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.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5–6
God sees paths that we do not know about yet. When the Israelites were set free from Egypt, they came to the Red Sea as the angry Egyptian army closed in behind them. With water in front of them and soldiers racing toward them, the Israelites could not see a way out. But God saw what they could not see—He saw a Red Sea path. And with His mighty hand, He made a way for His people.
What difficult situations are you facing right now? Be encouraged! Trust every detail to God. He sees a path you cannot see yet. He knows what is best for you. And He will make your path straight.
Let families know that today’s lesson is about trusting God. Encourage them to talk together about who they trust and what makes them trustworthy.
Teacher Tip: If possible, email or text the Family Connection Card to the families of your students.
Greet your children by name as they arrive. When you call a child by his name, it lets him know that you notice and value him.
Allow children to share their ideas. If needed, remind them that being resilient means you can bounce back when difficult things happen. It means you keep going when life is hard.
Good! Today we will review what we have learned about being resilient. We will also learn that trusting God helps us to be resilient.
Toss the stone in the air and catch it a few times.
This stone is a happy boy named Michael. He loved his father and mother and enjoyed going to school every morning on his father’s bicycle. He used to sit behind his father and enjoy the ride.
As you speak, smile very big and have the children make big smiles, too. Toss the stone up and down some more.
Then one day, his father disappeared. He had no idea why. His mother said his father had gone away to marry another woman. Michael felt sad.
Make a big frown and have the children frown with you.
He began to cry a lot.
Use your finger to act like you are tracing tears on your cheek. The children should do this too.
Michael did not understand why his father had left him and gone away. His mother said he would never come back. He had trusted his father so much. Now Michael did not want to trust anyone again.
Toss the stone but do not catch it. Let it roll away.
We have learned about three things that help us to be resilient:
Let the children share their ideas.
All three of the things we have learned about could help! It is important that Michael finds someone he can fully trust. The good news is that there is a Person he can trust absolutely. Yes, it is God. He is a Father who will never betray us, never lie to us, never break His promises, and never neglect us.
People may lie to us, neglect us, treat us badly, and betray our trust. When that happens, we feel hurt and upset. But God will never treat us that way. The more we get to know Him, the more we know that He will never break our trust. He is always trustworthy.
How do we get to know God? We can get to know Him by reading about Him in the Bible. We can get to know Him by listening to Him when we pray. We can get to know Him when we realize that He is in control of our lives.
As with any other person, we learn to trust God more as we get to know Him more. But unlike people, He will always prove to be trustworthy, and He will always love us deeply.
Ask the children to stand in a circle. Find the stone and toss it to a child. This child says, “God is always trustworthy.” He then tosses it to another child who says, “God loves us deeply.” Continue tossing and catching the stone, having the children say these 2 phrases. Continue until everyone has caught the stone at least once.
I will read three verses that you have heard over the past few weeks. I will also read a verse that may be new to you. As I read each one, we will discuss what it tells us about God and what we can trust Him to do. These are all verses that can encourage us during difficult times.
Read the verses below directly from your Bible if possible.
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.
Isaiah 41:10
He is with us. He will help us.
Help us. Give us strength. Uphold us.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27
He gives us peace.
We should not be worried or afraid.
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
If we are believers, God works for our good in all situations.
Read the verse directly from your Bible.
Show the Memory Verse poster if you are using it.
Cast all your anxiety on [God] because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
He cares for us.
Give all our worries and cares to God.
Optional: If you are using the Student Pages, the children will use them to memorize 1 Peter 5:7.
Divide children into groups of 3–4.
During the last few weeks, you have learned a lot about being resilient. Think about a difficult situation you experienced in the past. In your group, talk about what you did to bounce back or get through it.
Have children share their answers with their groups. After 2–3 minutes, have the groups take turns sharing one idea with the class. Each group will share more than once. Continue until each group has shared all its ideas. Be sure you or the children include “trust God” as an idea. Here are other suggestions: think positive thoughts, name your feelings, be flexible, be grateful, have strong relationships, keep a good sense of humour, be hopeful about the future, keep going, do not give up, be creative.
Think about a problem or difficult situation you have now. Share with your group one of the ideas that you will use to help in your difficult time. As a group, pray for each other to have resilience and be able to get through hard times.
Close class by praying this blessing based on Isaiah 12:2:
Blessing: May you trust God and not be afraid, for He is your strength and your song. He will never leave you. May God help you bounce back and stand strong in every situation!
Lead the students 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.
