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Series 3:
Lesson 41: |
MOSES
WATER FROM THE ROCK |
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Passage to Study: Exodus 17:1-7.
To read with the class: Exodus 17:1-7.
Memorization Text: Younger children - John 7:37. “If any man thirst, let him come
unto Me, and drink.”
Older children - John 7:37.
OBJECTIVES: To teach that
1. To satisfy the thirst in the soul, God gives the living water, which is the Holy
Spirit.
2. This satisfaction is possible only because Christ, the rock, was smitten.
3. The people murmured instead of going in faith to God.
4. It is a serious sin to complain instead of asking the Lord for help.
5. Only He who made us is able to provide what we really need for satisfaction in our
souls.
Note: The previous lesson about the manna taught the doctrine of the Lord Jesus.
This lesson teaches doctrine concerning the Holy Spirit.
SCENE No. 1. Rocky countryside where people are complaining and Moses prays alone.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESSON:
- A discontented attitude toward life is the product of being unhappy with the
circumstances, without taking into account that God has permitted them and wants us to
find the explanation and the solution in HIM.
Cns. Those who are always complaining or murmuring are sinning against God, for they are
calling into question His wisdom.
- Earlier the Israelites complained because they had no bread; now they do so for lack of
water.
Apl. Each and every trial gives us the opportunity to ask God to supply our need, or to
complain because of it.
- Even if the Israelites did not have sufficient faith to cry to God, Moses did.
- The picture of Moses praying to God alone shows the seriousness of the sin of discontent
and disagreement, and of complaining instead of seeking God’s help.
Cns. Complaining about the circumstances permitted by God is an affront to His wisdom .
SCENE No. 2. Still in the rocky desert, the Israelites and Aaron watch while Moses
lifts his rod to strike the rock. The water can be added, coming out of the rock.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE LESSON:
- Despite their sin, God shows mercy to the people and solves their problem.
- The rock was not necessarily attractive to the eye. Who would have thought that within
the rock, there was water, the fountain of life?
- It is possible to survive more time without food than without water.
Cns. Isa. 53:2-3 describe how the people considered the Lord Jesus, without any
attraction.
Cmt. It is necessary to present the Lord Jesus in his spiritual attractiveness, able
to save eternally, and no stress the physical aspect. There is a danger in some to
“fall in love” with the physical person. The Gospel presents the Lord as
one who satisfies the deepest spiritual need of the person.
- Moses must STRIKE the rock in the presence of the elders of the people.
Apl. The Rock is a figure of Christ.
The rod is a figure of the judgment of God which fell upon the Lord Jesus Christ.
The water that came from the rock is a figure of the Holy Spirit. John 4:10, 7:37-39.
Apl. Just as water enters the body and satisfies physical thirst, so the entrance of the
Holy Spirit into a person satisfies spiritual thirst.
- John 6:35 “He that believeth on me shall never thirst” means that once
salvation is received, there will never be a need to repeat the act of faith.
Salvation is received by faith once and for all time.
Apl. This is possible only because of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ in our place, and
because He rose again and lives.
Sug. If the teacher has a personal story of finding satisfaction in Christ, it would be
well to recount it to the class.
- God said, “I will stand ... there upon the rock in Horeb”, and it was He who
smote or wounded the Lord Jesus. (Zechariah 13:7.)
- The area around Horeb was known to Moses when he was a shepherd and before Jehovah
called him. Ex. 3:1.
Apl. The work of Christ on the cross was not carried out without the Father and Spirit
being present. See 2 Corinthians 6:19.
SCENE No. 3. Application.
FIGURES TO REPRESENT THE IDEA OF DIFFERENT SOURCES OF SATISFACTION, GUIDANCE, AND
STRENGTH:
-1- A water fountain or tap and a young person needing a drink of fresh water.
-2- A thoughtful young person contemplating the Cross.
-3- A drunken person near a liquor store.
-4- Young people enjoying a Bible study or Bible class.
-5- A group of athletes talking about their achievements. Satisfaction of the ego.
-6- A young person puzzled over putting together a model plane, car, etc. He needs
guidance
-7- An ancient writer of some part of the Bible, writing under the inspiration of the Holy
Spirit.
-8- Preacher, using the Bible, being guided by the Holy Spirit in his preaching.
DEVELOPMENT:
- People try to satisfy their thirst in different ways. All need a source to satisfy
them.
SUGGESTIONS: (To be used depending on the age of the children).
1. We all drink water to meet the need caused by our physical thirst.
2. We all ought to drink the water of Life received through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lsn. As a result of Christ’s suffering the blow of divine judgment, living water now
flows out to satisfy our spiritual thirst.
3. The sight of a drunken person is well known to many children. He tries to satisfy
the thirst of his body but forgets about his spiritual thirst.
4. Enjoyment can be seen in the faces of those young people who learn that real and
lasting satisfaction comes from understanding the Word of God.
- The enablement to understand comes from the Holy Spirit.
5. Athletes need to control their boastful tongues, for pride seeks to be satisfied.
Apl. The Holy Spirit goes everywhere with the Christian, and He wants to control his
tongue so that no unsuitable language, nor quarrelsome words, no lies nor hateful language
is spoken. Words that are true and just ought to prevail.
6. Life is like a puzzle for many. A person that builds a model of a plane, a
boat or a house, putting together different pieces, must follow the instructions so
that it is done correctly.
Apl. The Holy Spirit is He who guides us in understanding the different aspects of life
and putting them together for the glory of God. 8. 2 Peter 1:21. The writers of the
Bible were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
8. A preacher or Sunday School teacher depends on the Holy Spirit to help in presenting
truth. |
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