Summary
Kids explore the picture of God as a shelter / safe place—like a strong house, a fort, or wings over them. They name real situations where they feel scared, worried, or overwhelmed and practice running to God in prayer and trusting His protection.
Verse
A strong, simple anchor:
Motions (for Psalm 46:1):
- Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
- Psalm 91:1 – “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Motions (for Psalm 46:1):
- “Refuge” – wrap arms around yourself like a shield.
- “Strength” – flex arms.
- “Ever-present help” – point down, like “right here.”
Movement – “Storm / Shelter”
One side of the room = “Storm,” the other = “Shelter (God).”
Call out situations:
Kids start in the “Storm” area, act out wind/rain for 3 seconds, then you call, “Run to the shelter!” and they move to the “Shelter” side and wrap up, saying, “God is my refuge.”
Tie-in:
Call out situations:
- “Scary news on TV.”
- “A big test at school.”
- “Parents arguing.”
- “Bad dream at night.”
Kids start in the “Storm” area, act out wind/rain for 3 seconds, then you call, “Run to the shelter!” and they move to the “Shelter” side and wrap up, saying, “God is my refuge.”
Tie-in:
- we can’t always stop storms, but we can always run to God.
Lesson – “What Is a Shelter?”
Concrete picture:
Read the verse slowly (Psalm 46:1 or 91:1) and paraphrase:
Connect to Jesus:
- Briefly talk about shelters: a strong house in a storm, a tent in rain, a parent’s arms in thunder.
- “The Bible says God is like that—He is our refuge, our shelter, our hiding place.”
Read the verse slowly (Psalm 46:1 or 91:1) and paraphrase:
- Refuge = safe place.
- Strength = God helps when we are weak.
- Ever-present help = God doesn’t leave when trouble starts.
Connect to Jesus:
- Remind them that Jesus calmed storms, protected His friends, and promises, “I am with you always.”
- Because Jesus is alive, His protection and presence are real today.
Small Groups – “My Shelter Sheet”
Each child gets a page split into two halves:
You can add the verse at the top: “God is our refuge and strength…”
Encourage them to keep this somewhere safe (bedroom or Bible) as a reminder.
- Left side: “Storms I Face”
- Right side: “God My Shelter”
- On the left, they draw or list 2–3 things that feel stormy (tests, friends fighting, fear, nightmares).
- On the right, leaders help them match each with a short prayer:
- “God, be my shelter when ______.”
- “God, help me remember You are with me when ______.”
You can add the verse at the top: “God is our refuge and strength…”
Encourage them to keep this somewhere safe (bedroom or Bible) as a reminder.
Game – “Rock, Tent, Wings”
Teach three simple pictures the Bible uses for God as a safe place:
Call a storm situation; kids choose a motion:
As you play, connect:
- Rock – strong, doesn’t move.
- Tent / Shelter – covers you.
- Wings – like a bird covering its chicks.
Call a storm situation; kids choose a motion:
- ROCK – squat with fists on the floor.
- TENT – make a roof over their head with arms.
- WINGS – stretch arms wide, curved over.
As you play, connect:
- “In every storm, God is your rock, your tent, your wings—your shelter.”