This is the fourth lesson plan in our series titled, “Toddlers Knowing God.” Each of these studies help children age 18-24 months better understand the character & nature of God. Click here to see the main index for these Bible lessons.
This particular lesson is based on Psalm 28:7; 2 Samuel 22:31. In very simple language, it shows how God can protect from harm.
Bible Passage: Psalm 28:7; 2 Samuel 22:31
Bible Lesson Title: God is My Shield
Target Age Group: Toddlers, age 18-24 months
Original Teaching Context: Toddler Sunday School
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Supplies: Bible, large cardboard shield or plastic shield. See additional activities for other supplies and preparation.
With toddlers, you want to keep your lesson simple. If your class is able, get them to sit together on floor in front of you. Hold up your Bible. SAY: The Bible is God’s Word. The Bible tells us God is our Shield. (Hold up shield in front of you.) SAY: This is a shield. Shields protect us (keep us safe). God is our Shield! He protects us! (Repeat three times.)
The following activities are designed to reinforce the simple Scripture truth, encourage their development, and engage their imaginations and creativity. Choose the ones that will work best for your classroom.
Learning Activities:
Shields and Balloons
SUPPLIES: Various shields made out of cardboard, enough for each of your toddlers to have one, blown-up balloons
SAY: God is our shield. He protects us! We can play a game with shields. We can use the shields to protect us from the balloons! (Have teachers demonstrate.)
DO: Give each child a shield. Throw the balloons toward them and see if they can shield themselves from the balloons. Show them how it’s done! Use expressive language, like “Oh no! Here comes a balloon! Shield yourself before it gets you!”
Paint with Water
SUPPLIES: Paintbrushes, small buckets of water, sidewalk
DO: Take your toddlers outside. Paint with paintbrushes on the sidewalk. Show them how to paint a shield.
SAY: This is a shield. Shields protect us, just like we used them to protect us from the balloons. God is our shield. He protects us!
Sing and Dance
SUPPLIES: CD of songs or sing a cappella .
SAY: Our God is so BIG! He is our shield. He protects us. Let’s sing a song about God!
DO: Sing Our God is So Big and other songs you know or have available about God’s might. Demonstrate the hand motions to the babies from Our God is so Big and dance with them as you sing other songs of your choosing.
Pillow Shields
SUPPLIES: Pillows in various sizes (each toddler needs one).
DO: This activity is meant to help the toddlers learn directions while showing them the meaning of the word “shield.” Pass out a pillow to each child. Stand in front of your toddlers with a pillow. Put your pillow up in the air and say “up!” Put your pillow down on the ground and say “down!” Do this for various commands (over, behind, high, low). Then put your pillow in front of you and say “shield!” Repeat these directional commands over and over until they seem to understand that to shield means to take cover.
SAY: (After you give the last shield command) God is our shield! He covers us, protecting us from danger!
Opposites
SUPPLIES: The shields used in the balloon activity, pillows
DO: Compare the shields. Discuss their opposites. For example, “This shield is hard. This shield is soft. This shield is smaller. This shield is bigger!”
SAY: God is the biggest and strongest shield! He protects us!
Plastic Bowl Fun
SUPPLIES: Clear plastics bowls or containers, toys to keep safe
SAY: God is our shield. He protects us! Can we protect our toys?
DO: Show them how to cover their toys with the plastic bowls to create a shield. Each time you do it, say, “We made a shield! We protected our toy! God is our shield. He protects us!
Pray
Hold hands or bow your heads together (just demonstrate and ask them to do the same. Some may, most may just watch.) Say a short prayer like the following: Dear God, you are our Shield. You will always be here to protect us. We love you! Thank you for loving us. Amen.