Gratitude-Letting others know you see how they've helped you.
November 2020 • Week 2
Today's Bible story: I Just Want to Celebrate (David Dances) • 2 Samuel 6:12b-22a
Monthly memory verse: "Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good. His faithful love continues forever." Psalm 136:1 NIrV
Memory Verse for 2's - Pre-K: Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good." Psalm 136:1a NIrV
Life Application: Gratitude-Letting others know you see how they've helped you.
Suggested songs: Be Strong In the Lord, How Great is Our God and What a Beautiful Name
Praise & Pray: Sing along with the provided worship videos and pray. Access songs here
What you might pray: "Dear Lord, you deserve our honor and gratitude. Help us to show you gratitude today. In Jesus' name. Amen."
Read God's Word together: 2 Samuel 6:12b-22a (Need a kid-friendly Bible? Check out our suggestions.)
Family Devotional & Discussion
What you do: Watch the complementary video together as a family and discuss today's question.
What you discuss: King David danced to celebrate what God had done in bringing back the Ark of the Covenant. David didn't care that other people might find his actions 'silly'. He knew how important it is to honor God. What are creative ways you can show gratitude?
Bible Story Review
What you need: Bible
What you do: Review the Bible story with the kids using the questions below.
Review Questions: (Refer to 2 Samuel 6:12b-22a for any clarification of answers or to create more questions for review.)
- Why was the ark of the Lord such a big deal? (It carried the 10 Commandments)
- How did David celebrate what God has done? (He danced before God)
- What would you say was important to David? honoring God, showing gratitude for all God had done)
- Why did David's wife get so upset when she saw David dancing? (Michal thought David was embarrassing himself).
- If you could give Michal some advice, what would you tell her?
- What is one thing you want to remember from this story?
Invite someone to read Psalm 30:11-12 If kids are not aware, remind them that David wrote many of the Psalms, including this one. Challenge kids to consider ways they can follow David's example of gratitude and celebration for what God has done in the past and for what He is doing today. - David was so grateful for what God had done that he couldn't keep silent about it. What is something you can celebrate with that kind of excitement?
- If you have a hard time finding something to be grateful for, what do you think needs to change?
- What are some things we can celebrate about God no matter what else is happening in our life?
Pray and bless your family
What you need: No supplies needed
What you do: Call out different ways the kids can celebrate God, leading them to do what you say.
- Name actions based on the energy level of your group. If you need to “wind them down,” choose calmer motions. If you need to “wake them up,” call out active ones.
- Possible actions:
- You can walk and celebrate God. ○ You can tiptoe and celebrate God.
- You can spin in circles and celebrate God. ○ You can jump and celebrate God.
- You can move in slow motion and celebrate God. ○ You can sit and celebrate God.
- You can dance and celebrate God.
- Ask for prayer requests.
- End by saying, “You can pray and celebrate God.” Then use the prayer below as a guide to lead kids in prayer.
What You Might Pray: “Dear God, thank You for all that You have done for us. Thank You for making this wonderful world for us to live in. Thank You for loving us so much that You sent Jesus to be our Savior. Thank You that we can celebrate all the good things You do. Help us take time today, this week, and every day to celebrate what You have done. We love You SO much. You are more amazing and wonderful than words can say. We celebrate You! Pray for prayer requests. Amen.”
Additional Activities
What you need: Provided in Kit: 2 - 3 feet of cut yarn (you will need the yarn again for week 4), scissors, and Bibles
What you do: Set out prepared yarn pieces or set out yarn and scissors.
- Tell kids to cut a piece of yarn about 24 inches long.
- Encourage kids to use the yarn to make a shape or outline of something they are grateful for.
- Challenge the kids to guess what each kid has "drawn."
- Give kids a Bible.
- Look up 1 Thessalonians 5:18 and read it out loud.
What you say: "You came up with a lot to be grateful for! No matter what, you can give thanks to God for the things He gave you to enjoy, for the skills or talents He has given you, and for the people in your life. But most importantly, you can give thanks to God for sending Jesus so you can have a relationship with Him now and forever. He is with you, no matter what you're going through. When you have Jesus in your life, you always have something to be grateful for."
What you need: Provided in Kit: orange construction paper (cut the long way into 6 - 1.5 inch strips; if you want to make the gratitude pumpkin bigger you can add more strips), ¼ sheet of green construction paper, At Home Supplies: marker, glue, scissors, stapler
What you do: Have kids write something they are thankful for on each strip of orange construction paper. Be sure to leave about a 1 inch space on the sides of the strip so the writing isn't covered up when stapled together.
- Use a stapler to attach the orange strips at the top and then at the bottom to form a pumpkin.
- Cut a few strips from the green construction paper to make vines leaving the rest of the green construction paper to make leaves.
- Roll up the green construction paper around a marker or pencil to help curl the vines.
- Attach your leaves and green vines with a stapler.
What you say:
"Life is filled with ups and downs. There are times when things are going well, and times when things are not going well. It's easier to give thanks when everything is going well-when you and your friends are getting along, when you're getting good grades, or when everyone in your family is happy and healthy. It can be hard to remember to be grateful when things aren't so good-when there is drama with your friends, you're struggling at school, or when you are lonely or sad. But God wants you to remember you always have something to be grateful for. No matter what happens around you, no matter what ups and downs you experience, God loves you and He is always with you, through the good times and the tough times."
[Make it Personal] (Share about a time when things weren't going well and what you were grateful for during that time. How did finding something to be grateful for help you get through that hard time?)
