Come Lord Jesus, be our guest,
let this food to us be blessed.
And may there be a goodly share
on every table everywhere.
Appetizer: Did you know there is a whole day in the devoted to eating pancakes? It's a religious holiday called non-other then "Pancake Day".
Pancake Day is a favorite of children in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. On this day they get to eat as many pancakes as they want – all smothered with syrup, or lemon and sugar, or strawberry sauce. It is also called Shrove Tuesday, and is the day before Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.
During the 40 days of Lent, people would fast and eat only simple food. Things like eggs, milk and sugar had to be thrown away. Instead of wasting food, people traditionally used up these ingredients to make pancakes. It became a mini celebration and people topped their pancakes with delicious things they could not eat for another 40 days.
Fun discussion: What is your favorite pancake topping? Think of creative ways to use up eggs, milk, and sugar.
Family discussion: What is your favorite memories around food?
Main Course:
What did all your memories have in common? If you said family you're right! God loves families. God created families to show you a part of his heart. When families tell each other "I love you" and spend time together, God is showing you his heart as your heavenly father.
When we give you good food and fresh water to drink God is showing you his heart as your great provider, the one who meets all your needs. But what about people who do not have loving parents? How can God show his heart to them? Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Jesus teaches us that when we show love to others through sharing what we have with others in need he takes it very personally. Jesus cares about the kids who do not have loving parents, good food, safe homes, and clean clothes. He calls them the least of these and he tells us to love them. He reminds us that if we love him we'll love them.
Table Talk:
How does it make you feel when you think of God showing his heart to you through your family?
How does it make you feel you when you think about the kids in the world who do not have family?
Take a moment and thank God.
God wants everyone to feel safe and loved like you do. That is why Jesus came. Through his time on earth and his death on the cross Jesus showed us how much God loves us so.
Vitamins and Minerals (family memorization verse):
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35
Dessert (sweet endings):
1: Write down three ways you show God's love to others?
2: Show God's love for someone else. Talk about family volunteer opportunities in your city.
3: Pray for the homeless--the least of these who do not have families to love them.
Photo credit: Wong Mei Teng
Originally Published 10/28/2015
