HANG IN THERE

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HANG IN THERE

Hang in There!

Props: Shoestring

Scripture: Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through him who gives me strength.

Does anyone here know how to tie a knot? I brought a shoestring with me today that you can use to tie a knot. Who would like to try?

Let one of the children tie a knot.

Great job. You’re a good knot maker.

Did you know it is important to learn to tie knots? We learn to tie our shoes with a shoestring so our shoes don’t fall off. It’s a special kind of knot that’s easy to untie. That way when you’re ready to go inside, you can untie your shoes and take them off easily. Can anyone here tie their own shoes? 

We use rope for many important things. For example, when I need to put something on top of my car like suitcases or a ladder, I can tie them down with rope. What would happen if I didn’t tie them down?

That's right--they may fall off the car.

I’d like to tell you a rope story. One day three boys, Billy, Tommy, and Joey, went for a long hike in the woods. As they were walking along the edge of a steep cliff,  Tommy slipped and fell over the side of the hill. Joey and Billy thought he was a goner. But then they heard someone yell, “Help!”

They looked over the cliff and saw their friend about fifteen feet below on a ledge.

“What are we going to do?” said Billy. “How can we save Tommy?”

Joey said, “My dad told me that whenever you are in trouble, stop and ask the Lord for help. We can do anything when we ask God, because God will lead us and give us strength.”

“Good Idea,” said Billy. “Let’s pray.”

So they bowed their heads and said, “Lord, help us save our friend.” After they said, “Amen,” Billy remembered seeing an old rope down the trail someone had left behind. Billy ran back to get the rope.

 While Billy was gone, Joey kept talking to Tommy. “Hang in there, Tommy,” he said. “We’re going to get you off that ledge. Don’t worry. Just hang in there.”

 Billy found the rope, a nice long one. When Billy got back, they tied one end to a tree then dropped the other end down to Tommy.

Joey said, “Put the rope around your waist and tie a knot.”

Tommy had practiced tying knots at his scout meetings. He didn’t have any troubles tying a good knot. Slowly but surely, Joey and Billy pulled Tommy up, up, up, until they dragged him over the edge of the cliff.

“We’ve learned two important lessons today,” Joey said.

“We sure did,” said Billy. “Whenever you’re facing a problem, make sure you pray. God gives us strength to do all things God wants us to do.”

“Yeah,” said Tommy. “And the other lesson is make sure you learn to tie a good knot.”

Let us pray: Dear Lord, whenever we are in trouble or are facing a problem, remind us to hang in there and come to you in prayer. We know you will give us the strength and the answers we need. Help us also to learn important skills like tying a knot. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”