Deuteronomy 11
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Moses stood in front of all the people. So many people, standing close together in the warm sun. Moses was old now. Soon they would cross the river, into the new land.
Moses said, "Do you remember?" Do you remember the big water? The Red Sea, so deep, so wide. God made a path right through it. Splash, splash went the water, back to its place, right on top of the horses and chariots that chased you.
Do you remember the ground? It opened up, like a big mouth. It swallowed some bad men right up. Gone. Just like that.
"Your eyes saw it," said Moses. "You were there."
What Does This Mean?
Moses was not just telling old stories. He wanted the people to remember, so they would love God. Not a little bit. With their whole heart.
The new land was not like Egypt. In Egypt you carried water in buckets, tired feet in the mud. But this new land drinks rain from the sky. God sends the rain Himself. Early rain, then later rain. Grass for the sheep and cows. Grain, and juicy grapes, and oil that smells so good.
God said, "My eyes are on that land. All year long. From the first day to the very last."
The Common Thread
God loves to give good things. Rain, and bread, and grass for the animals. He watches over His land like you watch a seed you planted, checking every day to see if it grew.
God wanted His words close. Not far away in a book on a shelf. He said, tie my words on your hand. Put them on your doorpost, right where you touch the door every single day. Talk about them at breakfast. Talk about them walking down the road. This is the same God who later sent Jesus, so close that He held children on His lap.
For You
Moses set two mountains before the people. One mountain for blessing, one for a curse. God said, choose to listen to me, and good things will grow like flowers after rain.
You have a hand too. You have a door too. What if you remembered God every time you touched your own door?
Talk About It
What good things has God given you to eat, or to see, or to touch today?
Can you think of one thing you could remember about God every time you walk out your door?
Praying Together
Dear God, thank You for rain, and bread, and grass for the animals. Thank You for watching over the land, and over me too. Help me remember You, at my door, and on the road, and when I lie down to sleep. Amen.
Questions about Deuteronomy 11
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Deuteronomy 11 about?
What does Deuteronomy 11 say?
What does Deuteronomy 11 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Deuteronomy 11?
Why is Deuteronomy 11 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Where you sowed your seed and watered it with your foot, like a garden of herbs." That was Egypt. You worked the channels, you controlled the flow, you knew exactly what tomorrow would hold. The promised land drinks rain from heaven instead. Freedom meant losing the pump. Maybe what feels like uncertainty right now is God lifting your eyes off your own feet.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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