Journey Off the Map
Week Overview Day 1: Know Your Guide: Characteristics of Jesus Day 2: Follow Your Guide: Daniel Made Godly Choices Day 3: Trust Your Guide: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego Choose to Trust God Day 4: Stay on Track: Daniel Prays Anyway Day 5: Keep Watching: Jesus is Coming Again
Day 1: Know Your Guide Essential Questions: Who is Jesus? Is He qualified to guide me? How can He be my personal guide? Main Points: Jesus is the Son of God He willingly came to earth to live as a human, yet never sinned He took the punishment for our sin by dying on the cross because He loves us I can ask Him to be my personal guide by admitting I have sin, asking Him to forgive that sin, accepting His free gift of taking my punishment, and giving Him total control of my life letting Him guide me each and every day Jesus made me, so He knows me better than anyone
Day 1:Opener Option #1: In groups of 2 or 3, ask the kids what they already know about Jesus by writing down three things on a stickie note or card (This gives you an idea of their knowledge of Jesus and the accuracy of their information) Option #2: Create one set of cards for each pair of kids. Write the following phrases on them in either a true sentence or make them false. Have each group sort the cards into a true side and a false side (Quickly scan the group to see what misconceptions are present)
Then play the Learn It game, but add the following verses: 1. Jesus is all-powerful. Jeremiah 32:27 "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me? Luke 1:37 "For nothing will be impossible with God. 2. Jesus is all-knowing. Isaiah 40:28 Don t you know anything? Haven t you been listening? GOD doesn t come and go. God lasts. He s Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn t get tired out, doesn t pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. 3. Jesus never sinned. Hebrews 4:15 for we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
4. Jesus is God. John 10:30 I and the Father are one. 5. Jesus knows me better than anyone else because He made me. Psalm 139 Lord, you have examined me and know all about me. You know when I sit down and when I get up. You know my thoughts before I think them. You know where I go and where I lie down. You know everything I do. Lord, even before I say a word, you already know it.
Day 2: Follow the Guide Essential Questions: Should I always obey God? How do I follow God? Main Points: I follow God when I do what the Bible says, not what is popular or what is the easiest Circumstances do not change God s commands God shows me what to do by talking with Him and reading His word God knows the plan for my life.
Verses Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, look to Him and He will direct your path. Isaiah 40:8 The Word of our God stands forever Psalm 119:105 Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path
Day 3: Trust Your Guide (The Fiery Furnace) Essential Questions: Do Christians have problems? Can I trust God to take care of me even when I have problems? Main Points: All Christians encounter problems. God is with us through good and bad.
Options for Day 3 Live It Have the kids list problems that 3 rd and 4 th graders might have. Discuss ways to trust God. Have the kids read some scenarios about kids with problems. Play Concentration let the kids match verses that would help them to trust God in that scenario. Example: Cindy has a big test in science on Friday. She is so worried about failing that she is not sleeping. On Friday, she is sick to her stomach before the test. How can Cindy trust God. Phil. 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Verses John 16:33 In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and don t lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, look to Him and He will direct your path. Psalms 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me. Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble
Day 3: Opener Option: Have students pair up. The first wears a blindfold. The second gives verbal instructions to lead the first one to a point in the room to find a prize (gum). Example: Take 3 steps forward. Turn to your right. Take 5 steps. Reach out and find a baggie. Discuss how it took trust to follow the partners instructions to get to the prize.
Day 4: Stay on Track ( Daniel in the Lions Den) Essential Questions: Does God change when our world or my circumstances change? How can I stay on the path with God? Main Points: God and His Word stay the same I stay on track by daily reading God s Word and talking with God
Verses 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Rejoice always, pray continually Colossians 4:2 Devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Hebrew 13:8 God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 24:13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Day 5: Keep Watching (Jesus shares how the journey ends) Essential Questions: Will Jesus come back to earth? Whom will He take with Him to heaven? How will my journey end? Main Points: My journey will end in Heaven if Jesus is my guide. Jesus is coming back to earth for those who have asked Him to be their guide by asking Him to forgive their sin, accepting His free gift of eternal life, and have been following Him
Verses John 14:1-4 Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going. John 10:28-30 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father s hand.
Lesson Focus Option: Ask the kids to share what they remember about what Chad talked about yesterday. Ask: Is Jesus automatically every person s guide? Discuss that Jesus wants to be a guide for them, but He wants them to ask Him. He won t make them follow. Write down the main points they heard and fill in what they missed. Use the Evangicube to present in another way.