Introduction
This song is taken from the hit movie, Trolls. The ever-optimistic Princess Poppy sets out to save her fellow trolls, determined that nothing will knock her down, and she will always “get back up again”! This session explores what it means for us to be resilient, not in our own strength but because of Jesus.
The session
Begin the session with a particularly tricky obstacle course, perhaps organised as a team relay; award a prize to the winners. Talk about what happened in the race: the trickiest obstacle, the number of times they had to get back up again, their determination to finish the race, no matter how hard etc. Invite the children to comment on their own experiences.
Explain that life is sometimes described as being like a race, or a journey with obstacles along the way. There are always things that are hard to get over or knock us down. The question is what do we do about it?
Track: Get back up again
Introduce the song and check that the children know the film and the part of the story that this song comes from. You may prefer to show this song as a film clip, as it better demonstrates Poppy’s eternal optimism, no matter what she faces. Discuss these questions as a group:
- Why do you think Poppy is always ready to get back up again, no matter what?
- Are you more like Poppy, or Branch (a more negative character in the film)? An optimist or a pessimist?
- What sorts of things knock us back?
Distribute Bibles and together, look at 2 Corinthians 4, using an age-appropriate translation, such as the CEV or GNB. Explain any aspects that are more difficult to understand, welcoming questions from the children as you do so. Draw attention to verses eight and nine and talk about what it means to be “badly hurt at times, but not destroyed” (GNB). Explain that Poppy’s optimistic attitude appears foolish, bouncing back no matter what, but for us, we have a real and concrete reason to know we can face any difficulty, as described in this passage; we are not relying on our own strength, but on Jesus who can do all things!
Ask one of your leaders to share a time when they have been knocked down, but not destroyed, being under pressure because of their faith, as described in the passage, rather than simply going through a rough time. Welcome questions from the children.
As you draw the session to a close, pray together for the challenges you all face, that you will have resilience in Christ to get back up again.
