LESSON 11: READ AND RESPOND
THEME: OVERCOMING STRUGGLES AND FEARS – PART 1
VERSE: Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
VOCABULARY: raising, dreamed, worried, feared, pursue, glorifying
STORY: There is a woman. Her name is Eli. Eli is 53 years old. She has a family. She is married and has three kids. She has spent the past 20 years raising her family. Her kids are now grown and away at University. When Eli was younger she dreamed of having her own career, but then she got pregnant young and spent the rest of the time raising her kids. She dreamed of one day being a teacher. But she struggled with the idea of going back to school as an older adult. She worried that she would not be able to do it and that she would not be able to learn. She also worried and feared that people would look at her funny. But the Lord always reminded her that He was with her. The verse that stuck with her during this time was Isaiah 41:10. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” God was showing Eli that no matter what she did, He was there for her. She did not have to worry about what she was doing, as long as it was glorifying God. It did not matter what others thought. Her family was super supportive of her and even though she had many fears she knew she had to pursue her dream. Eli knew that the Lord would be with her and help her through any struggles that she would face as an older learner. After two years of studying, she became a teacher. Eli knew that she would have never made it through those years of studying without the support of her family and her faith in the Lord.
STORY WITH QUESTIONS: There is a woman. (Is there a man or woman?) Her name is Eli. (What is her name?) Eli is 53 years old. (How old is she?) She has a family. (Does she have a family?) She is married and has three kids. (How many kids does she have?) She has spent the past 20 years raising her family. (What has she done the past 20 years?) Her kids are now grown and away at University. (How old are her kids?) When Eli was younger she dreamed of having her own career, but then she got pregnant young and spent the rest of the time raising her kids. (What was Eli’s dream? What did she do for the first part of her life?) She dreamed of one day being a teacher. (What did she want to be?) But she struggled with the idea of going back to school as an older adult. (What did she struggle with?) She worried that she would not be able to do it and that she would not be able to learn. (What did she worry about?) She also worried and feared that people would look at her funny. (How did she think people would view her?) But the Lord always reminded her that He was with her. (What did the Lord always remind her?) The verse that stuck with her during this time was Isaiah 41:10. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” God was showing Eli that no matter what she did, He was there for her. (What does the verse teach her?) She did not have to worry about what she was doing, as long as it was glorifying God. It did not matter what others thought. Her family was super supportive of her and even though she had many fears she knew she had to pursue her dream. (Who was supportive of it?) Eli knew that the Lord would be with her and help her through any struggles that she would face as an older learner. (Who would help Eli?) After two years of studying, she became a teacher. (What did she study?) Eli knew that she would have never made it through those years of studying without the support of her family and her faith in the Lord. (Who was her main support?)
ACTIVITIES:
- Review the vocabulary words. Listen to the Vocabulary File for pronunciation. Look up the meaning of any words you don’t know.
- Listen to Audio 1 as you read through the story.
- Listen to Audio 2 – Story with Questions as you read through the story and answer the questions.
- Discuss the following questions:
- What holds us back from pursuing our dreams?
- Who can encourage us?
- Does the Lord ever give up on us?
- What are some fears that are holding you back?
- End the class with prayer.