Courage

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the service module is to teach the children how to implement Christian service in our lives. In first grade, we are focusing on 4 virtues: humility, honesty, patience, and courage. This is to begin to teach the students about some of the most important virtues they can instill in their future service.

In this lesson, children will understand that courage comes from knowing God and trusting Him. They should fear nothing with God on their side.

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 10 Minutes

Baking Soda & Vinegar Example:

Materials:

  • Clear Vase
  • Baking Soda
  • Vinegar
  • Tray to hold mess inside (a pyrex for example)
  • (show the glass vase, place it inside the tray) The glass vase represents us as humans.
  • Every day we have things that give us fear in our lives, that scare us (pour baking soda in vase, fill the vase about 1/3 full)
  • Fear can sometimes come in small things (pour/sprinkle baking soda slowly) such as being afraid of how you did on a test, or being afraid of the dark.
  • Sometimes fear can feel so BIG (pour baking soda quickly into the vase in large amounts) This can be maybe standing up to a bully that is bothering your friend in front of everyone. It is the right thing to do, but can still be scary.
  • But when we have Jesus in our lives (pour vinegar slowly into the vase of baking soda) HE PUSHES THE FEAR OUT OF US (the baking soda will foam and come out of the vase quickly)
  • When we have God giving us the strength that we need, at the right time, there is no place for fear in our bodies.
  • Of course, there will always be some fear in us, but every time this happens, we just turn to Jesus (pour vinegar again to show foaming) and He will take the fear out of us.
  • When we turn to Jesus when we are afraid, He will make any fears we may have vanish, and instead we will be courageous.

Ask the children: What does the word courage mean to you? What do courageous people do? Do you think courage is about overcoming fear or not having any fear?

Courage is more about being able to face difficult situations or being intimidated without backing down. Ask the children: What are some things that give you fear?

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 10 Minutes

Memory Verse

"Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

1 Samuel 17 - David and Goliath (story summarized in Content)

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 10 Minutes

A fight was about to happen between the Philistines and Israel. Each group stood on a mountain with a valley between them. Goliath was on the Philistines side and he was 6 cubits and a span in height, which is equivalent to 9 feet and 9 inches. (1 cubit is 18 inches & 1 span is 9 inches). Goliath came out and was fully armed with fighting gear and a helmet to protect him. Goliath told the people of Israel that they need to choose someone to fight him. He told them, "If I win, the people of Israel have to be servants for the people of Philistine, BUT if the Israel people win then the Philistine people will serve the people of Israel." The people of Israel were very afraid when they heard those words.

David was the youngest boy in his family. His dad (Jesse) sent him to bring his older brothers food, who were with Saul and the Israelites. When he arrived and heard about what was going on, David went to Saul and told him that he would fight Goliath. So Saul put on all the armor on David, but David couldn't move because of how heavy it was. David told the king that he wouldn't need the armor, and took five smooth stones from the river. David knew that the Lord would protect and help him. He had zero doubt. David took ONE stone and slung it at Goliath and got him right in the forehead and Goliath fell down and died

See how little David had so much courage, even though Goliath was much bigger than him. With God on your side, you will always win.

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 5 Minutes

How did David know the Lord would protect him? How do you think the other soldiers reacted when they saw how much courage David had?

Remind the kids that just like Goliath was the enemy of the people of Israel; Our enemy is the devil and we need to have courage to stand up to him. We can always ask God to help us and give us the courage to say NO to any kind of temptation that comes to us from the devil.

LIFE APPLICATION (Action) - 5 Minutes

During this week, try to increase your courage in something that makes you scared. Whether it's being afraid of the dark, or a mean kid at school. Ask God to give you extra courage. Always stand up for what's right. It takes a lot of courage to do the right thing especially when others are not. You also have to remember how David had so much courage and was not afraid because he knew that the Lord was with him and would protect him.

Memorize this verse and anytime you feel like you need courage repeat this verse over and over again.

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

ACTIVITY - 5 Minutes

Bring a tape measure and help the kids measure out how tall Goliath was (9 feet and 9 inches). Place a piece of tape there, and have each child come up and see where they measure up to Goliath.

Also, give the children smooth rocks or stones and have each one use either paint or sharpies to decorate them and write the word COURAGE on the stone. They can keep it to remind them that God is always on their side, and how David had that courage because he had faith in God.

PARENTS CORNER

Give your children any examples of different situations in your family where you needed to have courage. Talk to your kids on how every day, we have different battles that we need to fight, whether it's standing up to a bully at school, or telling a sibling how being picked on makes them feel.