Watch This
Ask This
What does it mean to content? (allow time to respond - you may have to explain to younger children) Share a time when you saw someone who was NOT content. What words describe the girl in the video? Whether it’s toys, friends, cars, houses, or our jobs, the Bible teaches that the path to true joy and fulfillment is learning to be content. We saw the dangers of living a life of selfishness and greed in the video.
Say This
Although this may be a bit of an exaggeration, the truth is that one of the first words most babies learn to say is “mine.” Because we live in a sinful world, we are naturally selfish and are rarely content. Let’s read what God’s word has to say about contentment.
Read This
1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. // 17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Say This
Paul reminds us that we come into this world with nothing, and we take nothing with us when we leave. It is God that provides our basic needs of life (food, clothing, shelter), and we should find contentment in His provision. Anything beyond that (family, friends, vacations, toys, hobbies, etc.) are additional blessings from God that we should be thankful for. When we are grateful for God’s gifts, we will be able to live lives of joy, generosity, and contentment.
Ask This
- What are the things that our family truly need to survive?
- How has God blessed our family in ways that are not “necessities?”
- What is an area of your life that you sometimes struggle to find contentment?
- What is a step that each of us could take to work towards being more content? What are some ways we can hold each other accountable in this area?
Pray This
Dear God, thank you for all of the ways you love and care for our family. You provide us a place to live, clothes to wear, and food to eat. You also bless us with the beauty of your creation, and a family to love and enjoy. Teach us to focus less on the things we don’t have, and more on the blessings you have provided. We ask that you help us find contentment in all circumstances. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.