Week 28 – When I Don’t Know What to Do

Summary
Verse
Movement
Lesson
Small Groups
Closer Game

Summary

Kids learn that everyone (even adults) has times they don’t know what to do.
They discover that God invites us to ask Him for wisdom, and He promises to give it generously, especially when choices are hard or confusing.

Verse

James 1:5 - “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all… and it will be given to you.”

Motions:
  • “Lacks wisdom” – shrug shoulders, hands up like “I don’t know.”
  • “Ask God” – praying hands.
  • “Gives generously” – arms wide like giving a big gift.

Emphasize: 
  • God loves to give wisdom when we don’t know what to do.

Movement – “What Would You Do?” Corners

Label four corners with simple responses:
  • “Pray and Ask God”
  • “Ask a Wise Adult”
  • “Just Guess”
  • “Copy Others”

Call out short real-life situations (home/school/friends):
  • “Two friends are fighting and ask you to take sides.”
  • “You’re not sure whether to tell the truth if you might get in trouble.”
  • “A friend wants you to watch something you know isn’t good.”

Kids move to the corner that seems best. Briefly talk through why “Pray and Ask God” and “Ask a Wise Adult” fit James 1:5, and “Just Guess / Copy Others” often don’t.

Lesson – “When You Don’t Know What to Do, Ask”

We all need wisdom:
  • Explain: wisdom is “knowing what God wants us to do, and actually doing it.”
  • Everyone—kids and adults—faces times where we don’t know the right choice.

God loves to give wisdom:
  • Read/paraphrase James 1:5.b

Highlight three truths (kid language):
  • God invites us to come when we’re confused.
  • God gives generously—He’s not annoyed when we ask.
  • God promises to give wisdom; He doesn’t play hide-and-seek with His help.

Connect to trusting God (optional Proverbs 3:5–6 tie‑in)
  • Briefly mention: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart… He will make your paths straight.”
  • When we don’t know what to do, we trust and ask instead of just relying on our own ideas.

Small Groups – “Stop–Pray–Ask Cards”

Give each child a small card with three words:
  • STOP – PRAY – ASK GOD FOR WISDOM (James 1:5)

In groups:
  • Leaders share 2–3 age-appropriate scenarios (friend trouble, honesty test, fear about a decision).

For each, kids practice the three steps out loud:
  • “STOP” – take a breath.
  • “PRAY” – “God, I don’t know what to do.”
  • “ASK” – “Please give me wisdom and show me the right choice.”
  • They decorate the card to keep in a backpack or bedroom.

Game – “Wisdom or Not?”

Call-and-response to sort wise from unwise reactions.

Read short responses to tricky situations:
  • “I don’t know what to do… so I ask God for wisdom first.”
  • “I flip a coin and just hope it works out.”
  • “I copy whatever my friends do, even if I feel weird about it.”
  • “I talk to God and then ask my parents/pastor/leader for advice.”

Kids shout “Wisdom!” or “Not wisdom!”:
  • Use each to point back to James 1:5: wise choices start with asking God.collectedjoys+3
  • End with a brief prayer inviting kids to silently bring one thing they’re unsure about to God, and ask Him for wisdom.