Lesson 26

What does God our heavenly Father do to take care of us?

What does our heavenly Father do to provide for us? Matthew 6:25-27 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? food and drink

What does our heavenly Father do to provide for us? Matthew 6:28-30 And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? clothing

What does our heavenly Father do to provide for us? 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. all we need always

Key Point #1 God our heavenly Father provides us with all that we need every day.

How does God provide for us? John 6:3-13

Then Jesus went up on a mountainside and sat down with his disciples. The Jewish Passover Feast was near. When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat? He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do. Philip answered him, Eight months wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite! Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peters brother, spoke up, Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many? Jesus said, Have the people sit down. There was plenty of grass in that place, and the men sat down, about five thousand of them. Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted. So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten.

How does God provide for us? John 6:3-13 sometimes by miracles

How does God provide for us? Psalm 104:14 He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate bringing forth food from the earth… usually by making things grow

Key Point #2 While God can provide for us through miracles, he usually does so just by making things grow.

Evaluate… If God were to withdraw his preserving hand for even a moment, the world would disappear into oblivion.

Agree or Disagree? If we remember that God provides our clothing, we wont complain if the clothing our parents buy for us is not exactly what we want.

Estimate… …how many pounds of food each of us eats during the year. Then how many tons of food would God need to provide for the members of this class during our lifetimes? What does just thinking about this teach us about Gods preserving love?

If you compare your home and standard of living with that of a king who lived in ancient times, who would come out better? Who would have the better home and the most conveniences? What might thinking about this impress on us as to how richly God preserves us?

What does our heavenly Father do to protect us? Psalm 121:1-8

A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

What does our heavenly Father do to protect us? Psalm 121:1-8 watches over us

What does our heavenly Father do to protect us? Psalm 50:15 …and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me. delivers us from trouble

What does our heavenly Father do to protect us? Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. makes trouble work for our good

Key Point #3 God protects us by constantly watching over us to deliver us from trouble or to make it work for our good.

How does God use angels to protect us? Psalm 91:10-11 …then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways… sends angels to guard us

How does God use angels to protect us? Revelation 5:11-12 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! sends angels to guard us many

How does God use angels to protect us? Psalm 103:20 Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. sends mighty angels to guard us many

Key Point #4 One of the main ways that God protects us is by the many and mighty angels he sends to guard us.

Agree or Disagree? Sometimes God actually causes bad things to happen so that he has a chance to use them for our good.

Can anyone tell of a time when it seemed very obvious that God used his angels, unseen by you, to protect you from harm?

Write a prayer that thanks God for the many and mighty angels who watch over each of us every day.

Lesson 26 God my heavenly Father takes care of me by preserving and protecting me. (divine providence)

Vocabulary… providence Gods continued work of taking care of our earthly needs

Vocabulary… angel messenger