YEA Lesson Library
Attitude Counts
About This Lesson
This lesson uses God’s provision of the manna and quail to the Israelites as an object lesson to teach the student to be thankful for God’s provision and to prepare for the Sabbath ahead of time.
Scriptures
Exodus 16:1-36
Psalm 36:7-8
Psalm 78:24-28
Matthew 7:11
Luke 12:24
Ephesians 3:20
Philippians 4:6-7
James 1:17
Words to Know
MISERABLE - unhappy, depressed, uncomfortable
QUAIL - a small, short-tailed bird tasting some-what like chicken
TASKMASTER - a person who forces others to work very hard
WAFER - a flat, crisp cracker or cookie
The Lesson
Karen was a new girl in Trisha's class. Karen didn't know anyone at the school, so Trisha invited her to lunch. When Karen had trouble with her math assignment, Trisha helped her. She even shared art supplies until Karen could buy her own.
Trisha wanted to help Karen fit in, so she introduced Karen to some of the other girls. Before school let out on Friday, Trisha invited Karen to attend Sabbath School with her. Trisha was trying to be a godly example.
On the Sabbath Trisha's dad drove Karen and Trisha to church. All the way Karen complained that she didn’t like her new school. She talked about how much she missed her old school and friends. When they arrived at Sabbath School, Karen was not friendly to the other kids. She was even grouchy to Trisha. Karen had a bad attitude, and it showed! How do you think Trisha felt after she had tried so hard to be friendly to Karen?
God sent His cloud to lead His people through the wilderness. But, when the Israelites needed water to drink, they didn't ask God - they grumbled and complained.
God was very patient with the Israelites. He gave them water to drink in the desert by turning bitter water into good drinking water. He also gave them water out of a rock. In today’s lesson we learn their food had run out.
The Israelites were like Karen - they had a bad attitude! They should have remembered all the ways God had taken care of them. But they started complaining. They were not only mad at Moses, they were mad at God. They said they had it better when they were in Egypt. They thought God had led them into the desert to starve!
What a short memory the Israelites had! Life in Egypt was miserable. They were slaves and forced to work long and hard. They were mistreated by the taskmasters. Pharaoh had even ordered that their boy babies be thrown into the river to die. Now they wished to go back? How unthankful these Israelites were!
God heard the grumbling Israelites. But, this time He would test them to see whether they would obey Him or not.
The next morning white flakes were all over the ground. The people said, "What is it?" God had rained bread from heaven for the people to eat. He told them to gather it and cook it. It tasted "like wafers made with honey." They called the bread "manna," which means, "What is it?”
But, God wasn't done blessing the Israelites. He knew they would get tired of eating just bread. So, God sent them meat to eat. In the evenings great flocks of quail fell to the ground. All the Israelites had to do was gather them and cook them. They had plenty of food to eat.
Here was the test. God told the people only to gather enough manna to eat in one day. Everyday God would supply their needs. They were not to save any for the next day, just in case. Anything saved would stink and become wormy. God made one exception to this rule. On Friday they were to gather enough for two days - Friday and the Sabbath. There would be no manna to gather on the Sabbath. What they gathered on Friday would not stink, nor would it become wormy.
The elders came to Moses to ask why this had been commanded. Moses told them, “Because the Lord has appointed tomorrow as a day of seriousness and rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord when we must refrain from doing our daily tasks." They were to gather and cook the manna on Friday so they would not have to work on the Sabbath.
The Sabbath is often called the"Test Commandment" because of what happened here. We can bake and prepare on Friday so we won’t have to work on the Sabbath.
Do you think the people followed instructions and passed the test? Some obeyed, but some had a bad attitude. They tried to save manna - but it stunk and was filled with worms. Others went out on the Sabbath looking for manna, but there wasn't any. Will you pass the test? Will you prepare on Friday so you won't have to work on the Sabbath?
What things can you do on Friday that will make your Sabbath a joy and free of work? Can you clean your room? Can you press the clothes you'll wear on the Sabbath? Can you help your Mom cook on Friday so your family can have an enjoyable day together? If you'll do these things, you won't be like the Israelites who didn't believe God and had to do without on the Sabbath because they didn't prepare.
This manna was a reminder to everyone of how God takes care of those who obey Him. He wants us to be thankful instead of always grumbling and complaining.
Student Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
You blessed the Israelites by taking care of them and supplying everything they needed. You even gave them more than they could imagine.Yet they complained and were not thankful. Help me remember that every good gift comes from you and prepare on Friday so I can have a great Sabbath. And, remind me to be thankful for all you give me.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday - Luke 12:24
Monday- Matthew 7:11
Tuesday - James 1:17
Wednesday - Philippians 4:6-7
Thursday - Ephesians 3:20
Friday - Psalm 36:7-8
Saturday - Psalm 78:24-28
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, the students will be able to:
1. Tell what all the complaining must have sounded like to God.
2. Describe the kinds of food God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness.
3. Explain what happened when the Israelites didn't do as God told them.
4. Outline things they can do to be prepared for the Sabbath.
Topics & Themes
Attitude
Cloud
Follow God
God’s Provision
Grumbling
Manna
Obedience
Quail
Sabbath Conduct
Sabbath Preparation
Water
Materials Needed
Bible,YEA Students' and Teacher's books, attendance and memory verse chart, stickers, music player and CD or cassette, songbook, balloon, 2-liter soda bottles, paper strips, marker pens, pencils, construction paper
Preparation
Elementary-aged kids differ widely in temperaments, but it is not unusual for them to have times when they feel discouraged, depressed, or down in the dumps. They may feel that they are being treated unfairly by parents, teachers, or their peers, causing them to be irritable. Today's lesson illustrates God's long-suffering kindness to His people, even when they grumble and complain. It also presents a test. Will God's people obey and follow Him, even when they don’t understand the circumstances, or when the circumstances are hard? Every week we are faced with a test. Will we prepare on Friday so that we will have time to rest and celebrate the Sabbath as God would have us do? Help your students to learn how to pass this test with flying colors.
Before you come to class, cut colored construction paper into 3 x 10” pieces (one for each student). You will need an empty container for each student; empty mayo or peanut butter containers will work well. You may need to begin collecting these ahead of time or ask the students to bring their own. Remove the outer labels. The containers should be rinsed out and allowed to dry thoroughly.
Cut plain white paper into 1 x 5’ strips (at least 10 strips per student).
How to Teach This Lesson
What A Sound! - Ask the students to think about and name some sounds that are pleasant (music, purring kitten, birds singing, etc.). Write these on a chalkboard or newsprint pad. Now name some unpleasant sounds.Write these on the chalkboard.
Blow up balloon. With your thumbs and index fingers, stretch the opening and allow some air to escape (It will make a screeching sound.). Ask: is this a pleasant sound? How would you like to hear this sound whenever someone didn't like what you did? I imagine that is what the Israelites complaining sounded like to God.
More Grumbling - Even after all the ways God had shown He was taking care of the Israelites, they still complained when their food ran out. Ask: Name the ways God had already proved Himself to the Israelites. Why do you think the Israelites complained again? The people thought God had led them into the wilderness to die of starvation. They even said they were better off in Egypt. Ask: What were conditions like for the Israelites in Egypt?
Food From Heaven - Ask: What did the Israelites call the bread that came down from heaven? What does that name mean? This bread came in the morning with the dew. It appeared as white flakes. When gathered they could be either baked or boiled and made ready to eat. "It was white like coriander seeds. It tasted like wafers that were made with honey" (Exodus 16:31). The people were instructed to gather what they would need for the day. What was not gathered melted away as the sun became warm.
Above and Beyond - Ask: Why do you think God also sent the Israelites quail to eat? The Israelites had complained about everything so far along their journey. God knew they would get tired of eating just manna. So, He gave them more than they could have imagined. Ask: If you wanted to have quail or chicken to eat, where would you get it? Some people go bird hunting. They go into the fields with dogs and scare the birds up from the ground. When the birds fly up, the hunters shoot them. They take them home to cook and eat. But the Israelites didn’t have hunting dogs or rifles to hunt with. So God sent the quail right into their camp. Thousands of birds dropped from the sky to the ground. All they had to do was gather them, just like the manna.
The Test - God told the Israelites to gather only the amount of manna they would need for one day at a time. Ask: What would happen if they gathered more and kept it overnight? Why do you think God gave them just enough for one day? On what day did God make an exception to this rule? Ask: What happened when they looked for manna on the Sabbath? Why do you think there was no manna to gather on the Sabbath? What were they to do with the manna they gathered on Friday? How can you prepare for the Sabbath each Friday?
A Jar Of Remembrance - God told the people to save some of the manna in a jar so future generations would know how God had provided for them. I was later kept as a reminder for future generations. He wanted them to remember and to be thankful for all His blessings.
Review Questions
1. Why did the Israelites want to go back to Egypt?
2. How did God supply their need for food?
3. What were God's instructions for gathering manna?
4. What would happen fi they kept some manna over until the next day?
5. Why were they told to gather double the amount of manna on Friday? What were they to do with it?
6. A special jar of manna was to be kept. Why?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Ask the students to share the ideas they wrote for the activity in the student book - the things they can do on Friday so they have time to rest and celebrate the Sabbath as God would have them do. Brainstorm other ways to prepare on Friday for the Sabbath.
Then give each student a container and a piece of colored construction paper. Have the students write “God Provides” on the paper and tape it to the outside of the container. Give the students at least ten strips of paper. On each one, write something God has provided for them. Put the strips in the container. Tell them to keep this Bottle of Remembrance in their rooms at home. As they think of things God provides, encourage them to add a strip to the bottle - and to remember to say thank you to God.
REACH Activity
Back to the Bible: Gladness of Heart
There are some pretty scary verses in the Bible and this one ranks near the top: Deuteronomy 28:47-48 says, “Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things, therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the LORD will send against you . . .”
There are similar scriptures will talk about being thankful or giving thanks to God. Find three of them and write them down in your Bible notebook to remind you to always be thankful. We are so incredibly blessed.
Journal Jot: Blessed Beyond Measure
What if you rescued someone, provided for all of their needs, helped them find their way, and spent time with them - and then they just complained about everything. Would you want to help them any more? Would you want to spend any more time with them? How do you think God feels? Think about it all from God’s perspective. Then write an essay in your Bible notebook about an attitude of gratitude for what we have been given.
Word Study: Far More
The NIrV says that God is able to do “far more” than we could ever ask for or imagine. What do other translations say? The NAS says “exceedingly abundantly.” Using a Bible app, or several different Bible versions, look up Ephesians 3:20 and write down at least three alternate ways of translating this phrase. Share this with your family.
Just Toolin’ Around: Sovereign
Using a Bible dictionary, look up the word “sovereign.” Then look it up in a Webster dictionary. Is there a difference in the meaning? What does it mean that God is sovereign? Write about this in your Bible notebook. Then answer this question: Since God is sovereign, how should we conduct ourselves? Do you think we should act any differently than we do? What about you personally? Do you think there’s anything you should change about the way you live your life?
Did you Know? An Omer
The Israelites were only allowed the collect an omer of manna every day (except Friday). An omer was slightly more than two quarts. An omer was one-tenth of an ephor, which was about two-thirds of a bushel. (Source: The Victor Journey Though the Bible, V. Gilbert Beers, 1996, p. 67.)
Stretch It Out: Thankfulness
Create an acrostic poem using “Thankfulness” as your vertical word. Each line starts with one of the letters of “Thankfulness.” Remember an acrostic poem doesn’t have to rhyme. Once you have a rough draft, put it on nice drawing paper and create an artistic design around the poem to give it a joyful border. Display where you can see it often.
Music Notes: He Leadeth Me
This hymn is on page 47 of the CEM Hymnal.
Joseph Gilmore preached a Wednesday night service in Philadelphia about the truths of Psalm 23 in 1862 (during the midst of the Civil War). He wrote, “At the close of the service we adjourned to Deacon Watson’s pleasant home, where we were being entertained. During our conversation the blessedness of God’s leading so grew upon me that I took out my pencil, wrote the text just as it stands today, handed it to my wife, and thought more of it.” His wife sent the text to a magazine. Three years later, Joseph Gilmore was being interviewed to be pastor in a church in New York. He wrote, “Upon entering the chapel I took up a hymnal, thinking - I wonder what they sing here. To my amazement the book opened up at ‘He Leadeth Me,’ and that was the first time I knew that my hurriedly written lines had found a place among the songs of the church.” (Source: Amazing Grace, Kenneth Osbeck, 1990, p. 22.)
As you sing this hymn, think about how wonderfully the composer (William Bradbury) paints a picture in the musical notes of wandering here and there, being led by Jesus Christ. Write down your favorite lines in your Bible notebook.
Questions?
Remember to write down any questions that you think of as you are reading your lesson, daily devotionals, or doing the REACH activities. Plan to ask your parents or your pastor these questions.
Song
“Heavenly Father, I Appreciate You" is on page 82 of Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Lead the students in prayer, thanking God for the way He supplies their needs. Ask God to help the kids to learn to prepare for the Sabbath so they can celebrate it as God would have them do.
Printable Pages
