Help for a Day of Fear (Grades 1-3)

Teaching Procedures for Leaders of Grades 1-3

Help for a Day of Fear
1 Kings 19:1-18

Biblical Truth:
God is present even in times of fear.

Life Impact:
Because God loves me, I can depend on Him when I am afraid.

Memory Verse:
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. Psalm 56:3 (NIV)

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Psalm 56:3 (KJV)

Personal Bible Study

Sweaty palms, queasy stomach, chattering teeth, racing heartbeat, weak knees, quivering voice. Which of these do you experience when you are nervous or fearful? People react to fear in many different ways. Uncertain situations such as war bring about fear to both children and adults. As you study today’s Bible passage, note what Elijah feared and how God helped Elijah as he faced a terrifying threat. Think about what you fear and how God can help you.

Jezebel’s Threat
(1 Kings 19:1-2)

Even as Elijah probably rejoiced concerning his mountaintop victory, an enraged Queen Jezebel plotted revenge. The queen was as much a believer in Baal as Elijah was a believer in the Lord. She had already put to death many prophets of the Lord. As soon as King Ahab informed Jezebel of the events on Mount Carmel, Jezebel swore she would put Elijah to death within 24 hours. She sent Elijah a message stating her intentions. Americans are experiencing threats right now. How do those threats make you feel? Can you relate to Elijah?

Elijah’s Reaction
(1 Kings 19:3-4)

Elijah ran for his life. He had no reason to doubt that Jezebel would carry out her threat. Try to sense both Elijah’s fear and his discouragement as he raced for a spot in the desert, a day’s journey south of Beersheba. Elijah had dismissed his servant and was completely alone.

Does our nation’s war cause you to have feelings of fear, discouragement, or isolation? What other feelings, negative or positive, are you experiencing?

When Elijah finally collapsed at the foot of the broom tree, what did he pray?
 
God’s Provision
(1 Kings 19:5-8)

Just as God had provided for Elijah’s needs earlier, He again provided for the prophet. Elijah needed sleep, food, and water. When people are fearful, nervous, or anxious, sleep is often elusive. They may have difficulty eating or digesting what they eat. God showed His care for Elijah as He helped Elijah to sleep. An angel awakened Elijah, and Elijah found water and freshly baked bread by his head. Refreshed and full, the prophet slept again.

The angel of the Lord returned, waking Elijah and instructing the prophet to eat so that he would be strong for a long journey. The physically renewed prophet traveled 40 days and nights southward through the desert to reach Mount Horeb, the mountain of God.
 
God’s Presence
(1 Kings 19:9-18)

Elijah hid out in a mountain cave, and God came to him. God asked Elijah a question. What was it? ________________________

Which of these do you see in Elijah’s response to God?

___ excuses

___ praise

___ self-pity

___ trust

___ pride


What three natural forces did Elijah experience as he awaited the presence of the Lord?

(1)________________________________

(2)________________________________

(3)________________________________



What came next? _____________ What was Elijah’s humble response when he heard God’s presence in the gentle whisper?

God asked Elijah the same question He asked earlier. Notice that Elijah was completely honest with God. He felt that he had served God well, but that evil was winning. Elijah felt alone and hunted.

God did not tell Elijah he was right or wrong. Instead, God gave specific instructions for Elijah to follow. God reassured the discouraged prophet by telling what would happen and by announcing that seven thousand persons remained who had not worshiped Baal. This remnant had been preserved by God’s Word. Elijah was not alone!

You may be experiencing anxiety, fear, or nervousness because of war or other threats, and God is completely aware of your feelings. He is willing to help you, but you must trust Him with your fears. You must trust that He does know what is best and that He is in control.

Inspiration Point
Strengthened and encouraged by God’s words, Elijah followed God’s instructions and continued in ministry. He became confident that God was his strength and that God’s Word would not be silenced.

During times of fear, do you rely on God for your strength and your courage? Are you confident that God will care for your needs?

Trust God. He is in control.

What This Bible Study Can Mean to Kids ...
In time of war, kids may feel fear, anxiety, and nervousness. They may have difficulty sleeping, eating, and/or concentrating. They may be afraid a bomb will be dropped on them. Some children may have family members fighting in the war. These children need to know that God is with them and with the absent family member. They need to realize that God is always with them, that He loves them, and that He is in control. This awareness can help them depend on God rather than giving in to fear.

Prepare to Teach

Power Up

__ Gather several brown lunch bags and items of various textures (such as sandpaper, Spanish moss, rubber frog, dampened floral foam, plastic icicle, furry fabric, plastic or rubber fishing worms, damp sponge, bread cubes).

__ Place a different textured material in the bottom of each bag. Fold over the top of the bag.

Greet children by name as they arrive. Invite them to play a guessing game with the bags. Say: “When it is your turn, reach inside the bag without looking in. Feel of the item in the bag. Try to guess what it is, but do not tell your guess aloud. After everyone has a turn to feel inside the bag, we’ll find out what is really inside.” Call on one child to reach inside the bag and feel the item. As children reach in the bag, make statements such as “Don’t worry. There is nothing to be afraid of.” Remind children not to tell their guesses. Let each child take a turn to feel the item. Call on a volunteer to open the bag and remove the item to show to everyone. Continue in the same manner with other bags containing items.

When the contents of all the bags have been felt and revealed, say: “You reached into a bag even though you did not know what was in the bag. You might have been anxious or afraid thinking the bag held something you did not want to touch. Today we will discover some ways God helps people when they are anxious, nervous, or afraid, especially during times of war. You can trust God to help you when you are afraid.”

Plug In

__ Study 1 Kings 19:1–18 and the “Personal Bible Study” on the first page of this document.

__ Build one or more “caves” by draping a blanket, tarp, shower curtain, or length of fabric over one or two tables turned on their sides.

__ On separate half-sheets of construction paper, print a different word from this list: Why? What? Where?

__ Provide a large sheet of plain paper and a marker.

__ Label a small gift bag “God’s Help.” On separate 3-by-5-inch cards, print a different word from this list: Bible, Prayer, Parents, Pastor, Teachers at Church, Bible Reminders.  Place the cards in the bag.

__ With a marker, print the words of the chorus to “God Will Take Care of You” (p. 64, The Baptist Hymnal, 1991) on a large sheet of paper.

__ On a large sheet of plain paper, make a prayer chart similar to the one below.  Print the numbered rows in colored markers and the other rows in black. Make the blanks long enough for you to print children’s answers.

 #1: When I fear _____________________________________
 All: When I am afraid, I will trust in you.

 #2: When I fear _____________________________________
 All: When I am afraid, I will trust in you.

 #3: When I fear _____________________________________
 All: When I am afraid, I will trust in you.

 #4: When I fear _____________________________________
 All: When I am afraid, I will trust in you.

__ Provide a marker.

1. Talk about the world situation.  Ask children what has recently happened with our country.

Ask: “How do these events make you feel?”

Be sure to allow thinking time so children have opportunity to talk about their feelings. Some children may be hesitant to talk about their fears. If so, mention that during war people are sometimes afraid of having a family member hurt, of having a bomb dropped on them, or of the enemy winning the war.

Say: “During times of war, people are often anxious or afraid. Today’s Bible story is about a time Elijah was afraid. He was afraid that he would die.”

2. Use Bibles.  Guide children to find today’s Bible story in 1 Kings 19, using the list of books in the front of their Bibles. Invite a volunteer to read 1 Kings 19:3 aloud.

Ask: “What did Elijah do when he was afraid?”

Explain that today’s Bible story will show how God helped Elijah when he was afraid.

3. Tell the Bible story. Invite the children to sit in the pretend caves as they listen to the Bible story. Sit on the floor or on a low chair facing the caves. Show the “Why?” “What?” and “Where?” signs. Suggest children listen to find out why Elijah was afraid he might die what he did when he was afraid, and where Elijah went. With your Bible opened to 1 Kings 19, tell the following story in your own words.

Help for Elijah’s Fear

Elijah was afraid. A messenger had just delivered a message from Queen Jezebel. “I will kill you by this time tomorrow,” the Queen’s message said.

The queen worshiped an idol. Elijah had just won a contest with the priests of her idol. Elijah knew that Queen Jezebel would do what she said. Elijah ran into the desert to hide.

After running and running, Elijah fell exhausted next to a tree. He was tired and afraid. Elijah lay down under the tree and went to sleep.

God knew that Elijah was hungry, thirsty, and tired. God sent an angel to Elijah. The angel said, “Get up and eat.” Elijah saw freshly baked bread and a jar of water. He ate. He drank. He went back to sleep.

The angel came back a second time. He touched Elijah and said, “Get up and eat. Your journey will be long and hard.” Elijah got up and ate and drank.

Strengthened by the food, Elijah traveled 40 days and 40 nights until he reached Mt Horeb. He went into a cave and slept the night.

 “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah heard God ask.

Elijah answered, “I have tried very hard for You,” Elijah responded. “The Israelites have disobeyed your laws. They tore down Your altars. They killed other prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me.”

God said, “Go out and stand on the mountain. I am about to pass by.”

A powerful wind blew, shattering great rocks, but God was not in the wind. After the wind, Elijah felt the mountain shake, but God was not in the earthquake. Then came a fire, but God was not in the fire. After the fire came a gentle whisper.

When Elijah heard the whisper, he pulled his cloak over his face and stood in the mouth of the cave.

A voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Again Elijah told God how he was afraid of being killed.

God said to Elijah, “Go back the way you came. Anoint the new king. You are not alone. Seven thousand people in Israel still worship Me.”

Elijah knew God was with him. He knew what to do.

Scripture reference: 1 Kings 19:1-18

4. Review Bible study.  Ask children to leave the caves and to stand.

Say: “When I ask a question about today’s Bible story, you may hop forward one jump if you know the answer. I will call on someone to answer aloud, but it may not be the first person who hops forward.”

Use the following questions (answers in parentheses are for teachers use):

• Why was Elijah afraid?
  (The queen wanted to kill him, 1 Kings 19:1–2.)
  
  
• What did Elijah do when he was afraid?
  (He ran away, 1 Kings 19:3.)
  
  
• Where did Elijah go?
   (The desert and then to a mountain and a cave, 1 Kings 19:4,8.)
  
  
• What was one way God helped Elijah when he stopped in the desert?
   (Bread, water, or sleep, 1 Kings 19:5-6.)
  
  
• What is one thing Elijah heard while he was on the mountain?
   (Wind, earthquake, fire, or gentle whisper, 1 Kings 19:11--12.)
  
  
• What did God tell Elijah that helped him not be afraid?
   (He was not alone and he knew what to do 1 Kings 19:15-18.)

5. Learn the memory verse. Direct children to find Psalm 56:3 in their Bibles. Explain that the verse is today’s memory verse. Lead the group in reading the verse aloud. Ask children to tell some ways people can trust in God. Expect answers such as believing Him or depending on Him. Further explain that trusting God is being sure He will do what He says He will do.

Display a large sheet of paper. Ask boys and girls to name things kids their age might fear. Write their responses on the paper. If war is not on the list, include it. After several responses, explain that you will point to one fear children mentioned and say it aloud. Note that the group will respond by saying together today’s memory verse. Point to one fear and read it. Wait as children respond. Point to another fear and name it. Let children respond. Continue until all fears on the chart have been named. 

6. Apply Bible learning. 

Ask: “How does your body feel when you are afraid?”

Listen to responses. Add any of these signals of fear that children do not mention: sweaty palms, stomach ache, fast heartbeat, weak knees, quivering voice, trouble sleeping, not being hungry.

Ask: “What would make you so nervous and afraid that your stomach might hurt?” Let children respond.

Say: “You can remember what God told Elijah. You are not alone because God is always with you. Why would remembering that God is with you help you when you are afraid?”

Continue by saying: “God is in control even when we cannot see what he is doing. Remembering that God knows what is happening and is in charge can help us feel less afraid or anxious.”

Show the “God’s Help” bag. Explain that God provides more than one way to help people when they are afraid. Call on a volunteer to choose a card from the bag. Discuss the way that what is printed on the card might help a person who is afraid. Add these comments for the appropriate cards.

• Bible: The Bible tells us about God’s love and about His cares for us. When you are afraid, you can remember Bible verses about God’s love and care. When you are afraid, you can read or listen to Bible stories that help you know God is in charge.
  
  
• Prayer: God likes for you to talk to Him when you are afraid. You can be honest with God and tell Him just how you feel. God can help you depend on Him and ease your fears.
  
  
• Parents: God gives children parents to help protect them. Your parents can also help you know more about God and His love and care for you.
  
  
• Pastor: Your pastor or preacher can remind you that God is with you. He can tell you what the Bible says. He can pray for you.
  
  
• Teachers at church: Tell your teachers at church when you are afraid. We can pray with you. We can help you know what is happening. We can remind you that God is with you.
  
  
• Bible Reminders: Things you make or buy that remind you of what the Bible says can help you remember God’s promises. Later in our study we will make Bible reminders to help you remember God’s promises.

7. Sing. Call attention to the song chart. Read the words aloud for the group. Discuss the meaning of the song. Lead the group to sing the song.

Say: “This song reminds us that we can depend on God when we are afraid.”

8. Pray. Show the prayer chart you made. Explain that when the group is ready to pray, children will take turns reading the lines printed in color but that everyone will join together reading the lines printed in black.

Point out the black words and ask, “Are these words familiar?”

Help children recognize the words as today’s memory verse.

Ask children to name one thing that makes them afraid. Print the response in the blank. Continue in the same manner for the other blanks. If children are ready to name more than four items, go back to the first blank and add another answer. Continue with other lines as children respond. When the group has named its responses, call for different volunteers to read the various lines aloud during the prayer. Remind children that everyone will read the black words together. Mention that prayer is talking to God and that talking to God is important. Lead the group in reading the prayer chart together. At the end, say a quiet “amen.”
 
9. Form teacher groups. Tell children that they may continue to learn about trusting God as they work with different teachers. Let children choose which teacher with which to work or assign children to groups.

Personalize

__ On separate paper strips, print these Bible references: Genesis 28:15, Joshua 1:5, Psalm 4:3, Psalm 46:1; Psalm 121:2, Philippians 4:13. Place the strips in your Bible at the correct location.

__ Provide 4-inch paper circles, markers or crayons, scissors,
9-ounce drinking cups (1 per child), tape or glue, and 2-by-4-inch paper strips.

TEACHERS:

1. Apply. Show children the book-marked Bible. Let girls and boys take turns opening the Bible to a marker and either reading the verse themselves or asking you to read it for the group. Talk about ways the verse could help a person who was afraid. Continue with other markers in the Bible.

2. Make a cup hugger.  Suggest children make reminders of God’s promises that can help them remember to trust God. Guide children to cut out four-inch circles. Suggest children print on the circle God’s Promises. Distribute cups. Help boys and girls tape or glue the circle to the top of the cup so that the words stick up above the cup and face the cup opening.

Distribute paper strips. Let girls and boys choose a Bible verse to print on their paper strip. Suggest they print the Bible reference on the back of the strip. Encourage the children make several strips using different Bible verses. Let the children put their strips inside the cups.

Explain that girls and boys can keep their cups of Bible verses at home where they will see them often. Suggest children take one strip from the cup each day to read and remember.

3. Review. Ask: “What have you studied today that can help you be less fearful and trust God more? Accept reasonable answers. As the children leave, say, “Remember to trust God when you are afraid.”

Continue

Your Children’s Spiritual Growth

• Encourage the boys and girls to read their Bibles and pray daily.
• During the week, call each child in your ministry group. Ask where the child has placed the cup hugger. As you end the call, say, “Remember God loves you.”

Your Spiritual Growth

• Pray that the children you teach will trust God when they experience fear.
• Ask God to help you overcome your own fears and trust Him more.
• Read and mediate on Hebrews 13:6. What Scripture was the writer of Hebrews quoting?

Text for Handouts

Bible-Story Questions

 Why?

 

 What?

 

 Where?

God’s Help

God’s Help

Bible

Prayer

Parents

Pastor

Teachers at Church

Bible Reminders

Bible-Verse Markers
(for use during Personalize)

Genesis 28:15

Joshua 1:5

Psalm 4:3

Psalm 46:1

Psalm 121:2

Philippians 4:13