As we prepare for Thanksgiving this week, one thing I am looking forward to is the food! I love a good Thanksgiving meal; the turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, and don’t forget the pie! But as the hustle and bustle gears up, let us not forget to be grateful for the food God has blessed us with.
If you happen to have a full table set before you, be thankful for God’s provision and open your home to family and friends. If your table is not as full, be thankful, trusting that God will provide. Just as Moses and the Israelites prayed for food and God blessed them with just enough to feed every single one of them.
Here is a snapshot of what we will show the kids this week:
Bible Story Focus: I can thank God for food. (Manna • Exodus 16)
Memory Verse: “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart.” Psalm 111:1, ESV
Key Question: Who can you thank for everything?
Bottom Line: I can thank God for everything.
Bible Story & Worship
Watch the Bible Story Video with your kids so you can recap and discuss it with them in the “Bring Jesus To Their Level” section. Then join your kids in worship as we sing and dance for God.
Bible Story Video – Manna (link)
Worship – Attitude of Gratitude (link)
Worship – Don't be a Turkey (link)
Activities
Next, use the Memory Verse video to practice our monthly verse. This is our last week to practice the memory verse. Be sure to think of a fun reward like a sticker or special snack you can give them next week when they are able to say it all by themselves. The activity sheet and coloring page are fun resources to help reinforce story and/or big idea.
Memory Verse with Hand Motions (link)
Bible Story Activity (link)
Coloring Page (link)
Bring Jesus To Their Level
Finish up your church at home by recapping the story and practicing the memory again. Then say: “Today’s Bible story was about something amazing that God did! Moses and the people didn’t have any food. What was the amazing thing God did about it? (Pause.) You’re right! God gave the people food. Moses and the people thanked God for their food, and you can thank God for your food, too. You can thank God for EVERYTHING.
“The Bible verse we’re learning will help us remember to thank God for everything with our WHOLE heart. It says . . . ‘I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,’ Psalm 111:1. (Practice this verse several times with your kids.)
“Since Moses and the people were thankful for the food God gave them, I think we should make a list of some of our favorite foods. Then when we pray, we can thank God for our food. (Have each family member list something.)
“This list is making me hungry! Let’s use it when we pray. Would anyone like to pray before I pray?” (Give each family member who wants to pray the opportunity to do so.)
Prayer: “Dear God, Thank You for all of the yummy food you give us. Thank You for (read the list your family made). Help us thank You for everything, even the foods that aren’t our favorites, because we can thank You for everything! You are the best, God, and we love You very much. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
As we wrap up, I would like to leave you with one of the kids’ favorite ‘good-bye’ songs:
Let Me See Your Alligator
Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you in the discipleship of your kid(s). My prayers are with you.
“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him”
Psalm 127: 3, NLT
Angela Moody is the Early Years Ministry Lead at Abundant Life.
