Great Truths Give Courage
Items Needed:
- Marker
- Construction paper
- Crayons, stickers, sequins, etc.
- Tape
- Twine/Yarn
Make a banner of five great truths about God.
God is powerful (Jeremiah 32:17).
God can be trusted (Proverbs 3:5-6).
God will always love me (Romans 8:38-39).
God will never leave me (Hebrews 13:5b).
God will do what is best for me (Romans 8:28).
Write each truth on a piece of construction paper and let the children decorate them. Tape them to a piece of yarn or twine and hang them in a prominent place. There are five, so you can focus on one each day. Think of situations where you might need to remember each truth about God.
When hard times come, we might doubt that God is with us or that He even loves us. Elijah might have felt afraid and unsure when he faced the wicked prophets of Baal. Elijah knew God was trustworthy, so he courageously did what was right. Knowing these important truths can help us trust God no matter what happens.
Plan Ahead
Discuss ways to stand up for what is right in the situations below. Ask your children what they would say or do if they were in these situations.
People are saying bad things about their parents.
Your teacher says we evolved from animals.
You did something wrong, and your mom asks you if you did it.
Your friends want to watch a TV show that your parents don’t allow you to watch.
Your friends are making fun of someone.
Your peers ask you why you believe in a God you can’t see.
It is not always easy to stand up for what is right, but God gives us courage just like He gave courage to Elijah.
Stands the Test
Items Needed:
- Sheet of paper, paper towel, dish towel, wood, metal, etc.
- Blocks, small toys, etc.
- Books
Test different materials for reliability (sheet of paper, paper towel, dish towel, wood, metal, etc.). Ask the children to gather blocks or other small toys to use in the experiment.
Make two stacks of books and use the different materials to find out what makes the best bridge between the books. Lay the sheet of paper on top of the books. Then stack the blocks or small toys to see how strong the paper is. Will it hold one block? Will it hold 5 blocks? Repeat with other items. Each time a new material is tested for reliability, make a note of how many items it holds.
What material (paper, paper towels, wood, etc.) was the most reliable?
What does it mean to be reliable? (To be strong; to be counted on to do what it is supposed to do; etc.)
What does it mean to say that God is reliable? (He is strong; He will do what He has said He will do; we can count on Him for help; etc.)
God is truth. When we believe in Him and His Word, we can know He will do what He said He will do.