Lesson Date: November 18, 2012

Focal Scripture Passage: Psalm 18:46-49; 30:1-5, 11-12; 103:1-22

AIM: To lead students to discover some of the things for which David was thankful, and to encourage them to make a list of things for which they want to thank God.

 

Before class: Read the notes on Psalms 18; 30; and 103 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book.  Have enough of the “Thank you, God, for …” handout for your anticipated attendance. 

 

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Tell the class that Thanksgiving is just a few days away.  Ask: “What kind of things do you and your family do on Thanksgiving?”  After allowing time for some responses, ask: “Do you set aside any time on Thanksgiving to actually thank God for His blessings?”

Tell the class that we have been blessed in many ways and we have much to be thankful for.  Most of us bow our heads before a meal and thank God for the food.  It has been said that only animals eat without thanking the one who provided the food; but, sadly, many people in our world are not thankful.  This week many people across America will travel to visit family, gather around a huge meal, watch football, go shopping, or put up Christmas decorations, but will not take time to thank God for His goodness and provision.

Tell the class today’s lesson is about being thankful.  Through studying some of David’s psalms, we will be reminded of many things for which we should thank God.

 

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1.     Review.

a.     Ask: “What was last week’s Sunday School lesson about?” (trusting God).

b.     Ask if any volunteers would recite last week’s memory verses (Psalm 37:4-5) for the class.

c.     Ask: “Have you found yourself in any situations this week in which you had to trust God?”

2.     Psalm 18 – Thank God Publicly for Salvation and Deliverance.

a.     Tell the class that Psalm 18 is almost identical to 2 Samuel 22.  The superscription tells us that David wrote this psalm when the Lord delivered him from his enemies and from wicked King Saul.

b.     Ask a volunteer to read Psalm 18:46-49.

c.     Ask: “What did David call the Lord in verse 46?” (his rock and the God of his salvation).

d.     Ask the class to look back at verses 47-48 and to identify some of the things God had done for David (He avenged him, subdued the people under him, delivered him from his enemies, and lifted him up above his enemies).

e.     Ask: “According to verse 49, what did God’s goodness cause David to do?” (thank and praise God).

f.      Ask everyone to look back at verse 49, and then ask: “Where did David thank God?” (among the heathen).

g.     These verses teach us not only that we should thank God for the things He has done for us, but also that we should thank God among the heathen.  In other words, we ought to let unsaved people hear us thank and praise God.  It is a good testimony for lost people to hear us thank God.

3.     Psalm 30 – Thank God for Who He is and for Turning our Weeping into Joy.

a.     Read Psalm 30:1-3.

b.     Tell the class in those verses David again thanked God for specific things He had done for him.

c.     Ask a volunteer to read Psalm 30:4.

d.     Ask: “For what did David thank God in this verse?” (His holiness).

e.     Explain to the class that we certainly should thank God for things He has done, but this verse teaches us that we should also thank God for who He is.  David thanked God for His holiness.  If God were not holy He would not be God.  Like David, we ought to thank God for who He is.

f.      Read Psalm 30:5.

g.     Ask: “Did you ever get a spanking when you were a child?”  If so, you probably felt at the moment that your parent was angry and mean to you.  Ask: “Did your parent’s anger last forever?  Did you lose your close relationship with your parent forever?” (no).

h.     The same is true with God: He chastens us when necessary, but in time He restores our joy.

i.      Ask a volunteer to read Psalm 30:11-12.

j.      Tell the class that the Bible says for “every thing there is a season” (Eccl. 3:1).  We all face times of sadness, such as at the death of a loved one.  Thankfully, God doesn’t leave us in a perpetual state of mourning or sorrow; He brings joy out of sadness.

k.     Psalm 30 teaches us that we should thank God for who He is and for turning our sorrow into joy.

4.     Psalm 103 – Thank God Wholeheartedly for all His Benefits.

a.     Read Psalm 103:1-2.

b.     Explain to the class that the word bless means “to kneel as an act of adoration, praise, salute, thank.”^[1]  In other words, it means to adore, praise, and thank.

c.     Note that David wanted to bless and thank the Lord with his whole heart and being.  Tell the class that we sometimes say “Thank you” almost flippantly; but our thanks and praise to God should come from the very depths of our being.

d.     Read Psalm 103:3-13, stopping after each verse to ask the class to identify any “benefits” named in that verse.

e.     Ask a volunteer to read Psalm 103:14-18.

f.      Tell the class these verses remind us that man is nothing but dust.  We are like a beautiful flower that bursts into bloom today, but dries up and dies tomorrow.

g.     Read Psalm 103:19-22.

h.     Ask: “According to verse 19, how vast is God’s kingdom?” (He rules over everything).

i.      Ask: “According to verse 20, who should honor, adore, and thank God?” (His holy angels).

j.      Ask: “According to verse 21, who else should bless and thank the Lord?” (His army of servants who do His will; in other words, us).

k.     Ask: “According to verse 22, what else should honor and bless the Lord?” (everything He has created).

l.      Psalm 103 teaches us that everyone and everything that belongs to God should thank and praise Him wholeheartedly.

 

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Ask everyone to turn to Romans 1.  Tell them the latter verses of this chapter (Rom. 1:23-32) describe people who have corrupted themselves through idolatry, immorality, vile affections, and reprobate minds.  These verses sound much like the culture of modern, godless America. 

Ask: “Have you ever wondered how someone gets started on such a wicked, downward path of sin and moral depravity?”  Tell the class the answer is found in verse 21.  Read Romans 1:21.  Ask if they can spot the beginning point of sin and wicked behavior (they did not glorify God and they weren’t thankful).

Stress the fact that thankfulness toward God is essential for right living and continued blessing.  We must remember that we didn’t create ourselves, we didn’t give ourselves life, we can’t keep ourselves alive, we can’t make our heart beat or our brain function, we can’t enable ourselves to feed ourselves or walk or go to school or earn a living.  The fact is that we cannot do anything without God.  Ask: “What should our response be to this truth?” (we should thank God for His blessings and goodness to us).

Give everyone a copy of the “Thank you, God, for …” handout.  Ask them to take it home and to set aside some time this Thanksgiving week to make a list of some things for which they are thankful.

Ask everyone to bow their head and close their eyes.  Ask them to thank God right now for things He has brought to their minds during this lesson.  Wait a moment and then voice a closing prayer.

 

CONCLUSION: Ask everyone to memorize Psalm 103:1-2.  Suggest that they read Psalm 103 aloud to the Lord every day this week.  Be sure everyone receives a Sunday School Member Quarterly for the new quarter.