The Fear Chapel

Last month I shared with you a fun lesson that I did for our school’s chapel service about sin and our Savior (you can see it HERE).

Well, I got to do another one this month and thought you might like to see it!

Since it is October, I have been talking a lot about fear on the blog and over on my Facebook page.  It’s a month where you might be seeing a lot of spooky things out there and you might have a child who reacts negatively to them!

But even beyond that, most children will struggle with fear at one point or another and I thought it would be helpful to be ready with a helpful visual when they do.

Materials Needed –

• A lit candle
• Piece of paper
• Pen or Marker
• Ziploc bag

Start by pointing out the candle.  Tell your kids that the flame represents them.

Then ask them if they have ever been afraid of anything.  As they tell you their fears, write them down on the piece of paper.

Some fears might include the dark, thunderstorms, bad dreams, loud noises, being separated from mom for a short while, etc.

After you have written the fears on the piece of paper, fold the paper accordion-style and then pinch one end so that it looks like a fan.

Next, take the ‘Fear Fan’ and wave it near the flame.

Ask the children what is happening to the candle (or ‘them’) when their fears blow against them.

The candle gets shaky and wobbly.

Explain that that is what happens to us when we feel afraid.  Our spirits get shaky and wobbly!

So there has to be an answer to our problem with fear.  We don’t want to be wobbly – we want to be strong and courageous!

Next you will pull out the Ziploc bag.  I wrote PRAYER on mine.  Explain to your audience that the plastic bag represents prayer.  The bag is clear because we can’t see prayer, but it is a powerful tool that protects us when we feel afraid.

Then hold the prayer bag in between the candle and the Fear Fan.  Wave the Fear Fan again and observe how the flame is not getting shaky or wobbly anymore.

It is standing tall and firm because of prayer!

After the demonstration, I taught the kids a Bible verse from Philippians 4:6 which reads, “Do not worry about anything, pray about everything.”

Prayer gives us His peace!

A little bit BEFORE I shared this illustration I had the tech people play some thunderstorm sounds and I acted very afraid.  I requested my blankie and teddy and made a big to-do about being so scared.

Talking out loud, I said that I remembered something my mom had taught me.  She always used to say, “When I am afraid, I should pray.”

So then I prayed a simple prayer that went something like, “Dear God, I am feeling a little scared of this storm. But I know that you are a great big God and that you are with me.  Amen.”

By the time I finished praying, the thunderstorm had died down and I got to celebrate with the kids how prayer gave my heart peace.  Then I moved into the above candle demonstration shown above.

It was a lot of fun and a powerful reminder to us all that we have access to the great and wonderful Lord of ALL when we pray.

You can find a very rough script HERE if you need it!

And if you are more of a visual learner, I made a video of the entire presentation HERE that also includes the little tune I used to teach the kids Philippians 4:6.

I hope this helps you!

Joyfully,

Julie 🙂