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Thanksgiving Day Reflections

Kristin Charles — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 20:19:28 +0000

Turkey is slotted to be on the Thanksgiving table, paired with my mother in law’s famous buttery mashed potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, and stuffing. The table itself looks just as good as the food prepared for it. It’s wearing its finest tablecloth and is bejeweled with shiny silverware and inherited china. Family and friends will travel for miles to be at this table. There has been a whole lot of preparation put into this day.

Now I’ve never hosted a Thanksgiving dinner. The most I’ve prepared is a turkey, which I guess you can say is pretty essential. But I’m almost certain I just popped said bird into the oven until the timer went off. There wasn’t a lot of staying up half the night preparing and scheduling all of the components.

My mom and mother in law, on the other hand, have been true Thanksgiving Day warriors. Men and women like them should be richly decorated for pulling off such grand feats of kitchen prowess. It’s hard enough just getting a regular meal on the table without the smoke detector going off (which happened to me just tonight, as a matter of fact!)

Preparing healthy meals is time intensive. Anyone who has spent any time in the kitchen knows that. It is essential to take care of the physical. However, it is equally essential to take care of the spiritual. Jesus himself said, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

We all know this principle, but it’s so hard to put it into practice. If I’m being completely transparent with you, I would say that what has been on our own children’s spoons sometimes takes precedence over what is fed to their hearts.

Imagine me sitting there at Thanksgiving, with my heaping plate of food. I dig in and it’s delicious. I finish my plate and go back for seconds. I feel like I’m going to pop. All the while, there sits my daughter next to me. There is nothing on her plate but four peas. She eats them carefully and slowly. She has grown accustomed to small portions, as such. Though she should be hungry, her appetite is diminished. Somehow I’ve come to think that four peas is enough for her. How much turkey can a five year old handle, anyway?

Can you just foresee the outrage of Great Grandma at this display? She would have a bird! Yet I think it probably happens more than we would like to admit in our own homes. At least, I would say that it happens in mine.

If it’s a good morning for us, we rise at the sound of our alarms. We wake to spend time in the Word and in prayer. Our kids hear us and slowly creep down the stairs. Our Bibles close. The busyness of the day ensues. Somewhere in between school and art class, we reference Jesus. We pray before dinner and bed. We read their little devotionals, if it’s not past bedtime.

Though a lot of thought has gone into our children’s dinner plates, there hasn’t been a whole lot of focused spiritual consideration. They have dined on four peas. And for some of our children, that is enough to satisfy. They are getting the foundation of a good diet. But I do have a gut feeling that many of our children are ready for more. They’re ready for the meat of the Word. They’re ready to put their faith into action. They’re ready to be true disciples, even now.

For Thanksgiving Day this year and for every day thereafter, I want to be more aware of the balance between spiritual and physical nourishment. Because, as we all know, it is a balance. Our kids need to eat what’s on their plates. And they need to be satisfied with the richest of foods, which will always be the Word of God.

This preparation will take time, no doubt. But if we are committed to raising a generation of children to follow Christ, it could not be more essential. We know they can’t live on four peas a day. After all, we’ve tried it ourselves, and it has left us as hungry as can be.

“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.” Psalm 63:4-5

Thanksgiving Crafts: Paper Bag Book Project

Tony Kummer — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 17:35:11 +0000

"Thankful Book" is a free craft idea from Artsy Mommy

Here is a fun Thanksgiving craft I ran across on another blog. It’s a multi-step project, so it might be best in smaller Sunday School classes or at home. Of course, with enough grown-up helpers you could use this in any ministry context. I could imaging home school parents or Christian school teachers making the most of this idea too.

This idea is from Deb at the Artsy Mommy website. You can get the main idea from the video below, but you’ll also want to print off the directions from her site:

Printable directions (PDF) step-by-step directions & material list
Book images (PDF) printable pages for the book (you will want to update the year on the cover graphic after you print it out)

To make this project more explicitly about God, you could include some Bible verses about Thanksgiving or even have the children write a prayer that gives thanks for all the blessings in their lives.

Preschool Bible Lesson: Thankful All the Time

Amy Brown — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 13:08:31 +0000

This is a preschool lesson to be taught in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. This lesson was written with the intention of following the Thanksgiving lesson about the cornucopia.

Around the Thanksgiving holiday, our thankfulness tends to focus on the good things we have received, namely material possessions. But, God instructs us to be thankful in all circumstances even when we are not experiencing abundance. In this lesson the children will learn how God wants us to be thankful in all circumstances. They will help each other to see ways they can be thankful when life does not go the way they want. Ultimately they will learn how no matter what happens we can always be thankful because we have Jesus.

Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Learning Objective: The children will learn how they can be thankful in all circumstances because they have Jesus.

Target Age: 3 years old-Kindergarten

Time Needed: 15-20 minutes

Materials Needed: None

Hook:

“What are some things you are thankful for?” Take input from the children.
“All of the things you have told me are good things. Are you thankful when things are not good?”
“Did you know God wants us to have a thankful heart even when things don’t seem to be good?”

Book:

“I am going to read to you a verse about how God wants us to be thankful all the time no matter what.”
Read aloud the Bible verse 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

Look:

“This verse tells us to be thankful in all circumstances. What does ‘circumstances’ mean?” Take input from the children.
“It means all the things that happen to us in life. It means when good things are happening to us and when bad things are happening to us.”
“The verse also tells us to be thankful because it is the will of God. What does the ‘will of God’ mean?” Take input from the children.
“It means what God wants.”
“God wants us to be thankful all the time no matter what. Even when we have a bad thing happen to us, He wants us to have a thankful heart. It is best for us to be thankful.”

Took:

“Let’s practice together ways we can be thankful even when bad things happen to us.”
Choose one child to help you act out the scenario of being at church and one child steals a toy from another child.
“If I just got a toy stolen from me that is not a good thing. How can I have a thankful heart when a toy gets stolen from me?” Take input from the children.
“I could be thankful there are adults in the room to help me. I could be thankful there are more toys to play with if one gets taken away from me. I could be thankful there are other children to play with.”
“What are some bad things that have happened to you?” Take input from the children talking through one scenario at a time.
After hearing one suggested scenario, “How could name of child be thankful in that circumstance?” Take input from the children to help the child brainstorm ways to have a thankful heart when they experience bad circumstances.
Example scenarios: falling down and getting hurt, getting in trouble at home, being treated meanly by another child, or being picked on by an older sibling.
“It is hard to be thankful when bad things happen to us. How do you think we are able to be thankful when things are bad?” Take input from the children.
“We can be thankful all the time because we have Jesus. No matter if things are good or bad, if we have a lot of good things or if everything is taken away from us, we still have Jesus. Jesus is the reason our hearts can be thankful all the time.”

Need More Ideas? You might enjoy our free Thanksgiving coloring pages or other Thanksgiving craft ideas for children’s ministry.

Pilgrims Give Thanks to God: Coloring Page

Mandy Groce — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:59:05 +0000

Pilgrims Give Thanks to God Coloring Page - click above to download

This coloring page shows more of the traditional side of Thanksgiving. It could be used in any school, church, or home setting to talk about the faith of the Pilgrims. It was created by Mandy Groce, a visual artist from Louisville, KY. If you enjoy this work, please leave a comment to say thanks.

Directions: To download this free printable coloring page, simply click on the image to the right for a print friendly PDF file. We’ve also uploaded a higher resolution jpeg version for advanced editing.

The image shows a Pilgrim family on the deck of a ship as it approaches land. The woman’s hands are raised in a gesture of thanksgiving unto God. The caption surrounding the picture makes the meaning plain:

The pilgrims were thankful to God for His love; for all of the blessings He’d sent from above… New friends, many lessons, such hardship and strife… they rejoiced to the One who had given them life!

Like all our Sunday School crafts, this coloring sheet is 100% free for you to use in your church, home, or school. We’d love to hear back from any homeschool families or Christian school teachers who use this as part of their teaching on the Christian History of Thanksgiving. Although the holiday was officially established until later, the early American settlers clearly gave thanks to God for his protection.

Here is a second coloring sheet for Thanksgiving. This one shows a traditional family seated around the dinner table. The captions says “Be thankful in all things.” This would be a great family activity sheet. This resource is also free to use in any ministry context.

This coloring page features a Thankful tree. It doubles as a craft activity where kids can write down items for which they can thank God. This would be the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving Sunday School lesson. I plan to use it in my children’s church Also illustrated by Mandy Groce.

Need More Ideas? Many has also posted an printable Autumn Coloring page. You can browse all our free materials for Thanksgiving. These include a thanksgiving Bible lesson and Thanksgiving craft ideas.

Sunday School Lesson: Learn about Israel’s Thanksgiving Feast

Kelly Henderson — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 05:17:07 +0000

This lesson introduces students to how the Israelites celebrated Thanksgiving as they celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. The celebration was written in God’s Law for His people to keep each year as a way to remember His goodness to them. As His people remember all that He has done for them they are filled with joy and thanksgiving. This lesson can be adapted to meet different ministry needs.

Bible Story: How Israel Celebrated Thanksgiving: Feast of Tabernacles
Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-18 (Scriptures about Feast of Tabernacles: Leviticus 23:33-44; Numbers 29:12-39; Deuteronomy 16:13)
Target Age Group: Age 9 – 11 (U.S. 3rd – 5th Grade)
Learning Context: Sunday School
Target Time Frame: 60 minutes
Printer Friendly Bible Lesson: Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it. this lesson plan
You Can Help: Please share your feedback and suggestions to improve this children’s Bible lesson. Click here to respond.

Supply List: Pillow cases, objects symbolizing Thanksgiving and what God has done, Bibles, tent or other items to build a ‘booth’, craft sticks,

Learning Goal: Students will learn that as they remember what God has done for them it will cause them to be thankful.

Learning Indicator: Review Questions

Learning Activity #1: Thanksgiving Grab Bag: Have 2 bags in one bag put items that symbolize different things about Thanksgiving (pilgrim, ship, corn, Indian, turkey, etc.). In the second bag put items that symbolize things that cause us to remember what God has done for us (Cross, Bible, food, toys, clothes, band aid or medicine as a reminder that God heals us, etc.) Use the first bag of symbols of Thanksgiving to introduce why and how America celebrates Thanksgiving to introduce how God’s people Israel celebrated Thanksgiving. At the end of the lesson use the second bag of items symbolizing things believers need to remember so his/her heart is filled with Thanksgiving for all that God has done.

Learning Activity #2: Depending on size of your class you and your students can construct a ‘tabernacle/booth’ and the lesson can be told inside. An easy assemble tent could be used.

Test: Review Questions

Memory Verse: Psalm 77:11 “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes I will remember Your miracles of long ago.

Optional: You can use our Thanksgiving Sunday School crafts to supplement this lesson plan.

Memory Verse Activity: Using craft sticks have students write each word on a stick and create a tent that represents a tabernacle.

Bible Lesson: How Israel Celebrated Thanksgiving: Feast of Tabernacles

Have students draw an object from pillow case that symbolizes something about Thanksgiving. As each object is chosen talk about why that object makes us think about Thanksgiving.

Each family has their tradition of how they celebrate Thanksgiving each year. Some of the traditions may be similar to what most people do and some may be very different and unique. What are some traditions that you and your family share during Thanksgiving? (Allow students to share how they celebrate.)

Americans celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. (Information about the history of Thanksgiving)

Many people who sailed on the Mayflower left their homes so they could freely practice their faith in God. The people that arrived in America were called pilgrims. A Native American named Squanto taught the pilgrims how to plant corn and how to survive in the new land.

After the first crop of corn was harvested the pilgrims celebrated a time of Thanksgiving. They were thankful for their new home, new friends and for the food that God had provided them.

Thanksgiving became a yearly celebration to remember and thank God for all that He had done. Whenever we stop and take time to remember what God has done for us we can’t help but to be thankful.

This brief summary of our history and how we celebrate Thanksgiving every year makes me think of another group of people who left a land where they once were slaves and had no freedom. They were rescued and delivered by God and were given a new place to call home. Can anyone guess who I am talking about? (The Israelites, Jews, God’s people, Israelites)

The Israelites had been slaves to the Egyptians for over 400 years. God heard their cries and sent Moses to rescue His people and deliver them. God freed His people and led them to the land He had promised them. It took forty years for the Israelites to finally live in the land that God had promised. As the Israelites traveled through the wilderness God gave Moses specific instructions for His people so they could know how to worship Him. God also gave instructions for special celebrations for His people. Today we are going to focus on the celebration that is like our celebration of Thanksgiving.

Let’s turn in our Bibles to Nehemiah 8:1-18. (This is a brief summary of Israel’s history to give a background to this chapter.) God’s people had been blessed with so many things and yet just like us they forgot the wonderful things He had done and turned away from Him. As His people forgot His blessings they turned away from Him and sinned against the laws He had given them to live as His people. God warned His people that if they did not turn away from their sin and return to Him and follow His ways, He would punish them. After many years watching His people forget Him and sin against Him, God punished His people and had enemies capture them and take them from the Promised Land. They were removed from the land that God gave them and were taken to live as slaves in other countries. When God’s people turned their hearts back to Him, they were allowed to return to the Promised Land. When they returned to the Promised Land they had a lot of work to do to repair the damage that was done to the city of Jerusalem where God’s temple used to stand.

Our story today takes place after the walls around Jerusalem have been rebuilt. It had been many years since God’s people had been taught what God’s Laws were. Ezra was a priest and teacher of God’s laws. Let’s read Nehemiah 8:1 and see what is taking place.

God’s people were hungry for God’s Words. They had spent many years without His teachings that they wanted to hear and understand what His Word said. Read Nehemiah 8:2 God’s people listened attentively from morning until noon as Ezra taught God’s Words.

What is your attitude when it seems like the church service is never going to end? When God’s Words are being taught we should be attentive to listen and obey what He is trying to teach us.

Read Nehemiah 8:9. As the people heard God’s laws their hearts were broken because they realized that they had not been obeying God’s commands because they had not remembered what He told them. How do you respond when you realize you have disobeyed what God’s word teaches you? When we realize we have sinned against God we should be sad. As we read these verses it’s not that the Israelites were not supposed to mourn or be sad because of their sin. On this particular day the Israelites were told that they were not to mourn because it was a time God wanted them to rejoice.

Read Nehemiah 8:13-15. As the Israelites continued to gather together to hear God’s laws they realized that there was a celebration that God wanted them to celebrate every year to remember what He had done for them. This celebration is called the Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths.

This Feast was a time of Thanksgiving for the Israelites to celebrate. This celebration took place every year and lasted for seven days. Because the celebration took place during the fall harvest God’s people would thank Him for providing them to receive food from their gardens.

God wanted His people to always remember how He led them out of Egypt and provided for them as they traveled through the wilderness to the land He promised to give them. As a way to remember that time they were to build booths to remember the years they lived in the wilderness. Read Nehemiah 8:16-17.

Although it was a time of remembering the difficulties the Israelites faced many years ago, the celebration was a time of great rejoicing. As they remembered their difficulties they remembered how God loved them and took care of them. For seven days as the Israelites celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles they continued to gather together and hear Ezra teach God’s Law.

How would you feel if you were a child living during the times of Nehemiah 8? Would you like to live in a tent made by branches for seven days as you heard stories of all the great things God had done? As the Israelites remembered all that God had done for them they could not help but to thank Him and praise Him.

In this second bag we have items that help us to remember what things God has done for us. (Use the second bag that symbolizes things God has done.) After each item has been shown ask, is there anything else that could have been in this bag that helps you to remember what God has done for you? Allow students to respond.

As we celebrate Thanksgiving what has God done for you that you have forgotten about? In our busy lives it’s easy to forget the blessings God has given to each one of us. If you have not kept a journal of how God has taken care of you, you may want to start one this year. A journal will help you to remember that God has been with you every day of your life and you will live a life of thanksgiving each day of the year.

Allow students to share what they are thankful for. Close in prayer.

Sharing the Gospel: As you use the symbols remembering what God has done the Gospel message can be shared through each object. Example: cross-Jesus died on the cross for our sins.

Review Questions:

When Ezra read the Law how did the people act? (They were attentive and listened from morning until noon.)
Why were the Israelites not suppose to mourn? (It was a day that God wanted them to rejoice.)
What celebration did the Israelites learn they had not been celebrating? (Feast of Tabernacles/Booths)
How many days did the Feast of Tabernacles take place? (7)
How did the Israelites celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles? (Built booths with branches)
When the Israelites remembered what God had done for them how did they act? (Thankful/rejoiced)
What can you do in your life to help you remember all that God has done for you?

Thanksgiving Preschool Bible Lesson & Craft

Amy Brown — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 16:44:13 +0000

Click the image to download this "Cornucopia worksheet " as a print-friendly PDF file

This is a preschool lesson to be taught in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. It would be perfect for your Preschool Sunday School lesson or other ministry setting. Parents could also use this lesson plan at home. The children will learn about the symbol and meaning of the cornucopia. They will reflect upon what God has blessed them with in abundance.

This lesson should be followed up the next week with a lesson about how we should give thanks in all circumstances as the Christian life will not always seem blessed with abundance. As this lesson is written for preschoolers, it has been kept simple focusing on one aspect of the Christian life.

Text: John 10:10

Learning Objective: The children will think about what God has blessed them with abundantly.

Target Age: 3 years old-Kindergarten

Time Needed: 20 minutes

Materials Needed: A picture of or a decorative cornucopia, Cornucopia worksheet, crayons, pencils.

Cornucopia: Blessed Abundance Lesson Plan

Hook:

Show the children the picture or decoration of a cornucopia. “Does anyone know what this is called?”
“It is called a cornucopia. Now repeat that word after me, corn-u-cop-ia.” If possible, write the word cornucopia on a whiteboard for them to see.
“Does anyone know what a cornucopia is for or what it means?”
“We see cornucopias around the time of Thanksgiving because a cornucopia represents all the good things God has given us. Look at all the beautiful fruit in this cornucopia. It looks very good! Seeing a cornucopia around Thanksgiving time helps us to remember to thank God for all the good food He will give us on our Thanksgiving table.”

Book:

“But, God doesn’t just give us food. I am going to read to you a verse from the Bible. It is John 10:10.”
Read aloud the Bible verse.

Look:

“This verse says, ‘I came that they may have life…’. Who is the ‘I’ in this verse?”
“Jesus is the person speaking in this verse and He says He will give us life. But not just any kind of life, He will give us life abundantly.”
“Abundantly is a big word. Repeat it after me, a-bun-dant-ly. Does anyone know what it means?”
“Abundantly means ‘a lot, plenty, or a big amount’. So Jesus came to give us a good life. A life full of good things.”
“When we become a Christian and follow Jesus, He gives us a life full of joy, good things to do and good friends.”

Took:

“The cornucopia at Thanksgiving reminds us of the abundant life God has given to us when we turn away from our sins, believe in Jesus, and live for Him.”
“What are some good things God has given you in your life?” Take some suggestions from the children.
“You will now each get your own cornucopia. Right now it is empty, but you are going to fill it with what God has given you in your abundant life. You will draw inside your cornucopia the good things God has given to you.”
Pass out the cornucopia worksheet and crayons. The children will then draw things they are thankful for in their life.

More Thanksgiving Materials: You can download our Thanksgiving Coloring Pages or check out another Preschool Bible lesson for Thanksgiving.

Bible Lesson: A Thankful Heart Willingly Gives

Kelly Henderson — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 13:17:39 +0000

This is another lesson from the study of David. It could also work as lesson for Thanksgiving. Click here to see the lesson index.

The lesson teaches the generosity and willingness of David and the Israelites to give materials for the future temple that Solomon would build. The focus of the lesson is on how God owns all we have and we show Him our gratitude by giving willingly and generously. The lesson can be adapted for your individual ministry’s needs.

Bible Story: Gifts for Building the Temple
Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:1-20
Target Age Group: Age 9 – 11 (U.S. 3rd – 5th Grade)
Learning Context: Sunday School
Target Time Frame: 60 minutes
Printer Friendly Bible Lesson: Note: There is a print link embedded within this post, please visit this post to print it. this lesson plan
You Can Help: Please share your feedback and suggestions to improve this children’s Bible lesson. Click here to respond

Supply List: Bibles, an example of a blueprint, (optional) Thanksgiving coloring page

Learning Goal: Students will learn that their attitude toward giving reveals whether they have a thankful heart.

Learning Indicator: Students will demonstrate their understanding of Bible passage by answering review questions. By participating in learning activities students will be able to identify ways they can willingly give to help others.

Learning Activity #1: Pray about a specific way that your class can willingly give to serve others. Something our children/preschool ministry did in the past was to provide hats and mittens for the homeless children that were in our area. The children brought hats and mittens in for a couple of weeks and they hung them on a Christmas tree with clothes pins. Many times activities like this require the parents to go out and buy and send in with the children unless the children decide they want to buy the items with their own money. To emphasize a willingness to give it would be good to encourage the children to do the giving (if they don’t have money they can ask their parents for a job to do so that they could earn enough money to buy a hat or mittens for the project). Another idea is to allow students who have stuffed animals or other toys that are in good condition, willingly offer them to provide for victims of a natural disaster or some other situation. There are different opportunities that provide children an opportunity to willingly share their time, talents and things with others. With the idea that best fits your class present the project after the lesson.

Learning Activity #2: Use scenarios that will help students to identify practical ways they can willingly give showing they have thankful hearts.

Susan’s toy box is overflowing with stuffed animals. What can she do that shows she has a willing heart to give?
John loves drawing pictures and writing letters. He finds out that his best friend Andy’s grandmother is very sad and lonely at the nursing home where she lives. What can John do that shows he has a willing heart to give?
Janet can play the piano and sing beautifully. The local children’s hospital has an evening where people can come and share their talent with the children who are sick. What can Janet do that shows she has a willing heart to give?

These were just a couple of ideas of willingly giving to others. Sometimes when we hear ‘give’ we automatically think of money. That is not the only way we can willingly give to help others. What are some other ideas of ways kids your age can give willingly?

As you prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving pray for ways you can show your thankfulness to God for all He has blessed you with by giving to others.

Song for this lesson: Count your Blessings

Test: Review Questions

Memory Verse: 1 Chronicles 29:13 “Now, our God, we give You thanks, and praise Your Glorious Name.”

Memory Verse Activity: The verse can be sung to the tune of 10 Little Indians.

Bible Lesson: A Thankful Heart Gives Willingly

(If you have been teaching the lessons about Israel’s kings review with students the lesson where David wanted to build a temple for God.)

Even though David could not build God’s temple, God did give him the plans for the temple (1 Chronicles 28:11-19). We would call them blueprints. (Show an example of a blueprint of house or other building) When we are going to build something, before it is built we have a paper that shows the rooms and the sizes of the rooms and the materials that are needed to build the house.

David was not going to be alive when the temple was built but he wanted to do what he could to prepare for the building of the place where God would be worshiped.

(1 Chronicles 29) David gathered all the people of Israel together. He told them that his son Solomon was the one God had chosen to replace him as king. He told them that they had a big job before them in building the temple. He told them, “This temple is not for man but for the Lord God.”

David was a king and had much wealth and treasure. He wanted to do his part in giving to the work of building God’s temple. David gave his own gold, silver, bronze, iron and wood for the materials needed to build the temple. He also gave jewels and colorful stones that would be part of the temple. He gave fine stone and marble in large quantities. David gave of his things willingly because of his love for God. David was thankful for all of the blessings God had given him. David also gave willingly from his personal treasures to help build God’s temple.

What does it mean to give willingly? (Allow responses) Can you think of a time when you gave willingly? Can you think of a time you gave because you were told to but didn’t really want to? A heart that gives willingly pleases God. 2 Corinthians 9:7

As the King over Israel David set a good example for God’s people when he gave willingly to the preparation of the temple’s construction. He now asked God’s people, “Who is willing to separate themselves to the Lord?” After seeing David willingly give of his possessions for the materials of the temple, the leaders of families, officers, commanders of the military and other officials gave willingly materials to build the temple. Let’s read in verses 1 Chronicles 29:7-8 what these leaders gave.

What a joyful day it was! When the people of Israel saw David and the leaders all giving willingly and wholeheartedly toward the work on the temple, they rejoiced greatly. Even David was overjoyed when he saw how the leaders willingly gave to the Lord.

When you willingly gave to someone else how did you feel? Whenever you hear of a need and God instructs you how to respond to that need and you respond willingly you will have joy in your heart. It is a privilege to be able to give and serve others because God has blessed us with many gifts.

What was happening caused David to praise God before all the people. Let’s read verses 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 and see what David praised the Lord for. David was praising God that He was the owner of all things. Everything we own belongs to God. He deserves our praise and thanksgiving.

David realized that everything they owned came from God. All the materials they had given to build the temple already belonged to God in the first place. David was in awe of God’s goodness to them.

David prayed for God to keep the desire to give in the hearts of the people forever. He also prayed that they would be loyal and faithful to God. He also prayed for his son Solomon to have a wholehearted devotion and that he would obey God’s commands, and follow the instructions to build the temple.

David told the people to praise the Lord and they all praised Him and bowed down to the ground and fell face down before the Lord.

This was an exciting story because we saw people willingly giving their possessions to God. Those who gave didn’t hold anything back for God’s work.

Are you like David and realize that all you own really belongs to God? Just as God had blessed David with many good things He has blessed you and me with many good things. What is your attitude toward the things you have? Are you willing to give anything you have to help God’s work? Do we follow David’s example by being thankful for all that God has given us? David’s heart was filled with joy and thanksgiving as he gave willingly for the temple to be built. Is your heart filled with joy and thanksgiving as you give willingly to others?

Each Thanksgiving in America people celebrate a holiday to express their thankfulness. As believers everyday should be celebrated as a day of Thanksgiving. If we have been saved from our sins and adopted into God’s family we have much to be thankful for. Thankfulness is shown in our actions, attitudes and how we speak.

This week let’s examine our attitude about giving. Our attitude will reveal how thankful we are for God’s blessings to us. It’s not what we have or how much we have that counts with God, but our willingness to give it.

Close in prayer.

Review Questions:

What did David want to do for God? (Build a temple)
Who was going to be the one to build the temple? (Solomon)
Who gave David the plans (blueprint) for the temple? (God)
What was David’s attitude toward giving for the temple?
What was the leaders’ attitude toward giving?
How did the people respond when they saw the leaders giving willingly?
Why did David praise God?
When others look at your attitude toward giving would they be able to see your thankfulness for God’s blessings?
What are some things you can give to show your thankfulness to the Lord this week?

Additional Resources:

Browse all our Thanksgiving ideas for children’s ministry
Print this Thanksgiving coloring sheet for kids
Danielle’s Place (Craft ideas, snacks and games for Thanksgiving)

Another Thanksgiving Coloring Sheet

Mandy Groce — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 15:45:23 +0000

Click on this image to download this free Thanksgiving coloring sheet

Here is another coloring option for Thanksgiving from Mandy. This coloring sheet shows a traditional family seated around a table enjoying the Thanksgiving meal. The text reads, “Be Thankful in all things.” It’s just one of our Thanksgiving craft ideas.

Directions: This printable can be downloaded as a PDF file by clicking on the preview image to the right. We’ve also uploaded a higher resolution jpeg image for advanced users.

This printable would be ideal for families to use together at home. It could also be included in a Thanksgiving Sunday School or Children’s church lesson. Like all our resources, this is 100% free to download and use in any ministry context.

If you enjoy this resources, you can click here to let us know how you’re using it. Your comments are a great encouragement to us.

Here is more Thanksgiving coloring pages we’ve uploaded. These would be the perfect add on for nearly any lesson. Kids will add leaves to the tree with specific things they can give thanks about. It’s a great thanksgiving coloring activity.

Need More Ideas? You can browse all our Thanksgiving ideas for children’s ministry or preview our Thanksgiving Sunday School lessons.

Thanksgiving: It’s an ugly day for many kids

Glen Woods — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 15:13:58 +0000

Many children will never experience a "picture perfect" Thanksgiving holiday

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, children’s ministry leaders and teachers are thinking about how to teach the children under their care about God’s view of giving thanks.

At first blush, it seems simple. For example, we might ask the children to think about what they are thankful for. Cool toys, a nice house, the latest award for sports or the arts, parents, brothers and sisters, the dog, the cat, even the pet lizard that seems to keep ending up on the kitchen counter while Mom and Dad are cooking dinner….

So, Thanksgiving in the minds of many children becomes a focus on giving thanks for what they have: possessions, relationships, accomplishments, and other kinds of blessings.

And why shouldn’t it? It is typically what is modeled for them. To be sure, they should be thankful. And so should we as adults and leaders. But is that the final word on thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving and Ministering to Children Who Suffer

What about those families whose parents and/or children are suffering? Marginalized? Hurting to such a degree they are rocked to their core? How do we teach thanksgiving to them? Who can possibly understand the emotional space they are in?

I am reminded of the Apostle Paul’s words concerning contentment and thanksgiving in Philippians 4: 1-14. Whether he had plenty or was in need, he had learned to be content. Indeed, in verse six he writes, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Even in the hard times we can be thankful. To the church of Corinth he writes, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Cor 4:7-9).

Children who suffer do not need trite assurances in the form of an offhand comment. They need comfort exemplified by faith lived out daily with them. They need to be heard, understood, and loved. Although we cannot always provide immediate resolutions to their needs, we can offer the ministry of presence which expresses thankfulness for who they are now and how God has sustained them to this point. This ministry of thankful presence looks forward to the hope that God has for them, regardless of their current circumstances.

Think about the children you influence. Are there any who require special consideration during this season of emphasis on thanksgiving? Pray about how you might facilitate a ministry of godly, attentive presence for them. Your actions will lend credibility to the words you prayerfully choose to share with them.

Need More Ideas? Many of our suggestions related to hurting kids on father’s day and mother’s day are relevant here. We’ve also posted a special prayer for suffering children around the world.

Free Thanksgiving Coloring Pages for Kids

Mandy Groce — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 15:00:34 +0000

Enjoy these free Thanksgiving coloring pages created by Mandy Groce. It can double as a Thanksgiving craft and learning activity to help children think about specific blessings in their lives. This would be the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving Sunday School lesson. I plan to use it in my children’s church during November.

Directions: To download this free coloring page, simply click the preview images for the printer friendly PDF files. We’ve also uploaded them in high resolution jpegs for advanced editing. Use these download links: Tree page PDF (JPEG) and the leaves page PDF (JPEG).

The tree coloring page has the words “I am thankful to the Lord.” It has bare tree branches, pumpkins, and a child’s swing. The second page has leaves where children can write in things for which they are thankful.

Mandy offered these thoughts about the pages. Be sure to leave her a comment if you want to thank her for this free material.

I planned these as an activity coloring sheet option, but the first sheet can be used for coloring only (younger kiddos). The idea being that the second sheet involves teacher/parent/student writing things that the student is thankful for. Once written, colored and cut, the tree can then be “trimmed”…

This coloring page features a Pilgrim family and their prayer of Thanksgiving to God as their ship arrives safely. It’s a more historical approach to the holiday and would be great for homeschool or Christian schools. Also illustrated by Mandy Groce.