Give Me Five! Series

Attention Grabber: Write the word Blessings on sheets of paper-one large letter per sheet. Hide the letters in various parts of the room. As students arrive, invite them to figure out the subject of today’s lesson by finding the nine hidden letters and piecing the word together.

Have Students paste the nine letters on butcher paper and each write 5 things they are thankful for.

OBJECT LESSON

Many of us have a much easier time focusing on the bad things that happen to us instead of the good things that God has provided. Lets see if we can make a change and take a closer look at what God has done for us and what he will continue to do.

The Blessings for Christians

God has made available a list of blessings for us. Some are spiritual blessings and some are material blessings such as food, a home, a family, etc. Today we will look at a few of the spiritual blessing in a different view.

1st Blessing "Chosen in Christ"

Paul states “He [GOD] chose us in him [Christ] (v.4) “In him we were also chosen” Sometimes we feel unchosen. It seems as the other people always get the breaks. They are more popular/ teachers like them more, better in sports, better grades. It seems whatever we long for a more credible or popular person get it first. We have all felt left out. But God has never left us out. He chose us-to love. He wants us to be part of His family.

2nd blessing "Holy and blameless"

He chose us to be “Holy and Blameless” in his sight. (v.4) Some people blame themselves for not measuring up. There are pressures from parents; family, school, and self imposed pressures by not meeting your unachievable goals. Media Fantasy. Some of this could be carried over to Christianity very easily. If we are under Christ…God sees us as holy and Blameless.

3rd Blessing "Adopted as Children"

We are “adopted as sons” (v.5) How many people live with just Mom? Or just Dad? How many have parents that are divorced? How many are remarried? A lot of us live in reconstructed families and we don’t really know where we fit in. We sometimes have trouble feeling like we don’t have a place in our family. If you’re “In Christ” your Daddy is God. No circumstance will ever change that or take it away. God’s love and faithfulness never changes.

4th Blessing "Forgiveness of Sins"

You can be forgiven completely. You may be or you may fell guilty of this or that. But under Christ that can be removed.

5th Blessing "The Mystery of His Will"

(V.9 and 10) God made known His mystery. The mystery is this: There will be a time when all things under heaven will be brought under the rule of Jesus Christ.

“Bring…under one head” was a term used for adding up a bunch of figures.”

Paul was trying to say that, One-day, Jesus will cause all things to “Add up”. Everything will make sense to those of us who are confused about everything in this world. Jesus will cause all things to work together for the good.

Have Students write the blessings that God gives and why they are special.

Conclusion:

When you feel unchosen you need to remember that God chose you before the foundations of the Earth. He doesn’t want you to feel left out because He loves you and wants you to be part of His Family.

When you feel like everyone is pointing fingers at you. And you feel like you can’t measure up everyons expectations, then you need to remember that when your "In Christ" you can be Holy and Blameless.

When you don’t know where you belong. And you feel out of place in your family life, In your school life, or your wrok life, then you need remember that you are a child of God. You can rely on your Heavenly father to take care of your needs.

When you feel guilty and ashamed of all the wrong you have done, you can remember there is forgiveness in Christ Jesus. Turn from your sin and recieve a new start today. If you ask the Lord to cleanse you of your sins then He is faithful to do it. He will make you as white as snow and give you a new begining.

And when you feel like giving up, you feel like everything is against you, and the hold world seems to confuse you...you need to remember that you have access to your Heavenly Father. He knows what things are best for you. So if you maintain your relationship with Him and ask for His will to be done in your life...then you can be worry free because your life will rest in the hands of your "HEAVENLY DADDY"