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 and Student Page, 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.
Before class, prepare a paper for each child by folding it in 4 sections. If possible, make a copy of the tear-out page at the end of this lesson for each child. If paper is not available, find a space outside where children can draw in the dirt.
None of you should look out just for your own good. Each of you should also look out for the good of others.
Philippians 2:4
Helping others takes courage. The Bible talks a lot about helping those in need, but this verse encourages us to help others, not just our friends and family. This verse tells us to help all people. When we see someone who is hurting, when we see those who have unmet needs, we can have the courage to help.
Have you ever helped someone who was in a dangerous or difficult situation? Sometimes people need help because they are in situations they cannot get out of alone. Sometimes, people are treated in unkind ways because they are different from other people. What does it mean for you to look out for the good of others? How will you show courage in doing this? May God bless you and keep you as you seek to help others.
Encourage families to challenge each other to find ways to help others this week. Tell them to look for people who might not be able to do something on their own or people who are alone and might need someone to talk to.
Teacher Tip: If possible, email or text the Family Connection Card to the families of your students.
Greet the children as they come to class. Ask them to find partners and talk about how they can use courage to help others. Before beginning the lesson, ask 2–3 pairs to share their thoughts.
I want to tell you a very exciting story about a child who had courage to overcome his fears and difficult circumstances to help others. Kelvin Doe grew up in a single-parent home in a poverty-stricken and war-torn area of Sierra Leone, West Africa. Kelvin grew up in a difficult situation, but when he saw the opportunity to help his community, he showed courage!
Using trash from a nearby dump, 11-year-old Kelvin began creating electronic parts. Eventually, he started a radio station in his home with equipment he had made. His radio station shared messages of inspiration with his community. Kelvin brought hope to his community because he was not afraid to try something difficult.
Allow 2 or 3 students to answer the following question.
How did Kelvin show courage?
He tried something difficult by making radios out of trash. He had the courage to start a radio station.
The last time we met, you had to ask questions to figure out how to pick up a rock with only 1 arm and get it across our space. It takes courage to ask for help and for more information. It also takes courage to do something different than everyone around you.
When you show courage, you do not let fear and doubt keep you from helping others. Today you will learn about ways your courage can help other people.
In a moment, I will tell you a true story from the Bible about Saul, who is also known as the apostle Paul. As you listen to the story, I will ask you to draw pictures that show what is happening. Pictures are a good way to show the action from a story. At the end of class, you will be asked to draw a picture story about yourself. Listen carefully as I describe Saul to you.
Do you remember when we talked about Saul? Saul was a man who had a vision of Jesus that changed him from a person who hated Christians to someone who taught others about Jesus. The Bible tells us that after Ananias prayed to God for Saul to see again and baptised him, Saul talked to others about Jesus in the Jewish churches.
Let’s take a moment to draw a picture of Saul. We will draw him in our first box. Remember, he was a mean man who was changed into a kind man who followed Jesus. You may want to draw kind eyes and a nice smile to show that he is a good man.
Give the children either pencils and paper or sticks to draw. If you are using sticks and dirt for drawing, have the children draw 4 boxes in their drawing space. Make sure the boxes are big enough for the children to draw 1–3 people in each box.
Allow about 1 minute for them to draw Saul. Remind them to add details like eyes, ears, a nose, and a mouth. Then encourage the children to listen to the rest of the story.
Optional: If possible, share the image from The Action Bible.
Everyone found it difficult to believe that the man who had done horrible things to Christians was now teaching others about Jesus. The Jews did not like what Saul was doing, so they planned to kill him. Some of Saul’s followers helped him to escape the city and go to Jerusalem. It took a lot of courage for Saul to preach about Jesus. The Jewish leaders were angry with him, while the believers in Jerusalem did not know whether they could trust him. Saul was not a popular person!
Allow 2–3 children to respond to each of the following questions.
You can imagine Saul may have felt sad or alone too. Listen to the true story from the Bible about the courage of 1 man who chose to help Saul. Listen to what happened:
If possible, read this verse directly from the Bible.
But Barnabas took him to the apostles. He told them about Saul’s journey. He said that Saul had seen the Lord. He told how the Lord had spoken to Saul. Barnabas also said that Saul had preached without fear in Jesus’ name in Damascus.
Acts 9:27
Wow! When everyone was scared of Saul, Barnabas had the courage to help him! Barnabas had courage even though he knew others might not like him or his new friend Saul.
Let’s draw Barnabas walking with Saul to see the apostles. We will draw the 2 men in the second box. We do not know exactly what Barnabas looked like, but we know that he was kind.
Give the children about 1 minute to draw Barnabas walking with Saul to see the apostles.
Sometimes we see that something unfair is happening to someone else. Maybe other students are mean to a child at school. Perhaps people are telling lies about someone. Or maybe we know someone, like Saul, who is trying to do the right thing.
How did Barnabas try to help Saul?
Allow 2–3 children to respond.
Let’s draw Barnabas talking to the apostles about Saul. Take a moment to draw Barnabas in front of some other people. Draw this in your third box. Make sure to show that he is talking to them. You can do this by showing him with an open mouth and maybe even draw his hands as though he is using them while he is talking.
Give the children about 1 minute to draw a picture of Barnabas talking to the apostles. Remind them that Barnabas was showing courage in talking to them about someone they did not like.
When you see other people who are not being treated in kind ways, you can help by being with them and telling others the truth about them.
Once the apostles knew that Saul had seen the Lord and that he had shown courage in preaching about Jesus, they allowed him to stay with them. Later, Barnabas and Saul travelled together to teach others about Jesus. Things were not always easy for them, but they continued to tell others about Jesus because they knew God wanted them to do this. Barnabas helped Saul when no one else would.
Let’s draw the apostles accepting Saul. We will draw this in our last box. Maybe they said something kind to him. Maybe they hugged him or patted him on the back. Draw what you think this would have looked like.
Allow 1 minute for the children to draw in the final box.
In our story, Barnabas was helpful and encouraging to Saul. Just like Barnabas, you can have courage to help others. Later in his life, Saul wrote many letters to the people he told about Jesus. In one of his letters, he explained the importance of helping others. He said:
None of you should look out just for your own good. Each of you should also look out for the good of others.
Philippians 2:4
Let’s think about what we can do to help those around us. Remember, Barnabas helped Saul by going with him to see the apostles and telling the truth about him.
How might you show courage and help someone else?
Allow 4–5 children to respond. Keep track of the children’s answers either by writing them down or remembering them.
Restate the answers given by the children. Then state the following ideas.
Let’s use the ideas we came up with to create a story about how each of us can have the courage to help others.
Think for a moment about someone you know or someone you see often who may need help. Perhaps you have a friend who is teased and bullied by other children. Maybe you know someone who is always alone because no one wants to be her friend. Think about who you might help.
Give the children about 20 seconds to think.
Now, let’s think of some ways we might help this person. We learned we can:
I might show courage for a person who is always alone by going up to her and introducing myself to her. I might stand with her and have a conversation with her. This would take courage because I do not know her and I know she is always alone.
How might you show courage for the person you thought of?
Allow 2–3 children to respond.
Let’s draw pictures that show our stories of courage. In the first box, draw a picture of the person you will show courage for. Remember to include details that show what is happening to that person. Maybe he is alone. Or perhaps he is being bullied by others.
Be sure each child has a piece of paper and a pencil. Allow 1 minute for children to draw.
In the second box, draw a picture of yourself with that person. Include the details of what is happening around that person.
Give the children 1–2 minutes to draw their pictures in the second box.
In the third box, draw what you will do to help the person. You could stay with the person, you could tell the truth about her, or you could help others understand what it might be like to be that person. Remember, you want to be kind and caring toward the other people in the situation as well.
Give the children 1–2 minutes to draw their pictures in the third box.
In the fourth box, let’s draw what we think will happen when we help the other person.
Give the children 1–2 minutes to draw their pictures in the fourth box.
In real life, the other person may or may not appreciate our help, but when we have the courage to help others, we do what is pleasing to God.
Optional: If you are using Student Pages, give the children crayons and scissors. Allow 2 minutes for the children to colour and cut or tear out their superheroes. Then give them 1 minute to act out what they would do to help the child in the picture.
Our memory verse today reminds us that God is with us when we do things that require courage.
If you are using the Memory Verse Poster, show it to the students.
So do not be afraid. I am with you. Do not be terrified. I am your God. I will make you strong and help you. I will hold you safe in my hands. I always do what is right.
Isaiah 41:10
Have everyone stand. Sing or chant this verse using the following motions.
Have the children sing or chant with you. Repeat the words to the memory verse 3 times. End class by saying this blessing, based on Philippians 2:4, over the children.
Blessing: May God give you the wisdom to know when to help others. May He help you to look out for the good of others.
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.
