Don't Forget the Children

This lesson was written after the tragedy of 9/11. It is vital that we provide children with help as they try to deal with their fears. This lesson can be used in Children's Church, Sunday School or mid-week activity setting. It is also a good lesson for outreach for children that are dealing with fear.

1. Teach your children how to deal with fear. You could call your lesson “Take off the Fear, Put on the Faith.” Use illustrations from the Bible such as David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) Esther in going to the King (Esther 4:, 16:5-7) or one of your favorite stories. (See the bottom of this page for more ideas.)
2. Pray for the children one on one that are having a particularly hard time with fear.
3. Let the children take action. They can do something, they can change things-they can pray. Encourage and make room in your class for prayer directed toward the tragedy in New York and Washington. God wants to comfort those with a broken heart. In one of our recent newsletters we had several articles on Children in Prayer. 

   Children Can Pray

   Emergency Numbers

   It Really Happened

   Red Umbrella

4. Encourage them to be sensitive to share Jesus with their friends that may be experiencing fear. The ABC’s of salvation is an excellent and very simple plan that your children can share with their friends. Go to  get the ABC’s of Salvation to share with your class. ABC's of Salvation

 

Let me also encourage you to be responsive and sensitive during this time of need. How can you help your community deal with talking to their children? What can you offer that will bring healing and peace to their hearts during this crisis? Rev. Chuck Swindoll is maximizing this opportunity by providing his program to secular audiences.  Think outside the box. What can you do to minister to your community? Ask God for creative ideas. Seize this opportunity on your knees and then move into action.

When You're Afraid
Boys and girls, do you know even adults are afraid sometimes? David in the Bible was afraid sometimes. Even though he was an adult and even though he was the King, sometimes he was afraid. Do you know what he did when he got afraid? He tells us in Psalms 56:3,4 "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. ⁴In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me."[2] David turned to God when he was afraid. That what this nation needs to do today. That's what you need to do. Trust in God. He loves you.

Fear Not

If you use any rope tricks in ministry this would be a good time to use them. Explain that the Bible tells us again and again to Fear Not. (fear knot, using the knots as illustrations)

Take it Off

(Before the class begins write the word fear on several pieces of paper. Use different colors of paper and sizes of lettering. Pin these words all over the coat.) When bad things happen it is very easy to put on fear. (Put on the coat.) 

What did you say? I have fear. No way! I'm not afraid! (Try to hide the words written on the front by crouching and turning around. When you do they will see the words on your back.) OK! OK! I can't hide my fear. If I can't hide them, what can I do about it. (See the Bible) The Bible says "God has not given me a spirit of fear." The Bible says for me to not to fear, but to trust God. So that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to take off my fear and trust Jesus. (Demonstrate by taking off the coat and picking up the Bible. Walk off leaving the coat and embracing the Scriptures.)

Catch Faith

My granddaughter is 16 months old. She already say lots of words. Among them is ball. She loves to play with balls of all sizes. She can throw them really well, but she hasn't mastered the art of catching the ball. She just doesn't understand you have to put your hands together and grab it when it is thrown to her.

It doesn't really matter if she catches the ball, but it does matter if you catch faith. Faith  is contagious. Read the Bible if you want to catch faith. Think about the words of scriptures dealing with faith. (If your children do not know how to use a concordance now is a good time to teach them.) Believe that it is written to you personally. Declare God's word out loud. Hearing the scriptures really does help.  If you want to catch faith hang around people that love God. Read the Bible with your family, with your friends. You have to do something besides just stand there. Get busy! Catch the faith! 

Tell Jesus

(Provide paper, crayons and pencils for all the children. Bring a wooden cross to the front of the room at prayer time.) Sometimes it just helps to talk to someone that really cares. Jesus really cares about you. He loves you. Boys and girls, it's all right to tell Jesus when you feel afraid. Ask him to give you His peace. Jesus purchased your peace on the cross. He bought and paid for it. Sometimes it is hard to form the words. Don't worry about how it sounds, just tell him how you feel. It can help to draw a picture or write down what is troubling you. I want you to do that now. 

(Invite the children to bring their pictures or heartfelt words and lay them at the foot of the cross. Then give the children time to express their concerns verbally in prayer. After this time of petition encourage them to thank God for His divine peace that replaces fear.)

 

The Lord is My Shepherd

The Lord is my Shepherd    -  That's Relationship!

I shall not want -   That's Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures -  That's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters -  That's Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul -  That' s Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness -  That's Guidance!

For His name sake -  That's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death - That's
Testing!

I will fear no evil - That' s Protection!

For Thou art with me - That's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me - That's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies -
That's Hope!

Thou annointest my head with oil - That's Consecration!

My cup runneth over - That's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life -
That's Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord - That's Security!

Forever - That's Eternity!

(Source Unknown This was sent to me. I have no idea where it came from. If anyone knows please email me.)

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