Chapel of the Cross Faith & Family

This interactive Bible time is a great way for your family to gather around God's Word and read, listen, watch, sing, and do activities together that help you learn more about God's great love for you in Jesus.

What's the best gift you've ever received?

Five-year-old Mephibosheth had everything to be thankful for. His father, Jonathan, was the crown prince and life was good. Then everything fell apart. Both his father and King Saul, his grandfather, were killed in battle on the same day. When the news came, Mephibosheth’s nurse picked him up and fled, but in her hurry, he fell and became permanently injured. Mephibosheth couldn't walk, and was prevented from being king. A man named David took the throne. What was there to be thankful for now? But God is faithful and so, it would turn out, was King David, who years later, remembered his friendship with Mephibosheth’s father, Jonathan.

Heavenly Father, You give us good gifts every day, but we often forget to thank You. Help us to give thanks for all that You give to us, especially for the love and forgiveness You give us in Jesus. In His name we pray. Amen.

• Open your family Bible or a Children's Bible storybook and read this account together OR
• Read this account using an online Bible (Biblegateway.com) 2 Samuel 4:4; 9:1-13 OR
• Listen to the Bible account being read using the video below.
  

• Why was King David kind to Mephibosheth?
• What surprises you most about the way King David treated Mephibosheth?
• How can you show kindness and God's love to someone this week?

King David was kind to Mephibosheth because he had made a promise to his friend Jonathan to show love and kindness to Jonathan's family. Also, David was thankful to God for all the blessings God had given him, and so he shared God's love with Mephibosheth.

In ancient times when a new king took the throne, he usually killed all the members of the family that had been in power. Instead of treating Mephibosheth like an enemy, David treated him like his own family and brought him to the king’s table.

Talk about ways that you can be kind and share God's love with others this week.

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 107:1

Download a page of activities and crafts that help connect Bible learning to life.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Dear God, thank You for Your gifts of love. Thank You for (let each person share one thing they are thankful for). Help us to be kind to others and to share Your love with everyone around us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

A portion of these Bible lesson materials are from the Enduring Faith Bible Curriculum from Concordia Publishing House. Used by permission.

Find more resources to help your family draw closer to Christ at cph.org.

Click here for free devotional materials for children, families, and adults.

Chapel of the Cross--Lutheran exists to show the love of Jesus to North County and beyond, so that all may have a living relationship with Christ.

Our Core Values:

• Empowered by the cross of Christ
• People working together
• Opening the Word to all people
• Showing the love of Jesus
• Warm and supportive environment

Email: pastorlaesch@chapelofthecross.org
Website: http://www.chapelofthecross.org/
Location: 11645 Benham Rd, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: (314) 741-3737
Facebook: facebook.com/ChapelSTL