WELCOME TO WEEK 1

Can we be calm even when everything around us is crazy? This week we will read about Gideon, who had a lot of reasons to be nervous. But God reassured Gideon that He would give Gideon and the Israelites the victory. We can be sure God will give us the victory as well.

Judges 6; Philippians 4:7

BIBLE STORY

Grab 3 objects from around your house. Let’s put these objects in order from smallest to largest. Can you name another object that is bigger than your smallest object but smaller than the other 2 objects.  What is the biggest object you can think of? Some problems we may face are bigger than other problems. Our problems come in all sizes, some that seem too big for us to handle, and some that we think we can handle on our own. This week we will see how our big problems can cause us to worry, but God can give us peace. God’s strength and his help are bigger than our worries and fears.

Read or listen to the Bible verse for this week: Judges 6

Who were the Israelites being oppressed by? (The Midianites)

What were the Midianites doing to the Israelites? (Taking their food and livestock, and leaving them impoverished)

Who did God call on to free the Israelites? (Gideon)

Did Gideon feel he was worthy of the task? (No, he said his clan was the weakest and he was the lowliest in his fathers house)

God told Gideon He would be with him, did Gideon believe God? (Maybe not at first, he asked for a sign for reassurance)

What were the 2 signs Gideon asked God to show so he would know God would keep his promise? (The fleece would be wet but the ground would be dry; the ground would be wet but the fleece would be dry.)

How did God give Gideon peace over this situation? (By granting Gideon’s request and showing him the signs requested.)

BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

God had something special in mind for Gideon and it didn’t matter if he was strong and mighty. God knew that He would be with Gideon and help him have the victory. God also gave Gideon peace to know that He was doing what God asked of him.

Activity

God has something special he wants each one of us to do. We all have a calling for our lives. Maybe you already know what God wants you to be. Maybe you will be a teacher, doctor, firefighter, engineer, or chef! Even if you don’t know yet, God has a plan for you and He will reveal it in time. Play this game of charades. Use the attached cards as suggestions of careers to act out. Take turns acting out the job while the other players guess.

Materials: printed job cards

Alternative:

We can get peace from all sorts of places. We may get peace from knowing our family sleeps in the room down the hall or from a pet that cuddles in our lap. But we get the greatest peace from God. It may be in reading our favorite verse or singing an encouraging song.  Complete this activity sheet. On one half of the sheet write the ways you receive peace from people (or things around you) and on the other side make a list of ways you can find peace from God. In each category write a specific way you receive peace from those things. For example, write your favorite Godly song that brings you peace. God wants to bring you peace in lots of ways. (song, favorite hymn, favorite scripture, prayer, spiritual teacher, poem)

Materials: printed clock with schedule

Create:

Complete this science experiment. In this experiment we will keep the paper towel dry as we submerse it in water. Fill a large bowl with water, add food coloring if desired to help you see it better. Take a tall glass, that sits up higher than the edge of the bowl, and stuff it tightly with 1 or 2 paper towels. Keeping the cup upside down and exactly vertical, completely submerge the cup into the bowl of water. (You shouldn’t see any air bubbles) Then pull it straight back up. Check on your paper towel, is it wet? How did the paper towel stay dry? Air takes up space and when the glass was submerged in the water, the air became trapped by the water pressing up from below and the glass on the side. As long as the air can’t escape, water can’t get in. You can repeat the experiment while this time tilting the glass slightly to the side as you submerge it, and watch some of the water come into the glass.   

Materials: paper towel, bowl, large cup, water, food coloring (optional)

ARTS & CAFTS

CRAFT 1

Gideon’s lantern. Use a clear plastic cup, or container, finger-paint the outside of the cup. Punch holes on each side of the cup and tie a pipe cleaner to each end to create a handle. Last, place a small tea light inside of the cup. Now you have a Gideon lantern!

Materials: Small plastic cup, finger paint (orange and red), pipe cleaner, small tea light.

CRAFT 2

Alternate Gideon’s lantern: Color in the lantern and then add red and orange tissue paper to the top to create a flame.

Materials: Printed lantern, red, yellow, and orange tissue paper

Craft 3

Coloring page

Materials: printed coloring page

FOLLOW-UP

The Israelites were worshipping other gods when the Midianites were attacking them and taking all their possessions. They were not being faithful to God but were instead searching for peace in idols. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon he instructed him to first tear down the Baal idol and build a proper idol to the God of Heaven and earth. Gideon obeyed but first asked for signs to be sure of who he was talking to. When God asked him to lead the army to destroy the Midianites, Gideon asked once more for a sign that God would keep his promise and give them victory. God answered in a way that Gideon understood because He wanted Gideon to have peace and know that God would fight this battle for them and give them victory. 

In Philippians 4:7 it says that God will give us peace that passes all understanding. Our peace comes from God, not in the things we hold dear.

What things bring you peace?

How can God’s peace surpass all understanding?

How should our behaviors change when we have the peace of God?

What things do you worry about today?

Do you have things that bring you peace?

Do you use those things to bring peace before you seek God?

How can you put God first?

Practical Application at Home

God asked Gideon to do something really big and Gideon thought there were lots of other people bigger and stronger who were better for the job. Gideon thought he was the weakest of the weakest. Sometimes we feel like we are too little or small to do the job God has asked of us. But God doesn’t make a mistake when He chooses us for a big job. Even a job that seems small to us, may be big and meaningful to the people around us. There are examples of seemingly small people in the Bible that didn’t seem right for the job, but God knew their hearts. He also knew He would give them the strength to do the task. God chose David to fight Goliath even though David was just a young boy. God also chose David to be king, even though he was the smallest brother in his family. God chose Samuel to be priest and spoke to him from a very young age. God used Esther, who was an orphan, to save her people. God has chosen you too!

This week think of some ways you can allow God to use you. Here are a few examples:

-Stand up for someone who is being mistreated.

-Be kind to a neighbor 

-Help keep your community or neighborhood clean

-Donate food to a local food pantry

-Leave a little gift and note on the front step of someone who is shut-in

-Send a thinking of you card to someone

-Be an example to the other kids around you by choosing to be obedient and kind.

-Draw a picture for someone who might be sick

Additional Resources

Outings to Reinforce Lesson

Go to a park and spend time in worship and prayer. Ask God to show you ways to trust him and listen to his voice.