REMEMBER & CELEBRATE

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1 date: Feb 27th REMEMBER & CELEBRATE Feast of Harvest: Remembering and Celebrating God s Abundant Provision Schedule EXPLORE REMEMBER CELEBRATE BLESS 1

2 Equip Offers perspective and context to the lesson's Bible passage Feast of Harvest: A Feast Celebrating God s Abundant Provision This festival, also known as the Feast of Pentecost or Weeks, corresponded with the nation s harvest season. Pentecost, which means 50, was celebrated 50 days after Passover and recognized when God gave Moses the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. During this festival, the Israelites celebrated a season of gladness and thanked God for abundantly providing for their physical and spiritual needs including a way into relationship with Him. Support Provides reflection and assessment through encouragement, prayer, and time in God's Word Philippians 4:8 reads, Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. In this verse, Paul encouraged the Philippians to continually remember and celebrate the good things that God has done and the good things He s created. He encouraged them to remember that God the provider had already given them many things over which to celebrate. Take some time today and make a list, on paper or in your head, of the good things God has done for you. Then make a list of the good things you see around you in nature, in your community, in your home, in the lives of your friends and family. Then praise God for these things, because He is the provider and the creator of everything good. EXPLORE// 10 min. Small Group Leaders Children engage in fun, creative activities designed to pique their curiosity about the day s biblical feast or festival. Planting Seeds Every year, the people of Israel planted their fields with faith that God would send rain and provide food for His people. In the Feast of Harvest, they celebrated the beginning of the grain harvest and the fact that God is the abundant provider. This activity will help children remember that God is the One who brings the harvest and calls people to Himself. Variety of seeds (at least 1 per child) Disposable cups (1 per child, 8 oz.) Dirt or potting soil (4 6 oz. per child) 2

3 Water pitcher Water SET UP Fill each cup with about four to six ounces of dirt or soil. Fill the pitcher with water. Distribute one cup to each child. Place the seeds nearby. During the Feast of Harvest, the Israelites celebrated God s abundant provision. The Israelites depended on God to send rain so their crops could grow. Then, at just the right time, when the harvest was ripe, workers would go out into the fields and harvest the grain. After the harvest, all of Israel would gather together and present food offerings to God. During Jesus day, He told His followers, The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few (Matthew 9:37). Jesus wasn t talking about crops; He was talking about souls. Jesus was explaining that there are many people, many souls, ready to hear about God and put their faith in Him. Today, as we spend time remembering and celebrating what God has done for His people, remember that we re harvesters, called to invite people to trust and obey Jesus. Invite children to think of people in their lives who have not yet chosen trust in Jesus. Then, one by one, invite each child to share the name of someone she is praying will come to know Jesus. As the child shares a name, have her plant a seed in the soil. Take turns sharing names and planting seeds until everyone has had a chance to share at least once. Then, take turns passing the water around so the children can water their seeds. After watering, pray as a group: Dear God, you know each of these people we have named today. Help us be workers in your harvest who tell them the good news about you! Optional: Allow children to take their cups home with them as a reminder to keep praying for the people they named today. LARGE GROUP S E C T I O N REMEMBER// 30 min. Host/Worship Leader/Storyteller Through a sequence of traditions and play, children are given the opportunity to pause and remember who God is. Traditions and Remember Verse Recall the Remember Verses from the previous weeks. Lessons 7 9: He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29 Lessons 10 12: 3

4 How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you. Psalm 31:19 Feast of Harvest Remember Verse Person talk about this The Feast of Harvest, also known as Pentecost and the Feast of Weeks, was a celebration that took place every harvest season, about seven weeks after Passover. All of Israel stopped working, gathered together, and offered sacrifices to God from the first fruits of their produce. It was a time for Israel to remember and celebrate how God had abundantly provided for their spiritual and physical needs. God is our abundant provider. QUESTIONS ABOUT GOD, THE PROVIDER: What does the word provider mean? How did God show Himself as a provider to His people in The Big God Story? How has God provided in your life? Remember and Play Images: ZONK! Questions, ZONK! Answers (see Resources) Note: See the How It Works document for more information. ZONK! Questions and Answers 1) What had to touch the Jordan River before the Israelities could cross over into the promised land? a. A boat b. Aaron's staff c. The soles of the priest's feet d. The hem of the Priest's garment ANSWER: C 2) What 12 things did the Israelites take out of the river as a remembrance of what God did for them? a. Stones c. Fish b. Feathers d. Sticks ANSWER: A 3) How many times did the Israelities have to walk around the city of Jericho before God gave them the victory? ANSWER: 13 4) In the third battle that God won for the Israelites, God made the stand still for a whole day. 4

5 ANSWER: Sun 5) As a young man, which of these did David not do? a. Play with a slingshot b. Shepherd sheep ANSWER: D c. kill lions & bears d. Tend to his father s camels 6) When King David brought the ark of the covenant back to his kingdom, what did he do in front of the ark? a. Jogged in place c. Walked quietly b. Played a game d. Worshipped and danced ANSWER: D 7) What did God promise to build for David? a. A pool b. A barn 8) For what did King Solomon ask God? a. Wisdom b. Wealth ANSWER: A c. A house d. A lawn mower c. Fame d. A kitten 9) What did King Solomon do for God that David, his father, could not do? a. Build God a big boat c. Make God a friendship bracelet b. Build God a temple d. Write God a poem ANSWER: B 10) True or False: Solomon always followed what God wanted for him. ANSWER: False. Solomon disobeyed God and fell away from Him. CELEBRATE// 15 min. Host/Storyteller Through interactive games and activities, children will share how God is working in their lives. Celebrating Together Each time you gather for this part of Remember & Celebrate, your group can focus on one of three ways to celebrate, such as eating together, participating with music, or responding at a worship station. Breaking Bread: Breads and Spreads Variety of breads (suggestions: whole wheat, garlic bread sticks, focaccia, sweet rolls, etc.) Bread knife (for adult use only) Disposable tablecloth Dips, sauces, and spreads (suggestions: hummus, olive oil, honey butter, marinara sauce, etc.; 4 8 oz. each) 5

6 Small bowls (1 per spread) Disposable knives or wooden craft sticks (1 2 per spread) Disposable plates (1 per person) Napkins (1 per person) Optional: cups, water SET UP Cut the bread into small pieces, about two-inch squares. Lay out the disposable tablecloth on a table and place plates, napkins, and various breads at one end of the table. Place bowls of various dips, sauces, and spreads around the rest of the table. Place one to two disposable knives or wooden craft sticks in each bowl. Celebrate with the kids by breaking bread together. Eating together is one of the ways people celebrate today and one of the ways the Israelites celebrated together during their festivals. During the Feast of Harvest, Israel brought in the firstfruits of their grain harvest and presented them to God. After celebrating, the people would continue the rest of the grain harvest and enjoy the abundant provision God had given them. Today, as we remember and celebrate that God provides abundantly for His people, we are going to enjoy some grain of our own. My Experience with God Invite Parents and Kids to look back at how they ve experienced God the past several weeks. Seek to get the parents to respond in their words so the questions as well. It is important to make this time a time where your large group shares with everyone. You can do this by breaking into small group to answer the questions but express answers out loud for the whole room to hear at different points. Bibles Worship as Response pieces from previous weeks SET UP Place the Worship as Response pieces around the room in lesson order. Discuss the Worship as Response pieces and encourage families to share memories of those response. WORSHIP AS RESPONSE Lesson 7, God Is Strength: How have you seen God give strength or courage to your family or friends since that week? Lesson 8, God Is Powerful: During this lesson we heard about how God won the battles for Israel in the Promised Land. In our lives, God can win the battles we face. How did you feel when you saw the words God Wins over the Prayer Wall? Lesson 9, God Is Victorious: During this lesson we heard about how God gave David what he needed to defeat Goliath, the giant. David said yes to God, and God mightily worked though him. How have you said yes to God in the past few weeks? 6

7 Lesson 10, God Is Sovereign: How did you respond to learning that God has complete control over everything? What areas of your life did you ask God to take control of? Lesson 11, God Blesses: How have you noticed God s overflowing blessings in your life? Whom have you been able to bless lately? Lesson 12, God Is Trustworthy: God wants our whole hearts and our lives. We can trust Him with everything. What helps you to remember that God is trustworthy? 7