Our Focus Today Helping children discover that God’s peace doesn’t come from having a perfect, happy-all-the-time life. It comes from trusting the One who is always with us.
Key Truth God gives us His peace, even in the middle of life’s storms.
Bible Passage Philippians 4:9
Memory Verse “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9 (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
Peace isn’t something we create, it’s something God gives. As you lead today, remember that children are learning not only from today’s lesson, but from the way you trust God in your own life. Your steady confidence in His promises helps them discover that true peace isn’t found in perfect circumstances, but in God’s constant presence.
The story God is writing in a child’s heart is always bigger than the lesson on the page.
Leader Preparation
Lesson Supplies Study books Pens Highlighters Beads Armor of God charms String
Teaching Supplies Bible Two tealight candles Lighter Clear glass or cup Pitcher or vase filled halfway with water Completed sample bracelet
Prep Ahead Highlight today’s Bible passage in your Bible. Practice today’s Truth in Action before children arrive. Gather the supplies for today’s Truth in Action. Set out the lesson activity supplies for each group. A completed sample bracelet.
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 helps you feel peaceful? When do you find it hardest not to worry? What’s one piece of God’s armor you’ve learned about so far?
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 Philippians 4:9 directly from your Bible.
Connect today’s Bible passage to the story by explaining that God doesn’t promise a life without difficulties, but He does promise His presence. As we trust Him and put His Word into practice, He fills our hearts with His peace.
Read the Story
Today’s Stair-Step Reading
Lesson 4 Re-read Lessons 1–3, then continue directly into Lesson 4.
Read the story 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 Two tealight candles Lighter Clear glass Pitcher or vase filled halfway with water
Let’s Begin Place an unlit tealight candle in the water.
“The water represents the world and all the things that try to weigh us down. This little candle represents us, floating through life, wondering what might happen next, and carrying worries about all kinds of things.”
“What are some storms children your age face?“
Allow children to answer. (Examples may include: worrying about school, feeling left out, being afraid of something, someone in the family getting sick, making a hard choice). Light the candle.
“The good news is that when we put our trust in Jesus, He is always with us. But sometimes we forget to trust Him and try to face life’s storms all on our own.”
Gently push the candle beneath the water until the flame goes out. “When we rely only on ourselves, life can begin to feel overwhelming. Fear, worry, and hard situations can make us feel like we’re sinking.”
Light the second tealight candle and place it in the water. Hold up the clear glass. “But God has given us something better. He promises to be with us, to protect us, and to give us everything we need to stand firm.” “This glass reminds us of God’s protection and the Armor He gives us.”
Carefully place the glass upside down over the floating candle so the rim rests below the surface of the water. Slowly push the glass down into the jar until the water rises around it.
Allow everyone to observe.
“The wild, worry-filled world is still there, but God’s light keeps shining. God doesn’t promise we’ll never have storms, but He does promise to be with us through every one. When we trust Him, He surrounds us with His protection and His light shines through us, so the world can see His hope.”
Ask What happened to the first candle? What was different about the second candle? Did the storm disappear? What protected the light?
Wrap Up “Life will keep coming at us, but we never face anything alone. God has given us His armor. He surrounds us with His protection, fills our hearts with His peace, and helps His light shine through us.”
Open Your Bible
Time: 10–15 minutes
Activity 1 Complete Activity 1.
Invite children to think about the “lighter” feeling Elle experienced after learning to trust God.
Ask What do you think the “lighter” feeling is? How do you think trusting God changed Elle? How could trusting God change the way you face something that worries you?
Explain that trusting God doesn’t always change our circumstances, but it changes how we walk through them because He gives us His peace.
Activity 2 Complete Activity 2.
Invite children to look up each Bible verse and discover the word that appears in every passage. Once everyone has finished, discuss what these verses teach about the peace God promises His children.
Bible Verses Philippians 4:9 John 16:33 2 John 1:3 Psalm 29:11
Have the children write the word in the blanks that appears in each of the verses.
Ask According to these verses, where does true peace come from? How is God’s peace different from the peace the world offers?
Closing Prayer
Pray the prayer at the end of Lesson 4.
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.
Jesus gave us, His children, three reasons for not worrying about this life: It is unnecessary because of our Father, it is uncharacteristic because of our faith, and it is unwise because of our future. -John F. MacArthur Jr.
