Lesson Objective:
Children will learn that being brave means trusting God, not being unafraid.
Scripture:
Psalm 56:3
Arrival:
As the children arrive, greet them and take them to the song time area of the classroom. Take some favorite songs. Sing “Read Your Bible, Pray Everyday” to give them a chance to stretch and move.
Prayer Time:
Allow the children to share prayer requests and pray.
Lesson:
Start the lesson by letting the children tell you times that they were afraid. Tell a real time that you were afraid (nothing too scary – think about your childhood if you can’t think of a recent idea). Then, ask them what they think being brave means (whatever they say is fine – chances are someone will say that being brave is the opposite of being afraid). Then, ask them to name someone they think is brave (let it be anyone, but encourage real-life examples, not comic book or TV heroes if possible.)
Tell the children that there are people in the Bible who were brave. Tell the story of Daniel and the lion’s den (Daniel 6). Ask them if they think Daniel was afraid. They will probably say he wasn’t. Ask them if they would have been afraid. Tell them that Daniel was probably very frightened, but he was brave because he trusted God to take care of him. We can tell he was brave because he prayed when he was in a difficult situation.
Tell the children about Esther (read the book of Esther for the full story). Show the children how Esther was afraid as well. Remind them that she did not want to go to the king, because she could die, but she did anyway. Tell them that fasting is a form of prayer – Esther showed she was brave by praying to God when facing a difficult situation.
Remind the children that it is OK to feel frightened. Read Psalm 56:3 and tell the children that when they are afraid, they can trust God to take care of them. Tell them that you will help them learn that verse so that they can remember it when they are afraid.
Memory Verse:
Write each word of Psalm 56:3 on a piece of cardstock and hide them around the room. Give the children time to find them, one piece per child (unless your group is small). Once they are all found, let the children arrange them at the front of the room on the chalkboard using tape or magnets. Repeat the verse several times, and then have a child who did not find a card remove one word. Repeat the verse again. Do this until all of the words are gone. Then, take volunteers who think they can say the verse.
Craft:
You can choose to make a craft based on Daniel and the Lion’s Den, or a craft based on Esther. Younger children can color a picture of a lion. This link (http://www.dltk-kids.com/animals/melion.html) has a fun lion craft. For an Esther craft, allow the children to make crowns. Make crown templates out of gold or silver poster board, and allow the children to decorate with gems, glue, glitter, or whatever other craft items you have on hand. Since the story has a king and queen, it is appropriate for both boys and girls.
Review Questions:
Is it wrong to be afraid? (no)
Who did we talk about who was brave? (Daniel or Esther)
What did the king’s advisors in Daniel’s story convince him to make into a law? (You cannot pray to anyone except me)
What did Daniel do? (prayed to God three times a day with his window open)
What was the punishment? (the lion’s den)
How did Daniel help himself to feel brave? (Praying)
Why did Esther need to go to the king? (Her people were in danger)
What could have happened to her? (She could have been killed)
What did the king have to do to save her life? (Extend the scepter)
What can we do when we feel afraid? (quote verse/pray/trust God to take care of us)
Dismissal:
Repeat the verse with the children, pray, and then dismiss them.