Think about all the people in your community. The people that help do the things we can’t do or don’t want to do. Sure we may pay some of them, but what if there was no one there to do that job. What’s easy for one person is extremely difficult for someone else. That’s how God made us, to work together.
So let’s take this time as we get closer to Thanksgiving to think about all the people that help us day-to-day. The ones that do things we don’t want to do or can’t do, the ones that care for us or encourage us, and the ones that protect and save us.
Nehemiah had a huge job to do and he couldn’t do it on his own. He had people that built, that advised, and protected. Our focus for our kids will be how everyone came together to build the wall and how Nehemiah was thankful for each of them. Let’s show our kids how to love God and love people starting with being thankful for all those people that help us.
Here’s a snapshot of what we’ll show the kids this week:
Bible Story Focus: I can thank God for people who help me. (Nehemiah Builds a Wall • Nehemiah 1–6)
Memory Verse: “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good.” Psalm 107:1, NIV
Key Question: Who is good?
Bottom Line: God’s is good.
Bible Story & Worship
Watch this video with your kids so you can recap and discuss it with them. Most of us think of singing as the way we worship God. But remember, whatever you do, if you do it for God, is a form of worship. Help show your kids this concept as you sing and dance with them for our amazing God.
Bible Story Video – Nehemiah
Worship – Don't Be a Turkey
Worship – Special
Worship – Brand New Day
Worship – Thank You God
Activities
Next, use the Memory Verse video to practice the verse with your kids. The hand motions help them to remember. We will practice this same verse all month long so be thinking of a special prize you can give at the end of the month when they say it all by themselves. The activity sheet and coloring page are fun resources to help reinforce what they’ve learned.
Memory Verse with Hand Motions
Bible Story Activity
Coloring Page
Bring Jesus To Their Level
Finish up your church at home by recapping the story and practicing the memory verse again. God gave Nehemiah people to help with building the wall. Having people to help us is another gift from God. Make a list with your family of people that help us. This could be a very long list. Doctors, teachers, grocery clerks, librarians, friends, coaches, police officers, garbage collectors, farmers . . . there are SO many people who help us! You’ll use the list when you pray.
PRAYER: “Dear God, You are so good! You give us so many people to help us. We just want to thank You for some of the people who help us like (read the list your family made). And I want to thank You for (name each family member), because we also help each other. We love You, God. In Jesus’ name. amen.”
As we wrap up, I’d 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.
“All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.”
Isaiah 54:13
Angela Moody is the Early Years Ministry Lead at Abundant Life.
