Staying Safe

How to stay safe in the summer holidays; we are all kept safe with God

by The Revd Catherine Williams

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To remind children how to stay safe during the summer holidays, and to explore the idea that we are all kept safe with God.

Preparation and materials

• You will need a number of things that keep children safe, e.g. sun cream, sunglasses, hat, cycle helmet, shin pads, insect repellent, swimming goggles, etc.
• If practical, put these items around the assembly hall in different places.

Assembly

1. Ask for several volunteers, and ask them to look around the hall for things that might keep them safe during the holidays.
   
   
2. When everything has been found, go through each item with the children, asking them in what situation they might use each of these things, e.g. 'How does this keep you safe?'
   
   Move the discussion on to other ways in which the children can stay safe during the holidays. You might mention the following: don't talk to strangers; make sure someone knows where you are if you go out; don't swim in rivers or lakes; don't play on building sites, and in other dangerous places; don't wander off; don't use computer chat-rooms; and so on.
   
   
3. Go on to suggest that the children should ask an adult they know and trust if they are worried or uncertain about anything.
   
   
4. If appropriate, say that in the Bible God has promised to keep all his people safe in his hands for ever (John 10.27-30). Of course, we still need to take great care when we're out and about, and to use all those things we have that keep us safe. But however bad a situation gets, Christians believe that God will be with us and won't let us go (Romans 8.38-39). If we find ourselves in a dangerous or frightening situation we should call for help, and we can pray too that God will be there for us.
   
   
5. Finally, wish all the children a safe and happy holiday.

Time for reflection

Prayer:
Dear God,
We thank you for holiday time,
and especially for friends and fun.
Keep each of us safe, and help us to have a good time.
Amen.

Reflection:
School days are nearly over
Holidays nearly begun
We're at a time of change
We're at a time of moving from one thing to another.
Things to think about:
Keeping safe - let's pause while we think about what we've heard.
Having fun - let's pause to think about the fun times to come,
holidays perhaps, or time to play with friends;
time to be with our families.
What's to come? - let's pause to think about
getting the most out of today in everything we do.

Song/music

'He's got the whole world in his hands' (Come and Praise, 19)