Give Thanks for Good News

This week we will be looking at Psalms that help point our kids to the gospel-the good news that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; that no one comes to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6)

Day 1-God Created All Things

  • Pray.
  • Ask
    • What is the first thing that happened in the Bible? (Genesis 1:1)
  • Briefly go through the days of creation:
    • Day 1-day and night (Genesis 1:3-5)
    • Day 2-heavens and earth (Genesis 1:6-7)
    • Day 3-seas and land (Genesis 1:9-13)
    • Day 4-sun, moon, and stars (Genesis 1:14-19)
    • Day 5-creatures of the sky and sea (Genesis 1:20-23)
    • Day 6-creatures of dry land and man (Genesis 1:24-31)
  • Because God created all things, He is in charge of all things.
  • Ask
    • What did God think about all of His creation? (It was good.)
  • God created you. He made you just how He wants you to be (Psalm 139:14).
  • We praise God because He made all things, and He is in charge of all things.
  • Read Psalm 148:1-13.
  • Ask
    • What will you praise God for today?
  • Song
    • “Let All Creation Praise the Lord” by Lincoln Brewster
  • Activity Idea

Day 2-Sin Separates

  • Pray.
  • Read about the two trees that God placed in the garden.
    • Genesis 2:8-9
    • Genesis 2:15-17.
  • Talk about how after God created Adam and Eve, He used to visit them in the Garden of Eden. He walked and talked with them (Genesis 3:8, 10). But after they sinned by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 3), they “died”. Though they didn’t physically die right then, they died spiritually, they were cursed, and were separated from the intimate fellowship they had with God. They had to leave the garden. God did not want them to eat from the tree of life and live forever in their in their cursed condition.
  • Even though God clearly said that disobeying Him would bring death, we see that He is merciful with Adam and Eve because they did not die immediately. He showed grace by speaking gently to them (Genesis 3:9, 11), He clothed them (Genesis3:21), and He sent them out of the garden to work (Genesis 3:22-23).
  • Ask
    • How are we like Adam and Eve?
  • We have sinned too. We all are separated from God because of our sin. Read or say Romans 3:23.
    • If you have younger kids, talk about what sin is (disobeying God; doing what you want to do instead of what God wants you to do), and have them give you some examples of how they have sinned.
  • That sounds like pretty bad news, so let’s end our Bible time with some hope. Read what Psalms has to say about God and our sin, and we will talk more about it tomorrow!
  • Read Psalm 103:1, 8-13.
  • Ask
    • What do these verses say about God?
    • What do these verses say about how God deals with us when we sin?
    • What will you bless the Lord for today?
  • Song
    • “10,000 Reasons” (Bless the Lord) by Matt Redman

Day 3-God Made a Way to Bring Us Back

  • Pray.
  • Yesterday we talked about how sin separates from from God. Today we will see how God made a way to bring us back! God came down to us to rescue us from the curse of sin.
  • Read or talk about
    • Luke 1:31-32, 35
    • Matthew 1:20-23
  • Discuss
    • What was God’s plan to save us?
  • Read John 3:16.
    • God loves us so much. He doesn’t want us to be separated from Him because of our sin. He wants us to have life now and forever with Him.
  • Read Psalm 118:1, 14, 28-29.
  • Song
    • “The Lord is My Salvation” by Keith and Kristyn Getty

Day 4-The Best Gift Ever!

  • Pray.
  • As we celebrate Thanksgiving today, we can probably think of lots to be thankful for. What are you the most thankful for?
  • God gave us the best gift ever!
  • Read Romans 6:23.
  • Ask
    • What do we know about sin?
      • Disobeying God.
      • Doing what we want instead of what God wants.
      • Separates us from God.
      • Deserves death.
    • According to Romans 6:23, what gift does God offer us?
      • Explain that eternal life means life now and forever (even after we die physically) with God. God offers us salvation from the curse of sin when we accept His gift-Jesus died for our sins and rose again to give us new life in Him and with Him. (Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 6:4)
  • Read Psalm 86:5.
  • Pray. Thank God for the great gift of He offers us.
  • Song

References