Complete this sentence: if only I had (or didn’t have) ____ in my life, then I’d be happy. No matter what stage of life you’re in, you could probably think of something to put in the blank. If you’re single, you’d like to be married. If you have kids, you want them to be successful. If you’re struggling with an illness, you’d like to be healed. Whether you’re walking through a good time or a hard time in your life right now, God is still good and He is still in control. He has placed you when and where you are for a purpose and promises to be with you every step of the way.
CONTENTMENT: Satisfied With Yourself, Your Stuff, and Your Circumstances
MEMORY VERSE: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." PHILIPPIANS 4:12-13 (NIV)
This Week’s Finish Line: Knowing God is Always in Control is the Secret to Being Satisfied With Your Circumstances
Saul was king of Israel but because of his sin, God chose David to be the next king instead of Saul’s son Jonathan. Although he would never be king, Jonathan fully trusted God’s plan. In 1 Samuel 23:15-18 he went out of his way to find his friend and God’s chosen one, David, and to remind him of God’s goodness. David was later able to write Psalm 57 while on the run from Saul. Although his life was challenging and it seemed like everyone was out to get him, David remembered the greatness of his God and that He always keeps His promises.
Family Questions:
- Read Psalm 57. What surprises you about what David says? If you were to write a psalm right now, what would it say?
- When are you tempted to be jealous of someone else’s circumstances? How can you be faithful with when and where God has you right now?
- What can you remember is true about God in both the good and the hard times in your life?
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
* Check out our vision for parents and how to use these activities each week.
Teacher: SS CHALLENGE #4: PLAY - Stick Together
Challenge:A family who plays together, sticks together. As a family pick a game to play. Be sure and pick one that has winners and losers. Before the game starts remind everyone to pay attention to how they are feeling when they are either losing or winning. (Don’t forget the photo!) Afterwards…
Read: Psalm 18:1-3,30
Talk:
- Let each person share how they were feeling throughout the game, either while losing or winning.
- One of our goals is to remember that whether “winning or losing” God is in control and therefore we can be content… How does Philippians 4:12-13 show this? And when you read Psalm 18:1-3,30, how does this help us be content in all circumstances?
Friend: Content in All Circumstances
While driving around with your family this week, ask them about their most recent fun memory. Then ask them about a recent hard memory or circumstance. What made one fun and the other hard? What is true about God in both of those times? Does God love them more when life is easy or when life is hard? Remind them of how much God always loves them (Ephesians 3:18-19) and that He will never leave them.
Counselor: God is in Control
As your family is getting ready for bed this week, read them Psalm 57. This psalm was written by David while he was being chased by Saul. Ask them what helped David be content even in his hard circumstances. What did he believe was true about God? Talk with them about how our amazing God is bigger than anything we’ll ever face and we can trust He is always in control… no matter what!
Coach: In Plenty or In Want
As you are getting your family ready for the day, review with them this month’s memory verse, Philippians 4:12-13. When was a time they were in need? When did they have more than enough? What is the secret to being content in both situations? What situation are they in right now? Pray and thank God that He is in control and ask Him to help you be content in every situation He gives you today.
Prayer
Thank God for where He has you right now. Ask Him to help you be content and not look to something other than Him to bring you satisfaction. Thank Him for always being in control in any situation.
Looking Ahead
Next week we will begin the month of July with the godly characteristic trait of STEWARDSHIP. We will be learning that the honor God, we steward our time.
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