Use this object lesson on rest to teach kids that they can trust God to give them rest.
Start the object lesson by showing the children a pillow. Explain that we use pillows to rest our heads on when we sleep. If we didn’t have a pillow we would be very uncomfortable, and we wouldn’t sleep well. We would wake up with sore necks and backs. Getting a good night’s sleep is very important for our bodies and minds. When we sleep our bodies heal, and digest our food. Sleep helps us to be energetic the next day, and improves concentration, and memory. Sleep boosts also our immune system, strengthens our hearts, and improves our moods.
Did you know that God also provides comfort and rest, much like this pillow? It’s a different kind of rest – it’s for our souls.
Jesus promises that when we trust Him and come to Him when we have an anxious or exhausted heart HE WILL GIVE US PEACE AND REST.
He wants to carry our burdens and relieve our exhausting yokes of control over our lives.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 ESV
Jesus also wants to refresh our weary hearts, by intentionally renewing our minds with His truths. This means spending time with Jesus by reading our bibles, praying, meditating on our true identity in Christ, and filling our minds with life-giving shows and music.
So lie down and sleep in peace tonight as you TRUST GOD, and when you lay your head on your pillow, remember that our souls can FIND REST IN JESUS.
“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
2 Timothy 1:7 ESV
My Soul Finds Rest – Seeds Family Worship
I like the pillow analogy. I will use it with my kids – thanks for the tip.
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No one has ever told me to feel my anxiety when it comes up. My heavy cardio exercise does nothing to hurt me. So when I have these panic attacks about worrying about my heart, I know it’s irrational. But when you said to actually embrace the symptoms, that made me feel insanely better. It’s a first step for sure.
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This is a great way of explaining to kids about God. Also I have suffer from anxiety and just reading this made me feel better.