week 1, day 4 ::: saturday, january 12, 2008

What you will need for this
session: Bible.Pen.Paper.
ClearContainer.
PermanentMarker.ScratchPaper

Can you think of a time that you were so busy that you missed out on the good things in life? Sometimes we have a set agenda—things we want to accomplish—and we become so busy being busy that we don’t even notice the ways God is showing us his love in our lives.

Open your Bible to Luke 19:1-9. Answer the following questions:

1. What were Zacchaeus’ priorities and goals as a tax collector before he encountered Jesus?
2. What kinds of blessings did Jesus bring instead?
3. What kinds of blessings do you assume that you will get out of life?
4. DREAM BIG—what more might God desire to give you?

Take your pen and paper and walk through your house, noting all the things you have that are valuable to you. Write down physical things (a Nintendo Wii), and intangible things (the love a sibling). Rate everything you have on a scale of 1 to 5—5 being extremely valuable and 1 being not so valuable.

Circle the things on your list that you think God wants to give you more of. What has God poured into your life? Which things can you use to share God’s love with other people?

Now, take your clear container. Think of something that has happened in your life recently that you consider a blessing. Take a permanent marker and write a few words or draw an image on the container that will remind you of that event. Display the container somewhere in your room.

In the future, when something happens to you that you consider a blessing, write it on a slip of paper or draw a picture and put it in the container. Blessings can be small (a hello from a friend at school) or large.

As you will do this you will become more observant and thankful for the blessings God sends your way.