Big Idea: God blesses us when we suffer for doing what is right, so we can stand up for Him.
Bible Basis: Daniel 3
Key Verse: “Blessed are those who suffer for doing what is right. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.” Matthew 5:10 (NIrV)
OPENING PRAYER
Lord, open now my heart to hear, And through your Word to me draw near. Let me your Word ever pure retain; Let me your child and heir remain. All this I ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN
Simply ask your child to share one good thing that happened today or this week (thumbs up) and one not-so-good thing (thumbs down). This is a great way to share celebrations and struggles with one another.
BIBLE LESSON VIDEO
ASK THESE QUESTIONS
For younger kids:
What was your favorite part of this story? Why?
Could you have made the same choice as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? Why or why not?
For older kids:
What does this story teach you about God?
Why do you think Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were willing to stand up for God even if it meant losing their life?
REFLECT AND RESPOND
After the video, have your child pick one or more of the prompts on the GO! Home Guide.
Prayer Station prompt: Write a prayer to God. Ask Him to give you the courage to stand up for Him.
Journal Station prompt: Tell God about a time that you stood up for Him. What happened? What did you do or say to stand up for Him.
Bible Station prompt: Read it for yourself: Daniel 3. Draw a picture of the story or write to God your favorite part of the story. Tell Him why you like it.
Art Station prompt: Think of a way you can stand up for God in your school or neighborhood. Draw a picture of it.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
+ Prepare for Battle - Team Flag
- Say: For the next four weeks we’re going to be a part of a huge battle called “Space Ninjas vs. Pirate Squirrels!” It’s going to be super fun, but more than that, it’s going to help us see how God cared for His people even when they were forced out of the Promised Land. Let’s get ready for the battle!
- Directions: Have your child create a flag for their team they choose using the provided materials. Help your child plan ahead by asking them what they think the flag should look like. Place the blank flag in the center of the group along with the markers or other coloring utensils and allow the kids to begin creating. Be sure that everyone has a chance to contribute something to the flag. Afterwards, save the flag and encourage your child to use it during each week of the “Space Ninjas vs. Pirate Squirrels” unit. If time permits, ask the following question.
- Question: Where is the hottest place you’ve ever been? What did it feel like?
+ Stand Up for God (Application Activity)
- Say: In today’s story, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood up for God even though they could have been killed for it. Following Jesus might not be that dangerous for us, but it isn’t always the popular thing to do. In fact, sometimes it can be really hard to stand up for God. We’re going to do an activity right now that will help us think of ways that we can stand up for God.
- Directions: Choose two kids to sit back-to-back and link arms in the middle of the circle. Challenge them to stand up together without their arms coming apart. Once they have successfully completed the challenge (or failed multiple times), read one of the situations below and allow the two kids to say how they could stand up for God in that situation.
- "Glory to God" Situations: Your friend is spending the night at your house and sees that you have a Bible on the nightstand by your bed. She points to it and says, “You don’t really read that thing, do you?”; You’re going to miss your basketball game tomorrow because it’s at the same time as church. One of your teammates asks why you would want to miss the game for church; At the lunch table, you bow your head and say a silent prayer before you eat. One of the other kids at the table sees you and asks why you do that; The kid next door sees that you’re wearing a cross necklace. He says, “Why do you even wear that thing? God isn’t real anyway.”; You’re at a sleepover with your friends when they begin watching an inappropriate video. When you walk away, one of them says, “Where are you going? Why don’t you watch it with us?”; You play your favorite Christian song for your cousin. She says, “That song was dumb. All it ever talked about was God.”
- Question: Have you ever stood up for God before? What did you say or do?
+ Pass the Planet? (Bible Memorization Activity)
- Directions: Place the Bible verse sign in the middle of the group and read it carefully with your kids several times so they can begin to memorize it. Practice saying it together a few times. When everyone is ready, turn the sign over so they can no longer read it. Today’s Bible verse says, “Blessed are those who suffer for doing what is right. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.” Matthew 5:10. Show the kids a beach ball and tell them to pretend it’s a planet. The object of the game is to keep the planet in space until the group can recite the entire verse from memory. Kids must use their hands or other body parts to bump the ball in the air to each other. They cannot catch and throw it. Every time someone bumps the ball, the group must say one word of the verse. If the ball hits the ground before the entire verse has been recited, pick it up and start over from the beginning. Continue playing until you get through the verse several times. If you need to make it harder, tell the kids they can use any body part except for their hands. For younger kids, consider using a balloon instead of a beach ball.
- Question: Have you suffered or been made fun of for doing what is right? Tell us about it.
+ Acrostic Prayers (Prayer Activity)
- Directions: Place a piece of butcher block paper or a poster board in the middle of the circle. In big letters, use a marker to write the words “Thank You God” in the middle of the paper. Tell the kids to write down things that they are thankful for, but those things have to begin with one of the letters in the words “Thank You God.” When finished, open the group in prayer. Encourage the kids to pray aloud and thank God for the things they wrote down.
(Due to copyright restrictions, the printable materials described in the activities above are only available to those who have registered for Our Savior’s Kids. To register your child(ren), click the button below)
CLOSING PRAYER
Dear God, thank you guarding and protecting me every day. Thank you for standing up for me and forgiving me all my sins. Give me the courage to stand up for you like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Amen.
DURING THE WEEK
Read in the Bible the story that was the basis for this week’s lesson:
Daniel 3
Do more of the activities list above with your child.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LESSON?
Leave them in the comments below!