Surprise
WELCOME TO WEEK 3
Have you ever gotten a surprise you didn’t like? Or had a change of plans that turned out to be better. Unexpected things happen to us all the time, and we have to know how to deal with the change in plans. This week we will see how God’s plans were not what David expected.
BIBLE STORY
Sometimes there are unexpected things that happen to us. We could have an unexpected visitor who surprises us for an afternoon of play and games. We could have unexpected news that our game has been canceled due to bad weather. We are often given unexpected news. Let’s practice hearing unexpected information by playing a guessing game. Listen to the descriptions I’m going to give about these homes and tell me who you think lives there. Use the attached pictures if desired. Read clues first and allow time for your child to guess before showing the picture of the home.
-this home has many rooms and space for several family members; it is about 18 feet wide and 9 feet high. It is made of sticks and hay. Up to 200 family members can live here at once. Who lives here? Weaver birds
-this house is built to last for over 100 years. It is a mud home made of soil and water. It can be over 20 feet tall with one person in charge of it all. Who lives here? Cathedral termites
-this house is naturally insulated to keep the inside warm. It is made of ice bricks that have air pockets. The family members inside provide warmth from their body heat. Who lives here? Hunters or those seeking shelter from the arctic air.
-this water home is made of grass and wood. It is a strong structure with a waterfront view. They are usually located near water and densely treed area. Perfect for fishing and staying away from hunters. Who lives here? Beavers
-These homes are built with wood, bricks and mortar. They have rooms for several family members and stay warm or cool on the inside. Who lives here? Humans
Some of those homes were unexpected! Did you guess who lived at each of those homes? Some of the homes were not like any nest or home we were expecting to see. Sometimes unexpected things happen that are good and sometimes the unexpected is not good. We don’t always receive news that we want to hear and it is disappointing. Other times we may receive unexpected news that is a good surprise that we enjoy. David received unexpected news that may have been disappointing to hear at first, but then he recognized that God had a plan. God’s plans are sometimes unexpected to us, but we can trust that He always has a plan and he wants what is good for us.
Read or listen to the Bible verse for this week: 2 Samuel 7:1-14
Why was David concerned about where the ark of God was located? (Because David was living in a house of cedar while the ark of God was still in a tent)
What was Nathan’s response to David? (That whatever he was thinking to do he should go ahead and do it because the Lord was with him)
Later that night what did the Lord tell Nathan about His dwelling in a tent? (He had not dwelt in a house since he brought his people out of Egypt)
Did God ever ask the other kings to build him a house of cedar? (No)
What did God say He would do for David? (Make his name great, like the names of the greatest men who walked the earth)
What did God say he would do for the Israelite people? (He would provide a place for them to live, plant them in one place so they will not be disturbed, and have rest from their enemies)
What did God say he would do for David’s offspring? (David’s own flesh and blood would succeed him in the throne and God would establish his kingdom forever. He would build a house for the Lord)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
David wanted to build a special home for God to dwell but God said that would not be David’s job. He would have to share this project with his son who would build this temple for God. Although David may have been disappointed he also knew that God was going to take care of his family even after David was gone. God was promising that David’s son would reign after David and that was good news.
Activity
Play this game of charades. Guess the animal that is being acted out. Sometimes our clues were expected and we knew exactly what animal is being described. Sometimes the clues were unexpected and it did not match the animal we thought. Sometimes our teammates did unexpected things, but when God does unexpected things, we can trust He has a plan that is better than what we have planned.
Materials: Printed charade cards
Alternate
Match these unexpected events to the plans each character had. Each one of these people from the Bible thought they knew God’s plans but then their life took an unexpected turn. God still used each one of them to do great things, but it was in an unexpected way. God has plans for each of our lives. God’s plan may be unexpected for us, but for God He is in control.
Materials: Printed activity sheet, pencil
Independent activity:
David was living in a house of cedar and he wanted to build a house for God that was better than a tent. If you were going to build a house what would it look like? Using popsicle sticks or craft sticks, build a stick home. See how big you can make your home, or how many rooms you can create. Alternately: use building block or draw a picture.
Materials: Popsicle or craft sticks, optional alternate: building blocks or paper, pencil
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
Read or listen to Psalm 89:20-37
God promises David He will take care of his family and his family line will be established forever. Jesus is a part of the lineage of Jesus and He is our eternal king. God gave David a name that would last forever. Although God did not answer David’s request to build him a temple, God gave him something even better. He sent the Messiah through his family name. God works in unexpected ways.
What did David want to build for God?
How do you think David felt at first when God told him not to build him a place to dwell?
Have you ever been disappointed by the answer no?
What do you do when you’re been told you can not do something you want to do?
How should we respond when God tells us not to follow our own plan?
What things do you seek God’s wisdom for?
How can we be sure we are living according to God’s plan for us?
Practical Application at Home
Find a medium sized box and balloons or small plastic balls. Write the word God in big letters on the outside of the box. We are going to pretend that this box represents God. On each balloon we will write words or phrases that describe God and then place them in the box. If you are using the plastic balls, use dry erase markers or just say the word or phrase as you throw the ball in without writing. Our box is full of words that describe God. Do you think we missed anything? Are there other words or ways to describe God’s character? Of course there are. We have a limited vocabulary and we could never fully explain who God is. He is not human and can not be fully explained by humans, that’s what makes Him God!
Sometimes we put God into a box. We think we know all the things God can do and expect only those things from Him. When something happens we expect God to only be able to do those things that we put in the box. Who we believe God to be effects our view of Him and our relationship. When God does not work according to the limits of the box, we might believe He has failed or doesn’t care. But that is not true. The God we have created in this box has failed, but not the God of heaven. God does not live within the confines of a box but can do unexpected things. God can do things we have not ever imagined possible. We can look for ways to see how God is working, even when it is not how we expected things to be done.
We are sometimes tempted to believe God only works in big things in our lives but doesn’t care about the small things. This is not true. God cares about our little challenges, concerns and problems. This week, pray for God to help you in small problems and then watch to see how God will answer your prayer. God just might show up in an unexpected way. Use the following recording sheet to write your prayer request and how God answered your prayer.
Materials: cardboard box, blown-up balloons, markers, printed prayer sheet, (balloon alternative: plastic balls , dry erase markers)
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Donate to a local food shelter or toy drive this Christmas season. As a family, volunteer together or pick out toys you think another child your age might enjoy.