OT-41

"Wandering in the Desert: part 2”

Big Idea

Be full of thanks, not complaints.

Schedule

1. Small Groups: balloon activity (5 min)

2. Big Group: Lesson (20 min)

3. Verse Activity: Musical chairs activity (5 min)

3. Small Groups: Index card snake activity (10-15 min)

Materials Needed

-permanent marker, large inflated balloon

-index cards

-paper clips

-hole punch

Before Big Group

1. Ask, "What is something you've complained about?" As the children respond, have one child be the recorder, writing down each answer on the large balloon with a permanent marker. Bring this balloon to big group time.

After Big Group

1. Explain the following:

    Our big idea for today is "Be full of thanks, not complaints." In our story, the Israelites kept complaining to Moses and God. They complained about not finding water. They complained about eating manna everyday.

    One way we can keep ourselves from being full of complaints is to fill ourselves with thanks instead. When we thank God for what he's given us, we stop complaining about what we don't have.

2. Ask one child, "What's one thing you can thank God for giving to you?" Write down his/her response on an index card. Punch a hole in the top and bottom of the index card and put a paper clip through each of the holes.

    Repeat this process with another child. Attach the two cards together, hooking the bottom paper clip of the first card to the top paper clip of the second card.

    Continue this with each child, adding a card to the chain each time. When you are finished, you can hold up the chain of cards and show the children how it resembles a snake, which Moses made in our story in order to save the Israelites from the venomous snakes.

3. Hand each child a journal page. Have them fill it out, writing down the big idea “Be full of thanks, not complaints.” and how they can use it in their life (Examples: I can stop complaining about my bedtime.) Place the page in their journal binder.