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• 4 Sessions of Learner’s Materials
• 4 Sessions of Teaching Materials
• 3 Handouts
1. Psalm 107:1-22
2. 1 Chronicles 16:1, 8-36
3. Luke 22:7-20
4. Ephesians 5:15-20
This unit reminds us that we indeed have reasons to be thankful. In fact, our very existence alone is reason enough for thanksgiving, but that God continues to walk with us and provide for us through the body of Christ is further reason for us to offer thanks to God. God deserves our praise. Our lives and our worship should reflect our gratitude.
Session One: We need to teach our children that God has loved and cared for people of faith in all times and places. When people of faith face God’s enemies, personal loss, bondage, illness, or need for the basic necessities of life, they can find comfort and hope in remembering what God has done for people in need in other times and places. By teaching God’s story of redemption, our regular experiences of worship should prepare us for times of despair and stress.
Session Two: The God of the Hebrews was the Creator of all that is. The Hebrews believed that God played an active role in history, judging nations as well as individuals. Our faith is based on a God who certainly knows and cares for us, but also is a reality apart from ourselves. Only a God of power can redeem an immoral world. David believed that true human progress depends on obedience to God rather than human achievement. The worship emphasis in today’s text is on the work of God.
Session Three: Every meal should be a reminder of the goodness of creation. God provides for all our needs and seeks to be present at our tables. Jesus taught the disciples to ask God for daily bread, linking this necessary daily activity with the Lord’s provision. Christians should boldly ask for the bread of heaven along with the bread of earth.
Session Four: The Book of Ephesians is about living as Christians. Readers are reminded that they are chosen by God and are formed as the church to do God’s work in the world. For Christians, there should be no difference between their Sunday conduct code and the way they live the rest of the week. What difference would it make if all Christians could be made aware of God’s presence in every aspect of their lives? Knowing that we can count on God’s presence at every moment, in each apparent failure, and in every success would be cause enough to live thankfully.
by Raymond Bailey
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