WELCOME TO WEEK 5

What’s that noise? Did you see that? Wait, did something just move? Wether you are afraid of the bug at your feet, the snake hiding in the grass or the shadows outside, we have nothing to fear. Our God is bigger than our fears and we can trust that He is with us. We don’t need to be afraid, the God of the Universe is on our side. This week let’s see what the Bible says about our fears.

Psalm 56  Isaiah 41:10. Proverbs 3:5-6

BIBLE STORY

What fears do you have? Everyone is afraid of something. Here are a few examples of the most common fears some people have. If you are afraid of spiders you have arachnophobia. If you are afraid of snakes you have ophidiophobia. Acrophobia is the fear of heights. If you are afraid of being in tight closed spaces you may have claustrophobia. Someone who is afraid of dogs has cynophobia. The fear of lightning and thunder is called astraphobia. If you have a fear of clowns it is called coulrophobia. There are apparently a lot of things people can be afraid of but there are also situations that can bring us fear. Listen to the following scenarios and decide if you would be afraid.

-Stuck in a cave with lions

-thrown into a pit you couldn’t get out of

-taken far from your home and family

-surrounded by an enemy army

-being thrown into a pit of fire

-fighting a bear without a weapon

-being thrown into a prison

-going before a king without permission

All of those situations happened to people in the Bible. Maybe at the beginning they were afraid of what the outcome might be, but they still faced these difficult situations without giving in. They were not able to conquer their fears because they were strong and mighty, but because they trusted God. They knew they were doing what God wanted them to do and they could trust that He would take care of them as He knew was best. 

In our Psalms today, David faced a difficult situation. He started out afraid, but He soon trusted God. Let’s first read Samuel 21:10-22:10 then read Psalm 56 to see how David overcame his fear.

Where did David go to flee? (To the king of Gath)

The king of Gath’s servants recognized David so what did David do? (Changed his behavior and acted mad)

Where did David escape to? (The cave of Adullam)

During this time David wrote the psalm expressing how powerful God is and that he would no longer be afraid.

David said “When I am afraid I will….” (Trust in you, God)

David trusted that since God was with him, his enemies would do what? (Turn back)

In verse 11 David says “In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can ____ do to me? (Man)

Who did David believe was stronger than His enemies?

BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY

David was afraid of the King of Gath and hid in a cave. Then he remembered that God was more powerful than any earthly king so he did not have any reason to fear. Our lives are in God’s hands. We don’t need to fear anything around us, or even an person because is more powerful than any of those things. God is sovereign over everything, that means there is nothing that happens that is out of His power. We can trust God is in control.

Activity

There are times when we feel afraid or have fear. The bible speaks to us about fear. Sometimes we need a reminder to help us know that God is with us and has not forgotten us. Us the following sheet to keep close when you may begin to have fear. Read these verses to remind you of the promises God gives in the Bible to bring you peace. Print the following activity sheet. Use your bible to read the verses listed. Write the verse in the space below.

Materials: printed activity sheet, pencil, bible

Alternate

Match the scary event with the person or people who trusted God.

Materials: printed activity sheet, pencil

Independent activity:

Create an Egg protection. Discuss how we use different safety measure to secure things: seatbelts, ropes, etc. Test out your design on a real egg if desired or use a plastic egg.

Example Link: https://scienceworksmuseum.org/egg-protector-science-activity/

Materials: egg or plastic egg, craft sticks, glue, string or yarn, other craft materials

ARTS & CAFTS

CRAFT 1

Create an “I am not afraid” creature. Using a white sheet of paper, draw different types of vertical lines from one end of the paper to the next (about 10-15 lines). Use a black crayon or pastel chalk paints to make the lines squiggly, some zigzag, some swirls, etc. Color each section between the lines with different colors of watercolor paint. Once the paint has dried, cut the paper into a dome shape by round out the 2 top edges of the paper. Add 2 googly eyes or use black and white construction paper. On a black sheet of construction paper, write with a white crayon “I am not afraid because God is with me”.

Materials: White & black Construction paper, black crayon or chalk paints, water color, googly eyes scissors, 

Craft 2

Coloring page

Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons

FOLLOW-UP

Read the following scriptures

Isaiah 41:10: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand

Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct your paths.

How do those scriptures give you encouragement?

Does knowing that God says He is your God make you feel more secure?

Do your fears seem bigger or smaller than God?

God says He will not only help you but what will he also give you?

Will God leave you when you are in trouble or in need?

How much does this verse say we should trust the Lord?

What is wrong with leaning on your own understanding?

Have you ever trusted your ‘instincts’ instead of praying to God for wisdom?

Have you ever quickly said a nasty thing in return of someone else’s nasty comment without thinking?

God wants us to lean on Him and trust that He will guide us through our challenges and fears. He has a solution, and we can seek Him for the answers.

Practical Application at Home

Create an obstacle course around an open area. Give several challenges where the blindfolded person has to crawl under something or step over a small item. Set up the quick obstacle course while the participant is waiting in the next room so they can not see the layout. Bring them back into the room once they have already been blindfolded. Guide them through the obstacle course with your voice and your arm as their guide. Ask them before you start or before a challenge if they trust you. Once they affirm they trust you, continue on with their instructions and guidance.

Was that easy or hard to get through the obstacle course blindfolded? What did you have to trust me for? I had to be your guide and you had to trust I would lead you the right way without you getting hurt. God wants to lead us to. He wants us to trust that He will lead us the right way that will ultimately lead us to heaven with Him for eternity! We don’t have to be afraid of future things we can not see, we just need to trust God will take care of us. That doesn’t mean everything will always turn out perfect, but it will be a part of God’s plan fo you. 

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.