Courageous Twists and Turns
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
36 Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. When they got there, he told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 Jesus took along Peter and the two brothers, James and John. He was very sad and troubled, 38 and he said to them, “I am so sad that I feel as if I am dying. Stay here and keep awake with me.” 39 Jesus walked on a little way. Then he knelt with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, don't make me suffer by drinking from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want.” 40 He came back and found his disciples sleeping. So he said to Peter, “Can't any of you stay awake with me for just one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you won't be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak.” 42 Again Jesus went to pray and said, “My Father, if there is no other way, and I must suffer, I will still do what you want.” 43 Jesus came back and found them sleeping again. They simply could not keep their eyes open. 44 He left them and prayed the same prayer once more. 45 Finally, Jesus returned to his disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? The time has come for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners. 46 Get up! Let's go. The one who will betray me is already here.”
Matthew 26:36-46
Memory Verse
Deuteronomy 31:6
6 Be brave and strong! Don't be afraid of the nations on the other side of the Jordan. The Lord your God will always be at your side, and he will never abandon you.
Have you ever been to a carnival or amusement park? Sometimes we feel that twisty, nervous feeling in our stomach when waiting in line for a big ride. One day, a boy named Micah and his dad were waiting in line for one of these rides. It was a long wait, and an even longer waterslide, but once they reached the top… Micah froze.
“I’m scared!” Micah said. “I can’t do it!”
That’s when his dad reminded him, “Being brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared. It means you do the scary thing even though you’re scared. Do you still want to try?”
Micah wasn’t sure at first, but then he took another look at the slide and the tube he and his dad would be sharing on the way down. “Okay, I will try!” Micah said.
Did you know that Jesus was brave too? Before he died on the cross, Jesus went to a quiet garden to pray. He knew something really hard and painful was about to happen. He was scared. He even asked God if there was another way. But then he said something really brave: “Not what I want, but what you want.”
Jesus was brave. Even though he was scared, he trusted God and did what was right.
You can be brave too! When you’re nervous about doing something new at school, talking to someone different, or standing up for what’s right (even when it’s hard!), remember this: God is with you. Just like God helped Jesus, he will give you strength too.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for always being with me. Help me to be brave like Jesus, even when I’m scared. Give me the strength to do what is right. Amen.Related Resources
Brian Clark
Brian is the director of development at ASJ, a nonprofit that does justice work in Honduras. Before that, he served as the communications manager for Kids Corner's parent ministry, ReFrame Ministries. He enjoys spending time with his family outdoors, running, and reading.