Kids Learn 7.4

Game

Heads or Tails

You Will Need

Coin

No prep needed for this activity.

Sometimes in life we can wonder about what’s going to happen, but we can’t control everything. That’s like the game we’ll play called Heads or Tails. Here’s how it works. Before I flip the coin, everyone in the room will guess if the coin will land heads up or tails up. If you think it will be heads, then place your hands on your head. If you think tails, then place your hands by your sides. If you guess right, you get to keep playing. If you guess wrong, you’ll have to sit down. Everyone, stand up, and let’s play.

• Repeat flipping the coin until someone wins.

• Play again if time allows.

Great job! You know, this game is a little like life. Sometimes we can guess what will happen. But other times bad things can happen that we never could have guessed. We might get scared or worried about what might happen. Thankfully, we can trust that no matter what happens, God is ready to help us through it all.

Bible Story: Jacob Overcomes Fear

Introduction

Let’s talk about fear. Why do you think some things scare us? → Maybe we don’t understand them, or something hurt us before.

Example: If a dog bit you when you were little, it might be scary to be near one now.

Today’s Bible story is about Jacob, Joseph’s father, who had fears too.

Scripture Reading

Read aloud (Leader only):

Genesis 42:1–4

"When Jacob heard that grain was available in Egypt, he said to his sons, 'Why are you standing around looking at one another? I have heard there is grain in Egypt. Go down there, and buy enough grain to keep us alive. Otherwise we’ll die.' So Joseph’s ten older brothers went down to Egypt to buy grain. But Jacob wouldn’t let Joseph’s younger brother, Benjamin, go with them, for fear some harm might come to him."

Genesis 45:3–9, 16–18

(Joseph tells his brothers who he is and invites them to bring Jacob to Egypt) “I am Joseph!” he said to his brothers. “Is my father still alive?” But his brothers were speechless! ... “God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh... Hurry back to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says... come down to me without delay!’”

Genesis 46:1–5

“So Jacob set out for Egypt with all his possessions. ... God spoke to him in a vision at night and said, ‘Jacob! Jacob!’ ... ‘Don’t be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make your family into a great nation. I will go with you down to Egypt, and I will bring you back again.’”

Kids can mark it in their Bibles to read at home!

Teaching Time

Supplies Needed

Slides 1–3

One heavy object (too heavy for one kid, but movable with a group)

Faith Fact:

God helps me when I am afraid. Let’s say it together! Now shout it!

1. We All Face Different Kinds of Fears

Slide 1

Everyone is afraid of different things. These are called phobias.

Some common ones:

Spiders = Arachnophobia 🕷️

Heights = Acrophobia 🏔️

Peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth = Arachibutyrophobia 😄

Some fears are serious, some are silly. But it’s okay to be afraid.

You are not alone—everyone has fears, and God understands them.

2. We Can Trust God with Our Fears

Slide 2

Object Lesson:

One kid tries to lift a heavy object—too hard!

With help from friends, it's easier to move.

Just like fears—some are too big to handle alone.

Jacob was afraid:

His family was out of food.

He didn’t want to lose Benjamin.

But God helped Jacob, and He can help us too!

Tell others about your fears. Pray about them.

God is strong—He carried Jacob’s fears and will carry yours too.

Philippians 4:6 (NLT) "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."

3. We Can Overcome Fear by Acting in Faith

Slide 3

Think of the heavy object again. What could lift it easily? A crane!

Faith is like a crane—it helps lift and remove fear.

Jacob was scared, but then:

Genesis 46:3 (NLT) “I am God, the God of your father,” the voice said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make your family into a great nation.”

God promised to go with Jacob. Jacob had to act in faith and trust Him.

Faith doesn’t mean fear disappears forever, but it means we trust God more than we fear what’s in front of us.

If fear stops you from having peace, give that fear to God and ask for help from trusted adults.

Closing Reminder

Fears can protect us from danger, but they shouldn't control our lives.

God helps us when we’re afraid.

Just like Jacob, we can trust God and move forward in faith.

Let me know if you'd like a matching handout or slide text!