The Death of Moses 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: “The LORD goes before his people.”
Moses had led God’s people for forty years. Now he was very old. He was one hundred twenty years old! God’s people were close to their new land. It was just across the Jordan River.
Moses spoke to all the people. “I am one hundred twenty years old today,” he said. The LORD had told Moses, “You shall not go over this Jordan.” So Moses would not go into the new land.
But Moses had good news too. “The LORD your God himself will go over before you,” he said. “Joshua will go over before you.” Before you means in front of you, to lead the way. The LORD goes before his people.
“Be strong and courageous,” Moses told all the people. “Don’t be afraid.” Courageous means brave.
Then Moses called Joshua. Joshua had been Moses’ helper for a long time. Now Joshua would be the new leader. Everyone was watching. Moses said to him, “Be strong and courageous.” Can you stand up strong and brave like Joshua?
Moses said, “The LORD himself is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged.” Forsake means to leave someone alone. Discouraged means sad and ready to give up. The LORD goes before his people.
Then Moses climbed up a mountain. It was called Mount Nebo. Up, up, up he went, all the way to the top. Can you climb with your hands? Up, up, up!
From the top, the LORD showed Moses all the new land. Moses saw the land far in the north. He saw all the way to the Western Sea. That is the big sea where the sun goes down. He saw the land in the south. And he saw Jericho, the city of palm trees, far below.
Can you put your hand over your eyes and look far, far away? What do you think Moses saw?
The LORD said to him, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I have caused you to see it with your eyes.” God had promised this land long ago. Now God was keeping his promise. The LORD goes before his people.
Then Moses died there. It happened just as the LORD had said. His eyes were still good. His body was still strong.
And the LORD buried Moses in a valley. Nobody knows where. God himself took care of Moses.
God’s people cried for Moses for thirty days. That is a whole month.
There was never another prophet like Moses. A prophet is someone who tells God’s words. The LORD knew Moses face to face. That means God talked with Moses like a friend.
Now Joshua was the leader. He was full of wisdom from God. Moses had laid his hands on him, to make him the new leader. The people listened to Joshua. And God would go with them into the new land. The LORD goes before his people.
Moses was gone. But God was still there, as close as ever. And God goes before you too, into every new day. The LORD goes before his people.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- What do you think Moses saw from the top of the mountain?
- How do you think Joshua felt when Moses said, “Be strong”?
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 Moses on top of the mountain, looking at the new land.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“He will be with you” — Deuteronomy 31:8 (He → point up; will be with you → hug yourself)
Dear God, thank you that you go before me. Thank you that you will never leave me alone. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God Keeps Every Promise
Memory verse: “The LORD himself is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Don't be afraid. Don't be discouraged.” — Deuteronomy 31:8 · WEB
The Bible story
After forty years in the desert, old Moses climbs a mountain, where God shows him the whole Promised Land. Then Moses dies, and God Himself buries him.
Talk about it
- How old was Moses in this story? — 120 years old
- How long had Moses led God's people through the desert? — Forty years
- What mountain did God tell Moses to climb? — Mount Nebo
- What did God show Moses from the top of the mountain? — The Promised Land
- What was the Promised Land like? — Flowing with milk and honey
- Would Moses walk into the Promised Land himself? — No, but God let him see it
Where is Jesus in this story?
Moses saw the Promised Land from Mount Nebo but died before he could walk into it (Deuteronomy 34:4–5). Centuries later, Moses stood on a mountain in that very land, talking with Jesus while Jesus' face shone like the sun (Matthew 17:2–3). God had not forgotten Moses, and Jesus brings everyone who trusts Him into a far better home.
What God wants to tell us
This gentle story shows us that God always keeps His word. Moses trusted God for one hundred and twenty years, and God never left him — not even at the very end. God let Moses see the beautiful land He had promised, and when Moses died, God Himself took care of him like a loving father. We can trust God with our whole lives too, because His love holds us tight from our very first day right through to forever. Whatever happens, God is always with us, and He never lets go.
Prayer
Thank You, God, for always keeping Your promises. Thank You for taking care of Moses right to the end, and for taking care of me every day too. Help me to trust You and follow You wherever I go, for I know You will never leave me. Amen.
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