Teaching Thankful Sunday School Lessons
The holiday season is almost upon us which only means one thing—Thanksgiving! While we love the endless fun this celebration brings, it is essential that we remember the reasons behind it. Share your gratitude for God with the youngsters at your ministry with these seven Thanksgiving Bible lessons.
1. And Who Will Thank Jesus?
Age: Kindergarten – 6th Grade
Revisit the story of when Jesus helped the ten lepers in this thanksgiving Sunday school lesson for preschoolers and kids up to 6th grade. Based on Luke 17:11-17, this lesson highlights how morally wrong it is to accept kindness and not give gratitude. This free Sunday school lesson includes crafts and passages to help kids in kindergarten.
Luke 17:11-17
Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”
2. The Root of Thankfulness
Age: 10-14
This three-part thanksgiving lesson for children's church demonstrates that true thankfulness comes from knowing that Jesus Christ is our savior. We are blessed to have a relationship with Him, so we should choose thankfulness even in the most challenging situations. Jesus saved us when he died for our sins—we already have victory.
Colossians 2:6-7
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
3. Jesus Gives Thanks to God
Age: Kindergarten – 6th Grade
Despite experiencing extreme suffering, Jesus never fails to thank God, His Father. Endless rejections, physical violence, and torture didn’t affect His unshakable faith in God’s plan. Through this Sunday school thanksgiving lesson, kids will learn the significance of trusting in our Father regardless of what life may send our way. After all, Jesus found a way to give thanks in the face of persecution and death.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
4. Jehoshaphat Under Attack
Age: Kindergarten – 6th Grade
This powerful thanksgiving children's church lesson looks at lessons from the life of King Jehoshaphat. After receiving terrible news that his kingdom was under attack, he praised the Lord instead of turning against Him. Regardless of the circumstances, we must live as King Jehoshaphat did and never falter with our thanks for God’s eternal love.
2 Chronicles 20:18-19
“Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord. Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.”
5. A Thanksgiving Object Lesson
Age: 8 – 18
We teach children to say “thank you” often, but they are rarely encouraged to dig deeper and live with gratitude in their hearts. This Thanksgiving Sunday school lesson for kids urges youngsters not to lose the thankful spirit as soon as the holidays draw to an end. Give each child a printed calendar of November and encourage them to write all the things that make them happy on it, then display it somewhere in their home so they won’t forget.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
6. Ready, Set, Wait!
Age: 6 – 10
Creative thanksgiving bible lessons for elementary students are a great way to keep your slightly older kids’ hands busy while they learn. This free Thanksgiving Bible lesson is based on the parable of the ten virgins, teaching kids the importance of thankfulness, patience, and determination all in one. Let them get active, hands-on, and creative with this thanksgiving lesson for Sunday school.
Matthew 25:1-2
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise.”
7. Thankful For What?
Age: 16 – 18
This class for teens and young adults tackles the tough questions that inquisitive minds of this age can throw our way. It’s easy for them to ask “what do I have to be thankful for?” which can be a challenge to answer. Tell them to make a “Thank Bank” to display somewhere in their home (it could be as simple as an old plastic bottle with a slit in the lid) and write a short note whenever they feel thankful. Open it up at the end of the year and see your gratitude in front of you.
Colossians 2:6-7
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
Conclusion
Blend your Thanksgiving Bible lessons with fun activities like crafts and object lessons to make a long-lasting impression on your students. Don’t forget about the rest of your congregation—include some Thanksgiving Sunday school lessons for adults too! You can easily adapt some of these Thanksgiving Bible lessons for kids to suit older audiences with a few little tweaks.