1 Thessalonians: Giving Thanks
I Thessalonians 5:18 – Giving Thanks to God
Scripture reference: “in everything give thanks”
Objectives:
- Even the youngest should be able to memorize this short verse; older students can give the reference as well.
- Each student should be able to list many things in his life for which he personally can thank God.
Possible Lesson Plan:
- Open with prayer, asking God to open the eyes of the children so that they can see all of His wonders.
- Review the Scripture reference and have each child recite it.
- Begin by asking the class to name some things they are thankful for; list them or draw a picture of them on the board. Help them if ideas are not forthcoming – e.g. my family, my church, Jesus, food to eat, clothes to wear, my friends, good health, my teddy bear, etc.
- Ask the children how they celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving. Do they eat turkey? Does the whole family get together? Other special foods? Why do we celebrate this holiday? Tell the story of the Pilgrims and the Indians. Does their family say grace before each meal?
- Do the thanksgiving craft, either drawing the things one is thankful for on the empty squares or cutting pictures from magazines; your first Christmas ornament for the tree at home!
- Want a craft to decorate the classroom or to take home as a centerpiece for the Thanksgiving table? Make a paper bag cornucopia by squeezing tight one end of a paper bag (your choice, lunch bag size to take home or grocery bag size for the entire class) and bending it into cornucopia shape. Then print and color some fruits and vegetables (or just cut them from colored construction paper). Write on each something the children are thankful for or let them draw a picture of it. Place on the table for all to enjoy.
Fruits and vegetables for your cornucopia to print and color:
- Close with prayer – spend longer this time, giving each student the chance to thank God for something, and finishing up with a prayer of thanksgiving.