Video

Questions to think about...

🧐 Did you spot it?

1. What amazing thing did God do for His people?

2. What happened to Pharaoh’s army?

3. God is powerful — He controls creation itself.
    He’s faithful — He keeps His promises.
    He’s merciful — He forgives completely.
    ➡ What words from Micah 7 : 18-19 tell us that?
    (Look for: pardons / forgives / delight / compassion / hurl.)

🤔 Work it out

1. Why does it matter that God delights to show mercy?

2. How does that make you feel toward Him?

3. “God doesn’t forgive because He has to — He forgives because He wants to.
    He loves to show mercy.”
    ➡ What things are you thankful that God forgives?

🙌 Live it out

1. When might you need to trust God’s power this week?

2. How can you remember His mercy when you mess up?

3. What’s one small way you can show His mercy to someone else? 

Full Manuscript

GET GOING 🟩 (4 mins)

[!Engage] Hold or show pictures / slides of creation — mountains, stars, and oceans.
Hold up binoculars or mime with hands.

We love looking at big things — mountains, thunder, stars!
When we look at them, we see how great and powerful God is.
Point to the Bible.

But there’s something these binoculars can’t show us.
Only God’s Word lets us see His heart — His mercy and forgiveness.

When we sing How Great Thou Art (which we will in a moment), we think about all the amazing things God has made — mountains, thunder, oceans, stars.
That’s how we see His greatness in creation.

[!Tension] But did you know there’s something that shows His greatness even more?
Pause, lean in.
It’s this — God forgives.

[!Truth] The same God who made the seas promises to throw our sins into the sea!

That’s what the prophet Micah saw when he asked:

[!Passage] Micah 7 : 18–19 (NIV)
Who is a God like you,
  who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
  of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
  but delight to show mercy.
You will again have compassion on us;
  you will tread our sins underfoot
  and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

[!Illustrate] Hold up the stone and drop it into the water.
When God forgives, it’s like He throws our sin into the depths — gone for good.

Pause.

[!Question] Can anyone fetch it back?
No!
Because when God forgives, He forgives completely.

[!Application] That’s what makes our God different — He’s great in power and great in mercy.
So today our theme song really asks a question for every one of us:
Who is a God like You?

[!Question] So here are our questions to keep in mind through the service:

1️⃣ Who rescued God’s people when there was no way out?
2️⃣ What did they learn about Him?
3️⃣ What does that show us about Jesus?

[!Inspiration] Let’s stand and praise the God who made the stars and washes us clean
and whose mercy we’ve just heard from Micah—How Great Thou Art!

CUSTOM CONFESSION

INVITATION (adapted from AEPB 12)

“We have come together in our Father’s presence to praise Him,
to listen to His Word,
to pray for others and ourselves,
and to ask His forgiveness.
So let us come humbly to our God,
who delights to show mercy.”
(Micah 7 : 18)

Let’s pray to the God who made a way for His people and who still delights to show mercy.

• Option: invite children to quietly make a “washing” motion with hands during
  ‘Wash us clean through Jesus our Saviour.’

💬 CONFESSION PRAYER (adapted from Confession 03 – David Gibson, TCA)

God of grace,
You have given us Jesus, the Light of the world.
We love belonging to You and being Yours.
But we confess that we still choose darkness.
We cling to things that hide the brightness of Your love.
We turn in on ourselves and go our own way instead of Yours.

Forgive us, Lord.
Tread our sins under Your feet.
Hurl them into the depths of the sea.
Wash us clean through Jesus our Saviour.

Help us to see again Your glory —
shining in the face of Jesus,
the One who made a way through the sea
and through the cross.

In His name we pray, Amen.

(short pause)

🌊 ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS (adapted from Assurance 01)

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
promises to pardon and forgive
all who truly repent and sincerely believe His holy gospel.

Hear the good news:
“You will again have compassion on us;
You will tread our sins underfoot
and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” (Micah 7 : 19)

May God grant us true repentance and His Holy Spirit,
so that, forgiven and cleansed,
we may live holy lives,
shielded by His power until Christ returns. Amen.

BIBLE STORY - BIG IDEA 🟦 (10 mins)

🟦 Part 1: God Made a Way (5 mins)

[!Engage]
Invite children or volunteers to hold the blue cloths (the sea) while others help with the red path.

God’s cloud went before them, bright as flame,
By night or day it led the same.
When danger came close and fear began,
God’s pillar moved to guard His plan.

God’s people were trapped — mountains here, sea there,
Pharaoh’s army behind — horses everywhere!
The people were scared, nowhere to flee,
But God told Moses, “Lift up your staff — and see!”

[!Truth] Lift the staff or hand as if parting the sea.
Moses raised his staff high in the air,
And WHOOSH — God split the sea right there!
Walls of water on the left and right,
A path appeared in the middle — clear and bright.

[!Engage] Invite children to walk through the path on the red runner.
God’s people stepped in and walked straight through,
Dry as a bone — their God was true!
Not one was lost, not one was late,
Because the Lord was strong — the Lord was great.

[!Illustrate] Shake the cloths to crash the sea back down behind them.
When Pharaoh’s army tried to chase,
The sea returned — splash! — into its place.
The soldiers sank, their power gone,
But God’s great rescue still rolled on.

[!Truth] Point to Micah banner or slide.
Micah said it years later, with joy and with glee,
“You hurl our sins to the depths of the sea!”
The God who saved them that very day,
Still washes our sin and makes a way.

[!Application]
God made a way when there was none —
Through the sea, through the cross, through His Son.
So when you feel trapped, don’t run or hide —
Trust the Lord who stands by your side.

[!Summary] Our Big Idea to remember is this:
God's power is amazing, His love is always true,
There is no one like our God, and He makes a way for you!

[!Inspiration] Can we say that Big Idea together?
God's power is amazing, His love is always true,
There is no one like our God, and He makes a way for you!

🟦 Part 2: Fake Interview – “Live from the Red Sea 🐠” (5 mins)

🎙️ Presenter:
Good morning! We’re reporting live from the Red Sea, where an extraordinary event has just taken place!

A whole nation — the Israelites — has walked straight through the sea on dry ground!

And to help us understand what really happened under the waves, we’ve found someone who saw it all… from the inside!
Please welcome our special guest — Finley the Fish!

🐟 Finley: (Pops up with flapping arms or puppet fin.)
Blub-blub — what a day! One moment I was swimming happily with my shoal, and the next — WHOOSH!

The water next to me just vanished! Walls of water shot up on either side — fish everywhere bumping into seaweed and coral!

I thought someone had pulled the plug on the Red Sea!

(Pause for laughter.)
But it wasn’t a drain — it was God!
He was making a path right through the middle!

🎙️ Presenter:
Wait, Finley — you mean the people actually walked through?

🐟 Finley:
Oh yes! Families, animals, even toddlers toddling along!
They just walked where we fish normally swim!
But then I saw dust clouds — the Egyptians were racing in after them — chariots, horses, soldiers — the lot!

And that’s when I thought, “Oh no, they shouldn’t have done that!”

🎙️ Presenter:
So what happened next?

🐟 Finley:
Moses — that man with the stick — raised it again.
The wind roared, and suddenly — WHOOSH! CRASH! SPLASH!
The walls of water came thundering down!
The Israelites were safe, but the Egyptian army — gone. Swept away. Not one left.

Even we fish stopped swimming for a moment.
The God who made the sea… just commanded it!

🎙️ Presenter:
That’s amazing. What did you learn from all this, Finley?

🐟 Finley:
Well, I’ve seen big waves before, but never power like that.
This God doesn’t just make the sea — He rules it!
And the best bit? He used all that power not to destroy His people, but to rescue them!

He’s mighty — and merciful. Strong — and faithful.
There’s no one like Him!

🎙️ Presenter:
Thank you, Finley. Any last words for our viewers before you swim off?

🐟 Finley:
Yes! Don’t mess with the God who can part the sea —
but do trust Him, because He saves those who belong to Him.

Now if you’ll excuse me — I’ve got to find where my coral reef floated off to. Blub-blub!
(Flaps away dramatically.)

🎙️ Presenter (to congregation):
You heard it here first — live from the Red Sea!
Even the fish know it:

[!Summary] Our Big Idea to remember is this:
God's power is amazing, His love is always true,
There is no one like our God, and He makes a way for you!
God’s greatness and faithfulness none can outshine,
He rescues His people by mercy divine.

[!Inspiration] Can we say that Big Idea together?
God's power is amazing, His love is always true,
There is no one like our God, and He makes a way for you!
God’s greatness and faithfulness none can outshine,
He rescues His people by mercy divine.

When God’s people saw what He had done, they sang.
Miriam danced with tambourine in hand,
Praising the Lord across the sand!
And we’re going to join them — in our own way.

🟦 Part 3: 🎥 Cue Video: 🎵 Who Is a God Like You?

https://youtu.be/NLK2UFwRYzI

TEACHING TIME 🟨 (10 mins)

[!Engage]
Begin with gentle wave sounds through speakers or screen visuals of the sea.
Close your eyes for a moment.

[!Question] What can you hear?
Waves… wind… the sea rolling.

The same God who made that sea once split it in two so His people could walk through on dry ground!

Let’s listen to how the prophet Micah described that same God hundreds of years later.
?? will read that for us.

[!Passage] Micah 7:18–19 (NIV)
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of His people? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

1️⃣ Look at what God made

Everything God made tells us something about Him — His power, His beauty, His creativity.
When we see a sunrise or hear thunder, it whispers, ‘God is great!’
But creation can’t show us everything about God.
It shows His power — not His mercy. His size — not His love.

That’s why Micah asks, “Who is a God like you?” — because no sunrise can show forgiveness, and no mountain can show mercy like He can.

2️⃣ Look at what God did

In Exodus, God’s people were trapped — sea in front, soldiers behind. No way out.

But the God who “treads our sins underfoot” also trampled Pharaoh’s army under the waves.
He made a path where there was none, leading His people safely through on dry land.

When the Egyptians charged in after them, Moses stretched out his hand again —
and God brought the waters crashing back.

The enemy was crushed beneath the sea,
but God’s people stood free on the other side — washed, safe, and singing.

That day they learned two things:
God’s power protects His people,
and His faithfulness keeps every promise.

Point to screen
When Micah said God hurls our sins into the depths of the sea,
he was echoing this rescue story.
Just as Pharaoh’s army was destroyed,
one day sin and every enemy of God will be dealt with the same way —
completely defeated, gone forever.

Pause
That’s why Micah could sing, ‘Who is a God like You?’ —
no one else is both mighty to judge and merciful to forgive.

3️⃣ Look at what God does for us

[!Engage] #ObjectLesson
Hold up a jar of murky water labelled ‘SIN'.

The sea was dark and deep — a bit like our hearts when filled with sin.

But Micah reminds us: “You hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”
The verses we read from Micah talk about "sin" "iniquity" or sometimes “transgression”. That means → "the wrong things we do because we won't follow God"
When we trust Jesus, that’s exactly what God does with our sin.”

Invite a child to pour in clear liquid labelled “GOD’S MERCY.

This water looks dark—like our hearts when filled with sin.
But when God’s mercy comes in…
pour
…look what happens—He makes us clean!”
Shine a small torch from behind to make the change visible to the room.

Micah said, ‘You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl them into the sea.’
That means they’re gone for good—we can’t fish them back out!”

[!Application] He doesn’t just wash the sea clean; He makes us clean.
The God who split the sea now splits our chains of sin and throws them away forever.

4️⃣ Look at what God has shown us in Jesus

The same God who commanded the sea opened the way to Himself through the cross.
The sea rescued Israel from Pharaoh; the cross rescues us from sin.

Micah said, “You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.”
At the cross we see that delight — God’s joy in forgiving His people.

Creation shows His power; the cross shows His heart.
That’s the greater rescue — and that’s why we praise Him.

[!Action]
Maybe you know what it’s like to feel trapped — stuck in guilt, fear, or failure.
The same God who made a way through the sea has made a way for you.
He delights to forgive. He loves to show mercy.
So don’t stay stuck — trust Him today.
Ask Him to wash you clean and make you His own.
Because when we come to Jesus, Micah’s words become true for us: “You will again have compassion on us.”

Conclusion

[!Application]
When you feel trapped or afraid — when there seems no way forward —
remember the God who made a way through the sea and through the cross.

[!Summary] Our Big Idea to remember is this:
God's power is amazing, His love is always true,
There is no one like our God, and He makes a way for you!
God’s greatness and faithfulness none can outshine,
He rescues His people by mercy divine.

[!Inspiration] Can we say that Big Idea together?
God's power is amazing, His love is always true,
There is no one like our God, and He makes a way for you!
God’s greatness and faithfulness none can outshine,
He rescues His people by mercy divine.

HEAD, HEART, HANDS & Activities 🩵 (10 mins)

God made a way for His people; Jesus made a way for us.
Let’s think together about what that means for our heads, hearts, and hands.
While the children work on their craft and reflect, take a few minutes in your group to talk through these questions. They're on the screen with timings, but on the service sheet too.

👥 For Adults & Youth (in small groups or rows)

🧠 HEAD – What we know 🧐 Did you spot it?

1. What amazing thing did God do for His people?
2. What happened to Pharaoh’s army?
3. God is powerful — He controls creation itself.
   He’s faithful — He keeps His promises.
   He’s merciful — He forgives completely.
   ➡ What words from Micah 7 : 18–19 tell us that?
     (Look for: pardons / forgives / delight / compassion / hurl.)

❤️ HEART – What we feel & believe 🤔 Work it out

1. Why does it matter that God delights to show mercy?
2. How does that make you feel toward Him?
3. “God doesn’t forgive because He has to — He forgives because He wants to. He loves to show mercy.”
     ➡ What things are you thankful that God forgives?

✋ HANDS – How we live 🙌 Live it out

1. When might you need to trust God’s power this week?
2. How can you remember His mercy when you mess up?
3. What’s one small way you can show His mercy to someone else?

👧🧒 For Children (with Martin + T4T helper)

🎨 Sensory Craft – “God Made a Way” (Parting the Sea Bag)

🧃 Materials (per child)

🪄 Assembly Steps

1. Prepare: Squirt hair gel into bag; add colouring and mix slightly.
2. Add sea life: Drop in small fish or sequins.
3. Add the cross: Place in the centre – the goal to “reach”.
4. Seal and tape: Close firmly; tape the top edge for safety.
5. Play & Pray: Children press the gel from side to side to “part the sea”, moving the fish aside until the cross appears in the middle.

🗣️ Talk-While-They-Work (Prompt Script)

“See how the sea moves when you push it?
God made the Red Sea move apart so His people could walk through.
Micah said God throws our sins into the sea — gone forever.
What’s in the middle of your sea? (The cross!)
That shows the way God made for us — through Jesus.”

“When you’re done, hold it up and say:
‘God made a way through the sea and through the cross!’”

BRAIN BREAK & CONCLUSION 🧠💡(3 mins)

🌊 Part 1 – Sensory Wave Stretch

[!Engage] Lead slow, simple actions (everyone can join).

1. Arms up – Sea closed.
2. Arms out wide – Sea opened.
3. Step forward – God made a way.
4. Cross arms over chest – He forgives us.
5. Hands open, palms up – silent pause.

[!Prayer]
Lord, thank You for making a way for us.
Hear our prayers.

🔊 Part 2 – Repeat Big Ideas

[!Summary] Our Big Idea to remember is this:
God's power is amazing, His love is always true,
There is no one like our God, and He makes a way for you!
God’s greatness and faithfulness none can outshine,
He rescues His people by mercy divine.

🔊 Part 3 – Echo Call and Response^[Responses on slide] #AudienceParticipation

Who split the sea?”
Our God did!

Who forgives sin?”
Our God does!

Who is a God like You?
There’s no one like You!

Repeat