The Heart of Courage

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Before you begin...
Find something that is way too heavy for your child to lift... perhaps a big sack of flour or a big chair. Put the item in front of a door in a room other than the one where you are having your devotions, where the child will discover it as you go through the devotion below. Have something they like on the other side of the door (a favorite toy, a treat, whatever...).

Light two candles.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
we need your strong love.
When we know you love us,
we can be strong too.

Read this Bible thought from Isaiah 35:3-6.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
When we feel weak,
God is strong.
Never fear!
God will save!

Then say:
Let's pretend we're going __________
(into that closet, room, outside... through the door that is blocked)
Let your child lead the way. When they get to the door that is blocked, say:
Let's pretend you need to go through that door.
Cheer them on as they try to move the object. Make sure it's big enough that they can't move it.
How can you get through?
They might ask for help right away, if so, that's great, help them get through and continue. If they don't ask for help, encourage them or give them hints that they might ask you to help them. When they get through, say "good job" and let them have the toy or treat that was on the other side.

Go back to the room where you were having devotions, bringing the toy or treat along. Ask:
How did you get through?

You asked for help, didn't you?
It's good to get help!
When we get for help we are stronger than when we do things all alone.

What other times do people need help?
Perhaps mention specific handicaps or illnesses. Then say something like this:
It's good to try our best, but when it's hard, don't forget to ask for help!
You can ask me to help you when you need help. Who else can you ask?
Talk with your child about who they can trust. Then say:
God wants us to ask him for help too. Let's do that now.

Pray this prayer. Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
Dear Jesus,
more than anything,
we need your strong love.
When we know you love us,
we can be strong too.
Add other thoughts and prayers, especially prayers for those who need help.

Read this Bible thought from Isaiah 35:3-6.
Have your child repeat phrase by phrase.
When we feel weak,
God is strong.
Never fear!
God will save!

Put out the candles.