Courage Bible Lessons for Kids
Teaching courage to kids is about more than helping them be brave—it’s about showing them how to trust God when they feel afraid, unsure, or challenged. Through Bible-based character education, children can learn that true courage comes from knowing that God is with them, as He was with David, Esther, Daniel, and many others throughout Scripture. There are many meaningful ways to teach courage using hands-on crafts, engaging activities, and ready-to-use printable lesson plans that help children connect biblical truth to everyday situations and grow in faith-filled confidence.
How do you define courage to kids?
Courage is choosing to bravely do what is right, even if you are afraid. Courage does not mean that fear is completely gone. You are allowed to be scared and still show courage. Courage isn’t a feeling; it’s a choice. For example, you might be afraid to tell your mother the truth, but you choose to show courage and tell her. Or you can choose to show courage when you stand up to someone who is being mean to a classmate.
Courage Bible Lessons for Kids
Are you seeking an engaging way to teach children about the character trait of courage? Use the Bible story of David and Goliath to help facilitate the learning. Our scripted lessons, printable crafts, and discussion questions are a great resource to help kids learn about this important character trait.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT COURAGE?
We will face many circumstances in our lives that require courage. As Christians, we are called to live differently from the world around us. This often leads to misunderstanding or judgment because our actions differ from others'. Courage is an important trait because it will help us when we face uncertainty.
There are many verses in the Bible about courage, including some famous (and frequently quoted) verses. Here are a few:
Joshua 1:9 - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. For the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?
2 Timothy 1:7 - For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.
There are also numerous accounts of individuals who demonstrated courage,including:
David, when he faced Goliath.
Esther, when she entered the king’s throneroom without an invitation.
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, when they refused to bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s statue.
Mary, when an angel told her she would give birth to God’s Son.
Peter, when he was thrown into prison.
Jesus, when he died on the cross for our sins.
HOW DO YOU TEACH KIDS ABOUT COURAGE?
Take time to teach children the definition of courage and examine different examples of courage. This could be stories from the Bible in which people were courageous, or it could be modern real-life scenarios. Take time to discuss these stories and scenarios. Then, get really practical and have kids act out scenarios where they need to show courage. Do crafts and activities to help them engage with the topic. Then, before they head home, challenge them to practice courage throughout the week!
Bible Story about courage - david and goliath
Bible stories are an effective means of teaching biblical character traits. Take time to read a story about courage, discuss it, and complete an activity to solidify learning.
The story of David and Goliath, found in 1 Samuel 1:7, is an excellent story to pair with the character trait of courage.
After reading the story, discuss the concept of courage. Kids can compare how the Israelites responded to Goliath and how David responded to Goliath’s challenge. David was just a boy, yet he trusted God more than the grown men in the army.
After reading the story and discussing it, do an activity to reinforce the learning. Have kids do a writing activity where they write or draw pictures about ways God helps them have courage. For a page appropriate for kindergarten and 1st grade, check out Courage Bible Lesson for Little Learners. For a printable journal page, check out Courage Bible Lesson for Older Kids.
For more ideas on teaching the story of David and Goliath to kids, click here.
I Do Not have to be afraid, Foldable Craft.
Crafts need not be complicated to have an impact on children. Even a simple printable and foldable craft can help kids connect with a lesson and remind them that their courage comes from God!
Brainstorm things that God gives them the courage to do. This could include telling the truth, inviting a new friend to play, attending school when they feel nervous, or performing on stage in front of people. Then have the children draw a picture of or write about how God can help them to be brave.
Younger kids will enjoy this simple foldable church craft found in Courage Bible Lesson for Little Learners. There are two pieces to this craft that kids will cut out and glue together so they open like a book. On the front, it reads “I do not have to be afraid because…,” and on the second page, it reads “God is with me!”
For older children, see the Courage Bible Lesson for Older Kids for a foldable craft more appropriate for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-grade children. In this version, kids will write and draw a picture of something they can do. These will be on the outside of the foldable craft. Then, on the inside is a page that reads “...because God gives me courage!”
MORE Crafts and activities to teach about courage
Faith Stones: Have children paint rocks and write phrases such as “Courage,” “Trust,” and “God is always with me” on the rocks. David used stones when he went up against Goliath. These stones can serve as a reminder that God is always with us, too.
Courageous Bible Character Charades: For children who know Bible stories well, play a game of charades with different courageous Bible characters as the items the children have to act out. Notable examples include Esther, Jesus, Paul, Peter, Stephen, David, Daniel, and Ruth.
Courage Bracelets: Make simple bracelets with letter beads and let kids spell out a word like “brave”, “courage”, “trust,” or “faith” to remind them that God is always with them.
WOULD YOU LIKE MORE LESSONS ABOUT building godly character?
This lesson on courage is part of a seven-part Character Education mini-series. Other lessons include contentment, kindness, forgiveness, honesty, perseverance, and self-control.
