The Israelites had left Egypt and God led them safely across the Red Sea. For the next three months, the Israelites were in the desert heading eastward toward the land the Lord promised. During this time, they defended themselves against people in this region that did not appreciate the intrusion into their territory. The Israelites became unhappy about the lack of food. So God sent bread and quail miraculously from heaven for them to eat. Shortly after God sent manna and quail to eat, they began grumbling about the lack of water.
Manna means "What is it?" Manna was white in color and the size of coriander seed.
It would be collected in the morning as the dew evaporated, six days a week. On the sixth day, they would collect two days worth to have a portion for the seventh day, the Sabbath. Only the portion saved for the seventh day would keep overnight. Otherwise, it would rot if it was kept for the following day. It had to be collected fresh each day. If the Israelites went out to collect manna on the Sabbath morning, they found none. God was serious about them following his instructions.
Israelites ground the manna and pounded it into cakes, which were then baked.
get your kids talking and engaged
If using Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs activity, do that now.
What would you like to have fall from the sky? Today, we are going to learn about a time in the Bible when something very unusual fell from the sky and covered the ground.
teach a holistic story
Teach in a tent, if possible.
Read story from a Children's storybook Bible for younger children.
For older children, read story from an age-appropriate Children's storybook Bible or tell the story yourself.
give them basic Bible skills
Scripture for Kids to Read Aloud: Exodus 16:2-8, 16:31-32
make sure they understand the story
First, ask the children if they have any questions about the story. What to do if you don't know the answer?
help them apply the story to their lives and open up a conversation about faith and the gospel; close with prayer
hide God's Word in their heartGod loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. John 3:16