Because God is in Control, We Can Have Courage!

Because God is in Control, We Can Have Courage! Hero Image Because God is in Control, We Can Have Courage! Hero Image

Have you ever been put in a position where you were supposed to do something against your beliefs? Depending on the situation, it can be hard to show courage and stand up for what is right when faced with this dilemma. This week, we looked at a story in the Bible of people who were faced with a huge decision: obey the king and live, or obey God and die. Sounds like that took a lot of courage!

COURAGE: Living without fear because God is in control

MEMORY VERSE: “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fair you nor abandon you." Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)

This Week’s Finish Line: Because God is in control, we can have courage

We looked at the story Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3 today. King Nebuchadnezzar issued a royal decree that everyone in the kingdom must bow down and worship a golden image (an idol) he had built. Anyone who didn't bow down would be put to death in a fire. These 3 Israelites knew that they would be disobeying God to worship anything or anyone but Him. Still, they were faced with a choice: was it really worth dying over? Because they KNEW God was in control, they decided to trust God and obey Him no matter what. Be sure to check out how the story ends!

Family Questions:

  1. Read Daniel 3 together. Who are all the main characters?
  2. What was the consequence for not worshiping the golden image?
  3. Look at verse 17. How can you tell the 3 men knew that God was in control?
  4. How does the story end? What does king Nebuchadnezzar say about God at the end (verses 26-30)?

Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:

* Check out our vision for parents and how to use these activities each week.

TEACHER: Memory Verse Practice

At dinner this week, spend some time working on this month's memory verse together as a family! Deuteronomy 31:6. Can you think of any ways you have gotten to apply this verse this week?

FRIEND: Courage in Culture

While driving in the car this week, ask your kids if they can think of any ways they might have to show courage in their beliefs as they go back to school soon. Remind them of the story from Daniel 3 this week, and how we can KNOW and trust that God is in control, so we can have courage! Be sure to be praying for your kids in this, as the culture can be very strong.

COUNSELOR: God is in Control

During bedtime this week, discuss how we can know God is in control. Have your kid(s) come up with a list of places in the Bible we can turn to so that we can remember the truth of who God is! Write down the list of verses and stories you all come up with, and post it up on a bathroom mirror or somewhere in the house where you can all see it.

COACH: Act it Out

One day this week, put on a theater performance of this story in Daniel 3! Get out some sheets to make some costumes, and cut up some construction paper to make a giant "fire." At the end of the performance, pray together that you will all be able to have courage to make big and small decisions every day to always obey God. We can trust Him! Even if he doesn't save us like he did these 3 from the fire, He is more than able!

Prayer

Thank God for walking with you through whatever fires you face & for being in control no matter what. Ask Him to give you the courage to stay close to Him even in the face of opposition.

Looking Ahead

Next week is PROMOTION SUNDAY! So be sure to watch those tags when you print them next week. You can ask anyone in a bright yellow Watermark Kids shirt for help next week if you get confused!

Image via Flickr Creative Commons