A Thanksgiving Family Worship Guide of Harvest Bible Chapel Niagara

GivingThanks

This Family Worship Guide is designed to be used to during your family worship time as youcelebrateThanksgiving. It includes4daysofFamilyWorshipDevotionals,suggestionsonhowtospeakGospeltruthswhilepumpkincarvingandasectionjustforfunattheend.Asyoubegin,taketheopportunitytopraythatGodwouldprepareheartsinyourfamilyforwhatHewantstospeak.AskHimtohelpyouloveHimandknowHimmore.LettheLordleadyourtimetogether.Eachdevotionalwill includeBible readings, discussionquestions, prayer, singing andapracticalapplication.Theseareguidelinesandsuggestions.Feelfreetomakeityourown-chooseyourchild’sfavouriteworshipsongtosing,teachthemaclassichymnoraddyourowndiscussionquestions.ItisourprayerthatthisresourcewillgiveyouatooltodiscipleyourfamilythisseasonandthatyoureyeswillseethegloryofChristtogetherasafamily!

You are loved!

how to use this family worship guide

HEARTS OF THANKFULNESS

Read: Luke17:12-19

Discuss: 1.Whatdidtheoneleperwhocamebackdothatwasdifferent?

2.HowshouldwerespondsimilarlytoGod?

3.Whatdoesitmeantobethankful?

4.ShareapersonalstorywithyourkidsofatimeyousawGodactandhowitmadeyouthankful.YoucanevenremindthemofhowGodhasworkedintheirlives.

Pray: ThankGodforthetimesHehasbeenatworkinyourlivesandinyour children’s lives.Pray thatHewouldmakeyourheartsquicktothankHimforwhatHehasdone.

Sing: AMillionReasons–GroupShipwreckedVBS(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox1WEl84LSg)

Act: Printouttheleafcardsattheendofthisworshipguide.Youmightwanttomakeseveralcopies(oruserealfallleaves).Foryoungerchildren,cutthemoutandletthemgoaroundthehousetapingtheleavestothingstheyarethankfulfor(people,stuffies,anythingtheycomeupwith!)ThiswillserveasagreatvisualreminderforthemofthemanyblessingsGodhasgiventhem.Ifyouhaveseveralkids,youcanseparatetheleavesandgiveeachkidacertaincolour.Forolderkids,youcanhavethemwritedownoneachleafsomethingtheyarethankfulfor.Oncetheyhavewrittenontheleaves,youcanstringtheseonagarlandorhangthemonsomebranchestomakea“thankfulnesstree.”ContinuetopointoutandtalkthroughouttheweekaboutthingsyouarethankfultoGodfor.

1

THANKFUL FOR THE GIFT OF GOD

Read: Romans6:23,Ephesians2:8

Discuss: 1.Whatdowedeserve?

2.WhatdoesGodgiveusFREELY?

3.Howdowefeelwhenwegetagift?

Pray: StartbypraisingGodtogether!Pray(andhelporinviteyourkidstopray)prayersofthanksgivingforwhoGodisandforHisincrediblefreegiftofsalvationdemonstratedbyChrist’sdeathonthecross.

Sing: JesusLovesMe–ChrisTomlin(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8gKXu6J2wE)

Act: Forthisactivity,youwillneedseveralcoinsorsmallgifts(stickers,smarties,ornewsmalltoysalsoworkwell).Createagift/coinhunt–placetheseitemsthroughoutthehouse,peekingoutfromdrawersorfrombehindpillows.Alternately,youcanhidecoinsinsmallplasticeggsanddothesamething.Haveyourchildrensearchforthegifts.Explainthattheyareafreegiftandtheydonotneedtoearnthemanddidnotdeservethem.Emphasizehowfunitistoreceiveafreegift,liketoysorsmallcoins.Talkabouthowreceivingagiftnaturallyleadstoaheartofthankfulness.

2

THE OVERFLOW OF GOD

Read: 2Corinthians9:10-11,Malachi3:10

Discuss: 1.Aswegive,whatdoesGodpromisetodo(inthispassage)?

2.WhydoesGodblessuswithenoughormorethanenough?

3.Howcanweusethistohelpothers?

4.WhenGodgivesusanoverflowofblessings,whatshouldwedowiththoseresources?

Pray: AskGodforaspecificwaytoblesssomeoneelse.Prayforaperson,groupofpeople,oraministry.Haveyourkidsprayaswell.AskGodtogiveyoucourageandfaithtoactingenerosity!

Sing: 10000Reasons–MattRedman(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtwIT8JjddM)

Act: Actonyourprayers!Decidetogetheronanideatocreativelyblesssomeonethisweek.Itcouldbeanythingfrommakingencouragementcards,babysitting,baking,totakingfoodtoafoodbank…thepossibilitiesareendless!Findwaysforyourkidstobedirectlyinvolvedintheprocess.Delighttogetherinhowfunitistobringjoyandgivetosomeoneelse!Tryoneofthenewrecipesfromtheendofthisguideanddeliverittoaneighbour,familyorpersoninneedofencouragement.

3

PRAYERS OF THANKS & GIVING

Read: Colossians2:6-7,Psalm100:4,Philippians1:3

Discuss: 1. How can we make thankfulness and giving part of our

everydaylives?

2. Whatpreventsusfromdoingthesethings?3. Whydoweneedtopracticethankfulnessandgiving?4. Whattypeofchangeswoulditmakeinourlivesifwewere

definedbythesequalities?

Pray: Pray over your family, that their hearts would be set on God andoverflowwiththankfulness.Praythatyourfamilywouldcontinuetogiveoutofadesiretoblessothersbecauseyouhavebeensoblessed.

Sing: ThisisAmazingGrace–PhilWickham(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFRjr_x-yxU)

Act: Worktogetherasafamilytocreateseveral“BlessingBags”tokeepinyourcaroverthefall/wintermonths.Thesecanbehandedouttopeopleinneedorthehomelessyouencounterinyourcommunity.Here’swhatyou’llneed:

- -Largefreezerzip-topbags(thisiswhatyou’llusetoholdyouritems) -Assortedtravelsizehygieneitemssuchasatoothbrush,toothpaste,deodorant,barofsoap,Kleenex,lipbalm -1pairofwarmwoolmen’ssocksperbag-smallsnackitems(granola/proteinbars,gum,cookies) -Otherideas:Bandaids,$5TimHorton’scards,Bible,notesofencouragementGoonlinetofindmanymoreresourcesandideasforthese!Pinterestisagreatplacetostart!

4

PUMPKIN EVANGELISM ReclaimingGod’screation&disciplingourchildrenduringtheHarvestseason.Turnthesimplefamilyactivityofpickingoutandcarvingapumpkinintoadiscipleshipopportunitythisfall!1.BEGINTHECONVERSATIONINTHECAR:Asyourdrivetopickoutyourpumpkin,remindkidshowthereisnosuchthingasaperfectpumpkin,justlikethereisnosuchthingasaperfectperson.Talkabouthowthepumpkinisround,shiny,andtoughontheoutside.Andhowsometimeswepretendwearetoughandperfecttoo.Butweallknowthatisn’ttrue.Weallmakemistakesandweallhavedonebadthings.Romans3:23remindsusthatweallhavesinnedandfallshortofGod’sperfecttarget.2.CUTOFFTHETOPOFTHEPUMPKIN:Backathomeasyoupreparetocarve,allowthechildrentoplayindependentlywhileyoucutoffthetopofthepumpkin.Asyoudo,prayforGodtoopenyourmindstolearnmoreaboutHimandhavefunwhilewearetalkingaboutthefreedomwehaveinChristandhowHemakesusanewperson!3.TALKABOUTGUTS!Gatheryourkidsaroundthepumpkin.Remindthekidsabouttheconversationinthecarandhowthepumpkinistoughtocut.Howitseemsallprettyontheoutside,butonceyoucutintoitandlookinsidetheyuckygutsarerevealed.

WOULDYOULIKETOGROWMOREINTHEAREAOFFAMILYWORSHIP?ConsiderthisrecommendedresourcebyDonaldS.Whitneyentitled“FamilyWorship”.ThispracticalbookwillequipyourfamilyasyoupracticeGod-glorifying,Christ–exaltingworshipthroughBiblereading,prayerandsinging.

According to Guinness World Records, the fastest pumpkin carving was 16.47 seconds!!

The largest pumpkin ever grown

weighed 2,323 lbs, grown in 2014 by Beni Meier of Switzerland.

The world's largest pumpkin pie was

made in New Bremen, Ohio. Amazingly, this pie was 20 feet in

diameter and weighed 3,699 pounds!

In 2017, Molly Schuyler broke her

own pumpkin pie eating world record by scarfing down 48 pieces of pumpkin pie (weighing 16.8 lbs.) in

just 10 minutes!

PUMPKIN EVANGELISM CONTINUED… Thegutssymbolizethesininourlives.Itdoesn’tmatterhowprettyyouareontheoutside,everybodyhassin.Askthekidstoreachinandscoopoutthepumpkinguts.Astheydo,andtheyaresaying,“ew…yuck!”,tellthemthatisexactlyhowGodviewsoursin.

“ForallhavesinnedandfallshortofthegloryofGod”Romans3:23Showthekidshowdifficultitistogetthestringy,clingy,gutsoffyourhands.Sinisjustlikethis.Itsticks,andhangsontous,makingusfeelguiltyandshameful.Andifyoudon’tgetitalloff,itwillstarttostingyourhandsafterawhile. “Forthewagesofsinisdeath”Romans6:23Talktothekidsabouthowyouhavetousewatertowashitoffyourhands.Jesusislikethatwaterthatcleansesusfromoursins.HewashesuswithHisblood.WearetoldinthebookofHebrewsthatwithoutthesheddingofblood,thereisnoforgivenessforoursins(Hebrews9:22).Also,inJohn13:8Jesussays,“UnlessIwashyou,youhavenopartwithme.” 4.MAKINGTHEPUMPKINCLEANINSIDE:Justaswescrapetheyuckygoooutofthepumpkintomakeitcleaninside,inthesameway,asweconfessoursins,Jesusforgivesusandcleansusup(1John1:8-9).HemakesuscleaninsidetradingHisgoodnessforoursin.Butwehavetobecareful,nottoallowoursintoentangleusagain,likethesestringypumpkinguts.WeneedotherfollowersofChristtohelpussometimeswhenwegetstuckbackinsin.Asweconfessoursinstooneanother,ourbrothersandsistersinChristcanhelpholdusaccountablemuchlikehowwearehelpingoneanothercleanoutthepumpkin.HowcanGodmakeusclean?GodsentHisonlySon,Jesus,todieonthecrossforoursins.Sothatthewagesofsin,thatisdeath-havealreadybeenpaidonourbehalfbyJesus.Wecan’tearnthisgift–itisfreelygivenandourstoaccept.

“Forthewagesofsinisdeath,BUTthefreegiftofGodiseternallifeinChristJesusourLord.”Romans6:23“ButtoallwhodidreceiveHim,whobelievedinHisname,HegavetherighttobecomechildrenofGod,”John1:125.CARVINGTHEPUMPKIN:Asyoucarvethepumpkin,tellthestoryofJesuscrucifixion.Youcouldusedifferentchildren’sbiblesthathavepicturestohelpmakeitmorevisualforthekids,whileanotheradultishelpingdoingthecarving.SuggestchoosingaChristiansymbolorahappysmilingfacetocarveintothepumpkin--shiningJesuslightintotheworldfromtheinsideout.6.CANDLELIGHTING:Afteryouaredonecarvingthepumpkins,getthecandlesinsidethepumpkinsandgetyourlightersormatchesready!ShutoffallthelightsandteachthekidsthatjustbeforeJesusdiedonthecrosstherewasdarknesseverywhere.ItwasinthethickdarknessthatJesuspaidthepenaltyforoursin–apunishmentthateachofusdeserved.Lingerinsilenceforaminute.Jesuslaststatementonthecrosswas“Itisfinished.”Thenlightthecandles.

“Andwhenthesixthhourhadcome,therewasdarknessoverthewholelanduntiltheninthhour.”Mark15:337.YOUARETHELIGHT!Finishyourtimeoffbyreadingthroughthescripturesbelow.PraiseGodforHisgoodnessandaskHimtogiveyourfamilyboldnesstoshineyourlightsforHim!“Youarethelightoftheworld.Acitysetonahillcannotbehidden.Nordopeoplelightalampandputitunderabasket,but

onastand,anditgiveslighttoallinthehouse.Inthesameway,letyourlightshinebeforeothers,sothattheymayseeyourgoodworksandgiveglorytoyourFatherwhoisinheaven.”Matthew5:14-16

“ForIamsurethatneitherdeathnorlife,norangelsnorrulers,northingspresentnorthingstocome,norpowers,norheightnordepth,noranythingelseinallcreation,willbeabletoseparateusfromtheloveofGodinChristJesusourLord.”

Romans8:38-39

just for fun

MAKE IT

CLICK ON THE IMAGES BELOW OR THE LINKS PROVIDED TO SEE

SOME FUN WAYS TO CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING TOGETHER!

FAMILY GRATITUDE WALL

COUNTING BLESSINGS

THANKFUL PUMPKIN

PRINT IT

GRATITUDE JOURNAL

LEAF PLACE CARDS

GRATEFUL PLACEMATS

COLOURING PAGES

WALL ART

PIE TAKE OUT BOXES

EAT IT

THAI COCONUT CURRY BUTTERNUT SQUASH

SOUP

BAKED PUMPKIN OATMEAL

PUMPKIN SPICE CUPCAKES WITH MAPLE

FROSTING

SEEDS FAMILY WORSHIP VOLUME 3

GET AHEAD GRAVY

ROASTED SWEET POTATO ROUNDS

DIY PUMPKIN PIE SPICE BLEND

STUFF THE TURKEY GAME

SING & PLAY IT

SHOOTING TURKEYS GAME

JUST FOR FUN LINKS MAKE IT Family Gratitude Wall http://www.livingly.com/Give+Thanks+with+These+Family+Gratitude+Projects/articles/_xzd2sVeOJz/Make+a+gratitude+wall Counting Blessings https://www.frugalfamily.co.uk/time-to-count-your-blessings/ Thankful Pumpkin http://www.oneartsymama.com/2012/11/thankful-pumpkin-tradition.html PRINT IT Gratitude Journal https://koriclark.com/2014/10/13/gratitude-journal-free-printable/ Leaf Place Cards https://www.ellaclaireinspired.com/pumpkin-leaves-free-printable/ Grateful Placemats https://www.cbc.ca/parents/play/view/give-thanks-with-these-printable-thankful-placemats Pie Take Out Boxes https://studiodiy.com/2013/11/18/leftover-pie-labels-for-thanksgiving-free-printable/ Colouring Pages https://www.thirtyhandmadedays.com/updated-thanksgiving-printable/ Wall Art http://www.raysofbliss.com/set-4-thanksgiving-free-printables/ EAT IT Thai Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup https://www.nerdswithknives.com/thai-coconut-curry-butternut-squash-soup/ Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal https://joyfoodsunshine.com/pumpkin-baked-oatmeal/ Pumpkin Spice Cupcakes with Maple Frosting https://barefootcontessa.com/recipes/pumpkin Get Ahead Gravy https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/chicken-recipes/get-ahead-gravy/ Roasted Sweet Potato Rounds https://ciaoflorentina.com/sweet-potato-rounds-recipe-goat-cheese-cranberries-balsamic-glaze/ DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice Blend http://www.threeolivesbranch.com/recipe/how-to-make-pumpkin-spice/ SING & PLAY IT Seeds Family Worship: Volume 3 https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/product/seeds-of-praise-vol-3/ Stuff the Turkey Game https://kidfriendlythingstodo.com/stuff-the-turkey-thanksgiving-game-for-kids/ - _a5y_p=4571986 Shooting Turkeys Game http://www.agirlandagluegun.com/2016/11/shooting-turkeys-game.html

USE WITH DAY 1 DEVOTIONAL You may want to print several copies (provide at least one leaf per child).