Free Bible lessons for kids · 10 lessons
Bible lessons about courage for kids
The Bible is full of people who were afraid and found courage in God: Joshua, David, Esther, Daniel and the first disciples. Their courage came from knowing that the LORD was with them.
These free Bible lessons for kids all teach courage. Each one comes with an animated story film told word for word from the King James Version, a coloring page, a class sheet, a teacher guide with a 45-minute plan, questions with answers and a game.
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”Joshua 1:9 (KJV)
- Lessons
- 10
- Passages
- Numbers 13:1–14:10, Joshua 1:1–9, Judges 4:1–24, 1 Samuel 17:1–51, 1 Kings 19:1–18, Esther 4:1–5:3, and more
- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Each lesson
- Story film (KJV), coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
- Cost
- Free: no subscription, no cost per child, no sign-up to teach
10 Bible lessons about courage
Twelve Spies
Numbers 13:1–14:10 · story film
God told Moses to send twelve men, one from every tribe, to search the land of Canaan, and after forty days they came back with a cluster of grapes so big that two men carried it on a staff. Ten of the spies were afraid of the walled cities and the giants and said, “We were in our own sight as grasshoppers,” and all the people wept. But Caleb said, “We are well able to overcome it,” and Joshua and Caleb told the people, “The LORD is with us: fear them not.”
Big idea: When God makes a promise, we can trust Him instead of our fears.
Memory verse:
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31 (KJV)Ask: What did the spies bring back from the brook of Eshcol? A branch with one cluster of grapes, carried between two upon a staff, and pomegranates and figs (Numbers 13:23).
Game: Giants and Grasshoppers (about 8 minutes)
Be Strong and of a Good Courage
Joshua 1:1–9 · story film
After Moses died, the LORD spoke to Joshua: “Arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them.” God promised, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee,” and told Joshua to keep the book of the law in his mouth and meditate on it day and night. Three times God told Joshua to be strong and courageous, because the LORD his God would be with him wherever he went (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9).
Big idea: We can be brave, because the LORD our God is with us wherever we go.
Memory verse:
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:9 (KJV)Ask: What did the LORD tell Joshua to do after Moses died? To arise and go over Jordan with all the people, into the land God was giving them (Joshua 1:2).
Game: Be Strong Course (about 12 minutes)
Deborah and Barak
Judges 4:1–24 · 5:1–3 · story film
For twenty years Jabin king of Canaan, with his nine hundred chariots of iron, troubled Israel, and the people cried to the LORD. Deborah, a prophetess who judged Israel under a palm tree, called Barak to lead ten thousand men to mount Tabor, and she went with him. “Is not the LORD gone out before thee?” she said, and the LORD gave Israel the victory, so Deborah and Barak sang praise to Him.
Big idea: The LORD goes before His people, so we can obey Him bravely.
Memory verse:
And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Deuteronomy 31:8 (KJV)Ask: Where did Deborah sit when she judged Israel? Under the palm tree of Deborah, in mount Ephraim (Judges 4:5).
Game: Stuck in the Mud (about 8 minutes)
David and Goliath
1 Samuel 17:1–51 · story film
The Philistine giant Goliath, six cubits and a span tall, defied the armies of Israel for forty days, and Saul and all Israel were greatly afraid. Young David trusted the LORD who had delivered him from the lion and the bear. He chose five smooth stones out of the brook, went out in the name of the LORD, and with one stone from his sling the giant fell upon his face to the earth.
Big idea: The battle is the LORD’s, so we can trust Him when we face giants.
Memory verse:
And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands.
1 Samuel 17:47 (KJV)Ask: How tall was Goliath? Six cubits and a span (1 Samuel 17:4), more than nine feet tall.
Game: The Battle Is the LORD’s (about 10 minutes)
A Still Small Voice
1 Kings 19:1–18 · story film
After the fire fell on Mount Carmel, Queen Jezebel threatened Elijah, and he ran into the wilderness, tired and afraid. God sent an angel with bread and water, then met him at Horeb, the mount of God, not in the wind, the earthquake or the fire, but in a still small voice, and told him that seven thousand in Israel had not bowed to Baal.
Big idea: God cares for us when we are tired and afraid, and we are never alone.
Memory verse:
And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
1 Kings 19:12 (KJV)Ask: What did the angel bring Elijah under the juniper tree? A cake baken on the coals and a cruse of water (1 Kings 19:6).
Game: Listen for the Whisper (about 10 minutes)
Queen Esther
Esther 4:1–5:3 · 7:1–6 · story film
Wicked Haman had the king make a law to destroy all the Jews, so Mordecai cried out and urged Queen Esther to go to the king for her people. Going in uncalled could cost her life, so Esther asked all the Jews in Shushan to fast for her three days and said, “If I perish, I perish.” The king held out the golden sceptre, and at her banquet Esther bravely named Haman as the enemy, and God used her to save her people.
Big idea: God puts us where we are for His purposes, and He gives us courage to do right.
Memory verse:
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Psalm 56:3 (KJV)Ask: What did Mordecai say Esther might have come to the kingdom for? “For such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).
Game: Crown Toss (about 10 minutes)
Jairus’s Daughter
Mark 5:21–43 · Luke 8:40–56 · Matthew 9:18–26 · story film
On the way to heal Jairus’s daughter, a woman touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and was healed. Then word came that the girl had died, but Jesus said, “Be not afraid, only believe,” and raised her up.
Big idea: We can trust Jesus even when it seems too late.
Memory verse:
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
Mark 5:36 (KJV)Ask: Who was Jairus? A ruler of the synagogue.
Game: Touch the Hem (about 8 minutes)
We Cannot But Speak
Acts 4:1–31 · story film
The rulers arrested Peter and John and told them not to speak in Jesus’ name. They answered that they could not stop telling what they had seen and heard, and the church prayed for boldness.
Big idea: We can be brave to tell about Jesus.
Memory verse:
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:12 (KJV)Ask: What did the rulers command Peter and John? Not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
Game: Can’t Stop Telling (about 8 minutes)
Stephen’s Faithful Witness
Acts 6:8–7:60 · story film
Stephen, full of faith and power, spoke boldly about Jesus. He saw Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and as the angry crowd stoned him, he prayed for those who hurt him.
Big idea: God gives courage to stay faithful.
Memory verse:
And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Acts 7:59 (KJV)Ask: What was Stephen full of? Faith and power, and the Holy Ghost.
Game: Stand Firm (about 8 minutes)
Tentmakers in Corinth
Acts 18:1–11 · story film
In Corinth Paul stayed with Aquila and Priscilla and made tents with them. The Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him not to be afraid, because He was with him.
Big idea: God is with us wherever He sends us.
Memory verse:
Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
Acts 18:9 (KJV)Ask: Who did Paul stay with in Corinth? Aquila and Priscilla.
Game: Build a Tent (about 15 minutes)
How to teach courage to kids
- Preschool: Practice the promise “The LORD thy God is with thee” while standing tall and strong together.
- Elementary: Make a list of “giants” that feel scary, then read how David trusted the LORD against Goliath.
- Preteens: Talk about what courage looks like at school or online, and how Peter and John spoke boldly about Jesus (Acts 4).
8 weeks of lessons on courage
| Week 1 | Twelve Spies (Numbers 13:1–14:10). When God makes a promise, we can trust Him instead of our fears. |
|---|---|
| Week 2 | Be Strong and of a Good Courage (Joshua 1:1–9). We can be brave, because the LORD our God is with us wherever we go. |
| Week 3 | Deborah and Barak (Judges 4:1–24). The LORD goes before His people, so we can obey Him bravely. |
| Week 4 | David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1–51). The battle is the LORD’s, so we can trust Him when we face giants. |
| Week 5 | A Still Small Voice (1 Kings 19:1–18). God cares for us when we are tired and afraid, and we are never alone. |
| Week 6 | Queen Esther (Esther 4:1–5:3). God puts us where we are for His purposes, and He gives us courage to do right. |
| Week 7 | Jairus’s Daughter (Mark 5:21–43). We can trust Jesus even when it seems too late. |
| Week 8 | We Cannot But Speak (Acts 4:1–31). We can be brave to tell about Jesus. |
Each week: welcome and pray, show the story film, talk through the questions, learn the memory verse, then color the page or do the class sheet.
Memory verses about courage (KJV)
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:31 · Twelve Spies
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Joshua 1:9 · Be Strong and of a Good Courage
“And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”
Deuteronomy 31:8 · Deborah and Barak
“And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hands.”
1 Samuel 17:47 · David and Goliath
“And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.”
1 Kings 19:12 · A Still Small Voice
“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”
Psalm 56:3 · Queen Esther
“As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.”
Mark 5:36 · Jairus’s Daughter
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12 · We Cannot But Speak
Questions people ask
What does the Bible teach kids about courage?
The Bible is full of people who were afraid and found courage in God: Joshua, David, Esther, Daniel and the first disciples. Their courage came from knowing that the LORD was with them. “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:9, KJV)
Which Bible stories teach courage?
Twelve Spies (Numbers 13:1–14:10), Be Strong and of a Good Courage (Joshua 1:1–9), Deborah and Barak (Judges 4:1–24), David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17:1–51), A Still Small Voice (1 Kings 19:1–18), and 5 more on this page.
How can kids be brave like David?
David’s courage didn’t come from his size; it came from trusting the LORD: “the battle is the LORD’s” (1 Samuel 17:47). Kids can be brave the same way, by remembering that God is with them.
How do I teach courage to preschoolers?
Practice the promise “The LORD thy God is with thee” while standing tall and strong together.
Are these lessons free?
Yes. Every lesson, film, coloring page, class sheet and game is free for churches, families and schools, with no subscription, no cost per child and no sign-up needed to teach.
Which Bible translation is used?
The films and memory verses show the King James Version word for word. In the lessons you can switch the verses to the Berean Standard Bible, the ESV or dozens of other English Bibles, every verse is labelled with its translation, and tapping a verse on the film opens its whole chapter.
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