Miriam Watches Over Moses
Exodus 2:4-10; 15:20-21; Micah 6:4
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Our true story comes from a part of the Bible called Exodus. The word “exodus” means to leave or go away from. Our true story also comes from a part of the Bible called Micah. Micah loved God and told people what God wanted them to know.
A long time ago, God’s people lived in a place called Egypt. The king of Egypt, called Pharaoh, was not kind to them. He made the people work very hard. One day, Pharaoh made a very sad rule. He said that all baby boys born to the Israelites must be thrown into the river.
But one mother loved her baby boy very much. She wanted to keep him safe. She hid him at home for as long as she could. When the baby grew too big to hide, she made a little basket from tall grass. She covered it with tar so it would float on the water. Then she gently placed her baby in the basket and set it in the river.
The baby’s big sister, Miriam, stayed close by. She wanted to see what would happen and make sure her baby brother was safe. Soon, Pharaoh’s daughter came to the river. She saw the basket and opened it. Inside was the baby! The baby cried, and Pharaoh’s daughter felt sorry for him. She said, “This must be one of the Hebrew babies.”
Miriam was very brave. She went to Pharaoh’s daughter and said, “Would you like me to find someone to take care of the baby for you?” Pharaoh’s daughter said, “Yes, please!” So Miriam ran home and brought her mother. Pharaoh’s daughter told her, “Take care of this baby for me.”
God had a wonderful plan! The baby’s own mother got to care for him and keep him safe. When the baby grew older, his mother took him back to Pharaoh’s daughter. She named him Moses, which means “I drew him out of the water.”
When Moses grew up, God used him to help His people escape from Egypt. When they crossed the Red Sea, Miriam sang and danced to thank God for keeping them safe.
God helped Miriam be brave, and God watched over her family. God watches over our families, too!
Key Takeaway for Preschoolers
God watches over us and helps our families take care of each other. He helped Miriam be brave and protect her brother, and He helps us every day, too.
Dear God,
Thank You for watching over Miriam and her baby brother, Moses. Thank You for helping Miriam be brave and for keeping her family safe. Please help us to be brave and to care for our families, too. Thank You for always watching over us and loving us every day. We love You, God.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Bible Verse: “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” — Matthew 28:20b, BSB
Paraphrase: Jesus said, “I am always with you.”
Activities
These activities help preschoolers engage with the story through movement, crafts, music, and storytelling, making the lesson fun and memorable.
1. Basket Boat
Objective: To help children remember how Miriam’s baby brother was kept safe in the river.
Materials: Small baskets or plastic containers, dolls or toy figures, blue paper or fabric for water, and small plants or paper reeds.
Activity: Invite children to place a doll or toy in a “basket” and gently set it on the “river.” Encourage them to make soft waves with their hands or gently blow to move the basket across the water. Explain that God helped Miriam watch over her brother, Moses, and kept him safe
Talk About It: “God helped Miriam take care of her baby brother. God helps your family take care of you, too!”
2. Watch and Help
Objective: To teach that God is pleased when we help and protect others, just as Miriam helped Moses.
Materials: None required.
Activity: Play a simple “helper game.” Ask one child to pretend to be doing a task (like picking up blocks or setting up crayons). Invite another child to be the “watcher” or “helper,” stepping in to assist. Rotate roles so everyone has a chance to be the helper.
Talk About It: “Miriam watched her baby brother to keep him safe. When you help your friends or family, you’re showing love, too!”
2. Hannah’s Feelings – Emotion Faces
Objective: To explore feelings and how we can bring them to God in prayer.
Materials: Paper plates, crayons or markers, craft sticks or spoons.
Activity: Make simple emotion masks by drawing happy, sad, thankful, and surprised faces on paper plates. Let children choose or act out each one.
Talk About It: Say, “Hannah was sad and prayed to God. Then she became happy because God helped her. God cares about how we feel!”
3. River Art
Objective: To encourage creativity while reinforcing that God protected Moses on the river.
Materials: Large sheets of blue paper, crayons or markers, glue, craft sticks, small paper baskets (pre-cut circles folded into bowl shapes), and stickers.
Activity: Have each child draw a river on the paper, glue on the basket, and place a small sticker or paper “baby” inside. Let them decorate the scene with reeds, fish, or sunshine. As they work, talk about how God was with Miriam and her family.
Talk About It: “God was with Miriam and baby Moses at the river. God is always with you, too!”
4. Miriam’s Song of Thanks (Musical Activity)
Objective: To help children joyfully thank God for His care, using music and movement.
Materials: Simple rhythm instruments (such as shakers, bells, or tambourines).
Activity: Tell the children that after God helped His people cross the Red Sea, Miriam sang a song to thank God. Invite the children to sing and play instruments as they move and dance. Use the following simple song, sung to the familiar tune of “Jesus Loves Me” (Public Domain):
Song: “Thank You, God!”
(to the tune of “Jesus Loves Me”)
God watched baby Moses grow,
Safe and loved so long ago.
Miriam helped and sang her song,
Thank You, God, the whole day long!
Thank You, God!
Yes, thank You, God!
Thank You, God!
You take care of me!
Encourage the children to shake instruments or clap during the “Thank You, God!” lines, and to dance as they sing the final verse.
Talk About It: “Miriam sang to thank God for helping her family. We can sing and thank God, too!”
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Story illustrations are the copyright of James M. Thomas. All rights reserved.
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