,” he said. “Your clothes have not grown old on you. Your sandals have not grown old on your feet.” Forty years, and their shoes never wore out!
Then Moses told them something about later. Someday God’s people might turn away from God. Then they might even have to live far, far away.
But even then, they could turn back to God. They might be in the farthest place of all. Moses said, “From there the LORD your God will gather you.” To gather means to bring together. God would bring them home.
“The LORD will again rejoice over you for good,” said Moses. To rejoice means to be very, very glad. God would be glad over his people, like a family when someone comes home. God wanted his people to live.
Then Moses said, “This commandment is not too hard for you.” A commandment is something God tells us to do.
“It is not in heaven,” said Moses. Nobody had to fly up to the sky to get it. Can you point up high to the sky?
“Neither is it beyond the sea,” said Moses. Nobody had to sail far across the water to get it. Can you wave your arm far, far away, like the big sea?
“But the word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart.” Touch your mouth. Now touch your heart. God’s word was right there, very near.
Then Moses said, “I have set before you today life and death.” It was like two ways to go. One way was to love God and walk with him. That way led to life. The other way was to turn away from God. That way led to death. God wanted his people to live.
Which way should they choose? Moses told them. “Therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your descendants.” Descendants are your children, and their children, and their children.
Moses told them how to choose life. “Love the LORD your God, obey his voice, and cling to him.” To cling means to hold on tight. Can you hug yourself tight?
“For he is your life, and the length of your days,” said Moses. The length of your days means all the days you live. God gives us every single day. God wanted his people to live.
God gave his people his word. It was very near, not too hard, and not far away. And God is near to us too.
So snuggle in tight, and rest now. God gives you life, and he holds you close. God wanted his people to live.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- What do you think it means to hold on tight to God?
- Why do you think Moses said God’s word was very near?
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)
Draw a line from each word to the right motion.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Choose life, that you may live” — Deuteronomy 30:19 (choose → point your finger; life → open your arms wide; that you may live → jump up high)
Dear God, thank you that your word is very near to me. Thank you for giving me life. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Choose God's Good Way
Memory verse: “Therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your descendants.” — Deuteronomy 30:19 · WEB
The Bible story
Old Moses stands at the edge of the Promised Land and gives the people one last, loving message: pick the very best path and choose life with God!
Talk about it
- Where were the people of Israel when Moses spoke to them? — At the edge of the Promised Land
- How many years had the people walked through the desert? — Forty years
- Who gave the people this important message? — Moses
- What did Moses say about God's words? — Very near, in your mouth and heart
- What two things did Moses set before the people? — Life and death
- What did the path of blessing mean? — Loving God and walking in His ways
Where is Jesus in this story?
Moses told the people that God's word was not far away but “very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart” (Deuteronomy 30:14). Paul later explained that this word is the good news about Jesus: if you say “Jesus is Lord” and believe God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:8–9). Choosing Jesus is choosing life.
What God wants to tell us
God loves us so much that He lets us choose. He never forces us — instead He shows us the very best path and asks us to walk with Him. When we choose to love God, listen to Him, and hold His hand, we find real life and real joy. God's way is never too hard or too far away; it is always close, waiting right in our hearts, ready for us to say a happy yes.
Prayer
Father God, thank You for loving me and for showing me the very best path. Help me to choose life every day by listening to You and holding Your hand. I want to walk close beside You always. Amen.
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