Our Bible Story this week

Have you ever had a job to do that was almost impossible? Pause for children to respond. Wow! Those sound like difficult jobs. I have a simple and fun job to start us off today. I’m going to give each of you a piece of candy and a piece of string. I’d like you to make a necklace out of these supplies. Distribute string and candies, and help children make necklaces. Make one for yourself, too. Great job! Let me ask you something. Do you really like your necklaces? Pause. I’m glad you like them. I like mine, too. How difficult was it to make these necklaces? Pause. I didn’t think it was that difficult. I have another job for you. Gather children to one side. I’d like you to move from this end to the other end of this area without using any of your muscles. You can’t stand. You can’t walk. You can’t walk like a crab. Now, one at a time, I’d like you to get to the other side. But remember, you can’t move a muscle. Ready? Go! If children try to walk, crawl, or move any limb to get to the other side, remind them that it’s not allowed. Children will begin to understand that this is an impossible task. Why aren’t you getting to the other side? Pause.

You know, something similar happened to a group of people called the Israelites. A king, Pharaoh, gave Israelites jobs to do. They weren’t fun jobs like making necklaces out of string and candy; they were impossible jobs like trying to cross a big area without using their muscles. The Israelites were treated very poorly, but they kept trusting that God would help them. Open your Bible to Isaiah 40:31, and show the page to the children. Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” People, who trust that God will help them, have hope and strength from God. That’s a wonderful promise, isn’t it?

When we feel as if we have something impossible to do, God wants us to trust him. God wants to help us do things that feel impossible. Let’s pray about trusting God to help us. Dear God, thank you for promising that when we trust you, you will help us. Help us be patient and wait for you to give us strength. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Now let’s try that impossible task again. Gather children at one end of the area. When I say “go,” fly like an eagle to the other side. Ready? On your mark, get set, go! Allow children to run from one side to the other. Then have them “soar” back to their seats