Thankful
WELCOME TO WEEK 4
What are some things you are thankful for? What are some ways you show your parents, teachers and friends you are thankful for the things they do or give to you? How do we show God we are thankful for the things He gives us. We can’t give God a present or a surprise, so what can we give to God in return? This week we will see what happens when we are thankful for the blessings we receive.
BIBLE STORY
Use this website to find out all the ways to say thank you inn other languages. Practice saying thank you in as many languages as you can.
It’s fun to see how people around the world speak. Did you already know some other ways to say thank you in another language? When we are thankful for the things we have been given we know that it is polite to say thank you. But we can show that weee are thankful with more than just our words, but also with our actions. This week we will see how grateful Solomon for all of the blessings God gave him. He wanted to return a blessing to God by building a temple for God that was beyond just a building. Solomon wanted a structure that showed how Glorious, mighty, and wonderful God was. Although a building will never be as great as our God, Solomon wanted to give his best. Let’s see what Solomon did to build this temple for God.
Read or listen to the scripture I Kings 6:11-14; 8:22-30
What promisee did God make to David that he would keep with Solomon? (Solomon to build the temple)
What did Solomon need to do in order for God to fulfill His promise to David? (Follow my decrees, observe my law. Keep my commandments and obey them,
Where did God say He would live? (among the Israelites and not abandon then)
Did Solomon believe God kept His promise? (Yes)
What did Solomon compare the temple he built with? (The high heaven)
What did Solomon say could not contain God? (The heavens nor the temple he built)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Activity
Solomon built a temple for God because He was grateful for all of the things God blessed him with. Solomon did not just put up any old structure and call it God’s temple, but he used the finest materials in Israel to build the temple. Solomon believed God deserved the best so he filled the temple with the best. Go on a temple hunt. Print and cut the following pictures and place around the room for your child to find. Look for dwelling places and keep searching until you find a place you think Solomon built for God. Although the temple was a nice place to worship, God does not need a temple to dwell in for us to worship him.
Materials: printed images cut out, scissors
Alternate
When we go to church we use that time to praise God for the things He’s done for us. Think of some ways God blessed you and your family this week that you are thankful for. Make a list of God’s blessings and then write a note of thankfulness.
Materials: sheet of paper, pencil
Independent activity:
Write a prayer of thankfulness under each picture to express gratitude for the things God gives.
Materials: printed activity sheet, pencil/pen, crayons or coloring pencils
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
What did Solomon previously ask God for?
How did Solomon’s wisdom provide him with great wealth?
Who could Solomon have given the credit to for all of his success?
Who do we give credit to for our success at school or on the field?
Is there any success we have that was not given to use by God?
How can new show God we are thankful for all of his blessings?
Since we can not go tot he store and buy God Thank-You flowers, what can we give Him?
What can you personally give to God that He gave you first?
How does this make you a steward of your life?
Practical Application at Home
When we are thankful it is hard to imagine life without God. We would rather lose what seems like a good thing that is only temporary for a lasting relationship with God. What would you rather do than be without God? That can sometimes be a scary thought until we remember the God we serve. What can we fear when God is for us? Listen to the following statements and decide which you would rather have. Then come up with a few “would you rather’ statements of your own.
Would you rather…”
Live in heaven with Jesus for a short time, OR on earth for eternity?
Pray to God for an audible answer OR talk on the phone with a friend for an whenever you want?
Feel God’s presence during difficult time OR live a day with no problems without God?
Receive the riches and blessings God has for you OR be rich on earth?
Eat Manna God sends down specifically for you to eat OR eat at a fancy restaurant?
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Enjoy the cool weather and take a nature walk. Observe the things God created and how they work together in His plan. What part do each of us play in God’s plan for us?