The God who Comforts Sunday School Lesson on Isaiah’s Message of God’s Promises
We all know (kids especially) that life can be scary at times. While there are some things that provide temporary comfort for the fears of children, we ultimately know that God is the one who provides us with all hope and assurance. He made us, cares for us, loves us, and holds us in His hand. He calls us by name and promises to be with us through all that we face in life. This lesson reminds us that we can turn to God for peace and comfort no matter what.
The words of God, spoken through the prophet Isaiah, were surely a great source of comfort to the people of his time. They also provide us with peace now, in the midst of whatever fears and frustrations we face in life. We have the assurance that God is faithful, and that we will one day be with Him in Heaven, thanks to the blood of Jesus. We can rejoice that His safe and loving arms surround us, and that He restores all things.
Sunday School Lesson on Isaiah 43 for Children: God’s Promises and He is Our Redeemer
Passage: Isaiah 43:1-7
Target Audience: Kindergarten-6th grade
Materials Needed: Construction paper; glue; markers or crayons; tape; scissors; decorative supplies; yarn/string; lifesavers; streamers; paper plates; blanket or stuffed animal; Bibles.
Lesson Opening: This lesson focuses on the comfort and peace we have in knowing that God walks with us through whatever we face in life, quieting our fears and calling us by name as His beloved children. To get thoughts started, use one of the following activities, or design some of your own.
- What are you afraid of? Look at a list of phobias, and try to match the names of various common (or not-so-common) fears with the items that they fear (for instance, arachnophobia as a fear of spiders). Talk about things that students find frightening, and identify what helps combat some of the worries that they might have when scared.
- Name games: Play memory games involving names (great for students who might still be getting to know one another). Have students take turns saying their names and an item that corresponds with the first letter of their initials and matches a theme of some sort (for instance, “I’m Kristin and I’m bringing a kayak to the camping trip”). For added challenge, have students gradually recite the items of those around them to test memory.
- Pass through waters challenge: For a large group outdoor game, have students form a “human tunnel” and touch hands together as a group. Have students try to pass through the tunnel, one at a time, before the hands drop and the tunnel collapses. If the student gets “caught,” have them trade places with one of the others in the tunnel.
- From all directions: in the passage, God describes bringing people together from all ends of the Earth. Play “Four Corners” with directions, designating each corner of the room as North, South, East, or West. Have students quietly choose a corner as one caller (or teacher) stands in the center of the room. If the direction of the corner is called, everyone in that space sits down, until only one person remains.
Explain that God calls all of us and knows us. This lesson focuses on the love He has for us as His precious creation, and on how we can continue to follow and serve Him in our lives.
Bible Lesson: (Isaiah 43: 1-7) Sunday School Lesson for Kids Explained for Children “We are Precious in the Eyes of the Lord“
Bible Lesson:
Passages of prophecy aren’t always easy to teach younger students, as they don’t lend themselves as easily to acting or crafts. However, they have powerful and meaningful messages for us today, and are important to share even with young audiences. This passage is from the prophet Isaiah, who spoke a lot about the Messiah and inspired God’s people with hope of restoration and faithfulness of the Lord. This is a good passage to read and discuss with students.
But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine. -Isaiah 43:1
This is a special and powerful reminder from God. He is our creator and redeemer. He has made us and purchased us from the bondage of sin and death. Not only does He make us and design every part of who we are, but He redeems us. He has the right of ownership. We are not our own, which is a comforting thing in times of fear or doubt. God is in control. He holds us, guards us, and cares for us. He wouldn’t do all of that without a plan to finish His work in us and look out for our interests! God knows our names and calls us by them.
Ask: What do you do when you feel scared? Does knowing God is close help?
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
Cush and Seba in exchange for you.
4 Because you are precious in my eyes,
and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
peoples in exchange for your life. -Isaiah 43:2-4
The people of Israel had experienced trials, and would again. The verse does not say “if you pass through the waters,” but “when.” God knew the people would have hard times to deal with. He knows we will have hard times to deal with. But we won’t face those things alone. God is with us. Even in the face of fire, we will not be consumed by flames (this reminds us of the story of Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego in the book of Daniel). God will walk with us and protect us because we are precious in His eyes and He loves us. He gives people in exchange for our lives, which reminds us that He gave up His own son to save us. He is our God and wants to be with us and help us through all that we encounter.
Ask: What do you think you would be willing to go through to help someone that you cared about?
Fear not, for I am with you;
I will bring your offspring from the east,
and from the west I will gather you.
6 I will say to the north, Give up,
and to the south, Do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
and my daughters from the end of the earth,
7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.” -Isaiah 43:5-7
This is a particularly encouraging portion of the passage. God promised to gather His people from everywhere, all parts of the Earth. He would do this because of the love He had for His people. This is the same love He has for us, calling us by name and for His glory. He has a specific plan and purpose for us and it will bring His glory. There is nothing we can do that will separate us from God or from the care He has for us. We don’t need to fear because He is with us and promises that He always will be!
Ask: How can you remember that God is with you always?
There are several comforting verses in Isaiah that remind us not to fear, and these are helpful to share with kids and all ages. Of course, this “not fearing” is easier said than done, especially when we do face hardships or uncertainties. But we can rest assured that God is with us always. As this passage emphasizes, God will be with us throughout our lives. He knows us, made us, and has a specific plan and purpose for us. Sometimes it’s hard to believe this when we haven’t seen God physically, but through His word we can learn more about who He is and who He wants us to be.
Close with prayer, thanking God for His promises and faithfulness, and asking Him to help and be with us in times of trouble.
God is Our Redeemer (Isaiah 43:1-7) Sunday School Lesson and Activities
