Our Focus Today Helping children understand that God lovingly guides us through His Word and gives us wisdom when we ask Him.
Key Truth God’s way is always the best way.
Bible Passage Deuteronomy 28:1
Memory Verse “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.” Deuteronomy 28:1 (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
One of the greatest gifts we can give children is confidence that God’s Word can be trusted. Long after they forget today’s activity or object lesson, my prayer is that they’ll remember they never have to figure life out on their own. God has given them His Word, His wisdom, and His presence to guide every step.
The story God is writing in a child’s heart is always bigger than the lesson on the page.
Teaching Supplies Bible Blindfold Destination object (brought or something existing at the study location)
Prep Ahead Highlight today’s Bible passage in your Bible. Decide on the “destination” for today’s Truth in Action. 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 Have you ever gotten lost? Who helps you make good decisions? What’s one thing you’ve learned during this study?
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 Deuteronomy 28:1 directly from your Bible.
Connect today’s Bible passage to the story by explaining that God gives us His commands because He loves us and knows the best path for our lives.
Read the Story
Today’s Stair-Step Reading
Lesson 5 Re-read Lessons 1–4, then continue directly into Lesson 5.
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 Blindfold Destination location/object
Let’s Begin Choose one volunteer. Show everyone the destination. “Today we’re going to do a little experiment.”Do you think ______ can make it to our destination?” Allow children to answer.
Hold up the blindfold. “What if she can’t see where she’s going?” Place the blindfold on the volunteer.
Round One Give only vague directions. Example: “Go that way. A little farther. Turn. Now that way” Pause after a few moments.
Was that easy or hard? Why?
“Sometimes life feels like that. We have choices to make every day and if we try to figure everything out on our own, it’s easy to get confused. But God doesn’t leave us without directions.”
What are God’s directions called? Allow children to answer…The Ten Commandments
Round Two “Let’s try again.” Guide the volunteer carefully with very clear directions.
Example: “Take two small steps forward.One step to the left. Three tiny steps forward.”
Celebrate reaching the destination.
“Why did that work so much better?” Allow children to answer.
“God’s Word works the same way. He sees what we cannot see. His instructions are given because He loves us and wants what is best for us. Whenever you aren’t sure what to do, pause, pray, and ask God for wisdom.”
Ask Why can we trust God’s directions? Where can we find God’s instructions? What can we do when we don’t know what choice to make?
Wrap Up “Sometimes the ‘other side of no’ means saying no to something that pulls us away from God and saying yes to God’s way instead. God’s way is always the best way, even when it may feel harder or even more fun.”
Open Your Bible
Time: 10–15 minutes
Activity 1 Complete Activity 1.
Invite children to look up the Bible verses, unscramble the words, and fill in the blanks. Depending on the age of your group, children may work independently, with a partner, or in small groups. When everyone has finished, invite volunteers to read the completed verses aloud.
Have a volunteer read today’s Truth Tidbit.
Activity 2 Complete Activity 2.
Children may work independently, with a partner, or in small groups.
Invite volunteers to share some of the alternative “yes” choices they came up with.
Have a volunteer read There’s Always a Way Back.
Ask What did today’s verses teach us about following God? Why does God give us His commands? What can you do this week when you aren’t sure what choice to make?
Closing Prayer
Pray the prayer at the end of Lesson 5.
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.
Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done. -C.S. Lewis
