copyright © 2010 by dr. charles f. stanley...now, at the lions’ den, darius had to know: did god...

Copyright © 2010 by Dr. Charles F. Stanley

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—without prior permission from the publisher.

Published by In Touch Ministries, Atlanta, Georgia, 30340

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America.

Table of Contents

Lesson 1: Obey God and let Him take care of the consequences. 5

Lesson 2: We can depend on God’s Word during difficult times. 9

Lesson 3: Every decision we make has consequences that come later. 13

Lesson 4: Pray and God will help you overcome difficult situations. 17

Lesson 5: God will care for our needs when we obey Him. 21

Lesson 6: God helps those who wait for Him. 25

Lesson 7: We are strongest when we pray to God. 29

Lesson 8: Disappointing things happen, but you don’t have to be discouraged. 33

Lesson 9: God always blesses your obedience. 37

Lesson 10: God will always give more than you can give. 41

Lesson 11: God blesses us so that we might bless others. 45

lesson 12: We serve God now because we’re excited about Jesus returning someday. 49

4

IntroductionThe most important things you can pass on to the children in your life are a love for God and a

foundation of trust and obedience to Him. This is the surest way to start them off on the right foot as

they grow into the remarkable people He created them to be. Through a relationship with Jesus Christ,

they not only receive eternal life, they also develop the character that will help them meet whatever

challenges they encounter with faith, integrity, and confidence.

As you know, a life of obedience is the only truly successful one. If you want to positively influence

your children’s lives and teach them to excel in this world, it is absolutely essential that you teach them

principles from the Word of God. Life Principles for Kids helps you to do just that in a way that is fun,

meaningful, and memorable for both you and your children. You have an amazing opportunity to shape

your children’s paths in a way that honors God and plants then firmly on the road to success. So teach

them God’s Word and enjoy the adventure!

5

Obey Without Question

Life Principle: Obey God and let Him take care of the consequences.

“Are you going to build a lake for your boat too?” someone sneered and laughed

at Noah.

But it didn’t matter. Noah remembered what God said about His sadness at the

evil in the world and His plan to destroy every living thing by flood. Because Noah

alone loved God, the Lord instructed him to build an ark and save his family and the

animals.

So, Noah and his family obeyed God without question—building the boat,

gathering food, and loading the animals. It seemed crazy to others, but they obeyed

God and let Him take care of everything.

Noah entered the boat as the first raindrops fell. It rained for forty days and nights

and everything on earth was destroyed. Finally, the rain stopped and the ark rested

on a mountain.

Noah released a dove three times. First, it returned because there was no land. The

second time, it came back with a branch; the water was almost gone! Finally, the

dove did not return—it had found a home.

God opened the ark and everyone spilled out onto dry ground. Under a beautiful

rainbow—God’s sign that He would never flood the earth again—the animals

scattered and Noah and his family thanked the Lord for saving their lives.

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ACROSS

1. God’s sign that He would never destroy the world with water again.

5. These were loaded onto the boat along with the people.

6. How many in a pair?

7. It rained for forty ______ and nights.

DOWN

2. The type of boat God wanted built.

3. Who built the boat?

4. To cover the earth with water.

Solution on the next page

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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Life Application Questions

Whose opinion matters most: God’s or others? Why?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Why should you obey God without question?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

How can you obey God today?

__________________________________________________________________

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crossword Solution

From the Lions’ Den

Life Principle: We can depend on God’s Word during difficult times.

King Darius rushed to the lions’ den at dawn.

“Daniel!” he cried, “Has the God you worship saved you from the lions?”

The king didn’t know when he had worried so much about one of his servants. But

Daniel was different. Although he was a captured Israelite, he had faithfully served

the Babylonian kings for years. He was so trustworthy that Darius wanted Daniel to

supervise his entire kingdom.

However, days earlier, the king’s other leaders had him make a law saying that

people must pray only to him, or they would be thrown to the lions. When these

jealous men dragged Daniel before him, Darius realized that they had tricked him into

punishing Daniel. They knew that Daniel would continue to pray to God everyday,

no matter what the law said, because he believed and depended on God’s promises.

Unfortunately, the king had to follow the law, so Daniel was thrown to the lions.

Now, at the lions’ den, Darius had to know: did God save Daniel?

A strong voice answered, “My God closed the lions’ mouths. I am not hurt.”

Joyfully, the king released Daniel and announced that everyone in the kingdom

would worship the Lord, for God saved Daniel and proved that His Word is dependable

in difficult times.

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LIONS’ den mazeGod has just saved Daniel from the lions’ den. Now it’s up to you to help him find his way out.


➡➡


What problems are you facing now?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

How can God’s Word help you overcome them?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Read 2 Peter 2:9. How does this promise encourage you to obey God?

__________________________________________________________________

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maze Solution

12

A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way

Life Principle: Every decision we make has consequences that come later.

Surprisingly, Ruth wasn’t sad to leave her homeland of Moab. Maybe it was

because her mother-in-law Naomi needed her so much, since her husband and sons,

including Ruth’s husband, died. Ruth actually insisted on going to Bethlehem to care

for Naomi and worship the Lord with her.

But life in Bethlehem wasn’t easy for two poor widows. To get food, Ruth spent

hours in the hot sun every day gathering the grain that fell behind the harvesters in

a nearby field. This impressed the owner of the field, Boaz, Naomi’s rich family

member. Boaz heard that Ruth had unselfishly left her home to care for Naomi, so

he ordered his servants to be kind to Ruth and give her extra grain, food, and water.

When Naomi learned of Boaz’s kindness, she told Ruth that he would make a

good husband. She instructed Ruth to meet with Boaz and ask him to care for them.

Soon after, Ruth and Boaz married and began a family.

Because Ruth was kind to Naomi, others were kind to her and the Lord greatly

blessed her with wealth, security, and family. She learned that every decision, good

or bad, has consequences that come later—or in this case, that come happily ever after.

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FIND THESE WORDS (They can be across, up, down, diagonal, or even backwards.)

BOAZ

FAITH

HOPE

NAOMI

REAP

RUTH

SOW


word search


Have you made a bad decision that resulted in bad consequences?

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Are the consequences of your decisions ever bigger than you expect?

__________________________________________________________________

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Who or what can help you make good decisions?

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Word Search Solution

16

But Now I See

Life Principle: Pray and God will help you overcome difficult situations.

“Master, what can we do?” Elisha’s servant asked him anxiously, as the two men

stared at the army surrounding them.

Clearly, the king of Aram launched this surprise attack. He was at war with Israel

and angry that Elisha warned the king of Israel about his battle plans. There was no

doubt that this force was sent to capture Elisha for interfering.

But Elisha wasn’t worried. “Don’t be afraid,” he said, “the army that fights for us

is greater than the one against us.”

The servant looked at Elisha as though he were crazy. There were no Israelite

soldiers around. Seeing the young man’s disbelief, Elisha prayed, “Lord, open my

servant’s eyes, and let him see.”

So, God opened the eyes of the servant and revealed the Lord’s army: horses and

chariots of fire all around!

The Arameans attacked, but Elisha prayed that the Lord would blind and confuse

them. Again, God answered his prayer and allowed Elisha to lead the enemy into a

trap.

The captured army was released, but never invaded Israel again. They, like Elisha’s

servant, learned that it’s best to be on the Lord’s side, because when a person prays,

God will help him overcome difficult situations.

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ACROSS

1. God’s prophet who saw the heavenly army.

4. Who sent the angels?

5. God’s chosen people

6. Elisha prayed that God would blind and _______ the enemy.

DOWN

2. Heavenly beings sent by God.

3. The angels rode in _________ of fire!


CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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What is the first thing you do when faced with a problem?

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Read Proverbs 2:6-8. Why can you trust the Lord in difficult situations?

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Read 1 Thessalonians 5:17. When should you pray to God?

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crossword Solution

20

A Passing Grade

Life Principle: God will care for our needs when we obey Him.

“Have you seen Job?” the Lord asked Satan one day. “No one is like him. He

honors Me and stays away from evil.”

Satan agreed, “You’ve greatly blessed him. He’s a rich man. But if You took it all

away, Job would curse You.”

The Lord said, “Then test Job. You may take everything, but you must not

kill him.”

So, Satan destroyed Job’s life. His animals and servants were taken, his children

were killed, and painful sores covered his entire body.

Job was miserable. He obeyed God and was innocent of sin, yet he lost everything.

Job didn’t know why, but he knew that God was still loving, fair, and in control.

Others insisted that God was punishing his sin or told him to curse God, but Job

knew he was innocent and never sinned by blaming the Lord.

“The Lord gave these things to me, and the Lord can take them away,” Job said.

“Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Still, Job pleaded for God to explain why all this was happening.

Finally, the Lord revealed that He controls everything and allows things to happen

for His purposes. God praised Job for continuing to obey Him during difficult times.

Then He cared for Job’s needs and blessed him with more than he had before!

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secret messageUse the code key on the left to decipher the secret message.



What are some things that God has given you?

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Everything you have belongs to whom?

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Read Matthew 6:31-33. What should you seek first?

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secret message Solution

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GOD WILL

CARE FOR

OUR NEEDS

WHEN WE

OBEY HIM.

A Worthwhile Wait

Life Principle: God helps those who wait for Him.

Joseph entered the room and saw his brothers for the first time in years. They came

to Egypt to buy grain during the famine. They didn’t recognize him, since he looked

Egyptian, but Joseph finally revealed his identity.

The brothers were shocked. Could this wealthy and powerful governor of Egypt,

second only to Pharaoh, really be their brother Joseph? Was this the same boy they

had hated, trapped, and then sold into slavery? What would their father say when he

learned that Joseph hadn’t died from an animal attack, as they had told him? Most

importantly, how would Joseph treat them now? They had terribly mistreated their

brother and now he had the power to get revenge.

But Joseph was loving and forgiving. He welcomed his brothers and relieved their

fears by explaining that God used their evil actions toward him for good. Joseph had

continued to love and serve God, even when he was a slave and falsely imprisoned.

So, the Lord gave him wisdom to interpret dreams and led Pharaoh to promote Joseph

to the highest position in the land.

Because Joseph waited on the Lord—honoring and obeying Him always—God

gave him power and wealth, allowing him to help others during the famine and

reunite with his family.

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word search


Read Psalm 27:14. How can you apply this verse today?

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Have you ever waited on God? What happened?

__________________________________________________________________

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Read Romans 8:28. How does this encourage you to wait on the Lord?

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word search Solution

28

Not by Sword Nor Spear

Life Principle: We are strongest when we pray to God.

“Five smooth stones. That should do it,” David thought, placing the rocks in

his shepherd’s bag and grabbing his sling.

While walking to the valley separating Israel’s army and the Philistines, David

didn’t consider how he went from delivering food to his brothers on the front lines

to joining the army himself. He did wonder, however, why he was the only Israelite

who dared to face Goliath. Even the bravest soldiers ran when the nine-foot giant

taunted them.

But David wasn’t afraid. With God’s help, he had killed wild animals to save

his sheep. The Lord would give him strength today also.

Goliath cursed when he saw David. He was just a kid!

David didn’t hesitate. “I come to you in the name of the LORD, whom you

have spoken against. He does not need swords or spears to save people. The battle

belongs to Him and He will hand you over to us!”

Goliath started to attack, but David let a stone fly from his sling. The stone hit

Goliath’s forehead and the giant fell dead.

Defeated, the Philistines ran and the Israelites fearlessly chased them. They

now knew that David was right: true strength doesn’t come from swords or spears,

but by calling on the name of the Lord!

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ACROSS

2. David fought him.

4. David’s weapon

DOWN

1. Extremely tall; large

3. Where David hit Goliath with the stone

4. David’s job was to look after his father’s ________.


CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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What things do people usually think make them strong?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

How does prayer make you spiritually strong? What about physically?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

What problems do you need to pray about today?

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crossword Solution

32

Don’t Worry, Have Faith

Life Principle: Disappointing things happen, but you don’t have to be discouraged.

Rhoda was discouraged. She was just a servant girl, but she knew Peter was in

trouble. The king had killed James, another apostle, for preaching about Jesus and

now he wanted to punish Peter, too. Many people came to pray for Peter that night,

but Rhoda knew it was hopeless. He would never again visit and tell them wonderful

stories about the Lord.

Someone knocked on the door and Rhoda asked who was there. A voice replied

and she gasped—it was Peter!

She immediately ran to the people and told them that Peter was there. At first, they

didn’t believe her. If Peter had come, then where was he?

Embarrassed, Rhoda ran back to the door. In her excitement, she had forgotten to

let Peter in the house!

Everyone was overjoyed to see Peter and wanted to know about his escape. He

explained that an angel released his chains and led him past the guards and through

the prison gate without anyone knowing! Afterwards, he came to tell them that he

was free.

The people praised God for answering their prayers. Rhoda also praised the Lord,

for she had learned an important lesson: disappointing things happen, but she should

pray about them and not become discouraged.

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PETER’s Prison mazeHelp guide Peter safely out of the prison.


➡

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When were you last disappointed and why?

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__________________________________________________________________

Did you get discouraged? Why or why not?

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Read Philippians 4:6-7. What should you do so you won’t become discouraged?

__________________________________________________________________

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MAZE Solution

36

Something Smells Fishy

Life Principle: God always blesses your obedience.

Peter suddenly jerked awake. He must have fallen asleep in the boat. Running his

hand across his face, he frowned. He smelled fishy. Peter thought that was a little

unusual because he had given up working as a fisherman to spend the last three years

as a disciple of Jesus.

“Friends,” someone called from the shore, “did you catch any fish?”

“Then again, maybe it’s strange to smell anything from the Sea of Galilee, since

we fished all night, but caught nothing,” Peter thought. But he answered aloud, “No.”

The man instructed, “Then throw your net on the right side of the boat, and you

will find some.”

A strange request, but it couldn’t hurt to obey.

Peter and his companions threw their net over the right side, and then stared in

amazement: the net was full of fish!

“It’s the Lord!” John exclaimed.

Peter was fully awake now! Of course, it must be Jesus! Peter immediately jumped

into the water. Approaching the beach, he saw that Jesus was already frying some

fish.

“Bring some of the fish you just caught,” Jesus said.

Peter moved to help with the overflowing net and smiled. It was just like the Lord

to bless their obedience and then make breakfast for some hungry, fishy-smelling

friends!

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FRIEND

JESUS

NETS

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SHORE


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Read John 15:14. How can you be a friend of Jesus?

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Read Ephesians 6:1-3. Why is obedience to parents/teachers also obedience to God?

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What blessings have you received because of your obedience?

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40

Soul Food

Life Principle: God will always give more than you can give.

His stomach rumbled loudly, but no one noticed. The boy was, after all, only one

of more than 5,000 people on the hillside listening to Jesus that day. And he probably

wasn’t the only one starving, although it seemed he was the only one with food.

The boy opened his lunch as a hungry little girl crept close. He couldn’t enjoy his

food while she watched. Maybe he could share! But he couldn’t feed everyone.

Suddenly, a man called to him. It was one of Jesus’ disciples.

The man brought him before Jesus: “Here’s a boy with five loaves of bread and

two small fish, but that’s not enough for all these people.”

The boy stood in awe. Jesus was interested in his lunch? He gave Jesus the food

and waited.

“Tell the people to sit down,” Jesus said. Breaking the bread, He thanked God and

began to distribute it. Everyone got enough and there were still twelve basketfuls

left over!

The boy marveled that Jesus multiplied his lunch to feed those whom he

couldn’t. He gave his food to the Lord, but the Lord gave the boy, and 5,000

others, that and so much more—He fed their bodies and spirits with the Word

of God.

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ACROSS

2. The boy brought two small _______ to eat.

4. After all the people had eaten, there was still enough food left over to fill twelve of these.

5. The boy had also brought five of these with him.

DOWN

1. Christ performed many amazing feats called ________.

3. He fed the five thousand.


CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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What is God asking you to give to Him or others?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

What are some gifts that God has given you?

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Read Malachi 3:10. What does God promise?

__________________________________________________________________

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crossword Solution

44

The Story of Many

Life Principle: God blesses us so that we might bless others.

“Mama, tell me the story of Moses,” the little boy pleaded, climbing into his

mother’s lap.

“Again? All right,” she replied, as her husband fed the fire against the desert cold.

“Not too long ago, the Egyptians thought there were too many of us Israelite slaves

and began killing all the baby boys. One family hid their baby for three months. As

he grew bigger, and his cries grew louder, they couldn’t hide him anymore. So, his

mother made a special basket and placed him inside. She left the basket among some

reeds in the Nile River, and his sister stayed to watch over him.”

“Then God sent the Pharaoh’s daughter to find him and save his life!” the boy

exclaimed.

“Yes. The princess raised Moses in the palace as her son, and when he grew up,

God called him to lead us—God’s chosen people—out of Egypt.”

The little boy yawned, then smiled as his mother held him close. After crossing

the Red Sea that day, it was no wonder her son was exhausted.

“I like Moses’ story, Mama.”

“So do I,” she replied, meeting her husband’s eyes across the fire. “But it’s not just

Moses’ story. You see, God saved Moses so that Moses could save us. And that, my

son, makes it our story, too.”

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MOSES’ NILE mazeMoses has been put in a basket on the Nile River. Help him

float his way to the Pharaoh’s daughter.


➡

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Has someone blessed you? How?

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__________________________________________________________________

How has God blessed you?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

How can you serve God and others with those blessings?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

MAZE Solution

48

Be Like Paul

Life Principle: We serve God now because we’re excited about Jesus returning someday.

Paul stood in chains before the Roman leaders. Arrested for sharing about Jesus,

he was ready to answer their charges.

“I used to be a Jewish leader,” Paul began confidently, “but on my way to Damascus

to arrest some Christians, Jesus appeared to me on the road. He said that my actions

hurt him. He wanted me to become a Christian and serve Him by telling others that

He is God’s Son, who died for the sins of all people and came back to life. If any

person accepts Jesus as his Savior, then his sins will be forgiven and he will live in

heaven forever after he dies.”

The Romans listened carefully to Paul as he continued. “I obeyed the Lord and

now travel and tell people about Him.”

“So, you want me to become a Christian?” one leader asked Paul.

Paul replied, “I pray that every person will accept Jesus and be like me—except

for these chains I have.”

The leaders believed that Paul was innocent, but didn’t free him. Instead, he went

to Rome to live under house arrest for many years. During this time, Paul wrote and

encouraged Christians to be like him—serving Jesus faithfully because someday

He’ll return.

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word search


Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior? If so, when and why?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Read Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus commanded every Christian to do what?

__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

How can you serve God faithfully?

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MAZE Solution

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copyright © 2010 by dr. charles f. stanley...now, at the lions’ den, darius had to know: did god...

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