This month's memory verse

Ephesians 4:4-6

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

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In the Storm, Give Thanks!

Key Verse | Acts 27:35

And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat.

Acts 27:33-38

33Just as day was dawning, Paul urged everyone to eat. “You have been so worried that you haven’t touched food for two weeks,” he said. 34“Please eat something now for your own good. For not a hair of your heads will perish.” 35Then he took some bread, gave thanks to God before them all, and broke off a piece and ate it. 36Then everyone was encouraged and began to eat—37all 276 of us who were on board. 38After eating, the crew lightened the ship further by throwing the cargo of wheat overboard.

Footnotes

In the middle of the storm, we see Paul do something pretty spectacular. He encouraged everyone on the ship to eat. He specifically takes time to give thanks to God. The passage says afterward that everyone, all 276 people, ate and were encouraged! 

ACTIVITY

  • Take time during one of your family meals this week to specifically to practice gratitude. Go around and take turns thanking God for something! Consider starting a list of things that you as a family are grateful to God for! 
  • Life can feel busy with school, sports, church events, and all the other things that pile up but like Paul models, even in the midst of the storm, it's important for us to take time to thank God for who he is and what he has done! 

DISCUSS

  • How did taking time to be thankful make you feel? 
  • Did the “storms” in life begin to feel smaller when you spent time thanking God? Why or why not? 
  • What are ways you can make this a weekly family tradition? 

PRAY

  • Spend some time in adoration – thanking God for who he is, what he's done, and what he promises to do! 
  • Spend time thanking God for your family!