Opening Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank you for giving us everything we need. Help us trust you, even when things are hard. Amen.
Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7
The people of Israel were walking through the desert. God had already done amazing things for them — he split the sea in two so they could walk through on dry ground, he sent bread from the sky every single morning, and he even sent birds for them to eat at night. But now they came to a place where there was no water.
The people were angry. They yelled at Moses: “Why did you bring us out here? Are you trying to kill us and our children and our animals?” They were so angry they were ready to throw rocks at Moses.
Moses cried out to God: “What should I do? These people are about to hurt me!”
God said, “Take your staff — the same one you used to part the sea — and go to the rock at Horeb. I will be standing there on the rock. Strike the rock, and water will come out for the people to drink.”
So Moses did what God said. He hit the rock, and water came gushing out — enough for everyone to drink. Moses named that place Massah and Meribah, which means “testing” and “quarreling,” because the people tested God and asked, “Is the LORD with us or not?”
What This Means
Imagine you’re really thirsty on a hot day. You’ve been playing outside for hours, and your mouth feels like sandpaper. Now imagine someone hands you a big, cold glass of water. That feels so good, right?
The people of Israel were that thirsty — but worse. They were in a desert with no water anywhere. And instead of asking God nicely for help, they got angry. They forgot all the incredible things God had already done. They forgot the sea splitting open. They forgot the bread falling from the sky. They said, “God doesn’t care about us!”
But here’s the amazing part. God didn’t get angry back. He didn’t say, “Fine, figure it out yourselves.” Instead, God told Moses something strange: “I will stand on the rock.” Then Moses hit the rock with his staff, and water poured out.
Think about that. God stood on the rock and let it be struck. He took the hit so the water could flow. That’s what God is like. Even when we complain, even when we forget what he’s done, even when we act like he doesn’t care — he still gives us what we need. He gives us water from a rock. He gives us life from the place we’d never expect it.
A long time later, the Apostle Paul wrote: “That rock was Christ.” The rock that was struck so water could flow — that points to Jesus on the cross, struck so that life could flow to us.
Let’s Talk About It
Eberley: The people of Israel had already seen God part the Red Sea and send manna from heaven. Why do you think they still didn’t trust him when they ran out of water? Do you ever find it hard to trust God even when you can remember times he’s helped you before?
Eberley: God told Moses, “I will be standing on the rock.” What does it mean that God put himself in the place where the blow would fall? How does that point to Jesus?
Sonja: What were the people complaining about? What did God do to help them even though they were being mean?
Sonja: If you were really thirsty and someone gave you water, how would you feel? Do you think the people said thank you to God?
Dahlia & Freddy: What came out of the rock when Moses hit it? Was God kind to the people even when they were grumpy?
Remember This
God gives us what we need even when we don’t deserve it.
Closing Prayer
Dear God, we are sorry for the times we forget how much you love us. Thank you for giving us Jesus, who was struck on the cross so that we could have life. Help us trust you today, even when things are hard. Amen.
Memory Verse
“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8