Kingdom Kids Safari Adventures
Week 2: I Don't Have to Be Afraid

Day 9 · Tuesday with Ian

I don’t have to believe every fearful thought.

Book connection: Fear Not

Scripture

“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.”
Psalm 56:3

Ian and the “What Ifs”

Ian was walking through Safari Forest when he heard rustling in the bushes. “What was that?”

He heard it again. RUSTLE! His mind started racing: What if something is hiding there? What if it jumps out? What if it chases me? What if I run and get lost?

Bleu fluttered down beside him. “Ian, why are you standing way over here?”

Ian pointed. “There's something in there!”

Bleu asked, “How do you know?”

Ian stopped. He had heard a noise, but his mind had created an entire scary story about what the noise might mean.

Ian asked himself, “What is my thought actually saying?” His thought was saying: “Something dangerous is hiding in those bushes.”

Did Ian know that was true? No. He had heard a noise. Everything else had been added by his imagination.

“So I don't need to answer something I don't know with more guessing,” Ian said. “I can stay with what is true.”

He remembered Psalm 56:3 and prayed for help to trust God with what he did not know.

The bushes moved again. Out hopped a tiny bunny. Ian and Bleu laughed.

Ian realized: “Even if it hadn't been a bunny, I still didn't need to let my imagination decide what was true.”

A thought can feel scary without being true.

Let's Grow

Our minds can imagine things that haven't happened. That doesn't mean we ignore real danger; if something truly feels unsafe, tell a trusted grown-up and get help. But sometimes fear takes something we don't know and fills the empty space with the scariest answer. Ask: “Is this something I KNOW—or something I'm imagining?” Then stay with what is true and bring what you do not know to God.

Think About It

Think of a scary “what if.” Ask: “Do I know this is true?” If you don't know, don't let fear automatically fill in the answer. Pray: “I don't know what will happen, but I choose to trust God with what I don't know.”

Prayer

Jesus, sometimes my mind thinks about scary things that haven't even happened. Help me recognize when fear is filling my mind with “what ifs.” Holy Spirit, remind me to stop and ask what is actually true. Help me trust You with the things I don't know and fill my mind with the truth of God's Word. In Jesus' name, amen.

Kingdom Kids Declaration

I receive knowledge. I do not reject it or turn away from it. My heart is open to receive. My mind is ready to be renewed. Holy Spirit, I ask You to help me apply it to my life. Amen.

Now Let's Apply It!

Same story, same truth. Find your level.

  • Little Explorers

    Preschool–Kindergarten

    Have a grown-up give you a silly “what if,” such as “What if there is an elephant hiding inside your shoe?” Check! Sometimes our minds imagine things that aren't happening. Say: “Jesus is with me. I can trust Him.” If something really scares you, always tell a grown-up you trust.

  • Trail Adventurers

    Grades 1–2

    Write one “WHAT IF: ______.” Ask: “Do I KNOW this will happen? YES / NO.” Then write what you actually know. Bring the unknown to God instead of treating the imagined outcome like a fact.

  • Expedition Adventurers

    Grades 3–5

    Write one fearful thought. Ask: Is this a FACT—something I know—or a FEAR/prediction—something I'm imagining might happen? If it is a real problem, choose a wise action. If it is a prediction, do not treat it like a fact. STOP, identify the claim, and stay with what is true.