/ August 26, 2018 Generous Giving Focus: Give generously to each other. Bible Basis: 2 Corinthians 8 9 By Lea Vaverchak Memory Verse: Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10 Students will watch a video about generosity on a global scale as they discuss what it means to give generously to others. Materials: Internet access What are some ways you ve helped others? (Answers might include: I helped my little brother learn to ride his bike; helped my neighbor mow her grass; helped my dad wash the car, etc.) What are ways others have given of themselves to help you? (Answers will vary; be prepared to share your own experience.) What a difference it makes in our lives when others reach out to help us when we re in need. You may have heard the news story in July of the Thai soccer team who became trapped in a complicated cave system in Thailand, when they went exploring after soccer practice. After hiking two miles into the cave, they became stuck because of rising flood waters. The twelve boys and their coach were trapped for nine days before being found, and it took another week to successfully pull everyone out of the cave. This rescue was a harrowing ordeal that captivated the attention of the entire world. Many volunteer rescue workers from around the world generously came to help including an international team of nineteen divers. One Navy Seal diver even died as he gave his life to save the team. Everyone involved in the rescue operation gave of their time and abilities with one purpose in mind: rescue the thirteen trapped inside the cave. Let s watch their story. Play this video clip [3:49]. Thailand Cave: How the Thai cave boys were rescued-bbc News https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_hcnlnwhka What resources were donated during this mission? (Time, money, special abilities such as diving experts, cave experts, military expertise, food, water, etc.)
If rescue workers from around the world hadn t freely given their resources to help, do you think this rescue mission would have had the same outcome? Explain. (Answer: It may have been more difficult without all of the help; the boys may not have been rescued in seventeen days, it may have taken months, etc.) The Thai cave rescue of the thirteen soccer members captured the world s hearts. It was inspiring to watch aid from all over the world rush in to help this team. It became a world rescue, everyone on the same team working together and giving of all they had in order to save the lives of these thirteen young men. Without the generosity of all involved, this amazingly successful rescue could have been different. Giving freely of all we have matters! Today we re going to talk about some people in the Bible who lived by these same principles. Helping their brothers and sisters in Christ through generous giving was Paul s message to the people in Corinth and ultimately to us. Let s find out what he had to say. Additional Resources: Thai cave rescue update: How did the Thai soccer team end up in the cave? https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/985607/thai-cave-rescue-update-how-did-soccer-teamend-up-in-cave (Continue on to Steps 2 and 3 in your teacher s guide; your Step 4 appears below.)
/ August 26, 2018 Generous Giving Focus: Give generously to each other. Bible Basis: 2 Corinthians 8 9 Memory Verse: Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10 Materials: Blessing Label printouts (2in x 4in adhesive; template here) Ashley, the pdf will be in the Box folder Mini bottles of water Colored markers and art supplies Optional: Adults to help with distribution Prior to class, purchase two inches by four inches adhesive shipping labels (template fits Avery 5163) along with small eight ounce water bottles for your class to distribute to church workers/members as they leave the sanctuary. You don t need to have enough water bottles for everyone but be sure that each of your students has the opportunity to distribute several. Using the template provided, print out the Blessing Labels for use later in this step. Earlier we learned what it looks like when the church gives generously to help one another. Even though the Macedonians faced trials of their own, this didn t stop them from giving all they had. They gave freely and joyfully because of their love for Christ. Paul taught the early church through the example of the Macedonians, reminding them Jesus was the greatest example of generous giving by giving up the riches of heaven and giving His life to save us all. Why is it important to give generously to others? (Answers: It shows God s love through us; it helps those in need, etc.) What does God say will happen when we give freely of all we have? (Answers: We will reap or receive generously; God will take care of our needs, etc.) Today we saw how the early church took care of one another and supported each other through their giving. Giving doesn t have to always be financial; Jesus said that if anyone gives a cup of cold water to a believer, we are doing His work (Matt. 10:42). Hand out the address labels and art supplies. Ask your students to decorate and apply several pre-printed labels (template here) to the mini water bottles. As your students work, you might want to play this music video [4:05].
Matthew West Do Something https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_rjndg0ix8 Have your students discuss who they might distribute the water bottles to. Make sure they cover church workers first such as parking lot attendants, ushers, janitors, nursery workers, etc. If it is not possible to organize distribution to this many areas, set up your class in your church foyer so that they can hand out water bottles to church members as they leave. Be sure each child has the opportunity to distribute several bottles. Before leaving your classroom to distribute the bottles, pray a blessing: Father, thank You for all of the members of our church family. Let this small gift show them that they are loved and appreciated. Bless each bottle and help us put them into the hands of someone who will be encouraged by receiving it. Let this token of generosity be multiplied and repeated over and over again. In Jesus name, amen. (We are not affiliated with and do not endorse any website, or any other media listed on these pages. At the time of writing, we carefully review the referenced material and non-referenced web page content. However, due to the nature of the Internet, non-cited content on the website [including pop-ups, links, and ads] changes frequently and is beyond our control. Please review carefully before showing links in the classroom.)