FEAR

---

EMOTIONS LESSON SNAPSHOT BOTTOM LINE: God can comfort us when we are afraid. OBJECTIVE: Most of the time we’ll do whatever we can not to feel fear, but kids will learn that when we are afraid we can tell God what’s scaring us and he will comfort us. KEY PASSAGE: Mark 4:35-41, Jesus Calms The Storm MEMORY VERSE: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”- Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV) SUMMARY: Fear is a defensive emotion that can keep us from harm or danger, but fear can get out of control. It can hold us back, and it can paralyze us. God is always there to comfort us when we are afraid and give us the courage to do what needs doing. SIMPLE PRAYER: Dear God, Be near us when we are afraid, and give us courage. In Jesus’ name, Amen

EMOTIONS: FEAR

EMOTIONS MEMORY VERSE “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”- Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your strength.” - Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIrV) LARGE GROUP: Divide the room in half. Pick one side to start and have them all shout the first word, then the other side shouts the second word, and so on until they finish the verse. SMALL GROUP: Play the telephone game with the memory verse.

EMOTIONS: FEAR

EMOTIONS SKIT MEET FEAR ITEMS NEEDED: Two chairs CHARACTER BREAKDOWN: 1M/1F CHARACTERS: Sally- A talk show host Fear Sally sits in one of two chairs on stage, set up for a talk show. SALLY: Today, we’re going to continue our series, Meet Your Emotions. Please welcome my guest today, Fear! Applaud then pause. Sally looks off stage and waits. After a few seconds, she tries again. SALLY: Please say hello to Fear. Pause. Again, no sign of Fear. SALLY: Fear! We’re waiting for you! FEAR: (off stage) No! SALLY: Sounds like someone has a little case of stage fright. FEAR: I have a big case of stage fright! SALLY: Come on, Fear! There’s nothing to be afraid of! FEAR: That’s what you think! Do you know that on average 7.6 actors a year die of stage fright? SALLY: As you can see, Fear is the emotion that is always looking out for us.

EMOTIONS: FEAR

SKIT FEAR: No, I’m always looking out for me! SALLY: Fear keeps us on guard against things that could hurt us, like electrical outlets, hot stoves, dangerous animals, strangers... FEAR: Hey, come on! Stop that! You’re gonna give me nightmares! SALLY: But Fear also hold us back at times. It can keep us from trying new things and experiencing adventures that God has planned for us. FEAR: But we might get embarrassed, or laughed at, or hurt even! SALLY: Fear is am important emotion, but we can’t let Fear control us. God can give us comfort in those times when we are afraid. FEAR: He can? SALLY: And he can give us the courage to overcome our fears when we need to be brave. FEAR: So I don’t have to be a sniveling coward all my life? I can be brave and do dangerous stuff? Like ziplining? SALLY: You want to try ziplining? FEAR: No way! SALLY: Well, if you ever change your mind, then yes, God will give you the courage. FEAR: Oh that’s great! SALLY: He can even give you courage enough to overcome stage fright. Don’t you want to come out and say hello? FEAR: No, I think we’ve covered everything just fine, thanks. SALLY: Come on, I have a nice, warm cup of coffee out here for you. FEAR: No way! Coffee has caffeine, and caffeine causes anxiety. SALLY: Well, you certainly don’t need that. Thanks for sharing. FEAR: Can I go now?

EMOTIONS: FEAR

SKIT SALLY: Go? You never even came on stage? FEAR: I’d like to get home before the monsters come out. SALLY: There are no monsters in this town! FEAR: That’s what they want you to think. SALLY: Don’t let fear hold you back, kids. Give your fear to God. FEAR: Yeah, give me to God. God is good, right? SALLY: All the time. FEAR: All right then, give me to God. And stay off the ziplines!

EMOTIONS: FEAR

EMOTIONS OBJECT LESSON OR KIDS SERMON ITEMS NEEDED: For this lesson, bring in a selection of child safety devices such as child-proof door handle covers, cabinet latches, electrical outlet plugs Who do you think is more afraid: babies or parents? If you said babies, you might want to think again. Take a look at some of these wacky inventions. These inventions, on the surface, were created to protect babies from harm. There are latches to keep kids from getting in cabinets, special door handles to keep them from getting outside, and plugs to keep little fingers out of electrical sockets. But why do we need these things? Is it because babies are afraid of the outdoors, cabinets, and electrical sockets? No! Babies are curious and want to get into everything! Moms and Dads are afraid of seeing baby get hurt, and that’s why your house was full of all these crazy contraptions to keep you safe. Some fear is learned. Some of it comes naturally. Fear keeps us wary of things that might hurt us or be dangerous. But not all fear is healthy. If we let fear take control, it can keep us from trying new and exciting things. Even worse, it can keep us from trying something God wants us to try. When we are afraid, we need to give our fears to God. God will give us comfort in those times when we are uncertain and afraid. He will help us carry on when life brings new changes and challenges. And he will give us the courage to stand up, to step out, and be bold. You’re no longer babies, so there’s no need for these things any more. Don’t let fear hold you back from all that God has planned for you. Give your fear to God, and God will give you comfort and courage.

EMOTIONS: FEAR

EMOTIONS LARGE GROUP GAME SPIDER FACE ITEMS NEEDED: Two sets of face paint INSTRUCTIONS: Choose two players for this game. This is a 60 seconds or less challenge. The two students will have 60 seconds to try and paint a scary spider on their own face. At the end of 60 seconds, put the paint brushes down and let the audience choose a winner. VARIATION: Instead of having a race, have an adult leader paint a spider on the cheek of one of the students. Do not tell the student what is being painted, but give the student until the adult leader is finished to try and guess what is on their face. WHAT’S THE POINT? Spiders are just one of many things that scare us, but no matter what our fears may be, we can give them to God.

EMOTIONS: FEAR

EMOTIONS LARGE GROUP LESSON BOTTOM LINE: God can comfort us when we are afraid. OBJECTIVE: Most of the time we’ll do whatever we can not to feel fear, but kids will learn that when we are afraid we can tell God what’s scaring us and he will comfort us. KEY PASSAGE: Mark 4:35-41, Jesus Calms The Storm INTRO Do you have any idea how much money people spend every year to be scared? I know it sounds crazy, but scary is big business. Think about the last time you went to an amusement park. Where did you see the longest lines? On the biggest, scariest rides, right? And every year, amusement parks work to create rides that are taller, faster, and scarier. You’ll find the same thing in a water park. The most popular rides are the tallest and fastest slides. The same quest for thrills leads people to sky dive, bungee jump, and ride on ziplines. In October people go out by the hundreds to take a trip through haunted houses. And every year, people spend more money on scary movies than any other kind of movie! Fear gives people a thrill. They like the rush of facing their fears head on. It’s exciting, and yes, sometimes, it’s a lot of fun. But some people let fear paralyze them. They let their fears get so big and huge, it keeps them from doing anything. God gave us the emotion of fear so that we could protect ourselves from harm. It’s meant to keep us safe, but if we let fear take over, it can keep us from enjoying the life God intended us to have. One of the most dramatic moments in the life of Jesus happened because of fear. While crossing the sea, Jesus and his disciples were caught in a terrible storm. The disciples were afraid for their lives, but only because they forgot who was with them! READ MARK 4:35-41 MAIN POINT

EMOTIONS: FEAR

LARGE GROUP LESSON The disciples were terrified. They knew that storms like the one they faced had capsized boats and caused the deaths of many men. This wasn’t a panic attack over a test or fear of a tiny spider. They legitimately thought they were going to die! That fear makes what happens next all the more amazing. Jesus wakes up, and he calms the storm. With just a word, the storm is gone! All that fear the disciples had? It was completely unnecessary. They had Jesus with them, the Son of God! What in the world did they need to fear? Jesus shows us in this story that we can place all our fears in his hands. He shows us that we do not need to be ruled by fear because he is in control. And he shows us that when we are afraid, he will be there to comfort us. DRIVE IT HOME Fear is an important emotion, one vital to our survival. Fear teaches us to have a healthy respect of dangerous things. It reminds us to look both ways before crossing the street. It reminds us to put on our helmets when we ride bikes. It reminds us to stay away from strangers, to avoid hot stoves, to keep our hands off frayed electrical cords, and all sorts of dangers. But we should never allow fear to control us. When we let fear take over, it keeps us from taking any risks at all. Fear of getting hurt keeps us from learning to skate or ride a bike. Fear of rejection prevents us from making friends. Fear of public speaking keeps us from discovering that we have a gift for words. Fear of persecution keeps us silent about our faith. God doesn’t want us to have a spirit of fear, but a spirit of boldness. When we are faced with a challenge that frightens us, Jesus can give us courage. He will be our strength when we have none, and he will show us that we are braver than we ever imagined. But what about those times when fear seems too big to overcome? What about the fear of moving away, starting a new school with all new kids? What about the fear that comes when a parent gets sick or a change happens in your family? I’m happy to tell you that in those scary moments, Jesus is still there. It is then that he takes us in his arms and comforts us. There is no fear too big, too scary, or too much for Jesus to handle. Whatever fears you brought with you today, Jesus is able to help you face them. You never have to face fear alone. God loves you, and he sent Jesus to help you. Fear is a great protector, but don’t let fear hold you back from enjoying the life God has given you. Let Jesus be your strength, and let Jesus be your comfort. Let Jesus’ perfect love drive away all your fears.

EMOTIONS: FEAR

LARGE GROUP LESSON CLOSE WITH A SIMPLE PRAYER Dear God, Be near us when we are afraid, and give us courage. In Jesus’ name, Amen

EMOTIONS: FEAR

EMOTIONS SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION (K-2ND) ICEBREAKER What is one thing that really scares you? MEMORY VERSE ACTIVITY Deuteronomy 6:5 Play the telephone game with the memory verse. SMALL GROUP GAME/ACTIVITY Have the kids take turns acting out famous monsters. See who can do the best vampire voice, the best werewolf growl, and the best zombie walk. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Read Mark 4:35-41 Where were the disciples when this story began? Where was Jesus when the storm hit? Why did the disciples wake Jesus? How did Jesus take care of the storm? How can Jesus help us face our fears? SIMPLE PRAYER Dear God, Thank you for sending Jesus so we never need to be afraid. In Jesus’ name, Amen

EMOTIONS: FEAR

EMOTIONS SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION (3-5TH) ICEBREAKER What is one thing that really scares you? MEMORY VERSE ACTIVITY Deuteronomy 6:5 Play the telephone game with the memory verse. SMALL GROUP GAME/ACTIVITY Have the kids act out today’s scripture in a skit that they make up. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Read Mark 4:35-41 Why did the disciples wake up Jesus? Why shouldn't the disciples have been afraid? How does Jesus give us courage when we need it? How can we find comfort when we are really afraid? Is there any fear that Jesus cannot handle? SIMPLE PRAYER Dear God, Thank you for sending Jesus so we never need to be afraid. In Jesus’ name, Amen

EMOTIONS: FEAR

EMOTIONS POWERPOINT REVIEW GAME Multiple choice. The disciples were ___________ when a storm hit. A. on a boat* B. on the road C. in Jerusalem The disciples thought they were going to _____. A. be sick. B. swim to shore. C. drown.* When the storm hit, Jesus was _______. A. laughing B. sleeping* C. no where to be found. The storm ended when __________________. A. Jesus commanded it to end.* B. the boat tipped over. C. they reached the shore. When we are afraid, we should __________________. A. give our fears to Jesus. B. ask Jesus for courage. C. both A and B.*

EMOTIONS: FEAR

5 Simple Ways You Can Make This Lesson Stick With Your Kids

THIS WEEK’S LESSON: FEAR IN THE CAR: Ask your child what they learned about this week on the drive home: Today we talked about Fear. Most of the time we’ll do whatever we can to avoid fear, but we learned that when we are afraid we can tell God what’s scaring us and he will comfort us and give us courage. Mark 4:35-41, Jesus Calms The Storm HANGING OUT: Make this week’s lesson real: Is there a fear your kids have of something fun? Riding a bike? Rollerskating? Challenge them this week to face that fear, and see if they can overcome it with your encouragement and a little prayer. AT DINNER: Here are some great discussion starters: - Why were the disciples so afraid of the storm? - Did the disciples have good reason to be afraid? Why or why not? - How can Jesus help us when we are afraid? AT BEDTIME: Quiz your child on this week’s memory verse: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”- Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV) PARENT TIME: What you need to know: Fear is a big part of a child’s life. Kids are afraid of spooky things, of the dark, of closets, just about anything. Pray for your kids to put their fears in the hands of Jesus. When they tell you they are afraid, pray with them, and encourage them to keep praying. Teach them to seek God’s comfort and courage from an early age.

EMOTIONS: FEAR

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” - Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” - Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” - Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” - Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV)

CUT ON DASHED LINE

EMOTIONS CRAFT ACTIVITY Have the kids draw and color a comic strip based on today’s story. Draw the disciples in the boat and their scared faces, but also be sure and draw Jesus calming the storm.

EMOTIONS: FEAR