Equip (for parents) date
4.6
FEAST OF TABERNACLES: REMEMBERING GOD’S BLESSINGS Inspire (for parents) Finances were tight. As a parent, it was hard for me to ask for help. It was also difficult to ask my kids to hold off on the school clothes they really needed. As a family, we sat down and prayed, asking God for help and provision.
“On Christmas morning, I went out to feed the dog and tripped on a huge box on our front step. The box was filled with every Christmas goody: turkey, potatoes, gravy, chocolate, presents, and more. You see, God’s blessings are for those who love Him. He always looks after us. Grandma and Grandpa love God, Mommy and Daddy love God, and both of you love God. For every generation that lives their lives loving God, His blessings will be for them!”
Every generation that lives their lives loving God, l His blessings wil be for them!
A couple weeks later, as my kids were leaving for school, they nearly tripped over a box sitting on our back porch. After they left for school, I began to open the box. I was surprised to discover some gently used and brandnew clothes for both of my kids. It contained everything they needed and a note from a dear friend.
When my kids came home from school, I showed them what had arrived. I told them how God answered our prayer—but there was more. I pulled the kids close to me and told them a story. “Kids, you don’t realize how big of a deal this is. When I was a little girl, I remember hearing my mom crying on Christmas Eve. She was upset because she only had one present for us and eggs and macaroni for Christmas dinner.
My kids often ask me to retell that story. Every time they hear it they relive the memory and are excited by the history of God’s blessing in their lives. by Nicki Straza
This resource is designed to allow your family to have time in God’s Word before your children attend church. Because God’s plan is for parents to be the primary spiritual nurturers of their children’s faith, we know that as you grow spiritually, your children will grow spiritually as well.
Parents, every 6th and 13th lesson, we pause to remember and celebrate, just as God instructed His people to do. This upcoming week we will be highlighting the Feast of Tabernacles. FEAST OF TABERNACLES During this week’s Remember & Celebrate lesson, we’re celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles. The Israelites celebrated this feast in thanksgiving to remember God’s provision in the wilderness as well as His continued provision in their lives. For seven days they lived in tents or temporary shelters they decorated with colorful ornaments. The New Testament significance of this feast reminds us that this life is temporary, and all our lifelong dreams, hopes, and aspirations will one day be fulfilled in our future home and inheritance with Jesus.
and celebrate. During the feasts, the Israelites ate, danced, sang, played instruments, prayed, and offered sacrifices to God. NEW TESTAMENT SIGNIFICANCE The Feast of Passover was fulfilled by the death of the Messiah, the Feast of Unleavened Bread was fulfilled by His sinless sacrifice, and the Festival of First Fruits was fulfilled by His resurrection. The Feast of Harvest began with a great harvest of three thousand souls by the coming of the promised Holy Spirit, who continues to harvest souls today. The Feast of Trumpets will announce Christ’s return, the Day of Atonement will usher in His judgment of the nations, and, finally, the Feast of Tabernacles begins the journey to our new home in a new heaven and new earth.
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OLD TESTAMENT SIGNIFICANCE
(for parents & kids)
Several times a year, the Israelites gathered for a feast or festival. In Leviticus 23, “the Lord said to Moses, ‘Speak to the Israelites and say to them: “These are my appointed feasts … which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies.”’” These seven feasts and festivals are Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of First Fruits, the Feast of Harvest, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths). In addition, the Israelites would gather weekly to celebrate the Sabbath. These were times to remember what God had done for His people and to celebrate His goodness. They were times for the entire faith community to gather without the burden of work to simply worship
This week, JUST FOR FUN, build a simple tent in which to read this part of The Big God Story. You can use a pop-up tent in your backyard or build a blanket fort under your dining room table or some chairs. Have the whole family help build the tent.
THESE WERE TIMES TO REMEMBER WHAT GOD HAD DONE FOR HIS PEOPLE.
Once you’ve built the tent, gather everyone inside. Bring a special snack or dessert to share as you remember and celebrate God’s blessings—just like God’s people did when they celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles. Read together Deuteronomy 16:13–15. Talk together about the way God has blessed and is blessing your family. End your time by praying, thanking God for all the blessings He has given your family. Rejoice together that we have a future home with Jesus where we’ll be completely happy and fulfilled forever. Remind your children that they will be given the opportunity this week in church to remember and celebrate God’s blessings.
© 2012 David C. Cook. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.