Title: Day 5- The Journey's End. (Psalms 119:165)

Objective of lesson: To help the Sec 2s' identify how to experience God's peace, as well as make them more conscious of some issues hindering them from living in peace.

Hook: To create a visual reminder of the lesson, using the "light at the end of the tunnel" analogy.

Materials required:

a) Plastic bottles x n*

b) OPAQUE paper x (n*+1)

c) Needle/Pin x 1

d) Roll of scotch tape x 1

e) Markers/Coloring materials

*Where n= number of kids you have

Steps:

1. Using the paper, wrap around the plastic bottle tightly, such that the entire bottle, except for the cap, is covered.

2. Secure the paper around the bottle, with scotch tape.

3. Using a needle/pin, make a SMALL (though large enough to let light through) hole at the end of the bottle.

4. Decorate the bottle (optional)

Link (1): Ask them, "What do you think this represents?", and try to guide them to the whole "light at the end of the tunnel analogy. Then, try linking them to the metaphorical meaning that the "light" = heaven, and the "darkness" in the bottle = life's problems.

Link (2): Once link (1) has been established, move on to linking them to last week's lesson, by asking them to give a quick recap of what they've learnt/remembered from last week (John 16:33). It should go somewhere along the line of "God is for us and with us, and He gives His peace readily to all who earnestly seek Him." - John 14:27

Lesson:

Begin with an opening prayer

From Link (2), since we all know that God is willing to give His peace, and help us through every storm in our lives, WHY do we not experience this peace... all the time? WHY can't we say "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil."-Psalms 23:4a Get them to think, and share one time they have been distressed. (In the event of unresponsiveness, leaders can start sharing themselves)

As we journey through life, (I.e. through the "darkness"), get the kids to read Psalms 23:4b, and lead them to the portion which says "your rod and staff, they comfort me". Ask them what they think it means, but try to lead them to the following breakdown:

Item	Rod	Staff
Symbolism	Discipline	Guidance
What it may mean (can differ from leader to leader)	God uses discipline, to help His people achieve His will, or to help bring people back to Him. Case study: Israel exiled to Babylon. Upon seeing the impotency of the gods of Babylon, the Israelites turned away from their own idols, and back to God - Kings - Nehemiah Case study: Jonah, when he ran away from his purpose. - Jonah 2 Therefore, we should not look upon correction as a "bad" thing, though society advocates freedom without responsibility. We should stand against the crowd, against society, if we are to be called Christian. This, may be a struggle our kids are facing, especially in schools, CCA and in their relationships with others. Help them to see that the scolding's their parents give them (or not), the many stressful situations, etc...many be God's way of correcting something in their life that may not be right! Get them to learn, and start to accept the fact that they still have to listen to authority, that ONE PART OF GETTING GOD'S PEACE, IS BY ACCEPTING, AND RESPONDING CORRECTLY TO HIS DISCIPLINE, THROUGH SUBMISSION. -"For the Father only disciplines those He loves"	After discipline, (that's the significance of the order of the words), after a person is broken enough to be contrite, and submissive to Him, only then can God's peace come into the person's life, because God Himself will come and work in our lives. When we are contrite and stop trying to do everything on our own, we will tend to follow His leading more, and it becomes easier to focus on Him. In that situation, God is our shepherd, and we will be able to experience His peace, when he leads us through the storms in our life. - Proverbs 6:23

So, continue by getting them to reflect on their lives, and then get them to think of times when they have hated discipline (scolding), and ask them if they can link it to a specific time when the lack of acceptance of discipline has led to the problem worsening...

Help them to understand, that discipline is necessary, and that a Christian life is never easy. That one way God helps us to experience His peace is through correction, followed by guidance.

End with a prayer for them, that they may accept God's correction when it comes, and pray over them that when it comes, they may not forget this lesson, and will persevere on, and grow in God...which then will give them the peace we've discussed for the last 4 weeks.

Summary:

God's peace is obtained by growing in Him, which is done through accepting God's discipline and then looking to Him for guidance.

Memory verse:

Romans 8:6

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

---Joshua----