Download this Thankfulness object lesson to remind kids to have gratitude the whole Thanksgiving month of November. Then watch our the children’s sermon demonstration video below to prepare to share this message with kids in your church or Sunday School.
“Thankful November” Children’s Sermon on 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
Object Lesson Message: A Month of Thanksgiving – The Importance of Gratitude and Thankful Hearts
Main Objective: Children are often reminded to use polite manners and say “thank you,” but it’s important to also encourage them to live with grateful hearts. We often think about gratitude as we prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, but quickly pass through to the eager greed of Christmas wishes and celebrations. This message can serve as a positive reminder in any season to be mindful and thankful for all God blesses us with.
Law/Gospel Theme: God has given us blessings in all things, positive and negative, challenging and joyful. The most wonderful thing He gives us is Christ. The Gospel of salvation is a blessing that we should remember with thanksgiving every day of the year.
Object Lesson Props / Materials:
Calendars; stereotypical Thanksgiving items (cans, food, turkey, etc.), other holiday items (optional).
Bible Passage:
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19; various Psalms of thanksgiving.
Bonus Ideas for Teaching Kids Thanksgiving
- Watch our video teaching example of this Thankful object lesson
- Print our free November Calendar Coloring Pages
- Browse all our Thanksgiving Sunday School Lessons
- Download our printable Thanksgiving coloring pages
- Get new sermons for kids object lessons every week on our website
- Teach this Thankful prayer for children with hand motions
Thankfulness Object Lesson (1 Thessalonians 5:16-19) Children’s Sermon
Note: For this children’s sermon, the details of how you choose to communicate this are adaptable and should cater to timing as well as to your audience and student needs. These suggestions are merely one possible way to demonstrate the message.
Greet students
Hello, children of God! Do you know what month we are in now? (Allow for responses)
That’s right; it’s November! What are some fun things that happen in the month of November? It gets a little colder, and we see leaves fall…and at the end of the month we have a special holiday! What do you like to do for Thanksgiving? (Allow responses)
Ooh, yes! I like to make yummy treats (hold up food items or decorations) and put up fun decorations, and I eat lots of food, and sometimes play a game with my family…but you know, what do you think is the most important part of Thanksgiving? Well, it’s sort of in the name…it’s about being thankful! Not just thankful for turkeys and parties, but for lots of things.
You know, the Bible talks a lot about why it is important to be thankful. God wants us to live with joy, and to be contented for the things that we have in our lives. This also keeps us from wanting things that we don’t have or that we don’t need. And we want to appreciate the blessings He has given us. What are some things you are thankful for? (Allow for some student responses).
I’m thankful for lots of fun things, too. And sometimes I like to remember those things when I’m feeling down, or when I am having a hard time with something. In fact, I want to give you a special challenge. I want you to try keeping track of all of these things you are thankful for! Can I show you something? (Hold up a calendar)
Here is a calendar… on this calendar, I write down things that are special. I like to write one thing for every day. So I might write a person who was helpful on that particular day, or something fun I got to do, or anything I appreciated. And then at the end of the month, I can look back and remember all of those happy things that I was able to feel thankful for. That’s another great thing about having hearts of gratitude. It helps us look back and appreciate what God has done. In fact, you can keep this up and write down a note of thankfulness every day! It doesn’t have to stop at the end of this month.
So I will give you this little paper calendar (hand out printed November calendars), and I encourage you to take this home and hang it up on your fridge or a wall somewhere. Every day, just write a word or two to remind you of something positive that you are thankful for. Don’t forget to give thanks to God while you’re writing, too! Why don’t we thank Him with a word of prayer right now?
Children’s Prayer Moment “Thank You God”
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for all of your amazing blessings
And the work you do in our lives
Thank you for the Bible
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
Thank you for Jesus
In His name, Amen!
Thankfulness Bible Verses for this Message
Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
and give thanks to his holy name.
5 For his anger is but for a moment,
and his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may tarry for the night,
but joy comes with the morning.11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,
12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever! –Psalm 30:4-5, 11-12
Praise the Lord!
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord,
or declare all his praise?
3 Blessed are they who observe justice,
who do righteousness at all times! –Psalm 106:1-3
Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit.
–1 Thessalonians 5:16-19
Thank you so much for your ministry! These resources are awesome!
Hi there! I teach preschool in Lavonia- just about 40 minutes from Athens! Thank you for the resources!
Hello,
Thanks for the resources. I work with children in my church and your website is really helpful with Sunday school lessons. thank you!
I haven’t used your curriculum before but I was looking for something for Thanksgiving. Thanks for the resources.