2. Protected From Harm
Bible Truth: God protects me when I trust him.
Bible Verse: Psalm 18:2-3 “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I have been saved from my enemies.”
Bible Lesson: Daniel in the lions’ den, Daniel 6
Materials:
- Clear drinking glass
- Piece of paper
- Bucket (taller than the glass)
- Water
In Advance: Put water in the bucket.
Bible Lesson: Share the Bible story in Daniel 6. Lead children to discover that God protected Daniel because Daniel obeyed God and trusted him to help when he was in trouble. Then share the Bible verse. Discuss God’s protection in our lives. List several things children might need God to protect them from. Explain that we can’t always see God’s protection, but he’s always with us.
Write children’s names on the piece of paper if you have a small group. Wad the paper up and stuff it inside the glass. Make sure it remains against the bottom. Explain that the glass reminds us of God and his protection. The bucket filled with water represents troubles or problems. You might even write the problems you discussed on index cards and tape them to the bucket.
Turn the glass upside down and push it directly into the water. Then lift the glass out of the water. (Do not tilt the glass when you lift it out!) Take the paper out of the glass. It will still be dry. Remind children that sometimes God takes the problem away, and sometimes he is with us amid the problem. Either way, the problem doesn’t harm us, just as the water didn’t harm the piece of paper.
3. Power of Words
Bible Truth: My words can be hurtful and destructive.
Bible Verse: Proverbs 25:18 “Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.”
Materials:
- Clear plastic drinking cup
- Flat or square toothpick
- Coin such as a nickel
- Balloon
In Advance: Set up a model and practice.
Bible Lesson: Give each child or team of children a coin, toothpick, and plastic drinking cup. Have them stand the coin up on its edge on a flat surface and then balance the toothpick across the top of the coin. Cover this balanced combination with a clear cup. Have the child rub their hair with the balloon several times. Hold the balloon near the plastic cup and watch the toothpick move.
When children have finished, explain that the toothpick represents people and the balloon represents our words. Ask kids to tell you some gossipy phrases they know. Using a permanent marker, write some of them on the balloon. Demonstrate again how the balloon moved the toothpick and eventually caused it to fall. This is exactly what happens to people when we gossip about them. We don’t have to physically hit someone to hurt them. Our words can hurt and often cause more harm than a physical fight.
