Are You Afraid when You're Alone?

"Are You Afraid When You're Alone?" (Shelter in God/The Lost Sheep)

Psalm 91

This series of lesson plans was developed and used in NSW, Australia. Some books and/or songs may not be available in your area. Please adapt these suggestions to suit your resources.

I. Introduction: Talk with the children about times they've been afraid. Have they ever been lost? How did they feel? What happened? Briefly discuss other types of common fears they have.

II. Story: Oliver in the Garden, by Margaret Beames. Discuss how the main character felt during the story. What might it have felt like to be left alone in the dark?

III. Song: "Scratchin' at the Window," by Gary Lupow from "Diddy Bop Dinosaurs" recording. Enjoy acting out this very fun "scary" song with the children.

IV. Song: "The Black Cat," from "Playschool's Oomba Baroomba" recording by ABC Kids Australia.

V. Bible story: The Good Shepherd, by Arch books (Concordia Publishing House.) Compare this parable of the lost sheep to the first story. Explain that even though we may stray away from Jesus, He always welcomes us back and want us to be with Him.

VI. Bible Verse Bracelets:
Print out, on a brightly-colored sheet of paper, today's verse repeated down the page. Cut between each verse so that you have 10-15 strips, each with the verse printed on it. Ask the children to form a line, and using tape to stick the ends together, wrap a "Bible Verse Bracelet" round each little wrist. Some children do not want to wear it; in that case, hand it to them and tell them to use the verse as a bookmark. The children love these, and come to expect them at each session! The verses also find their way home to parents and siblings, and help to spread the news about the storytime topic.

Psalm 91: 9-10 "Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling." Briefly discuss these verses to help the children understand.

VII. Story: Five Little Ducks, by ABC Books and Playschool. (In U.S., try Raffi's Five Little Ducks (Raffi Songs to Read) .)

VIII. Song: "Jesus Loves Me"

IX. Prayer: "Thank you, Jesus, that you always know where we are, and that You are our safe place. Amen."

X. Art: Cat Masks. Make cat faces out of paper plates by gluing triangle ears on the top, cutting out cat eyes, gluing on wire "whiskers" and drawing cat mouths and noses. Attach Popsicle sticks to bottom of plates to use as masks. Offer various media for children to decorate their cat masks with. I.e., glitter, markers, sequins, feathers, etc.