How do We Give Thanks?

Memory Verse

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Day 1- Remember What God Has Done

  • Pray.
  • Practice the memory verses. Try having them say the verses in a serious voice and then in a silly voice.
  • Read Psalm 77:11-15.
  • Discuss
    • What instructions are given for us to follow?
    • What do we read about God?
  • Remind your kids that we ended the week last week with Pharaoh finally letting the Israelites go. Have them recall the circumstances of that event (Exodus 11-12).
  • Read Exodus 13:3, 6-10, and Exodus 12:24-27.
  • Discuss
    • What are the people of Israel called to remember?
    • How are they to remember this event? Let them know that people today still celebrate the Passover!
    • What were the moms and dads supposed to tell their kids when they asked about the unleavened bread and the feast they had each year?
    • Why do you think Moses instructed the people to remember this day and celebrate it every year?
    • What are some things you need to remember about what God has done?
    • Help them understand that when we remember God’s faithfulness in the past, we are reminded of His steadfastness now. He doesn’t change. When we remember what God has done and Who He is, we take our mind off of ourselves and our problems and think on His greatness. This helps us have joy and strength and courage. Remembering the deeds of the Lord helps us to know how much we need Him.
  • Song
    • “Remember to Remember” by Steven Curtis Chapman

Day 2-Singing, Dancing, and Instruments

  • Pray.
  • Practice the memory verses.
  • Read Psalm 149:1, 3.
  • Discuss
    • How are we to praise the Lord? It might be fun to show your kids what a timbrel and lyre looks like.
  • Read or tell your kids how God led the people after they left Egypt. Exodus 13:21-22.
  • Read Exodus 14:5-31.
  • Discussion Ideas
    • What do you notice about God in what we read today?
    • What do you like about what we read today?
    • What stands out to you the most?
    • What do you think the Israelites did after they crossed over the sea on dry land?
  • Look at Exodus 15:1-3, 20-21.
  • Song
  • Activity Ideas
    • Have a dance party to some fun, kids’ worship music
      • “Great Worship Songs for Kids” on Pandora

Day 4-Set Aside the Sabbath

  • Pray.
  • Practice the memory verses. Tomorrow will be our last lesson for this unit, so have each of your kids try to say the verses or sing them by themselves.
  • Read Psalm 92:1-1-4.
  • Explain that this Psalm was a song that the (later, post Exilic) Israelites would sing on the Sabbath day, the day God set aside for the people to rest from their work and have devoted worship to Him.
  • Read Exodus 16:22-35.
  • Ask
    • How was the Sabbath to be different from the other days?
  • Not too long after this, God gave the people the 10 Commandments. Read the commandment about the Sabbath Day in Exodus 20:8-11.
  • Ask
    • Why were the people to keep this day holy, to set it apart? (Rest and a devoted time to worship the Lord.)
  • Our Sabbaths look a little different now than they did for Moses and the Israelites. We are no longer required to completely stop working for a day, but it is good for us to take a day out of the week to rest and focus on worshipping the Lord. (Colossians 2:16-17, Hebrews 4)
  • Ask
    • What does it or should it look like for you/our family to set aside the Sabbath?
  • Song

Day 5-Everything That Has Breath Praise the Lord

  • Pray.
  • Recite the memory verse. Record them saying 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.
  • Read Psalm 150. They might want to underline verse 6 in their Bibles.
  • Read Exodus 17:1-7.
  • Discuss
    • Did you hear anything familiar in these verses?
    • To Whom did Moses turn when the people turned on Him? (verse 4)
    • Are you surprised with how the Israelites reacted when there is no water?
      • Remember, not too long before this God provided them good, clean water when He miraculously made the bitter water drinkable after Moses threw a tree into it (Exodus 15:22-27).
      • Remember how God continued to provide manna for them every morning.
    • When we read this, it kind of seems surprising that the Israelites didn’t trust God more after all they had seen Him do, BUT can we sometimes be like the Israelites? Give some examples. Parents, think of some examples of how you too can be like the Israelites. (I quickly and repeatedly forget what God is capable of and that He is working in ways I may not see. I often go from praise to worry almost instantaneously.)
  • Read Exodus 17:8-16.
  • Discuss
    • What do you think the name of Moses’ alter, “The Lord is my Banner”, means? Have them think of what a banner is used for:
      • Celebration
      • Honor
      • Catches attention
      • What the company or organization is focused on.
    • All of these things help us understand what Moses meant when he named the alter “The Lord is My Banner”.
    • Is he your banner? Do you celebrate and honor Him? Do you want others to see Him in your life? Is your focus on Him?
  • Song
    • “Let Everything That Has Breath Praise the Lord” by Matt Redman
  • Activity Ideas

Bible Reading Extras

We are stopping here for now on our Exodus journey, but if you want to continue reading though the book with your kids, here are some of the chapters you may want to highlight:

  • Exodus 19-20
  • Exodus 32-34
  • Exodus 35:20-36:7
  • Exodus 40