Big Feelings: Taking Them to God · Lesson 4
Big Feelings: Fear
1 Samuel 21:10-22:1; Psalm 34:1-8; Psalm 56:3-4; Hebrews 2:14-15 Old Testament PrincipleTrust
David had once beaten the giant Goliath. But when King Saul was trying to kill him, David ran to the enemy city of Gath, Goliath's hometown. When people there recognized him, David was very afraid. He pretended to be crazy so they would let him go, and God rescued him. Afterward, David wrote, "I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears." Fear is a big feeling we can take to God. When we're afraid, we can trust Him.
Fear is a big feeling, and even brave people feel it. When we're afraid, we can run to God and trust Him, because He hears us and delivers us from our fears.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.”
Psalm 34:4 BSB
Christ Connection · The gospel
David wrote that God "delivered me from all my fears." Jesus, the Son of David, went further. By His death and resurrection He broke the power of the devil "and freed those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death" (Hebrews 2:14-15). Because of Jesus, we are God's children, not slaves to fear, and we can cry, "Abba, Father!" (Romans 8:15). "Perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4:18).
Hebrews 2:14-15; 1 John 4:18; Romans 8:15; Matthew 28:20
The Big Story · Redemption
God protected David, His chosen king, even when fear made him foolish, pointing to Jesus, the Son of David, who frees us from fear itself.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 50-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: A light in the dark
- Bible Kitchen (taste the story): Taste and see
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Fear to faith
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Preschool (ages 3–5)
When I'm scared, I trust God.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Scared, then brave, Color the brave child
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, with friends
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
David had beaten the giant Goliath. But when King Saul tried to kill him, David ran to the enemy city of Gath. When people there knew who he was, David got very scared. He pretended to be crazy so they would let him go, and God helped him escape. Then David wrote, "I sought the LORD, and He answered me." Fear is a big feeling. When we're afraid, we can trust God.
Start here
Ask, "Do you think brave people ever feel scared?" Let kids answer. Say, "Today's big feeling is fear. Let's see what happened when the giant-killer got scared."
Bible story 6 min
David beat the giant Goliath. Everyone sang songs about him. But King Saul got jealous. He tried to kill David! So David ran away.
A priest gave David a sword. It was Goliath's sword! Then David ran to the city of Gath. Gath was where Goliath used to live.
The king's men saw David. "Isn't this David? They sing songs about him!" Now David was very scared. What would they do to him?
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Scary or safe? 8 min
You’ll need: A flashlight
- Read a scary situation, like "A thunderstorm at night" or "The first day at a new school." Kids crouch down.
- A child holds up the flashlight and says, "When I am afraid, I trust You!" Everyone stands up.
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
3rd – 4th grade
Running from King Saul, David fled to Gath, the Philistine city where Goliath had lived, carrying Goliath's own sword. When the king's servants recognized him, David was terrified and pretended to be insane. God rescued him anyway, and David wrote two psalms about that day, including "I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears." Fear is a big feeling, even for heroes. When we're afraid, we can run to God and trust Him.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Songs from a scary day, Fear and trust card
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, online and on screens, at school
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
The shepherd who faced Goliath with a sling ran into Goliath's hometown carrying Goliath's sword, and when he was recognized, he was so terrified that he faked insanity, drooling into his beard. God rescued him anyway. Then David wrote Psalms 34 and 56 about that very day. "When I am afraid, I put my trust in You." Fear isn't a failure of faith. Courage is trusting God while afraid, and through Jesus we are children, not slaves to fear.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Fear in the Psalms, Fear inventory
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at school, online and on screens, with friends
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Trust
The same principle in other Bible stories.
Thanks Before the Rescue: Paul in the StormActs 27:13-44; Luke 22:19Paul was a prisoner on a ship to Rome when a terrible storm hit. For two weeks the sailors saw no sun or stars, and everyone gave up hope of being saved. But God sent an angel to tell Paul that everyone on board would live. Paul told them, "Take courage, for I believe God that it will happen just as He told me." Before dawn on the fourteenth night, with no land in sight, Paul took bread, gave thanks to God in front of them all, broke it and ate. Everyone was encouraged, and in the end all 276 people reached land safely. We can trust God's promises and thank Him even before the rescue comes.New TestamentTrust
Is the LORD Among Us? Water from the RockExodus 17:1-7; Psalm 78:15-16; 1 Corinthians 10:4God's people traveled through the desert to a place called Rephidim, but there was no water. Instead of asking God for help, they argued with Moses and said, "Is the LORD among us or not?" Moses cried out to God. God told him to take his staff and some of the leaders to a rock at Horeb. God said, "I will stand there before you on the rock." Moses struck the rock, and water gushed out for everyone. God was with His people all along. Paul later said, "That rock was Christ." We can trust God with every need.Old TestamentTrust
Elisha and the Widow’s Oil2 Kings 4:1-7A poor widow came to Elisha for help. Her husband had died, and a man she owed money to was coming to take her two sons away as slaves. All she had left was one small jar of oil. Elisha told her to borrow empty jars from her neighbors, lots of them, and pour. God made the oil keep flowing until every jar was full. She sold the oil, paid what she owed and kept her sons. We can trust God with what we need.Old TestamentTrust
Jairus’s Daughter and the Woman Who Touched JesusMark 5:21-43Jairus begged Jesus to come heal his dying daughter. On the way, a sick woman touched Jesus' cloak and was healed, and Jesus stopped to talk with her. Then news came that the girl had died. Jesus said, "Do not be afraid; just believe." He took her hand, and she got up! We can trust Jesus even when it seems too late.New TestamentTrust
With NatureLook at the Birds: Jesus Teaches About WorryMatthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-32; Matthew 10:29-31Jesus told His followers not to worry. He pointed to the birds, which God feeds, and to the wildflowers, which God dresses more beautifully than a king. Our Father in heaven knows what we need, so we can trust Him and put Him first.New TestamentTrust
Seeing God's WorldThe Big StoryGenesis 1:1, 31; Genesis 3:1-24; Revelation 21:1-5; Romans 11:36The Bible is one true story from beginning to end. God made a good world, sin broke it, Jesus came to rescue us, and one day He will make all things new. Because we know how the story ends, we can trust God in every chapter of our lives.Old TestamentTrust