Delight
WELCOME TO WEEK 2
What makes you excited? What makes you really happy? What makes you scared? What brings you joy? We have a lot of emotions we experience but sometimes joy can be tricky to explain. Emotions or feelings come and go, but is that true for our joy? This week we will see why David was overjoyed and how he outwardly expressed his joy.
BIBLE STORY
How do you show you are happy? We all have different ways of showing happiness or joy. Listen to the following scenarios and show me what you would do to show your happiness or joy.
Your favorite song comes on the radio
Your dad surprises you with an ice cream cone
You get your favorite toy for Christmas
Your friend says you can come over for the afternoon
Your mom asks you to bake cookies with her
You walk into your surprise birthday party
Your sibling shares their candy with you
Your dad tells a really funny joke
Your teacher takes your class on a field trip
Have you ever lost something that was really important and then found it again? How did you feel once it was returned? Did you shout for joy? Do a little dance? Tell your friends and family of your find? After David became king, he brought home something that was very important to his people. God had given the Israelites the Ark of the covenant which contained the law God gave Moses, and God’s presence. David was eager to have it returned to Jerusalem where it belonged, among God’s people. Let’s read to find out what David did when the ark was returned to God’s people.
Read or listen to the Bible verse for this week: 2 Samuel 6:1-5,12-19
How many young men were with David? (30 thousand men)
Where did David go to get the ark? (Obed-Edom)
How did they carry the ark to the city of David? (On a new cart)
What did they do while walking with the ark? (Celebrate with all their might)
What instruments did they use during their celebration? (castanets,[d] harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals)
How many steps did they take before David sacrificed a bull and fattened calf to the Lord? (6 steps)
What did David do while the men and Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord? (Danced before the Lord with all his might)
Where did David place the Ark of the Lord? (In a tent he made for the ark)
After David continued to make sacrificed unto the Lord, what did he do for the people? Blessed them in the name of the Lord Almighty and fed each person a loaf of bread, cake of dates, and cake of raisins)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
After David became king he wanted to the Ark returned to Jerusalem. David wanted the presence of God to be among his people, to guid and protect them. When the ark was returned, David was so happy he began to dance. He was celebrating the victorious return of something so important to their people.
Activity
Joy and happiness sound like they are the same thing, but it can be described differently. Sometimes we have a hard time explaining joy but we know it’s real when we have it. Joy is an internal peace or feeling of contentment, it is not based upon changing circumstances or events. Happiness is an external display emotion we have as a result of something happening to us. Play this version of Slap Jack with Joy and Happiness cards. Place the joy and happiness cards down side by side. As you read the statements, each player slaps the card they think it is (joy or happiness). If they slap the correct card first, they can pick up the card and keep it. The player with the most cards at the end, wins.
Materials: printed cards
Alternate
Knowing what brings you joy can be difficult to express in words. What things do you treasure and hold dear to your heart? Your family? Spending time with God? Remembering all of your blessings? Sitting at the beach and listening to the waves? God gives us things all around that bring us joy and peace. The greatest joy we receive is His love toward us. Listen to this book about joy. Then tell some things you would add to a treasure box that bring you joy.
Materials: Device for viewing book
Independent activity:
David was so filled with joy that he danced before the ark. Have you ever been filled with so much joy and happiness on the inside that you didn’t feel like you could contain it. It felt as though everything inside of you was going to come bursting out? What that happens, what does it make you want to do? Dance? Sing? Shout? Run through the trees? We all express our joyful praise to God in different ways. Singing, making music, dancing, shouting Hallelujah, or reciting scriptures of praise are just a few examples. Create your own praise demonstration. Think about how good God is to you, and then find a special way to demonstrate an outward praise. Create your own poem, song, dance or scripture recital.
Materials: various materials for creative expression: art supplies, books, paper, instruments etc.
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Draw a picture of what you think the scene of David dancing before the ark would look like. Draw David, the ark and the Israelite people as they came into the City of David. On the reverse side of the paper, draw a picture of yourself praising God.
Materials: drawing paper, crayons, color pencils
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
Read 1 Peter 1:8-9 which says that even though we can not see Jesus, we love him. Even though we do not see Jesus now we believe in Him and are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy.We have this joy because of the salvation of our souls. We can have joy because we know that Jesus is with us. We do not need to the ark as the Israelites did, we have the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit is with us wherever we go.
Why did David want to bring the ark to Jerusalem?
What was inside of the ark?
Do you think the Israelites felt God’s presence with them once the ark was returned?
How do we know that God is with us today, without the ark in our presence?
How is knowing God is with us give you peace and joy?
How can you express your joy and gratitude towards God?
Practical Application at Home
We have a lot to be thankful for. God loves us and wants to be in relationship with us. He provides for us and comforts us when we are in need. Our joy should not be dependent on our current situation but knowing that God will not leave us in our time of need can bring us peace and joy. Being happy is a wonderful feeling and emotion but it can fade once the moment is over. Our joy does not come from the gifts we receive but from the blessings we know God has given us. We can share this joy with others and help them see that this unexplainable joy can only come from God. Think of some ways you can share this joy with others this week.
Think of someone you know that could use some joy this week. It could be a friend or family member. Share joy with them this week in whatever creative way you can think of that you know they would enjoy. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Send them a note
Write your favorite scripture to share with them
Pray for them each day at the same time each day for 7 days
Ask them to go on a nature walk with you
Bake cookies or other treat then sit and share them together
Make an acrostic poem using their name and give it to them
Spend time with them doing their favorite things
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.