Old Testament Set 4

C Lessons for Grades 3-4

Contents1. Why do we worship and praise God? (Psalm 103)

2. What does our pastor preach? (Acts 13)

3. Why do we confess our sins? (Psalm 32)

4. Why do believers go to Holy Communion? (1 Corinthians 11)

5. How do we use our voices to worship God? (Ephesians 5,6; Colossians 3)

6. Why do we give offerings to God? (2 Corinthians 8,9)

7. Why do we serve God? (Acts 5)

8. What do we do when God asks us to do something really difficult? (Genesis 22)

9. What do we want all people in the world to know? (Psalm 66)

10. When do we serve Jesus? (Matthew 25)

11. Where do we find the strength to serve God? (Psalm 119)

12. How can we help others serve God? (Esther 3,4,5,8)

13. Who takes care of us? (Psalm 91)

ISBN 0-8100-1147-6

71N3431

Curriculum Developer: Prof. David KuskeProject Director: Gerald KastensCoordinating Editor: Owen DornWriting/Editing Team: Debera Fellers, Lynn Groth, Jane Mose, Eleanor Mutterer, Deborah SchuhConsultant: Barb ChastyArt Director: Paul BurmeisterIllustrator: Cheryl Nobens

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All hymnal references, unless otherwise indicated, are to Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal. Copyright © 1993 by Northwestern Publishing House.

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© 2000 by Northwestern Publishing HousePublished 2000

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Worship and Praise1C

1

Kara and her dad went to her brother’s basketballgame. When they arrived at the gym, the cheerleaderswere spelling out the team name, “S-A-B-E-R-S!”Kara hoped to become a cheerleader someday, so allevening long she watched every move thecheerleaders made. She yelled every word they yelledand clapped every time they clapped.

“Kara!” shouted her dad, covering his ears. “Ithink you’ve got it! Someday you’ll be down there

on the gym floor cheering for our team.”After the game, Kara was quiet for a while. Then

she said, “Dad, I like to cheer, and I like to praiseGod. And you know, I think they’re a little bit alike.”

What do you think Kara meant?We don’t usually shout cheers for God, but we do

praise him. Today’s Bible lesson will help us find theanswer to the question,

Go! Fight! Win!

Psalm 103:1-3,5a,8-13

Why do we worship and praise God?

Psalm 103:1-3,5a,8-131Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost

being, praise his holy name. 2Praise the LORD, O mysoul, and forget not all his benefits—3who forgivesall your sins and heals all your diseases, 5awhosatisfies your desires with good things.

8The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slowto anger, abounding in love. 9He will not alwaysaccuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10he does

not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us accordingto our iniquities.

11For as high as the heavens are above the earth,so great is his love for those who fear him; 12as far asthe east is from the west, so far has he removed ourtransgressions from us. 13As a father has compassionon his children, so the LORD has compassion on thosewho fear him.

2

1. Look at verses 1 and 2 and find a phrase that repeats. What are we doing as we speak the words ofthis psalm?

2. The word benefits (verse 2) means “blessings.” What are some blessings God has given us?

3. Verse 3 tells about one of the most important blessings God gives us. What is that blessing?

4. Why is this blessing so important?

5. Why has God forgiven our sins?

6. What is one reason we worship and praise God?

We worship and praise God because he has __________________ our sins.

7. Read verse 8. How does God feel toward us sinners?

8. To harbor a boat is to keep it somewhere. What does God not harbor? (verse 9)

9. Verse 11 uses a picture to explain God’s love. According to this verse, how great is God’s love?

10. Read verse 12 for another picture about God. How far has God taken our transgressions (sins) from us?

11. Read verse 13. How is God like a good father?

12. To have compassion on someone means to deal with that person in a kind and loving way and to wantto help that person. On whom does the Lord have compassion? (verse 13)

13. What is another reason we worship and praise God?

We worship and praise God because he has __________________ on us.

Why do we worship and praise God?

We worship and praise God because he has __________________ on usand has __________________ our sins.

3

Words to TreasurePsalm 118:1Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Table Talk• Read the psalm verses again. Make a list of the words and phrases that mean God forgives our

sins. Discuss those phrases.

• Now find words and phrases that show God loves us, and discuss those phrases.

• What are ways we worship and praise God at our worship services?

• What are some ways we worship and praise God when we’re not at a worship service?

ABC Connection• In Lesson A this week, we learned that the early believers joyfully came together to worship God.

What kind of attitudes does God want us to have as we attend worship services? What has Goddone that makes us happy to worship him?

• In Lesson B this week, we heard how God changed Saul’s heart and brought him to faith in theSavior. Then Saul, also called Paul, eagerly shared the news of Jesus with others. In what ways arewe like Paul?

This Week’s Family ✔ List• Worship days go more smoothly when the previous day is used to prepare. Suggestions: set out

church clothes, plan a simple meal to have before the service, review memory treasures learnedduring the week.

• Think of ways your family can worship and thank God in your daily lives. Discuss the responsesand implement some or all of them.

• Use poster board, cardboard, or construction paper to make a table centerpiece sign. Fold the boardor paper in half so that it can stand alone. On each side, write “Lord, help each of us worship andpraise you today and always. Amen.” Decorate the sign together, and then put it at the center ofyour table as a daily reminder for your family.

• Talk about times when we are quiet during a worship service, times when we give praise, and timeswhen we speak. Discuss the benefits of each type of activity.

dogether

• Hymn Praise: Discuss why we sing hymns during worship services. Have the group name andthen sing some favorite hymns and spiritual songs.

• Worship Participation: Ask your pastor if your group (or members of your group) can participatein a worship service in one of the following ways:

~ play or sing preservice, offertory, or postservice music

~ sing a psalm responsively

2

4

~ make a banner or decorate the church in other ways

~ send welcome cards to church visitors

~ provide altar flowers

~ provide snacks for after the service

• Praise Circle: Cut out one large heart from red construction paper. Write “forgive” on it. Have thegroup form a circle. One person holds the heart, says, “Because God loves me and forgives me, Iwant to . . .” and then finishes the sentence. That person passes the heart to the person on theright, who then completes the sentence in a different way. Give each person a chance to hold theheart and respond.

• Rhythm Activity: Sing “Praise Him, Praise Him, All You Little Children” (Little Ones SingPraise, Concordia Publishing House). As you sing, keep the beat by slapping your thighs twice(“Praise him”), clapping your hands twice (second “praise him”), and continuing these actionsthroughout the song. Then have group members suggest others ways to keep the rhythm, and singthe song again using their suggestions.

• Making Churches: Set out various art supplies: paints, paper, tissue paper, chalk, glitter, fabric,craft sticks, etc. Have each person choose materials to make a small church and then either writeor tell why he is happy to go to church.

Dear Father in heaven, thank you for loving andforgiving us through your Son, Jesus. Thank youfor letting us worship you. Fill us with your HolySpirit so that we worship and praise you in all thatwe think, say, and do. Amen.

Answers: 1. praising the Lord; 2. Responses will vary and should include both physical and spiritualblessings. 3. the forgiveness of sins; 4. If God didn’t forgive our sins, we would go to hell instead ofto heaven. 5. because Jesus lived a sinless life and died on the cross to pay for our sins; 6. forgiven;7. He is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 8. his anger; 9. as high as theheavens are above the earth; 10. as far as the east is from the west; 11. He shows compassion.12. on those who fear (honor, respect) him; 13. compassionWe worship and praise God because he has compassion on us and has forgiven our sins.

Old Testament • Set 4 © 2000 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved.