Through simple songs and activities, kids in your church nursery will hear about how God saved Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the fiery furnace. Although nursery kids are too young to grasp the concept of these men being brave with God’s help, we can begin to make conversation about God a natural part of their lives. When kids know God as a fundamental part of their lives from their early childhood, they’ll be more ready to rely on God to be brave when the time comes.

Bible Background for Leaders

Under threat of death, three men named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were willing to trust and be brave with God’s help. If God saved them, great! But even if he didn’t, they were willing to die before they’d worship Nebuchadnezzar’s idol.

Jesus can relate to the challenges we face as we stand up for God because he has experienced them—and much more. Are you facing a situation in which you’re challenged to stand strong for God? Do you feel ready for the challenge? Rely on him. Pray that he’ll give you the strength to keep standing even when everyone around you bows to the pressure. God will help us, protect us, and reward us.

Sing and Celebrate

Sing “We Will Stand Up” to the tune of “99 Bottles of Pop” anytime during the lesson. As you sing, gently rock a baby in your arms to the rhythm.

We will stand up with God;

We will stand up tall.

We will not worship anything else;

We will stand up tall with God.

…

We will stand up with God.

No king, we will not bow.

Whatever you say, whatever you do,

We will stand up tall with God.

 …

We will stand up with God;

We will stand up tall.

We will not worship anything else;

We will stand up tall with God.

Afterward, say: Be brave with God.

Explore How Daniel’s Friends Were Brave for God

You’ll Need:

• bowl of warm water
• rocks

Lead the Activity

Set a baby on your lap.

Say: A bad king wanted Daniel’s friends to pray to him instead of to God. Daniel’s friends said, “No way!” The king wanted to hurt the men by putting them in a hot place.

Pull a rock out of the water, test it to make sure it’s not hot, and touch the baby’s hand with it.

Say: This is warm. Daniel’s friends would have been hurt if they got too warm. God sent an angel to keep Daniel’s friends safe. God was with Daniel’s friends and helped them be brave. Since God is with us, we can be brave with God, too.

Weaving Faith Into Life

You’ll Need:

• blanket

Lead the Activity

Place a soft blanket on the floor, and place a baby on the blanket.

Say: The blanket feels good and warm. God keeps us safe and warm. God stands up for us, so we can be brave with God.

Conclude With a Tune

Set a baby in front of you. Say this rhyme, and help the baby do the motions.

A king told Daniel’s friends to do wrong—(gently wave baby’s hand back and forth)

“Pray to this statue when you hear my song.” (make praying hands)

Daniel’s friends said “No! (wave baby’s hand back and forth)

We will not bow; (sit the baby on his or her bottom)

We’ll stand with God. He will show us how.” (stand the baby up)

Say: We can be brave with God.

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This lesson is adapted from Group’s FaithWeaver NOW curriculum, which offers Sunday school curriculum for all ages (infants–adults).

Looking for more nursery Bible lessons? Check out these articles. Or, if you want another great resource to teach kids about Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, check out the book, Daniel & His Friends from your friends at Group!