Our Focus Today Helping children understand that everyone experiences worry, but God never asks us to face our fears alone.
Key Truth God is always with us, so we can be brave.
Bible Passage Isaiah 41:10
Memory Verse “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.” Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
At A Glance
Approximate Lesson Time: 45–60 minutes Welcome, Snack & Lesson Activity • 10–15 minutes Gather Around God’s Word • 10–15 minutes Read the Story • 10–15 minutes Truth in Action • 5–10 minutes Open Your Bible • 10–15 minutes Closing Prayer & Clean-Up • 2–3 minutes
Leader Encouragement
Fear is something every child experiences. Some fears are big. Some are small. Today, you’ll have the opportunity to remind the children that bravery isn’t about pretending we’re never afraid. True bravery comes from trusting that God is always with us. As you lead, remember that your calm presence, encouraging words, and confidence in God’s promises can help children begin to replace fear with faith.
The story God is writing in a child’s heart is always bigger than the lesson on the page.
Teaching Supplies Bible Backpack Heavy objects (rocks, canned goods, or other weighted items)
Prep Ahead Highlight today’s Bible passage in your Bible. Gather the supplies for today’s Truth in Action. Set out the lesson activity supplies for each group. A completed sample lesson activity.
Volunteer Roles
Lead Teacher Welcome the group and guide each part of the lesson. Read the Bible passage and story aloud. Lead the Truth in Action, discussion, and closing prayer.
Small Group Leaders Welcome children and encourage conversation. Support children throughout the lesson. Answer questions, encourage participation, and offer extra help as needed.
Floater Welcome families and direct children to their groups. Help with transitions and assist wherever needed throughout the lesson.
Leading the Lesson
Welcome, Snack & Lesson Activity
Time: 10–15 minutes Welcome children, help them get settled, and enjoy the time together as they complete today’s lesson activity.
Instructions Welcome children as they arrive. Invite them to begin today’s lesson activity. Encourage conversation while everyone enjoys a snack. As children finish, encourage them to continue chatting with their group until it’s time to begin.
Conversation Starters What is something you’re excited about right now? Has anything ever made you feel nervous or worried? When you feel afraid, who do you usually talk to?
Gather Around God’s Word
Time: 10–15 minutes
Transition Give children a two-minute warning before beginning. Invite everyone to simply set aside today’s lesson activity and grab only their study book, Bible, and pen. There is no need to clean everything up. Children can return to the activity later if time allows or take home any remaining supplies to finish.
Opening Prayer Begin with a simple prayer, inviting God to prepare hearts and minds to learn from His Word.
Bible Reading
Read Isaiah 41:10 directly from your Bible.
Connect today’s Bible passage to the story by explaining that everyone experiences fear sometimes, but God promises that we never have to face it alone. His presence gives us courage and throughout this study we’ll discover how He equips us to stand strong with the Armor of God.
Read the Story
Today’s Stair-Step Reading
Lesson 1 Read Lesson 1 aloud while children follow along.
Engage Children By… -Announcing page turns for younger readers. -Reading speech bubbles together. -Asking observation questions. -Pointing out humorous moments. -Inviting predictions as the story unfolds.
Truth In Action
Time: 5–10 minutes
Supplies Backpack Heavy objects (rocks, canned goods, or other weighted items)
Let’s Begin Hold up the empty backpack.
“Today we’re beginning a study all about being brave.” “But before we talk about bravery, let’s talk about something we all experience.”
Hold up one of the heavy objects.
“What are some things children your age worry about?”
Allow several responses. *Examples might include: Thunderstorms, the first day of school, taking a test, sleeping in the dark, making new friends, someone in the family being sick, getting hurt, being left out. As each child shares, place another heavy object into the backpack.
“Every time we carry one of those worries by ourselves, it’s like adding another heavy weight.”
When the backpack is full, put it on. Walk around for a few moments.
“Wow! This is getting heavy. When we try to carry every worry on our own, it can make us feel tired, afraid, or even stuck.”
Remove the backpack.
“But here’s the good news. God never asks us to carry our worries by ourselves.”
Hold up your Bible.
“Instead, He gives us something amazing. The Armor of God.”
Briefly introduce each piece.
“The helmet of salvation reminds us we belong to Jesus.” “The breastplate of righteousness protects our hearts.” “The belt of truth reminds us what God says is always true.” “The shoes of the gospel of peace help us stand firm.” “The shield of faith helps us trust God when we’re afraid.” “The sword of the Spirit is God’s Word, which helps us fight fearful thoughts with His truth.” “Throughout this study, we’re going to discover how every piece of God’s armor helps us face life’s worries with courage.” “Being brave doesn’t mean we’re never worried or afraid. It means we trust that God is with us and we don’t have to carry our worries alone.”
Ask What are some worries that can feel heavy? Why do you think God wants us to give our worries to Him? Which piece of God’s armor are you excited to learn more about?
Wrap Up “Everyone feels afraid sometimes, but we never face those fears alone. God gives us everything we need to stand strong, trust Him, and be brave.”
Open Your Bible
Time: 10–15 minutes
Activity 1 Complete Activity 1.
Invite children to think about things that sometimes make them feel worried or afraid. Encourage them to write or draw a few of those worries inside the thought bubbles.
Remind them that God already knows every worry they carry and invites them to bring each one to Him.
Ask: What are some things children your age might worry about? Why do you think God wants us to tell Him about our worries? Have you ever prayed about something that made you feel afraid?
Activity 2 Complete Activity 2.
Explain that one of the best ways to fight worry is by filling our minds with God’s truth.
Invite children to look up each Bible passage, highlight it in their Bibles, and write down one word or short phrase that they find especially comforting.
Depending on the age of your group, children may work independently, with a partner, or in small groups. If looking up all four passages feels overwhelming, read one or two of the verses aloud together and have children identify a comforting word or phrase before looking up the remaining passage(s) on their own.
Bible Verses Isaiah 41:10 1 Peter 5:7 John 14:27 Psalm 34:4
Ask Which verse encouraged you the most today? What word or phrase stood out to you? How can remembering God’s promises help us when we begin to worry?
Closing Prayer
Pray the prayer at the end of Lesson 1.
Clean-Up
Invite children to: -Organize their supplies. -Throw away trash. -Help tidy their small group area. -Continue working on today’s lesson activity if time remains or take home any remaining supplies to finish later.
Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength. -Corrie ten Boom
