Flashlights and Fireflies: Devotions for Kids and FamiliesSample

Ask Everyone:

• If you could turn invisible any time you wanted, what would you do? Where would you go?
• What does a spy do? What does a detective do? Would you ever want either of those jobs?

Devotional:

There once was a family that had a little girl—a clever spy named Miriam—and a baby boy too.

The family lived in Egypt and belonged to a people who loved and followed God. But the King in Egypt did not like their people. He made a terrible rule to stop the families from growing—and the rule was that every baby boy had to be thrown into the river!

Miriam’s family hid her baby brother as long as they could, but eventually they knew they’d be discovered. So, Miriam’s mom made a little basket that floated like a boat and placed the baby safely in the water. Then they prayed that God would somehow rescue him.

What do you think Miriam did? What would you do if this was your brother?

Well, Miriam trusted that God would do something amazing, so she hid near the water to watch. And this is what she saw.

The King’s daughter went to the river to wash her hair and heard the baby crying. From her hiding place, Miriam saw the Princess find her baby brother, and Miriam could tell the Princess wanted to rescue him. Miriam quickly thought of a plan.

She ran over to the Princess—a brave thing to do, even for a spy!—and said to her, “That baby needs a mom to take care of him and feed him! As a princess, you’re probably much too busy. Do you want me to find a mom to care for the baby for you?”

Do you think a grown-up would have had the courage to talk to a princess like that?

The Princess thought Miriam had a great idea. And who do you think Miriam brought back to take care of her baby brother? Her own mom, of course! And the Princess protected the baby and even brought him to live in the palace when he was older.

That baby boy grew up to be Moses—and Moses rescued all the people who loved and followed God from Egypt.

Miriam trusted that God was going to do something, even though it was a very dark situation. But Miriam’s faith helped her see the light, even in the darkness—and it gave her the courage to save her brother, who eventually saved her people! Remember: fireflies don’t stop shining when it gets dark—that’s when we can see them best! Just like fireflies, we can shine even in dark, scary times. We can trust that God will give us the courage we need as we put our faith in Him.

Activity:

Play a game of “Eye Spy” as a family. Take turns finding something you can see as your family members guess what you are thinking of. They can ask yes or no questions only.

Discussion Questions:

• What do you think Miriam was watching for when spying on her little brother in the river?
• Why do you think Miriam was the perfect person to save her little brother?
• When have you seen someone who needed help? What can kids do to help others?
• Do you think Miriam had the kind of faith that Jesus said he was looking for? Why or why not?

Prayer:

Thank you, God, that you are with us during the scary times in our lives. We know you are always with us. Help us be like Miriam, who was watching for your help and rescue to come, and to have the courage when we need it to do something new. Amen.