Teaching

Let’s say today’s SuperTruth together: "God is always for me.”

In the beginning of the video, do you think that Joy felt like anyone was for her; why or why not? No, it seemed like everyone was against her. She was hiding from everyone and it seemed they all were laughing at her because of the embarrassing video.

Yes, we’ve probably all felt like everyone is against us at some time. Yet we can be encouraged and strengthened to know that God is always for us!

Please stand up if you like to lose.

Yes, that’s what I thought; we all like to win, don’t we?

Let’s pretend we are going to play a basketball game. I will pick Team 1. Choose a mixture of five boys and girls to stand beside you. Hand the basketball to a player.

Now, who would like to be on Team 2? Choose just one girl or boy to stand on the other side.

Okay, here are the two teams. Are you ready to play? The children should object at this point and say the teams aren’t fair.

Ah, you’re right, Team 1 outnumbers Team 2. I doubt Team 2 has much of a chance to win. The odds are definitely not in Team 2’s favor! Have the children sit down.

If time permits after the lesson is over, you may have the class play Uneven Dodge Ball, listed under the Additional Activities for this lesson.

Can you tell me a situation in the Bible story today where the odds were not fair? Elisha was surrounded and outnumbered by the Syrian soldiers who came to capture him.

Imagine walking outside in the morning to wait for the school bus and seeing your house surrounded by an enemy army. Elisha’s servant did not have a very good start to his morning, did he?

No wonder the servant was afraid!

Elisha wasn’t filled with fear. What do you think he was filled with? Faith!

Yes; he didn’t focus on the enemy army and the fact that he was outnumbered by trained professional soldiers. What did Elisha see instead? He saw the hillside filled with horses and chariots of fire from heaven.

Elisha then encouraged his servant. Let’s say our SuperVerse together, 2 Kings 6:16:

“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!”

God opened the servant’s eyes so he could see the heavenly army that outnumbered the Syrian soldiers. No matter how many seem to be against us, there are more on our side than on theirs! With God on our side, we have the victory. As we discussed earlier, we don’t normally see God’s presence and protection with our physical eyes. We see by faith; by believing that God is always with us and for us. Have a volunteer read 2 Corinthians 5:7:

For we live by believing and not by seeing.

Ask for a volunteer who can dribble very well in soccer. Give the child the ball to demonstrate the skill.

Turn to the rest of the class. Let’s say you all are the fans in the bleachers or stands. Let’s hear you cheer on this player. Children cheer.

Good! Now, if you are a player and hear the cheers, how does that feel; what does it do for you? It encourages you to know the fans are there with you and for you.

Yes, it feels really good to know you are not alone. Even when you might be losing or have made some errors, they continue to support you. It makes a big difference; it keeps you energized to play on. That’s great, however, that’s all they can do. They can’t come out on the field and help you, can they? No.

That isn’t the way it is with God. He not only supports and encourages us; He also helps us to be victorious in all the battles and struggles we face. No matter the opposition, God is on our side! Have a volunteer read Philippians 2:13:

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.

The New Testament was originally written in Greek. In this verse, the word “working” in Greek is “energos.” Can you guess what modern word comes from that? Energy.

The word “energy” comes from this word. So the phrase, “God is working in you” means God is not just a spectator in the stands cheering us on. He is inside us and energizing us! He fills us with strength to press on. No matter what you may face, you’re not alone. God is with you, in you, and always for you!

Have a volunteer read Psalm 118:6–7:

⁶ The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? ⁷Yes, the Lord is for me; He will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me.

Elisha looked beyond the people who came to capture him—and he saw triumph! Even though there were many soldiers, they were just people. When God Almighty is for us, we have the victory!

Whenever we are afraid or have a need, God will protect us because He is always for us!

It’s time now for our Discipleship Challenge where we will be challenged to seek more of God!

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Display the model craft that you made. Give each child a Chariot and Cloak Pattern, children’s scissors, crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers, and two brass roundhead paper fasteners. Have children color the chariot, wheels and cloak, then cut out each item. Explain how to attach the wheels using the brass fasteners. Show how to assemble the cloak. Have the children write their names on their craft with a pencil. Assist any children with special needs.

Elisha desired more of God’s Spirit. Why would he want more? To continue to do the mighty works that Elijah did as God’s prophet.

Can you think of some ways we can seek more of God—to know more about His character and nature, His love, His ways, and His will? Through praying, obeying, trusting, reading, worshiping, etc.

How could knowing more about God help us in our daily walk with Him? It can help us know what pleases Him, keep us from doing things that hurt Him; we can imitate His ways and be more like Him so we can bring glory to Him.

Yes, one way we can seek more of God is by praying and spending time in His presence, asking Him to reveal more about Himself to us. We will never be able to learn and understand all there is to know in the world. Yet, we must continue to seek Him as long as we are here! Have children open their cloak to see the Lesson 1 verse.

For the Lesson 1 challenge, you will look up and read Jeremiah 33:3. Then you will discuss the meaning of the verse with your family. As part of this challenge, you will also seek more of God in prayer. Set aside time to specifically ask God to reveal something about Himself to you each day. Next time, I’ll ask you what happened when you did that!