This Sunday school lesson will help the children understand how they can show thanks for all that God has provided.
TOPICS
Blessings, Provision, Thanksgiving, Thankfulness
AS KIDS ARRIVE (10 minutes)
Turkey Hunt (Game) Click here
WORSHIP TIME (5 minutes)
Further info? Click here
BIBLE VERSE (5 minutes)
”Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV
Explain to the children the meaning of all circumstances. Ask what kinds of things happen to make the kids say thank you.
BIBLE STORY (15 minutes)
Gather the children around you in preparation for story time. After the introduction, read the passages as shown or read the verses directly from the Bible. Read each passage before asking the corresponding question.
Introduction:
I want you to pretend that you were living in the United States about 350 years ago. You may have been living with a group of people known as the Pilgrims. It’s getting cold outside. Your family is worried because winter is coming, and food during the winter is hard to find. Your mom can’t just go to the grocery store. And you can’t just open the refrigerator door, because, well, there are no refrigerators. They haven’t been invented yet.
But your family does have faith in God. That night, your mom reads to you some Bible verses about how God is going to help. Perhaps we can read those very same verses today.
Read Matthew 6:25-26
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"
Explain to the children that these verses tell us not to worry about food or clothing. The Bible says God knows we need them and will provide them for us.
1. Can we be sure God will provide enough food for us to eat? (Yes.)
Read 1 Timothy 6:17
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."
Explain to the children that this verse tells us not to count on anyone or anything but God for what we need.
2. Who can we depend on for what we need? (God.)
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:18
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
Explain to the children that we should always give thanks to God.
3. What can we say to God for all He has done? (Thank you.)
FUN TIME (15 minutes)
Thanksgiving Basket (Craft) Click here
PRAYER/SNACK (10 minutes)
Further info? Click here
Start by praying to God and thanking Him for all He has provided. Have Tootsie Roll® pops for a snack. Explain that it takes some time to get to the chocolaty inside, just like it took some time for the pilgrims to gather their food that Thanksgiving a long time ago. But God is good, and He will always provide what we need when we are patient.
CLOSING ACTIVITY (5-10 minutes)
Showing Thanksgiving (Activity) Click here
NEXT WEEK
Choose another exciting lesson plan from Kids Sunday School Place for Preschool.
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON TAKE HOME PAGE
Give one copy to each child at the end of the class to take home [PDF]. Click here