Big Idea: We are invited to God's dinner party table where we find our rest and joy!

Bible Passage: Psalm 23:5-6

Parent Prep: This week we looked at verses 5-6 of Psalm 23. These verses are a change from the scenic imagery of us as sheep in a pasture, with Jesus as our shepherd,  to Jesus, the great Banquet Host. Here we see we are invited to be guests at His dinner table, our cups overflowing with His blessings. He gives good things in abundance, and we are invited to 'dwell' there with Him at the banquet 'forever'. This picture is of a generous host – a God who invites us to be drawn to the 'rest' of being with Him. He has prepared the meal – there is no work for us to do, but sit and 'tarry there' as Ps Mark said. We are to sit and enjoy the abundance of His goodness forever. This week with the kids, we will explore this 'rest of soul' that our loving Father gives us by His presence, and why it is good to rest a while with Him at the table. 

In anticipation of this devotion together, we encourage you to set the table for a special meal together. Consider letting children use decorations to dress the table up like a party (or banquet). Have party hats, party napkins, candles or flowers, decorative place settings. Perhaps consider making some 'placemats' as a craft to use for this meal. Set placecards with names on them at each setting for the members of your household. An additional craft idea could be to make invitations to this meal for your family members.

Read

Read together Psalm 23, in a children's Bible, or here. Read again the last 2 verses together. Here are verses 5-6 with pictures of the book we read together on Sunday.

Talk

Say, "In this part of the Bible, we hear David describe our God as a party host. He is making a beautiful dinner table, and He invites us to have dinner with Him. He says that 'his cup overflows'. He is saying God gives Him more than He needs for his day each day. He says that God has goodness and 'loving-kindness' for him every single day, and that He is inviting him to this table to be with Him forever. David isn't the only one who talks about this party-table either. Read together Luke 13:29, John 14:3 and Revelation 19:9. (The wedding feast is like a 'reception' after a wedding – a great party when we all finally get to be with Jesus forever!). 

Listen

Ask Older Children: How do you feel when someone important invites you to sit with them? How does it make you feel knowing that the God who made the earth and all creation has set a placecard with your name on it at His dinner table? David says that God gives him more than all He needs ('my cup overflows'). Do you feel like God gives you all you need and even more? If not, what do you think you need more of? What are you missing out on? Sometimes the things we think we want and need are not the same as the things God knows we need. There is a difference between what our human hearts want in this world, and what our hearts actually need, isn't there? The promise is that God says He will generously give over and above what we need (His goodness and His loving-kindness). What really needs to change is not what God gives us, but our own hearts. We can come to God and ask Him for all we need to get through each day, and He promises always to give us what we need most: His presence with us. 

What are some ways I can 'dwell' or 'sit in' the presence of God to bring us joy like David? (Reading/memorising scripture to myself, singing to Him songs of worship, praying, walking in the garden pointing out things He has made.) 

Ask Younger Children: How does it feel when someone special invites you to a party? Did you know that King Jesus invites you to His party? What do you think it will be like to be at God's big dinner party? God promises that when we need anything, we can come to Him – because He gives us everything we need. It's like being at a party where the lollies and food and drinks never run out! We can always come to Jesus when we need things because He always wants to give us what we need. Do you know what the best thing that Jesus gives us is? HIMSELF! He gives us His Spirit to give us calm, happiness and protection. He loves us, and He loves to BE WITH us! 

What are some ways I can be with Jesus today? (Sing Him songs, talk about Him, read stories about Him, talk to Him in prayer, walk in the garden and point out things He has made.)

Do

At your special table, prepare cups and saucers for each person. Each member of the family gets to pour (with some help!) a drink for the next person, and fill the cup until it overflows and spills over onto the saucer. As it fills up, the rest of the family can say, "God gives us more than we need!". At the end of your time, hold hands and close your eyes together.  Sit in silence for a moment together and encourage children to take 5 deep breaths in and out. As you sit, explain to children that it is in God's presence where we have all we need, and he calls us to sit and rest and 'dwell' in Him. As they breathe out, have children repeat, "Jesus you are all I need,' or 'You are here with me,' or a similar phrase to help children slow down and rest in the truth of our God's promise to be with us always. 

Then, because it's a party, and parties are fun, have a 30 second dance party at your table! 

We will continue to pray for you – and give you lots of resources for your family's Easter celebrations!

Love, from the Kids ministry Team.