Capstone

OBJECTIVE

  • The Objective for this module is to study a selection of the Wisdom books, including Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job, to learn wisdom and how to practically live as a Christian in prayer, worship, and obedience.
  • Scripture has taught us that holy men of God have continuously given praise and thanks to God, and moreover have taught us the power of prayer as the source of strength
  • Therefore we may pray confidently knowing God hears our prayers

GRATITUDE JOURNAL

  • The idea is to be grateful and praise God when good and bad things happen. Sometimes it is not the "big" things in life that matter, but it's the thousands of little things that continuously come our way that we tend to miss.
  • Keep a gratuity journal with these thousands of little things. You might want to provide them with a special notebook and pen. The list can include people, places and things. It can be a song you heard or a conversation, or even a feeling. Number the list, and on the other side of the page, have the student explain why they should thank God for it.
  • Below are a list of bible verses on gratefulness and perseverance to get the discussion started. In each of the verses below there is a specific message about the characteristics of God. Have them read through each one and have them
  1. Students should journal what the verse means to them;
  2. Was there ever a time that you witnessed this, and to describe it; and
  3. If the student wants to write about their day, such as the Highs and Lows, writing about their day will help in venting, and thinking about their circumstances.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
    • Be joyful always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
    • GIVE THANKS CONTINUOUSLY, IN EVERYTHING, IT IS GOD'S WILL
  • Psalm 136:1
    • Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.
    • GOD IS GOOD AND FOREVER
  • Psalm 30: 1-12
    • I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me. O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
    • GOD RESCUES ME WHEN I AM SAD. EACH NEW DAY IS A FRESH NEW START
  • Psalm 28: 6-8
    • The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him. The Lord is their strength, And He is the saving refuge of His anointed.
    • FIND JOY IN GOD, GOD IS STRONG AND HE SAVES US
  • I Peter 1:6-7
    • In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith -- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire -- may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
    • TRIALS WILL HAPPEN AND THEY WILL TEST OUR FAITH. BE FAITHFUL TO GOD IN PRAISE, GLORY AND HONOR HIM IN EVERYTHING
  • James 1:17
    • Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows.
    • GOD DOES NOT CHANGE OVER TIME
  • Have the kids keep this journal for one week. At the end of the week, discuss the idea of journaling and everyday finding things to praise God for. Did their attitude change, did feel more content, did they see how God is working in their life. Would they want to continue journaling? They can go back during struggles and reflect on the simple things God has given us.

GROUP ACTIVITY: GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

  • A group project with the purpose of serving the community is a great way the Sunday School class for team building and group bonding.
  • Have a baking party. The class can bake and decorate cookies and other sweets together, or can each bring several batches of one treat to be packaged in a basket. Have 20 baskets ready to be filled and donate them to a local Food Bank, Homeless Shelter, Firestation, and Animal Shelter. Have extra paper plates, cellophane wrap, tape and scissors on hand so kids can decorate each package. They can also create cards with birthday wishes for the recipients.
  • For other ideas for Community Service projects for pre-teens, go to this website. It will pair you with programs in any location with a variety of ways your group can help.