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

BIBLE STORY

Are you a good listener? Today we will listen to this song, and follow the instructions that are given. Listen to a freeze dance song  (Such as this one) and follow the instructions given, or play any song for your child to move with. Then pause the music for them to freeze, give an instruction after each freeze such as, jump on one foot, turn in a circle, skip in place, hop like a bunny. Then continue the song and freeze again, giving another instruction for them to follow. Continue doing this several times. Were you able to follow instructions the entire time? Good for you! It’s important to listen and obey. Today we will listen to a story about someone who listened to God and chose to obey. 

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 wants to reassure us that He has a plan and wants to give us victory. He wants us to have peace about the things He has asked us to do. We can be sure that God will help us be calm as we continue on our journey of life.

Activity

God has something special for each of us to do. God may not ask each of us to do the same thing, but He has something He wants you to do because you are special. God asked Gideon to do something even when Gideon thought there were other people who were better than him that could do it. Print the following page of actions. Cut out the action strips and place them in a bowl. Each person takes out a strip of paper and reads the action and does their best to complete it. Take turns or each person does their own actions at the same time.

Materials: Printed paper of actions

Alternative:

God gives us many signs that we use everyday and signs in the bible. Print the following walk the room and post different signs around the room, high and low, for your child to find. Using the lanterns that you made this week during craft time, go on a sign hunt. See how many signs you can find and talk about what they mean.

Materials: printed walk the room activity, pencil, tape

Independent:

Complete the following activity sheet to review this weeks lesson. 

Materials: printed activity sheet, cotton ball, glue, red and yellow tissue paper or yarn

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, yellow 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 sheet, crayons

FOLLOW-UP

What do you worry about?

Have your parents every asked you to do something you didn’t think you were big or strong enough to do?

Has God ever asked you to do something you weren’t sure you were strong enough to do?

What are some ways you experience peace?

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 the small jobs that we do might be very 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.