Free Download: 30 Days of Thankfulness Scripture Challenge (Scroll to bottom)
It’s easy to forget to be thankful in this busy world we live in. For many, life is a whirlwind of busyness with no time for the truly important things. But gratitude changes everything — our attitude, the atmosphere of our home, and even our children’s hearts. Thankfulness should be a priority in our lives…and in the lives of our kids. If you’re struggling with whiny, ungrateful kids who will not listen, maybe it’s time for a lesson in thankfulness. We need the reminder ourselves oftentimes, and this post contains some discussion ideas for addressing the subject and questions/activities for kids.
First of all, I always try to point my kids to the Word of God. And the Bible has plenty to say about being thankful.
*Psalms 105:1 O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
*1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
*Psalms 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
*Colossians 2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
And there’s many more verses to be found!
Activity: Look up verses on the subject of thankfulness and write down your favorite verses! (Use a concordance or Bible app to look up keywords.)
Lesson #1: Make Being Thankful a Priority
As I Thessalonians says: be thankful in EVERY thing. This is a command, although definitely a challenging one. If we are not thankful, this is a bad thing and a sign of “perilous” times (read II Timothy 3:1-7). Being unthankful is listed with some pretty serious offenses. Things most of us do NOT want to be associated with. Being thankful is a serious thing to think about.
Talk about being thankful: when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up (Deuteronomy 6:7). Start the day with a positive: I’m thankful the sun is shining (or it is raining, cold, snowy, etc.) this morning! Anytime you hear a grumble, remind them to be thankful in EVERY thing. Grumbling about what’s for breakfast? God gave us a nice warm meal. Grumbling about going to bed? God gave us a comfy, safe home to share with our family.
~For fun, check out this Gratitories Game from Not Consumed.~
Thought: What wins out in my daily life? Thankfulness or complaining?
Lesson #2: Encourage Personal Prayer
Being a Christian is about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We need to encourage our kids to pray and fellowship with Him! We can encourage them to pray by discussing it, modeling prayer, and showing them scripture. Challenge them to pray without asking for anything, only showing gratitude to the Lord for his goodness. Encourage them to be specific about what they are thankful for when talking to the Lord. Let’s truly: enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name (Ps. 100:4). ~Sing this song with them.~
Question: When was the last time I prayed only to thank Him?
Lesson #3: Share Your Testimony
Read: Bible Study Through the Seasons: Themed Units for Every Time of Year
Let’s talk about how thankful we are. We can talk about it at home, at church, and anywhere we go. Sometimes a little comment about being thankful is a great way to witness and remind others of God’s goodness. The Bible says, That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works (Psalms 26:7). Let’s tell others and not be ashamed. Make known his deeds among the people (Psalm 105:1).
Share your testimony. Everyone has a testimony of what God has done for you. I was saved when I was only 5 years old, and I still have a salvation testimony of God’s amazing mercy and grace. I have my kids practice telling me their testimony from time to time so they are prepared to share with others.
~Here’s a wonderful devotional for mom: Thankfulness: A Highly Favoured Life Devotional.~
Question: Do I tell others what God has done for me?
A List of Things to be Thankful For
Read: 10 Bible Stories That Teach Us to Be Thankful
We have so much to be thankful for. I think most of us have a home, food in the kitchen, and warm blankets. We may go through hard times. We may not always have exactly what we WANT, but God has been good to us. Thank Him for all the little things and the big things too. Here are some spiritual blessings to thank Him for:
- God gave us free will to choose Him. (Deut. 30:19).
- Salvation is offered to all. (Romans 10:13)
- Jesus came to die for all.
- God gives everyone the opportunity to hear the gospel.
- God has a plan for my life.
- Sending someone to tell me about Jesus.
- Salvation transforms us completely (2 Cor. 5:17).
- God turns brokenness into new life (Psalm 40:1–3).
- God gives us a purpose— we are called to serve God. (2 Tim. 4:1–2; 1 Tim. 1:11–12).
- We have the privilege to share Christ with others.
- Christian parents who teach me in the ways of God.
Activity: Make a list of things you are thankful for.
Live a Life of Thankfulness
It starts with you, Mom! When I’m folding mounds of laundry, I have to remember how thankful I am for the people who dirty those clothes. It’s all in our perspective. Being thankful is more than just words: it is something you feel in your heart, think in your mind, and respond to in obedience to the Word of God. It takes some practice to get thankfulness into our daily routine. Let’s take a moment today and show God how thankful we are. Let’s remind others of what God has done for us.
~Check out this Thanksgiving activity book and Fall Journal.~
🍂🍁O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 118:29 🍁🍂
Free Download: 30 Days of Thankfulness Scripture Challenge
