November is here! That sweet in-between month where it’s still acceptable to surround yourself with pumpkins, but it’s also okay to eventually start singing Christmas carols. Our character trait this month provides us with another “in-between” opportunity for November. October was filled with soccer games and fall festivals, and December will likely bring hectic calendars as well. This month, we have a chance to pause, reflect on where God has us today, and respond with THANKFULNESS! Let’s start by thanking God for who He is.
THANKFULNESS: A grateful heart that comes from trusting God
MEMORY VERSE: “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NLT)
This Week’s Finish Line: We can be thankful for who God is.
Moses was born to Hebrew parents, but he grew up in the palace of Egypt. When he was a grown man, he ran away from Egypt to the desert, where God appeared to him in a burning bush…but the bush didn’t actually burn up! What does this teach us about who God is? God is miraculous! God told Moses that He wanted to use Moses to free the Israelites from slavery to the Egyptians. (They had been slaves for 400 years!) What does this teach us about who God is? God is all-knowing and compassionate. If the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful Creator of everything God told you to do something, wouldn’t you be like “OK!”? But instead, Moses was like, “Who am I” that I would do that? Moses doubted himself because He doubted God! Moses was so focused on himself instead of remembering who God is and focusing on God’s awesome character. Check out the rest of Exodus 3 to learn more about God’s character and why we can be thankful for who God is.
Family Questions:
READ EXODUS 3:1-15
- Who spoke to Moses? What did God say to him? (God knew Moses and called him by name. God told him to take off his shoes because he was in a holy place.)
- If God were to come down and speak so you could hear Him, what would you want Him to say to you? Why?
- See verse 10. What amazing thing does God want Moses to do? (God tells Moses the He is going to send him to Pharaoh to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.) Look at verse 11. What was Moses worried about instead of being thankful? (He doesn’t think he is good enough to do what God is asking.)
- Reread verse 12. What amazing promises did God make to Moses? (God promised He would always be with him. He also promised that Moses and the Israelites would come back to this very mountain and give thanks to God.) Did everything God promise come true? (Yes! After the Israelites left Egypt, they returned to this same place and God gave Moses the law and the 10 Commandments.)
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
* Check out our vision for parents and how to use these activities each week.
Teacher: Meal Time
Read Exodus 3:1-15 As a family, make a list of all the things you learn about God from these verses. Discuss what words you personally use to describe God. Why? Is it easier for you to worship God for who He is or what He does? Why? When are you most tempted to be like Moses and think it’s about you instead of all about God?
Friend: Drive Time
We can be thankful for who God is! Each time you come to a red light or stop sign, each person in the car must yell out one thing about God they are thankful for. You can take turns or all shout it out at once. God will hear it perfectly, either way! Try to think of a something different each time you stop. The possibilities are endless because God is endless!Counselor: Bedtime
Pray and thank God simply for who He is and His character. Thank Him for what He has shown you about Himself. Ask Him to help you be more thankful for who He is than for His stuff and what He can do for you.
Coach: Anytime
Check out our Thankfulness Countdown Calendar for the month of November! At the end of each day, write down at least one thing you are thankful for from that day. On Thanksgiving, share your reasons for being thankful as a family and thank God for them!
Prayer
Thank God that he is all-knowing and compassionate. Thank Him that He is trustworthy and that we can follow him! Ask Him to help you remember to be thankful throughout every day!
Looking Ahead
Next week, we will continue looking at November's character trait, THANKFULNESS. We will learn how we can be thankful for who God created us
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