Earlier we learned God had asked Moses to do an incredibly hard job.  But, let’s be clear, this was God’s task.  If God wants something accomplished here on earth for His glory, don’t you think He’ll provide everything we need to get the job done?  Yes!!  God will help us complete whatever He asks us to do; it’s His promise in Scripture over and over again.

• Has God ever given you a job to do, that you thought you couldn’t get done? Tell us about it. (Answers will vary; be prepared to share your own experience. )

We can be intimidated by the things God places before us.  It’s so important to understand we are not supposed to do them by ourselves!  God’s plan is to be in control of the entire situation and help us the whole time.  Hearing examples of how God helped others through their hard assignments will help us know and believe He will help us through ours.

• What are some examples in the Bible when God helped someone complete an assignment He had given them? (In addition to others students may mention, be sure they recall: When God told Noah to build an ark and then saved him and his family from the flood; God gave David courage to stand-up to the Philistines and defeated Goliath with one small stone; Daniel stood-up to the king by continuing to pray even though it was against the law and was thrown into the lion’s den, but God kept the mouths of the lions closed and rescued Daniel; Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego refused to bow to a golden statue and were thrown into a fiery furnace.  The Angel of the Lord was in the fire with them and not one was burned.)

Pass out index cards and writing utensils to everyone.  Have students write each of the examples talked about on separate index cards.  They can draw a picture cue to go along with each one on the front of the card (examples: a boat for Noah’s ark, David’s slingshot, a simple lion emoji for Daniel in the lion’s den, etc.)  For added depth, write the references where each of these stories can be found on the whiteboard so students can add them to their cards. (Some references are provided below.  You can use a Bible concordance or Bible app on your smartphone to find references to other examples students may give).

Bible References
Noah – Genesis 6-7
David defeats Goliath – 1 Samuel 17
Daniel in the lion’s den – Daniel 6
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the Fiery furnace – Daniel 3

Encourage your students to read these stories for themselves over the coming weeks, to understand the lengths in which God worked in each circumstance. Challenge them to add their own personal examples to their index cards.  Each time God helps them finish a hard job, they should document it on the card, with a picture cue (examples: a test; witnessing to a friend; standing up for what’s right, etc.)

Allow preteens to punch holes through the upper left hand corner of each card and thread them on a metal binder clip (optional: string may be used if binder clips are not available).

God promises to give us the help we need to complete our God-given assignments. He shows us example after example in the Bible of how He does it.  When you know God has placed something in front of you to complete and you’re feeling nervous or overwhelmed by it, pull out your ring of index cards and read through every single one.  Let God remind you of all the times He has helped the ones He loves (and that includes you!) complete the job He’s given them.  God will help us do what we think we can’t do.  So get to work!

Pray to close.