Knuckle Crusher

Lesson:

Matthew 21:22

Materials You Need:

A glove with felt letters "F-A-I-T-H" glued onto the knuckles, and an empty cold-drink can labelled "FEAR" with a marker pen.

Effect:

A glove labelled "FAITH" is to show how we overcome fear by punching a can labelled "FEAR" and crushing it in Jesus' name!

Age Group:

Grades 1 - 5 (7 to 11 years).

Theme:

We overcome fear by having faith in Jesus and by using His Name to get the victory.

Here's another Cool Lesson to share with your Friends

Perhaps you are afraid of the dark or going to strange places. Children are often afraid when their parents argue and fight. They are afraid that their mother and father may get divorced and that it will be their fault. Many kids are afraid of failing at school. It's not wrong to feel afraid, but it is wrong to let it make you doubt God's love and care for you.

Even the disciples became afraid when they were with Jesus on a boat crossing to the other side of the sea of Galilee. Jesus was tired from teaching, and fell asleep on a cushion at the back of the boat. Later a fierce gale of wind sprang up and the waves became bigger and bigger. They started to break over the bow and began to swamp the boat. The disciples started to panic as they could see themselves drowning in the depths of the sea.

Well, the disciples shook Jesus awake and cried to Him, "Master, don't You care that we are perishing?" That seemed to be a reasonable question. After all the boat was nearly full of water and Peter was no doubt climbing up the mast to try and stay dry! What did Jesus do?

The Master Calms the Storm:

He got up and calmly rebuked the wind and sea, saying: "Peace, be still". And to the amazement of the disciples, the wind died away and it became perfectly calm! What would you have done? Well, Peter probably slid down the mast and shouted, "Hey Master, how did you do that?"

However, the other disciples were speechless when Jesus said to them, "Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?" Although they were safe and sound, they became even more afraid and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"

Missing the Point:

But they seemed to have missed the point. Jesus had taught them to believe and have faith. He said that if they did not doubt, they could say to this mountain, "Go, throw yourself into the sea," and it would be done. Jesus told us that if we believe, we will receive whatever we ask for in prayer.

Using Our Faith:

Today I want to show you faith in action. I have an empty cold drink can which is labelled "FEAR" ( Display the cold-drink can ). Most of us become afraid at sometime in our lives. Often it is when we have to deal with things we do not understand or know.

I'm going to put on this glove which has the word "FAITH" on the knuckles. In Jesus' name I am not going to be afraid, so "FEAR" have a knuckle cracker!" ( Punch the side of the can and crush it ). Look, "FEAR" is no more as I have crushed it in Jesus' name and I'm no longer afraid!

You can do the same in your life by having faith in Jesus. Say a prayer to Jesus next time you feel afraid, and ask Him to take away your fear. Ask Him to give you peace in your heart that God is in control of the situation! In Matthew 21:22 Jesus said:

"If you believe .... You will receive whatever you ask for in prayer"

Remember, Jesus rebuked the storm, and then there was a great calm!

God bless.