Leader Guide

Leader Introduction

Today’s Bible story reinforces and expands on Lessons 1-3 about Daniel and his friends who showed self-control to obey God’s Law. In this lesson we learn how Daniel continued his pattern of prayer even when doing so meant being thrown into a den of lions.

In the next video, Gizmo suddenly blurts out words that hurt Gear’s feelings. Was this a glitch in his circuits or did he really feel this way? Children learn the importance of self-control—to resist temptation and do what you know is right, especially with our words.

*Scripture is quoted from the New Living Translation unless noted.

Optional Opening Game

This game will help us to practice self-control with our body and our voices. It is played like the game called “Simon Says.” Our game is called “Daniel Says.”

You will only do the action or make the sound if you hear “Daniel Says” first. If Daniel doesn’t say to do it, then use self-control and stay very still! Are you ready?

Have the children stand. Give each direction below, beginning some by saying “Daniel Says” and others without saying it, to see if the children are really listening!

If a child doesn’t follow the directions, do not have them “sit out” for the rest of the game.

Choose as many directions, in any order, as time allows.

[Daniel says:]

Jump up and down

Brush your teeth

Comb your hair

Put your hands behind your back

Blink your eyes two times

Shout your name

Bark like a puppy

Knock on a door

Shout “AMEN!”

Oink like a pig

Twirl around two times

Stretch as high as you can

Pat your head

Make a happy face

Make an angry face

Swim in the pool

Yawn really big

Fold your hands to pray

Climb a ladder

Stick out your tongue and say ahh

Touch both ears

Roar like a lion

Hop on one foot

Hop on two feet

Clap your hands

Blow a kiss

Stand on the tips of your toes

Tweet like a bird

Hiss like a snake

Pat your tummy

Moo like a cow

Wave goodbye

You may choose to play two different ways:

● Daniel stands at the head of the class and gives directions.

● Daniel stands in the circle of children to give directions. This is a good choice for a small room.

Conclusion: I liked how you listened and showed self-control in this fun game.

Now, Daniel says cheer and clap for each other!

Object to GO!

Open your mouth, stick out your tongue just enough to point to it, then close your mouth.

Next, lead a discussion with the comments and questions below:

● What did I point to in my mouth? Your tongue.

● At a doctor’s visit, were you asked to stick your tongue out and say ah? Children respond.

● Optional: have children stick out their tongues and say ahh.

Tongues are important. They help us to taste our food, to swallow, and to speak.

● Unfortunately, our tongues can also be used to hurt people by saying unkind words. Sticking out your tongue at someone is being mean, and is not using self-control!

● In the video, words are spoken that hurt someone’s feelings.

● Whose feelings do you think are hurt by someone’s words, Widget, Miss Tina, Rig, Gears or Super-Gizmo? Children respond.

● Let’s watch the video to see who guessed correctly and why it is important to control your tongue or words.

Leave the question unanswered until it after the video.

There’s an old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” Do you think that’s true? Children answer.

Has someone ever said something to hurt your feeling?

Words can’t really hurt you on the outside, but they can definitely hurt you on the inside. We should be careful with our own words not to hurt the feelings of other people.

In this video, one of the robots says something that hurts another’s feelings. Let’s see how this happens.

Play Video (Gear's Big Idea)

Gear's Big Idea

● Do you know which two robots were holding the popcorn containers? Gears and Rig.

● What happened when Gears tried to throw popcorn into his mouth? It hit his goggles.

● Was Gears using self-control to hold his tongue during the movie? No, he kept talking while everyone was trying to listen and watch the movie.

● Point to your tongue or hold up the Object to Go! Tongue Image What happened when Gizmo lost self-control and didn’t control his words or tongue? He became angry and said words that hurt Gears’ feelings.

● Who guessed Gears was the one who had his feelings hurt? Children respond.

● How did Gizmo feel after he said hurtful words? He felt bad, he was sorry, he was surprised he said what he did.

● What could Gizmo have done better to show self-control and not hurt Gear’s feelings? He could have asked Gears to wait until the movie was over to tell him his idea. He could have asked him nicely to please stop talking.

● What did Rig have that the other bots did not have? Hint: it is in your mouth. A tongue.

● What did Miss Tina say your words show? What is in your heart.

● How did Gears show self-control? He didn’t stay angry or hurt and told Gizmo it was okay.

● What did Miss Tina say controlling your tongue means? Controlling your words or what you say, being careful what you say.

Conclusion: God is pleased when we use self-control to think before we act or speak, especially when it could be hurtful to others. Using self-control is always the right choice so we can show God’s love and kindness to others.

Video Lesson

Play Video (Bible Story)

Bible Story

Now, let’s watch a video about Daniel and his friends and see if Daniel stopped praying to God when it was against the law!

Teaching Time

Daniel and his friends were taken as prisoners from their home country and forced to live in Babylon. The king of Babylon ordered Daniel and his three friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to eat food from his table. The four men refused to eat the king’s food because it would break God’s Law. It took self-control to resist temptation and do what they knew was right.

God rewarded them for obeying His Law. Daniel and his friends were healthier, and the king found that they were ten times smarter than all of the other servants and even the king’s wise men!

The King of Babylon loved Daniel and wanted him to rule over his kingdom! This made the king’s officials jealous. What does it mean to be jealous? You are unhappy or angry with someone because you want something they have or can do.

The king’s officials did not use self-control! They were jealous and watched Daniel closely. Hold both hands to your eyes and form binoculars with your fingers. Look up, down, and side to side.

They watched, and watched, and watched some more. Each day they tried to catch him breaking a rule. But they could not find even one thing that Daniel did wrong! Daniel obeyed God, and God helped him use self-control and do right in every situation. The king’s officials became even more angry and jealous. Make an angry face.

The evil king’s officials had another idea. Point to side of your head.

They knew every day Daniel opened the windows in his room and prayed to God. Let’s count how many times Daniel prayed together. Hold up one finger and count together as you say the numbers. Not just one time, not even two times, Daniel prayed three times each day to God!

The king’s officials tricked the king to sign a law that said people could only pray to the king of Babylon. Anyone caught breaking this law would be thrown into a den of lions! Can you roar like a lion? Children roar.

Daniel heard about the new law. Do you think he stopped praying? Children answer.

No, he kept praying! Do you think he prayed in secret where no one could see him? Children answer.

Daniel trusted God to protect him, and he prayed at his open window! He resisted the temptation to be angry and say unkind things to the king’s officials or the king. Instead, he used self-control and prayed.

The king’s officials saw Daniel praying. They ran to the king and told him how Daniel broke the new law. Run in place.

The king was sorry that he had been tricked by his officials, but there was nothing he could do to save Daniel from the lions’ den.

The king’s guards pushed the large, heavy stone to open the lion’s den. With both hands, slowly push forward while making a serious, strained face.

Daniel could hear the lions. Place the lion puppet on your hand and open the mouth as you roar.

Open and close the puppet’s mouth as the children they roar with you.

Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den and the heavy stone was pushed over the lion’s den to close it again. Push away the stone again.

The next morning the king ran to the lions’ den. He hoped that Daniel was safe! Run in place.

The stone was pushed away to open the lion’s lions’ den. Push away stone again.

Hold up the lion puppet with the mouth closed as you speak. This time no lion’s roar was heard.

The king shouted, “Daniel, was God able to save you from the lions?”

Daniel shouted, “My God sent His angel to shut the lion’s mouths so that they would not hurt me!”

The king was full of joy that God was able to protect Daniel. Smile big, jump up and down.

The king made a new law that said everyone in his kingdom must honor and worship God!

Conclusion: God sent an angel to control and shut the lions’ mouths. God probably will not open or shut our mouths. We must choose to use self-control to know what to speak and when to speak. Even in a very dangerous time, Daniel used self-control to do what he knew was right. God sent an angel to save Daniel. God sent Jesus to rescue and save us from our sins. He is the only one who can do that! He was with Daniel in the lions’ den, and He is always with you too.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to save us. Please fill us with Your Holy Spirit to help us use self-control in all we say and do, so we can show Your love to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Verse to GO!

Nahum 1:7 (CEV)

Today’s Bible memory verse is Nahum 1:7. Say the Bible verse slowly.

The Lord … protects those who trust him in times of trouble.

When we go through a hard time, should we get upset and worry and doubt? Or should we use self control to pray and trust God?

Pray and trust God.

Let’s learn the Bible verse with some actions.

Stand facing the children and lead them in repeating phrases and imitating the motions.

The Lord protects … Hold your arms across your chest.

Those who trust Him in times of trouble. Hold both hands up.

Repeat slowly with motions several times.

Remember, if you are facing a problem or a hard situation, don’t get angry or upset. Use your self control to pray, and to remember our verse! Let’s say it one more time!

Note: Preschool children may not be able to memorize the entire verse and may simply repeat it with you. Be sure children understand what a spiritual gift is, and that God gives these gifts to help others.

Prayer Time

Close the lesson in a simple prayer.

For example: Dear Heavenly Father, help us to use self-control so we will be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Music Time

Music Time

The lyrics and chords for this song are found in Resources.

Create your own motions or use the suggested motions as seen in the Quantum Karaoke “Self-Control” under Resources, or under “Extras! in the DVD main menu.

Play the video song “Self-Control.”

Encourage children to sing the words and do the following motions during the chorus:

Self-control… point to self with one thumb.

Self-control… point to self with the other thumb. With index finger.

Mind Your head… point to head with index finger.

Your heart… place hands over heart.

Your hands… hold both hands in front, palms out.

Self-control… point to self with both thumbs.

Note: this song is fun and challenging because it speeds up.

Self Control

Take Home Coloring Page

As children color, review today’s lesson using the discussion points below:

● Where is Daniel? In the lions’ den.

● Why was Daniel in the lions’ den Daniel prayed to God even when it was dangerous.

● How many times each day did Daniel pray? Three times.

● Why did Daniel keep praying even when he knew he would in trouble? He trusted God.

● Was Daniel hurt by the lions? No, Daniel chose to do what was right. God protected him and sent an angel to shut the lions’ mouths.

Game

Play the Optional Opening Game “Daniel Says” at the beginning of this lesson.

Play the game “Better Choices!” from Lesson 1. 

Play the game “Stay Balanced” from Lesson 2 

Play the game “Stop, Slow, Go!” from Lesson 3