| LESSON OBJECTIVE |
Topics:
Choices, Courage, Fearing
God, Protection,
Stand Firm
After completing this lesson, the children will learn that God gives
them the courage and encouragement they need to remain obedient to
him, even during tough times, worldly pressures, and persecution.
|
| AS KIDS ARRIVE ( 15 minutes
) |
Fire Escape
(Maze) Click Here
for Handout Click
Here for Answer
|
| OPENING PRAYER
AND PRAISES ( 5 minutes ) Further info? Click
Here |
| |
| MEMORY WORK ( 6 minutes
) |
"Be strong and courageous.
Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God
will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 NIV
Write the memory verse on the board and have the kids say it a few
times. Then erase one of the words, such as "discouraged"
and have them say it again. Then erase another word, then another,
each time having the kids say the verse correctly from memory. Continue
until all the words are erased.
|
| SCRIPTURE READING AND DISCUSSION
( 15 minutes ) |
Introduction:
Now that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were acting as administrators
over the province of Babylon, you would think their troubles would
be over. Well think again. What happened next was totally unexpected.
King Nebuchadnezzar decided to make an image of gold. A huge golden
statue, nearly nine stories tall. When it was finished, all of the
court officials were invited to the dedication ceremony. During the
ceremony, a special announcement was made to all the people. Everyone
must fall down and worship the statue whenever they heard certain
music playing, or else be killed. But Shadrach, Meshach and Adednego
belonged to God. Would they worship this golden image to stay alive,
or remain faithful to God even if it meant death? Let's find out what
happened.
Daniel 3:10-20
Have the children follow along in their Bible as you read this passage.
Except each time you come to the names of Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego, have the kids say these names with you out loud. (As information,
each name is said 12 times in this short passage.)
Discussion Questions:
1. When were the people supposed to worship the golden image?
(Whenever they heard the music played)
2. What would happen to someone who was caught not worshiping the
image? (Killed in a furnace)
3. Why did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego have the courage to refuse
to bow down to the statue?
(They had faith that God could save them.)
4. What did Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego do in verse 28 that impressed
the king so much?
(They trusted in God and were willing to give up their lives
rather than serve or worship any other god.)
5. Who did the king praise after the three came out completely unharmed?
(God)
6. How can we find the courage we need to remain faithful to God
during times of trouble, pressure or persecution?
|
| CLASS EXERCISES (20 minutes) |
The Fiery Furnace (Skit) Click
Here
|
| ALTERNATE CLASS EXERCISE (15
minutes) |
Being Close to God (Activity)
Click Here
If using this activity, explain to the kids that the closer our relationship
is to God, the more courage we will have to do what is right when
faced with difficult situations.
|
| APPLICATION ( 2 minutes) |
| Give each child a sheet a paper and a pencil, and ask
them to write down at least three situations they could find themselves
in where it would take courage to stay obedient to God. Some examples
may be: when other kids are poking fun at me for being a Christian,
or when someone says that evolution is the truth. If time permits,
have the children share one of their situations and ask how they would
react. What can we do as Christians to build up courage to stay obedient
to God during these times?
Last week we discovered that a reputation is built by doing something
over and over. To have a reputation for being courageous and obedient
during times of difficulty and worldly pressure, we must seek God's
help over and over through prayer and reading God's Word. Hopefully
we will never be faced with a life or death situation like that
of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. However, during our life we
will find ourselves in many situations that if we give in to the
pressure or turn our back on doing what it right, it could be very
damaging to us or others. It takes courage to tell others what the
Bible says, what the truth is, and how Jesus is the Lord. But we
can do it because God will always be there to help.
|
| NEXT WEEK |
Come back next week to see how some fingers frightened
a ruthless king.
|
| CLOSING PRAYER ( 2 minutes)
Further info? Click
Here |
| |
| TAKE HOME PAGE |
| Give one copy to each child at the end of the class
to take home. Click here for NIV or KJV |
