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
Have you ever had something you really liked and then had to give it away or share it with someone else? Sometimes sharing is hard to do. We like the things we have and we don’t always want to let it go. Let’s practice sharing with each other.
Find 2 favorite toys to give to your child. Do not give a toy to child number 2 (if there is not another child, the adult will need to play this role). Give Child 1 time to play with the toys while singing the following song. After a few minutes have Child 1 share one of their toys with child 2 so that they both have a toy to play with.
I have two toys and I am glad
You have no toys and that’s too bad
I’ll share my toys ‘cus I love you
And that’s what Jesus wants me to do
You can also do this sharing activity along with this video and song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tqw7W_V3C48
Sharing can sometimes be difficult but God wants us to share with others. This week we are reading about something special David wanted to do for God, but God did not want him to do it. David wanted to build a special house for God and his people to worship in. God told David it was not him that would build this house but his son. Although I’m sure David was disappointed he would not get to do this special thing for God, but his son would get to share in this project instead. This may have been unexpected news for David, but He knew God was in control and would take care of his family.
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
I’m going to show you several pictures and I want you to tell me what type of house this person or thing lives in. Show the following items and have your child call out the type of house this person or thing would use. David lived in a house of cedar and he wanted God to dwell in a house better than a tent. But God had a different plan. God wanted Davids offspring to build his house and a name for himself. God planned for David’s offspring to continue to rule in Israel. Although God’s plan was unexpected for David, he knew God was going to take care of his family. We can trust that although God’s plans may sometimes be unexpected, they are the best for us.
Materials: Device to view pictures of items and animals
Alternate
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: Craft sticks optional alternate: building blocks or paper, pencil
Independent activity:
Complete the following activity sheet. Match the animal habitats with the animal that belongs there. Animals make homes based upon their needs and habitat.
Materials: printed activity sheet, pencil
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
What did David want to build for God?
What was God’s answer to David building a temple?
Who did God say would build the temple instead?
In what ways was God’s plan better than David’s?
What plans have you made for this upcoming week?
What are some plans you have to think and do something for someone else this week?
How does God speak to you and ask you to care for others?
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.