Teacher Script
Introduction
Hello children of God! Today we’re going to play a trading game to learn about an important message from the Bible. Imagine I gave you some things: chia seeds, a weight, a toothbrush, and candy pumpkins. These are all okay things, but maybe you would rather have something different. For example, instead of the weight, you might prefer a baseball glove. Or, instead of the chia seeds, you might prefer candy pumpkins (even though not everyone likes them). The point is, we often prefer good things over not-so-good things.
Trading for Something Better
This is similar to what God offers us. God allows us to trade in our hardships and sorrows for something much better from Him. The Bible, in Philippians 4:6, tells us not to worry or be anxious about anything. Instead, it says to pray and tell God about everything that is making you feel upset or worried. God wants to take away our worries and anxieties and replace them with His peace. This peace is a wonderful feeling that assures us everything will be alright.
Prayer and Replacing Worries
So, how do we trade in our worries for God’s peace? We can pray! Prayer is talking to God and telling Him what’s on our minds. Whenever you’re feeling worried or anxious, you can pray and ask God to replace those feelings with peace. For instance, if you’re worried about bad dreams at night, pray and ask God to replace those worries with thoughts about all the good things in your life.
God wants us to focus on good things, things that are pure, true, and excellent. When our minds are filled with good thoughts about God, His peace will be with us.
Conclusion
Let’s end with a prayer together. Dear God, thank you for Your peace. Help us to come to You whenever we’re troubled and to thank You for Your blessings and love. Amen.
May God’s peace guard your hearts and minds as well. Now go out and make disciples! Have a great week, and we’ll see you next time!
Lesson Outline
Introduction
- Begin with a fun activity: Play a “trading game” where students exchange preferred items for less desirable ones.
- Relate the game to the concept of wanting better things.
Trading for God’s Peace
- Introduce the Bible verse Philippians 4:6 (without mentioning the verse number).
- Explain that God offers to replace our worries and anxieties with something much better: His peace.
- Highlight the difference between God’s peace and mere calmness.
The Power of Prayer
- Explain how prayer allows us to “trade in” our worries.
- Define prayer as talking to God and sharing our feelings with Him.
- Provide examples of how prayer can address specific worries (e.g., bad dreams).
Focus on the Good
- Emphasize the importance of focusing on good things: things pure, true, and excellent.
- Explain how focusing on God’s goodness leads to His peace within us.
Conclusion
- Lead the class in a prayer together, thanking God for His peace and seeking His help in replacing worries with gratitude.
- Conclude with a blessing and encouragement to share the lesson with others.
Youth Ministry Lesson on Philippians 4:1-9: Discovering Unshakeable Peace – Youth Group Ministry