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Suspendisse feugiat mi sed lectusaoreet nec interdumBy Trenz Pruca

You always have a reason to thank God

Year 2Quarter 4Lesson 9

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Lesson

OverviewWhen  people  are  faced  with   huge  problems  and  seemingly   impossible  difficul8es,   they   find  it   extremely   hard  to  be  thankful  for  anything  and  very  easy  to  forget  how  good  God  is.  Today  we  want  to  teach  the  kids  that  even  when  they’re  facing  the  toughest  8me  of  their  lives  and  they’re  right  in  the  middle  of  a  struggle,  they  s8ll  have  a  reason  to  thank  God.  

Bible  Lesson:  Daniel  in  the  Lion’s  Den  (Daniel  6)Daniel  found  himself  in  the  middle  of  a  seemingly  impossible  struggle  –  if  he  prayed  to  God,  he  would  be  thrown  into  the  lion’s  den.  If  there  was  ever  a  man  who  didn’t  have  a  reason  to  thank  God  it  was  Daniel  in  this  moment  right  here.  The  stunning  thing  is  that  the  Bible  says  as  Daniel  prayed,  he  thanked  God.  What  on  earth  did  Daniel  have  to  be  thankful  for  in  that   situa8on?  Simple  -­‐  Daniel  knew  his  God  was  good  and  was  confident   that  He  was  s8ll  in  control.  We  need  to  develop  this  same  aJtude  of  thankfulness,  no  maKer  how  tough  our  struggles  may  be.  If  Daniel  could  do  it,  we  can  too.

Object  Lesson  1:  God  will  never  leave  youUsing  the  well-­‐known  poem  Footprints,  we  will  illustrate  how  easy  it  is  to  think  that  God  has  leM  us  all  alone  when  we’re  in   the  middle   of   a   struggle.   However,   God   has  promised   that   He   will   never   leave   us.   No   maKer   how   lonely   and  abandoned  we  feel,  we  are  never  alone.  That  is  definitely  a  reason  to  be  thankful.  

Object  Lesson  2:  God  can  work  all  things  together  for  your  good.We  will  illustrate  how  God  can  make  good  things  come  out  of  even  the  most  awful  struggles  in  our  lives  by  showing  the  transforma8on  of  old,  torn  pieces  of  cloth  into  a  beau8ful  patchwork  quilt.  When  we’re  in  the  middle  of  our  struggle,  we  need  to  know  that  God  can  work  all  things  together  for  our  good.  That  should  cause  us  to  be  thankful.  

Object  Lesson  3:  God’s  love  is  never-­‐endingI  love  to  thank  God  for  good  friends  in  my  life  and  I'm  sure  you  do  too.  But  some8mes  they  let  you  down  and  their   love  runs  out.  When  this  happens  you  wonder  what's  there  is  to  be  thankful  for.  God's  love  for  you  is  never-­‐ending;   it  never  changes  and  that's  another  reason  we  should  always  thank  him.

Teacher's  ResponsibilityIf  you're  honest,  you  may  not  feel  like  thanking  God.  Your  kids’  ministry  may  not  be  going  as  well  as  you  wish.  Maybe  you  are  struggling  in  your  personal  life  and  wonder  how  you  can  tell  somebody  else  to  be  thankful  when  you  feel  like  there  is  nothing  in  your  own  life  to  thank  God  for.  It  is  8me  you  take  your  eyes  off  your  circumstances  and  put  them  on  who  God  is.   When   you   look   at   God,   you   should   see   enough   reasons   to   thank   Him   for   all   eternity.   Build   up   an   aJtude  of  thankfulness;  allow  your  heart  to  be  transformed  so  you  can  inspire  thankfulness  in  the  hearts  of  your  children  too.  

You  always  have  a  reason  to  thank  God  because:

Sub  1:  He  will  never  leave  you

Sub  2:  He  can  work  all  things  together  for  your  good

Sub  3:  His  love  is  never-­‐ending

Power Point: You always have a reason to thank GodDirection: Even when you’re in the middle of a struggle

Memory Verse: “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

Lesson intro - Page 1

Lesson Intro

PresentaMon:   (Bell   rings.    Teacher  and  students  enter  the  stage.  Students  sit   on   the  floor.  Teacher  uses  the  corkboard  with  pictures  as  she’s  talking)

Teacher:  Class,  did  you  know  that  there  are  certain  things  in  life  that  will  never  change?    It  doesn’t  maSer  what  you  do,  what  you  say,  or  what  you  feel   like,  nothing  will  change  it.    For   instance,  nothing  will  change  the  fact  that  every  day  the  sun  will   rise  and  it  will  set   (point  to  sunrise  and  sunset  picture).    And  nothing  will  change  the   fact   that  there  are  four  seasons  in  a  year,  spring,  summer,  fall  and  winter  (point  to  the  seasons  as  she  men>ons  them).    And  nothing  will  change  the  fact  that  if  you  throw  something  up   in   the  air   (teacher  throws  apple  in  the  air  and  catches  it),  then   it  will  fall  back  down,  that’s  gravity  and  it  will  never  change.    

Nerdy  person:  Excuse  me  teacher,  but  can   you  please  explain   that   again?    I  just  wanna  make  sure  I  understand  this  properly.    (She  exaggeratedly  takes  out  her  notebook  to  take  notes)

Teacher:  Think  of  it  this  way  -­‐  just  because  you’re  having  a  bad  day  and  you  feel  sick,  will  that  change  the  fact  that  the  sun  will  sMll  rise  and  set  today?    

Class:  No.

Teacher:  Exactly.    Or  maybe  you  have  all  sorts  of  problems  going  on  at  home  and  they’re  stressing  you  out,  does  that  change  the  fact  that  the  seasons  will  keep  on  changing?

Class:  No.

Sporty  person:  I  see  what  you  mean;  nothing  will  change  the  fact  that  if  I  throw  this  ball  up  it  will  hit  her  on  the  head!    Haha!    (Throws  the  ball  up  but  teacher  catches  it)

Teacher:  Sounds  to  me  like  you  guys  have  got  the  idea.    Class  dismissed.    

(Teacher  and  class  exit  as  real  teacher  enters)

Just  like  there  are  certain  facts  in  life  that  will  never  change,  there  are  certain  facts  about  God  that  will  never  change  either.    It  doesn’t  maKer  what  you’re  going  through,  what  problems  you’re  faced  with,  how  sick  you  are  or  horrible  you  feel,  these  things  about  God  will  never  change.    (Helper  s>cks  each  poster  up  on  the  corkboard  as  the  teacher  men>ons  it  –  teacher  points  to  board  as  they  men>on  it  also)    Like  the  fact  that  God  loves  you,  that  He  is  merciful,  and  that  He  is  pa8ent  and  kind.    Those  things  about  God  will  never  change  no  maKer  what.

Props Free-­‐standing  corkboard,  several  large  printed  out  pictures:  the  4  different  seasons,  a  sunrise  and  a  sunset,  an  apple,  a  case  of  pushpins,  3  backpacks,  3  notebooks  and  pencils/pens,  preppy  ou\it,  nerdy  ou\it  (thick  black  glasses  with  tape,  suspenders,  high  tube  socks),  a  sporty  ou\it,  soccer  ball,  4  posters  that  say:  ‘God  is  loving’,  ‘God  is  forgiving’,  ‘God  is  kind’,  ‘God  is  pa8ent’,  3  small  stools

Actors Teacher,  shy  person,  nerdy  person,  sporty  person

Sound  Effects School  bell

PreparaMon Set  up  the  cork  board  just  off  center  stage

Lesson IntroNow,  because  there  are  certain  good  things  about  God  that  will  never  change,  that  means  you  always  have  a  reason  to  thank  Him.     It  doesn’t  maKer  what  you’re  going  through,   it   doesn’t  maKer  how  sick  you  feel,  how  sad  you  are,  how  many   problems  you’re  facing  –  none  of  that  changes  the  facts  about  who  God  is  and  how  good  He  is.    That’s  why  you  always  have   a   reason   to   thank  God,   even  when  you’re   in   the  middle  of  a  struggle.    And  that’s  exactly   what   today’s  memory  verse  says  in  1  Thessalonians  5:18:        

“Give  thanks  in  all  circumstances,  for  this  is  God’s  will  for  you  in  Christ  Jesus.”    

God  wants  you  to  give  Him  thanks  in  all  circumstances;  no  maKer  what  you’re  going  through  and  no  maKer  how  you’re  feeling.  Even  when  you’re  facing  the  toughest  8me  of  your  life  and  you’re  right  in   the  middle  of  a  struggle,  even  then,  you  always  have  a  reason  to  thank  God.

You  can  always  thank  God  because…

1. He  will  never  leave  you

2.  He  can  work  all  things  together  for  your  good

3.  His  love  is  never-­‐ending

Lesson intro - page 2

Bible LessonDaniel in the lion’s den

PresentaMon:  Can  you  imagine  how  cool  it  would  be  to  be  put   in  charge  of  an  en8re  kingdom?    That  was  what  was  about  to  happen  to  Daniel.    He  was  appointed  by  the  king  of  Babylon  to  be  one  of  the  main  leaders  in  his  kingdom  (King  Darius  walks  out  with  Daniel).    The  king  was  so  pleased  with  everything  that  he  did  and  he  was  planning  on  seJng  him  over  his  whole  en8re  kingdom  (Daniel   leaves;   king  sits  on   his  throne).    When  some  of  the  other   leaders  heard  about  that,  they  became  very  jealous.    They  tried  as  hard  as  they  could  to  find  something  wrong  with  him  so  that  they  could  get  him  in  trouble,  but  they  couldn’t  find  anything.    So  they  came  up  with  a  plan.

(Administrators  enter  stage  and  gather  together  secretly,  looking  over  their  shoulders)

Administrator  1:  Listen,  we  will  never  find  any  basis  for  charges  against  this  man  Daniel  unless  it  has  something  to  do  with  the  law  of  his  God.    Come  close,  I  have  a  plan…

(Administrator  1  mo>ons  for  all  them  to  gather  closely  together  so  that  he  can  whisper  his  plan  to  them)

So  all  the  administrators  went  to  the  king  as  one  big  group  and  this  is  what  they  said…  (Administrators  bow  before  the  king)

Administrator   1:   Oh   King  Darius,   live   forever!     All   of   us  here  agree   that   you   should   issue   an   edict   staMng   that   if  anyone  prays  to  any  god  or  man,  except  to  you,  in  the  next  30  days,  then  they  shall  be  thrown  into  the  lion’s  den.    

(Administrator  2  holds  out  a  scroll  and  feather  pen  to  him)

Administrator  2:  Yes,  now  put  it  into  wriMng  so  that  it  cannot  be  changed.  

King  Darius:  Very  well,  I  will.

(King  Darius  takes  the  scroll  and  signs  it  –  Administrators  rise  and  exit  stage  slyly)

So  the  king  signed  the  edict  making  it  against  the  law  for   someone  to  pray  to  anyone  other  than  him  for  the  next  30  days.    Everyone  in  the  en8re  kingdom  was  aware  of  the  new  law,  including  Daniel.    (Daniel  enters  stage  reading  a  scroll,  rolls  it  up  and  throws  it  away.  He  climbs  up  the  ‘stairs’  and  kneels  to  pray.  Administrators  enter  stage  and  watch  from  a  distance)  I  want  you  to  watch  what  he  did  because  the  Bible  says  that  when  he  heard  about  it,  he  went  up  to  his  room,  he  got  down  on  his  knees  just  like  he  had  always  done  before,  and  he  began  to  pray  and  give  thanks  to  God.

Props Daniel  costume,  King  costume,  3  Administrator  costumes,  feather  pen,  2  scrolls,  throne:  large  chair  with  white  flowy  fabric,  6  crates  zip-­‐strapped  together  to  make  a  small  stair  case  with  a  painted  brick  wall  strapped  to  the  front  (from  cardboard),  2  small  white  pillars,  small  pillow  

Actors Daniel,  King  Darius,  3  AdvisorsPreparaMon Place  the  throne  on  one  side  of  the  stage  with  the  two  small  pillars  behind  it  and  the  “stairs”  on  the  

opposite  side  of  the  stage

Bible Lesson - Page 1

Daniel:  Dear  Lord,  I  praise  and  worship  You  and  thank  You  because  you  are  good…      

(Daniel  naturally  freezes)

Now  wait  a  minute  here!    Can  this  be  right?!    Daniel  got  down  on  his  knees,  prayed  and  gave  thanks  to  God?    But  he  was  in  the  middle  of  what  was  probably  the  biggest  struggle  of  his  life.    The  administrators  had  set  this  whole  thing  up  so  that  they  could  have  him  killed  in  a  den  of  hungry  lions.    It  was  no  joke.    That  was  a  big  struggle  that  he  was  in,  and  yet  he  was  s8ll  thanking  God   in  the  middle  of  it?  That’s  hard  to  understand  but  I  bet  I  can  tell  you  why  he  did  that.    The  Bible  says  that   he  prayed  and  gave  thanks  to   God   just   like  he  had  always   done  before.    That’s  it  right   there!    Giving  thanks  to  God  was  something  that  he  had  always  done;  he  did  it  every  day  and  it  didn’t  change  when  the  circumstances  around  him  changed.  

It  should  be  the  same  with  you.    Giving  thanks  to  God  should  be  something  that  you  always  do.  You  should  do  it  every  day  and  it  shouldn’t  change  when  the  circumstances  around  you  change.    Every  single  day  you  have  reasons  to  give  God  thanks.    He’s  always  good  to  you,  He’s  always  helping  you,  and  He’s  always  providing  for  you.  That’s  why  you  always  have  a  reason  to  thank  God,  even  when  you’re  in  the  middle  of  a  struggle.    The  circumstances  around  you  can  change,  but  thanking  God  is  something  that  shouldn’t  change.        

(Daniel  unfreezes  and  looks  as  if  he’s  s>ll  praying.  Administrators  grab  him  and  exit  stage)

It  didn’t  change  for  Daniel  and  sure  enough,  he  was  caught  breaking  the  law  and  was  thrown  into  the  den  of  lions.    But  not  a  single  lion  opened  its  mouth  to  harm  him  because  God  protected  him.  That  just  gave  Daniel  one  more  reason  to  give   thanks  to   God.     Learn  from  the  life  of  Daniel.  He  always  had   a   reason  to   thank  God   and  so  do  you,  even  when  you’re  in  the  middle  of  a  struggle.  

Bible Lesson - Page 2

Bible LessonDaniel in the lion’s den

Object Lesson 1He will never leave you

PresentaMon:

Person  reading  the  poem  (offstage):  One  night  a  woman  had  a  dream.  (Lady  enters  stage  and  heads  towards  the  front  of  the  stage)    She  dreamed  she  was  walking  along  the  beach  with   the  LORD  and  across  the  sky  flashed   scenes  from  her   life.    (Show  picture  of  footprints  on  the  screen)    For  each  scene  she  noMced  two   sets  of  footprints  in  the  sand;  one  belonging  to  her  and  the  other  to  the  LORD.  (Two  helpers  unroll  the  brown  paper  across  the  stage)  When   the  last  scene  of  her   life  flashed  before  her,  she   looked  back  at   the  footprints  in   the  sand.  (Lady   looks  back  at  the  brown  paper  and  no>ces  the  footprints  –  slightly  confused  and  hurt  by  it)    She  noMced   that  many  Mmes  along  the  path  of  her  life  there  was  only  one  set  of  footprints.  She  also  noMced  that  it  happened  at  the  very  lowest  and  saddest  Mmes  of  her  life.  This  really  bothered  her  and  she  quesMoned  the  LORD  about  it.

(Lady  looks  up  to  heaven)  

Lady:  LORD  you  said  that  once  I  decided  to  follow  you,  you'd  walk  with  me  all  the  way.  But  I  have  noMced  that  during  the  hardest  Mmes  in  my  life  there  is  only  one  set  of  footprints.  I  don't  understand  why  when   I  needed  you  most  you  would  leave  me.  (Lady  falls  to  her  knees)  Person  reading  the  poem:  But  the  LORD  replied

God’s  Voice  (offstage):  My  precious,  precious  child,   I   Love   you   and   I   would   never   leave   you!  During  all  those  Mmes  when   you  were  struggling  the  most,   those  Mmes  when  you   see  only  one   set  of  footprints,  it  was  then   that  I   carried  you.

Teacher:  When  she  only  saw  one  set  of  footprints  (point  to  the  footprints),  God  was  carrying  her;  He  never   lei  her.  It’s  the  same  for  you.  No  maKer  what  struggle  you  go  through,  God  is  there  and  He  will  never  leave  you.  

Girls,  maybe  you’re  at   school  with  your  friends  and  the  popular   girl  walks  by.  Your  friends  turn  and  walk  off  with  her,  leaving  you  alone.  You  need  to  know  that  God  is  not  like  that  –  He  will  never  leave  you.    

Boys,  maybe  your  struggle  is  that  your  Dad  leM  your  family  and  doesn’t  live  with  you  anymore.  God  is  not  like  that;  He  will  never   leave  you.  No  maKer  what  you  go  through,  He  is  there.  He  even  wants  to  carry  you  when  you  feel  like  you  can’t  go  on  anymore,  just  like  this  lady.  That  is  a  reason  to  thank  God.  You  always  have  a  reason  to  thank  God  because  he  will  never  leave  you.  

Props Power  point  picture  of  footprints  in  the  sand,  1  long  roll  of  brown  paper  with  one  set  of  black  footprints  on  it

Actors Person  reading  the  poem,  God’s  voice,  Lady

Music Something  emo8onal

Object Lesson 2He can work all things together for your good

PresentaMon:     I  love  to  look  through  the  sale  bins  at   the  store  because  some8mes  you  can  find  really   good  deals.  However,  most  of  the  8me  the  sale  bins  are  full  of  scrappy  material  that  nobody  would  ever  want  (pick  up  a  piece  of  material  from  the  box).  I  oMen  think,  ‘What  good  can  come  out  of  these?’  That’s  why  people  leave  this  material  here  –  it’s  no  good.   (Teacher   puts  material   into   the   wicker   basket.   Lady   comes  and   sits  at   the  table,   pulls  out   thread   and  material  and  starts  sewing).Some  of  you  think  the  same  thing  about  your   life  (Teacher  picks  up  another  piece  of  material  from  the  box).  You  think  ‘What  good   can  come  from  my   life?  People  are  teasing  me  all  the  >me;  they’re  bullying  me  at  school.  What  good  can  come  out  of  my  life?’  (Teacher  throws  material  into  the  wicker  basket)

Maybe  at  home  people  are  arguing  all  the  8me  and  nobody   listens  to  you.   (Teacher   picks  another  piece  of  material  from  the  box)  You  think,  ‘My  life  is  a  mess.  What  good  can  come  out  of  my  life?’

You  need  to  know  that   the  Bible  says  that  God  works  all  things  together  for  your   good   (Romans  8:28).  That’s  great  news.  When  you  go  through  struggles;  when  you  look  at  your  life  and  you  just  want  to  give  up,   you  can  give  those  struggles  to  God.  He  is  the  one  that  will  work  all  those  things  together  for  your  good.  

It’s  just  like  these  pieces  of  material  (hold  up  another  piece).  When  you  look  at  them,  you  think  nothing  good  can  come  from  them.  But  when  it  is  put  into  the  right  hands,   it  will  work  together   to  be  something  good.  (Lady   stands  up  and  unfolds  the  patchwork   quilt  she  was  working  on)  This  beau8ful  quilt  started  out  with  old  scrap  material  like  this  (hold  up  material).  Because  it  was  put  into  the  right  hands,   it  was  worked  together  into  something  good.  No  maKer  what  your  struggle   is,  whether  you  made  a  mistake  or  you  failed  at  something,  you  can  give  it  to  God  and  He  will  work  all  things  together  for  your  good.  

When  you’re  right  there  in  the  middle  of  a  struggle  you  can  thank  God  because  you  know  He  will  work  it  together  for  your  good.  You  always  have  a  reason  to  thank  God.

Props Patchwork  quilt,  wicker  basket,  cardboard  box  with  “SALE  ITEMS”  wriKen  on  it  filled  with  pieces  of  old  t-­‐shirt  material  and  random  pieces  of  fabric,  2  tables,  stool,  needle  and  thread

Actors Lady

PreparaMon Place  the  box  with  old  t-­‐shirt  material  and  random  pieces  of  fabric  on  a  small  table  to  one  side  of  the  stage.  Place  the  other  table  and  stool  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  stage  with  the  wicker  basket  on  it  and  the  folded  quilt  inside  of  the  basket.

Object Lesson 3His love is never-ending

PresentaMon:  As  we  celebrate  Thanksgiving,  many  people  are  excited  about  the  8me  they  will  spend  with  their  family  and  friends.  But  for  some  of  you,  Thanksgiving  may  be  a  painful  day.  You  think  about  all  the  people  in  your  family  who  didn't  love  you  the  way  they  should  have.  

Some  of  you  remember   how  your   father  used  to  tell  you  that  he  loves  you  (start  pouring  water   from  the  vase).  You  remember  when  he  used  to  be  there  for  thanksgiving  and  you  would  do  things  together  as  a  family.  But  then  he  leM  your  mom  to  be  with  another  family  and  now  he  spends  thanksgiving  with  them  instead  of  you.  You  feel  like  his  love  has  come  to  an  end  (allow  the  water  to  run  out)  just  like  the  water  in  this  vase  has  run  out.

Or  maybe  you  had  a  friend  in  school  that  you  used  to  do  everything  with.   You  ate  lunch  with  them,   you  sat  next  to  them  in  class,  and  you  went  to  their  house  for  sleepovers.  You  thought  your  friend  would  love  you  forever  but  one  day  they   chose  to  be  someone  else’s  friend  and  didn’t  want   to  do  anything  with  you  anymore  (pour  the  water  again  and  allow  it  to  run  out).  You  feel  as  if  their  love  for  you  came  to  an  end.  It  seems  as  if  people’s  love  can  quickly   ran  out  and  because  of  that,  you  don’t  see  any  reason  to  thank  God.

But  God  is  very  different  to  all  the  people  that  you  know.  His  love  never  runs  out  (start  pouring  water  from  the  vase).  It  doesn’t  maKer  if  you  make  a  mistake  (pour  water),  it  doesn’t  maKer   if  you  fail  a  test  (pour  water),  when  you  feel  like  nobody  loves  you,  you  can  be  sure  that  God  s8ll  does  (pour  water).  In  the  Bible  God  says,  “I  have  never  quite  loving  you  and  never  will”  (Jeremiah  31:3).  That  means  that  there  is  nothing  you  can  do  to  stop  God  from  loving  you  –  his  love  for  you  in  never-­‐ending  (pour  more  water).  

In  those  8mes  when  you  struggle   to  believe  that  anyone  loves  you,  you  need  to  remember   that  God  loves   you.  You  always  have  a  reason  to  thank  God,  even  when  you’re  in   the  middle  of  a  struggle  because  His  love   is  never-­‐ending  (pour  water  again).  

Props Never-­‐ending  vase,  basin  to  pour  the  water  into,  table

PreparaMon  Set  the  table  up  in  the  middle  of  the  stage.

Life LessonToby the ungrateful turkey

Frame  1:   (Play  turkey  gobbles)  Toby  and  Trisha  belonged  to  a  flock  of  wild  turkeys  that  lived  in  a  liKle  part  of  the  forest  called  Pine  River,   deep  in  Eastern  Ontario.     It  was  only  mid  November   but   there  was  snow  on  the  ground  already.    Winter   had  arrived  earlier  than  expected  and  all  the  animals  in  the  forest  were  desperate  for   food  and  struggling   to  survive.    There  was  no  panic  for  the  turkeys  of  Pine  Creek  though  because  they  were  all  well  taken  care  of  by   the  old,  wise  and  loving  ‘God-­‐Feather.’    

Frame  2:   Every  morning  the  turkeys  would  rise  early   and  meet   in  the  clearing  in  the  center  of   their   liKle  community  wai8ng  for  The  God-­‐Feather   to  distribute  the  food  for  the  day.    “This  line  is  so  long.   It’s  so  cold  outside.  My   legs  are  8red…”  whined  Toby   from  the  back  of  the  line,   “and  if  we  get  seeds  again   I’m  gonna  throw  them  at  that  old  man’s  face!”    “Oh  no  you  didn’t!”  said  Trisha  with  a  roll  of  her  long  neck,  “I  can’t  believe  you.    The  God-­‐Feather  loves  and  cares  for  us  so  much  that  he  gives  us  food  each  and  every  morning  when  all  around  us  animals  are  starving!    Sure  we’re  all  going  through  struggles  but  you  have  a  reason  to  thank  the  God-­‐Feather  -­‐  look  at  everything  he’s  done!”

Preaching  point:  You  always  have  a  reason  to  thank  God,  even  when  you’re  in  the  middle  of  a  struggleToby   had  so  many   things  to  be  thankful  for  and  so  do  we.  The  Bible  says  that  God  is  the  same  yesterday,   today,  and  forever   (Hebrews  13:8).  He  doesn’t  change.  The  way   that  He  loves  you  doesn’t  change.  The  way   He  provides  for  you  doesn’t  change.  The  way  He’ll  never  leave  you  doesn’t  change.  You  have  so  many  reasons  to  thank  God,  even  when  you’re  in  the  middle  of  a  struggle.  God  is  so  good.

Frame  3:  Toby  didn’t  care,  he  wasn’t  thankful.  Within  a  few  minutes  they  were  at  the  front  of  the  line.    They  held  out  their  feathers  and  received  a  wing-­‐full  of  seeds  (hold  up  seeds).    “Yuck!”  shouted  Toby  in  disgust,  “I’m  sick  and  8red  of  seeds!”    He  spat  out  the  seeds  and  walking  a  liKle  farther,  tossed  his  food  over  his  shoulder  onto  the  forest  floor  (throw  seeds  to  the  floor).    “I’m  going  to  find  food  for  myself,”  said  Toby,  “anything’s  got  to  be  beKer  than  this!”    He  stuck  his  beak  in  the  air  and  struKed  off   into  the  woods.    “Wait,  you’re  making  a  big  mistake!”  Trisha  called  aMer  him,   but  he  ignored  her  and  just  kept  walking.            

Frame  4:  The  God-­‐Feather  had  no8ced  Toby  wander  off  into  the  woods  and  decided  to  follow  him  from  a  distance.    He  loved  him  too  much  to  just  let  him  walk  away  into  the  wilderness  all  alone.  “Be  thankful…for  what?!”  mumbled  Toby  to  himself  as  he  walked  deeper   into  the  forest.     Toby  was  so   lost   in  his  thoughts  that  he  didn’t   even  no8ce  what  was  behind  him.    Crouched  behind  a  fallen  log  was  a  sly,  old  fox  (play  fox  growl).    He  was  hungry  and  had  his  eye  on  Toby.    The  fox  quietly  prowled  close  behind  Toby  for  a  few  steps  then  suddenly  without  warning,  he  pounced.

Frame  5:  THUD!!!    The  fox  jumped  on  Toby,  knocking  him  to  the  ground.    “Somebody  help  me!”  gobbled  Toby  at  the  top  of  his  lungs.    Feathers  were  flying  everywhere  (throw  feathers  into  the  air)  as  Toby  struggled  to  find  his  foo8ng  to  fight  off   the  fast   fox.    “Float  like  a  turkey,  s8ng  like  a  bee!”  said  Toby   with  his  wings  in  a  fist,   “You’re  gonna  be  my   dinner  tonight!”    

Frame  6:   Just  as  Toby  was  about  to  take  a  swing,   the  fox  lunged  at  him  and  together  they   rolled  down  the  slope  and  landed  right  beside  the  river  bank  (play  sound  of  rushing  river).    Toby  put  up  a  good  fight,  but  it  was  of  no  use,  the  fox  was  obviously  stronger  than  him.    “Oh  no,  this  is  it!”  thought  Toby,  “I’m  a  gonner!”    

Props Piles  of  red  and  orange  leaves  and  fake  snow  for  the  ground,  bag  of  seeds,  handful  of  colorful  feathers

Sound  Effects Turkey  gobbles,  fox  growl,  rushing  river,  splash  of  rock  in  water

Life Lesson - Page 1

Life LessonToby the ungrateful turkey

Frame   7:   Toby   closed  his  eyes  8ght   in   an8cipa8on  for   the  final  blow  when  just   then   something   interrupted   them.    WHOOSH!  (play  splash)  A  rock  flew  right  past  Toby’s  head  and  hit  the  fox  with  such  force  that  it  knocked  him  off  of  Toby  and  into  the  rushing  river.    It  was  The  God-­‐Feather  who  had  thrown  the  rock!    “You  won’t  have  to  deal  with  him  again,”  said  The  God-­‐Feather,  “you  didn’t  see  me,  but  I  was  never  far  from  your  side.    I  saw  the  whole  thing  and  I  was  wai8ng  for  the  perfect  8ming  to  come  to  your  rescue.  I  will  never  leave  you.”  

Preaching  point:  God  will  never  leave  you.It’s  the  same  with  God  –  God  will   never   leave  you.   It   doesn’t  maKer  how  difficult  the  struggles  are  in  your   life.   You  might  be  going  through  the  worst  thing  right  now  but  the  great  thing  is  that  God  will  never  leave  you.  He  is  always  by  your  side.  When  you’re  siJng  in  your  bed,  He’s  right  there.  When  you’re  at  your  desk  in  school,  He’s  right  there.  He’ll  never  leave  you  and  that  is  a  reason  to  thank  Him.

Frame  8:  With  her  wings  flapping,  Trisha  ran  over  to  Toby.    “You’re  alive!    The  God-­‐Feather  was  there  the  whole  8me  and  he  saved  your  life.    I’m  so  thankful!  You  must  be  too!”  she  said  with  excitement.    “Listen,  I  had  things  under  control  and  I  knew  what  I  was  doing,”  said  Toby   calmy,  “I  didn’t  ask  for  his  help,  so  what  do  I  have  to  be  thankful  for?”    Trisha  was  shocked.     She  could  hardly   believe  her   ears.     “Look  at   how  much  The  God-­‐Feather   has  done  for  you,   fed  you,  helped  you  and  now  saved  your  life.    He  has  worked  everything  out  for  your  good.    That’s  a  reason  to  be  thankful.”    

Frame  9:  “Whatever.   I’m  ouKa  here,”  said  Toby  as  he  turned  around  to  leave.    He  made  his  way  out  of  the  forest  and  down  a  dusty  dirt  road.    As  he  approached  farm  he  no8ced  tons  of  turkey’s  pecking  around  inside  the  fence.    “At  last,  some  good  food!”  exclaimed  Toby,  “I  knew  listening  to  Trisha  about  The  God-­‐Feather  was  stupid.”    Toby  walked  right  in  to  the  farm  and  joined  the  other  turkeys  (play  turkey  gobble  sounds).    He  ate  more  than  that  day   than  he  could  ever  remember  ea8ng.    

Frame  10:   The  next  morning  Toby  woke  up  to  the  sound  of   footsteps  entering  the  barn.    It  was  the  farmer.    Without  even  knowing  it,  Toby  had  walked  himself  to  a  turkey   ranch  and  being  Thanksgiving  morning,   they  were  looking  for   a  turkey   for  dinner.    And  so  it  came  that  the  most  ungrateful  turkey  ever  ended  up  as  Thanksgiving  turkey  for  the  farmer  and  his  family.

Point  of  DecisionToby   had  so  many   reasons  to  be   thankful,   just   like  you  and  me.  I  know  you  may   be  going  through  a  struggle   –   I  go  through  struggles  all  the  8me.  But  how  many  of  you  can  think  of  just  one  reason  to  thank  God?  That’s  the  best  thing  that  you  can  do  in  the  middle  of  the  struggle.  In  fact,  every  morning  when  you  wake  up,  you  should  be  thanking  God.  How  many  of  you  want  to  do  that?

Closing  PrayerDear  God,  you  are  so  good  to  me  and  there  are  so  many  reasons  for  me  to  be  thankful  to  you.  Even  when  I  am  in  the  middle  of  a  struggle,  you  are  s8ll  there  for  me  and  you  can  work  it  together  for  my  good.  Thank  you  that  you  never  stop  loving  me.  Help  me  to  remember,  no  maKer  how  tough  life  may  get,  I  always  have  a  reason  to  be  thankful  to  you.  I  love  you,  in  Jesus’  Name,  Amen.

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