Opening Prayer and Reflection
Lesson 1
Gathering Questions
Supplies: Dice or Dice Roll App
Roll a dice- whatever number you come up with is the way you have to answer the following question..
What is something you are thankful for today?
Pick something silly
Pick something that starts with the letter B
Pick something that most people might not be thankful for (you have to share why you are thankful for it)
Pick something from church you are thankful for
Pick SOMEONE you are thankful for
Pick something that appeals to your senses (taste, see, smell, hear, touch)
Have each person participate in the question. Go as many rounds as you’d like.
Opening Prayer
Supplies: Candle (optional)
As a family/group- have one person read the “leader” parts, and the rest of the family/small group respond in the following call & response prayer below adapted from Psalm 136:1-9. Instruct the person leading the prayer to read the leader part and have the rest of group respond with the response “For God’s love forever!”
Leader: O give thanks to the Lord, for God is good
All: For God’s love lasts forever!
Leader: O give thanks to the God of gods, O give thanks to the Lord of lords
All: For God’s love lasts forever!
Leader: Who alone does great wonders and by understanding made the heavens
All: For God’s love lasts forever!
Leader: Who spread out the earth on the waters and made the great lights
All: For God’s love lasts forever!
Leader: Who made the sun to rule over the day and the moon and stars to rule over the night
All: For God’s love lasts forever!
Leader: O give thanks to the God of heaven
All: For God’s love lasts forever!
Alternate Opening Prayer
Gracious God, we know that you are good and that you love endures forever! We give thanks, for we know that you are the Lord of lords, the one who does great wonders throughout heaven and earth. You are the creator of all things and for your creation, we give thanks!
Bless this time together that we might be reminded of your love for us, a love that lasts forever! Amen!