Note to the Teacher

This lesson focuses on God's protection as a refuge in times of trouble, as expressed in Psalm 91. The icebreaker, "Wilderness Challenge," engages students in a creative game where they describe how they would survive in the wilderness with limited resources. In the discussion, students explore the themes of God's refuge, protection, and the promises in Psalm 91, reflecting on what these concepts mean for their lives. The activity, "Shelter from the Storm," invites students to work together to build symbolic shelters representing God's protection, while discussing how faith can provide safety and peace in the face of life's challenges.

Times are based on a fifty-minute lesson period but may be adjusted.

Icebreaker: Wilderness Challenge (10 minutes)

Invite students to form teams of three to four people. Give each team a set of random objects (e.g., a pen, paper, a rubber band, a spoon, a piece of string, etc.). Their task is to use the items to create a "survival kit" that could help them survive in a wilderness setting. five to ten minutes, have the teams present their kits and explain how they would use them to navigate their wilderness journey. Follow up with a discussion on how God's protection in Psalm 91 helps us navigate life's "wildernesses."

Bible Reading (5 minutes)

Read Psalm 91:1-6, 14-16.

Discussion Questions (10 minutes)

What is the promise of protection in Psalm 91:1-6? Do you believe that promise?
How does Psalm 91 describe the relationship between God and those who trust in God?
What do you think “the shadow of the Almighty” means in this psalm? What is this metaphor trying to describe?
Think of a time you felt like you were going through a hard time. How would this psalm help you know what to do and how to process that difficult time?
How do the promises in Psalm 91 relate to the idea of unconditional love?
How would faith look different if God always seemed to answer us when we call on God?

Active Learning Activity: 'Shelter from the Storm' (20 minutes)

Provide students with a variety of materials (e.g., large sheets of paper, cardboard, tape, string, markers, etc.). Ask them to work in small groups to build a "shelter" that represents God's protection from life's storms. This can be as simple as a small tent, fort, or even a creative structure on a piece of paper. After building, have the groups explain how their shelter represents how Psalm 91 describes God as a refuge. Discuss how we can "build" our own shelters of faith in our lives for protection and peace.

Prayer (5 minutes)

Close with prayer or your group’s weekly blessing.

Supplies:

Random objects for a survival kit: a pen, paper, a rubber band, a spoon, a piece of string.
Various supplies for groups to build a shelter: large sheets of paper, cardboard, tape, string, markers.