During the lesson, the information for you to know is written in regular type, and what we suggest speaking or reading aloud to children is in bold. All resources for this lesson, including the Teacher Guide, Student Page, Family Connection Card, and other resources can be downloaded in a ZIP file by clicking on the following link:
In some lessons you will find "resource articles." These are articles written by experts from around the world to help equip you for your work with children and adolescents. Share them with parents or guardians if you consider it appropriate.
Children learn by doing, so as they are going through this activity, they will be active and involved. You will need to make preparations for some parts of this activity ahead of time. Read everything carefully in advance and be sure you allow enough time to prepare the supplies you need.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20–21
“The more praying there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil everywhere … God shapes the world by prayer.” —E.M. Bounds (19th-century Christian writer)
It is easy to get so busy planning for a lesson (or any ministry opportunity) that praying becomes something we put off until we have completed all the other tasks on our list. As you plan for this week’s lesson, start with prayer. Take some time to pray for God’s strength and guidance for yourself as you lead the prayer walk activity in this lesson. Find a private place where you can talk with God, sing to Him, and tell Him your requests. Pray for each child by name. Ask God to speak His message into the heart of each child.
As you pray, do not limit God by trying to figure out what He will do through this lesson. Instead, surrender the lesson and each child to God. Release your own expectations and have confidence that God will work in ways beyond what you can imagine!
Let the families of your students know that the children are participating in a prayer walk activity this week. Encourage them to ask their children about the prayer walk. Which station do they remember best? Why?
Pick 6 different areas around your teaching space as prayer stations. The children will walk from one station to the next. If possible, set the stations far enough apart so there is a little walk between them.
If you have a large group of children, divide them into 3 or 6 groups. Ask a volunteer adult to be at each station. Each group will start at a different station. All the children will go to all 6 stations but at different times. The children will move around the stations, but each volunteer will stay at 1 station.
You need to have supplies ready at each of the 6 stations. If you are using volunteers at each station, give them copies of the instructions. Suggest that they read the directions to be prepared. If possible, have the volunteers arrive 15–30 minutes early to explain what will happen at each station. You can also spend time praying together for the children.
This is what you will need for each of the 6 prayer walk stations.
Teacher Tip: If possible, email or text the Family Connection Card to the families of your students.
Today is a special day. Today we will go on a prayer walk and talk to God in different ways. This will be fun, but it will also be serious. It is a time when you can tell God exactly how you have been feeling lately.
You will not have to walk very far to get to these prayer stations, but I want you to imagine that you are taking a long walk. Close your eyes right now and imagine this with me. See yourself walking. What is around you? Busy city streets? Or are you climbing a mountain? Can you see the ocean? Or are you looking at fields around a village? No matter where you go, God is with you. He will meet you there.
Station 1
The text for this station is Psalm 46:1–3, 7. If possible, have a Bible opened to this passage so you can read it directly from the Bible. It is also printed below.
You will need smooth stones, 1 for each child, and a clear glass or bowl filled with water.
Take off your shoes if you are wearing them. Take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Imagine yourself playing in gentle waves. Pick up a smooth stone from the pile. Hold it in your hand. Make it your “worry stone.” Give it a worry name. What have you been worrying about? That is the name of your worry stone.
Now offer your worry to God. Let God take care of whatever that worry is. Drop your worry stone into the glass or bowl of water. The water is like God’s love. It surrounds our worries so we can let them go. God does not want us to worry about things we have no control over.
When you start worrying about things, it is like stepping on a sharp stone. It bothers you with every step you take. Stop and get rid of your worry by dropping it into God’s ocean of love.
Listen to what the Bible says in Psalm 46.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalm 46:1–3
The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Psalm 46: 7
Have your children put their shoes back on. Then have them move to the next station.
Station 2
The text for this station is Psalm 103:8–12. If possible, have a Bible opened to this passage so you can read it directly. It is also printed in this leader’s guide.
You will need 1 leaf for every child.
Think about the most difficult paths you have ever walked on. These difficult paths can remind us that we sometimes do things that make us worry that God no longer loves us. Maybe we hurt somebody or did something that God did not like. We feel sad about that, and we hope God will forgive us.
Here at this station, I will give each of you a leaf. Now think about the things you did to disappoint God. Did you take something that was not yours? Did you lie? If you are sorry, tear off a bit of the leaf and let it fall to the ground. As you do this, silently tell God that you are sorry.
Allow time for this to happen.
Do you know what it means to confess our sins? It means telling God that we are sorry. It means asking Him to forgive us. If we are sincere, He will forgive us. Many of you just confessed your sins to God while you tore your leaves.
The beautiful thing is that God says He will always forgive our sins when we ask Him to. He forgets about them when we sincerely ask Him to forgive us.
Optional Supplies:
You will need pieces of paper (1 for each child), pencils, crayons, and a trash can. If you choose this option, you will do it instead of the leaf confession activity.
Here at this station, pick up a piece of paper and a crayon or pencil. Draw on the paper something you want God to forgive. Did you take something that was not yours? Did you lie? Draw it on the paper. Your drawing does not have to look perfect. It is simply a way to tell God what you did. No one will see it but you.
Do you know what it means to confess our sins? It means telling God we are sorry. It means asking Him to forgive us. Do that right now. Whatever you drew on the paper, tell God you are sorry for it—if you really are.
Allow time for this.
The beautiful thing is that God says He will always forgive our sins when we ask Him to. He forgets about them when we sincerely ask Him to forgive us. So take your paper and tear it in half. Then tear those pieces in half again. And again! Crumple the pieces of paper into a little ball. Then throw it into the trash can.
End of Option
Listen to what the Bible says in Psalm 103:8–12:
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:8–12
Let’s move on to the next station.
Station 3
In this part of the prayer walk, it does not matter where we are walking. The main thing is who is walking beside us. Imagine yourself with a good friend, with someone who loves you very much, someone who makes you happy, someone who lights up the journey and makes the walk easier. This “someone” is Jesus.
He is the light of the world. Close your eyes and remember how He calmed the storm, how He healed the sick, how He welcomed children into His arms. Jesus knows you by name. He loved you enough to give His life for you. Jesus was there at the creation of the world. In fact, the Bible says that Jesus is like the glue that holds the whole universe together. He is God’s own Son, our Saviour.
Though He is the all-powerful Son of God, He is also our friend. That gives us hope for every part of life—today and forever. We do not need to worry because Jesus is walking with us.
Listen to this poem as I read it twice:
Optional Supplies:
Now take a half sheet of paper and write this poem on it. The paper is your prayer card. I will give you time to finish copying the words from the large poster after I am done reading.
End of Option
Keep this card with you and read it when you are feeling alone and without a friend. It will remind you that Jesus is always with you.
Let’s move on to the next station.
Station 4
The texts for this station are John 10:10 and Galatians 5:22–23. If possible, mark these places in your Bible so you can read them directly from it. They are also printed below.
Optional Supplies:
You will need 1 piece of fruit for each child. Other food can be substituted if necessary, but some sort of fruit would be best.
End of Option
Where is our walk taking us now? Imagine that we are out in the fields. Crops are growing all around us. There are trees and vines that produce their fruit. Jesus often talked with His disciples about food and crops and the process of growing. He told them that He was like the vine and they were like branches. The Bible also says that Jesus’ followers produce fruit, just like a grape vine or a fruit tree. When we accept God’s gift of salvation, His power is with us, inside of us. He helps us live in ways that honor Him.
Listen as I read Jesus’ words from the Bible. He is talking about His followers, or Christians:
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10
Jesus gave His life for you so that you might lead a wonderful life! He promises to always be with you. Whenever you have something to do and you are not sure you can do it, you can ask Him for help. With Jesus’ help, you can produce good fruit.
Now listen as I read a description from the Bible of the fruit of the Spirit. These are the good things God produces in you when you follow Him and ask Him for help.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22–23
If you provided fruit, the children may eat it now.
Thank Jesus for His help, and then let’s move on to the next station.
Station 5
You will need a fragrant flower or a small container of scented oil or some other fragrant liquid. Just make sure it is safe for children.
Imagine yourself walking up the steps to a great palace. This is more beautiful than the greatest building you have ever seen. You are going to a party that the King of the Universe is having for a special guest. You come into the main hall and the King welcomes you personally. You are His special guest.
He tells you to sit here in this place of honor. In Bible times, people honored their guests by anointing them with oil. And priests used special, beautiful-smelling oil to mark things that were set apart for God’s use. We will use a wonderful-smelling flower instead of oil. Smell the flower that God has made.
Optional Supplies:
If you choose this option, you will use the oil instead of the flower.
Take some of this fragrant oil on your finger and use it to draw a heart on the back of your hand.
End of Option
God’s presence in your life is soothing like a wonderful fragrance. You are set apart as His special child. God loves you and cares for you.
Bad things happen in this world. Some things will make us cry. Some things will scare us. But remember that God is with you. He loves you no matter what happens. Breathe the lovely smell again. Thank God for surrounding you with His love.
Now let’s move to the next station.
Station 6
You will need a small mirror. The Scripture text is Micah 6:8. If possible, have a Bible open to this passage. It is also printed below.
Imagine yourself walking to your favorite place, wherever that is. Jesus is walking with you. Maybe He even carries you on His shoulders for a while. That would be fun! Now imagine that other people are there too, all around you. How does Jesus want you to treat them? With the same love He shows you.
Pick up the mirror and look in it. What do you see? It is your image. The Bible says that the more we talk with Jesus and spend time with Him, the more we become like Him. We become like a mirror image of Him. So when He shows love to us, we show love to others. When He helps us, we help others. When He calms our fears, we can try to calm our friends when they are afraid or alone.
Hear what God’s prophet says in Micah 6:8:
[God] shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8
God wants us to do what is right to other people. He wants us to love being kind to others and to live humbly. Take some time right now to talk with God about the people you know who might be hurting, scared, or alone. Ask Him to help those in need. Ask Him to show you if He wants you to help Him do that.
Optional: If you are using the Student Pages, give the children today’s page and let them know that it has the directions for them to take their own personal prayer walk.
Gather the whole class together.
This is the end of today’s prayer walk. But when we leave the prayer walk, we do not leave Jesus behind. He is with us today and walks with us every day. He keeps walking with us wherever we go.
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8
Close class by praying this blessing over the children:
Blessing: Jesus is with you. He walks with you every day. When you are sad, angry, or scared, remember that Jesus is with you. Pray to Him, and He will help you and give you peace. When you are happy, excited, or filled with joy, give praise to God. Thank Him for promising to never leave you!
Lead the children in singing this quarter’s song if possible.
Life on Life ©2020 David C Cook. Reproducible for home or classroom use only. All other uses require written permission from David C Cook [email protected]. All rights reserved.
