RESET
WELCOME TO WEEK 2
What are you afraid of? Being in the front of the roller coaster ride? Being first to try a new dish mom made? Or being the leader of your team? We need courage to do things we’ve never done before or lead others to God. This week we will see a story about Gideon, who needed to use God’s courage to face a battle that seemed impossible.
BIBLE STORY
We all have fears but sometimes our fears differ from each other. God wants us to have courage and trust that He has a plan for us and that He is in control. Listen to the following scenarios and tell if it would cause you fear or would you have courage.
-swimming with dolphins
-walking through a forest alone
-feeding lions
-working as a lifeguard
-caring for a pet python snake
-taking the trash to the curb
-steering a tube down white water rapids
-climbing a tree
-apologizing to your teacher
-standing up for a friend who is being accused
Sometimes we are scared or afraid of things we see or even things we can not see. We may be afraid to be first in class when presenting a story or afraid to stand up for a kid who is being teased. We have fears during times when we may need to lead, but God can give us courage to lead with His help. This week we will read about Gideon who needed courage to trust God to help him lead his army to victory.
Read or listen to the Bible verse for this week: Judges 7
Why did the Lord tell Gideon he had too many people? (Israel might brag that they won the victory themselves)
Who did Gideon send home first? (Those who are fearful)
Where did God tell Gideon to take the men? (Down to the water)
How did he separate the men into those who would return home and those who would go to battle? (Those who lap the water with their tongue went home and those who kneel to drink would go to fight for God)
How many men were left with Gideon? (300)
When Gideon and Purah went to spy on the Midianite camp, what did he hear? (A man telling his dream and the other man saying God was handing the Midianite camp to Gideon)
What did Gideon do when he returned to his camp? (Told the 300 men God was giving the Midianite camp to them, and to follow him when he blew the trumpet and shouted for Yahweh and Gideon)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Gideon did not know what God’s plans were and he could not see how he would defeat a large army with just 300 men, but he trusted and obeyed God. Gideon had the courage to lead others because God was leading him.
Activity
Print and cut out the strips of paper that contain challenge activities. Place the challenges into a bowl and take turns picking out a challenge to complete. Did it take courage to try the challenges that were written on the sheet. God is with us when we are afraid. There is no place we can go that God is not there to give us courage and strength.
Materials: printed challenge strips, bowl, scissors
Alternate
There were many people in the Bible who gave others words of encouragement. They encouraged others to know that God was with them and had not forsaken them. Their words gave others faith to keep trusting God and to persevere. God’s word gives us courage even when we are facing difficult situations. Read the following verses and determine who was being given words of courage.
Materials: printed activity sheet
Independent activity:
Complete the following activity sheet
Materials: printed activity sheet, pen/pencil, crayons
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Make a trumpet horn. Have your child decorate the construction paper with pictures and stickers. Trim an arch at the top of the paper to give a curve when it is rolled into a megaphone shape. Staple or tape the sides to stay in a trumpet shape. Fold a pipe cleaner in a circle and then attach to the side of the horn as a handle.
Materials: white construction paper, stickers, crayons or markers, scissors, glue, pipe cleaner or strip of cardboard
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
Read or listen to Psalm 20
David is rejoicing that God is able to deliver us when we call on Him. We can have courage to face difficulties and hard times because God will always be with us. Even if things do not turn out the way we planned or hoped they would, God has a plan and He gives us courage to keep going.
What did the Psalmist say other people are proud of?
What did the Psalmist say took pride in?
While the others fall and collapse, what did the Psalmist say they will do?
What do you take pride in?
Why do our earthly things have limitations on how they can help us?
Does God have any limitations on how much He can help us?
What is something God is asking you to lead?
How does knowing God is with you and has no limits to His strength make you feel?
Practical Application at Home
It may take courage to do the simple or sometimes hard things in life. Think about the following instances and decide if it takes a little, moderate or a lot of courage to face these situations.
-Going to school
-eating lunch in the cafeteria
-meeting someone new
-starting on a new team
-facing a school bully
-saying no to drugs
-eating healthy foods
-taking care of your body inside and out
-attending church
-telling a friend about Jesus
-telling a stranger about Jesus
-Sharing why you keep the Sabbath
-not following friends who are making bad choices
-obeying your parents instead of your friends
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Donate to a local food shelter or toy drive this Christmas season. As a family, volunteer together or pick out toys you think another child your age might enjoy.