Childrens Lesson T-H-A-N-K-S-G-I-V-I-N-G?

What is Thanksgiving? (Allow the children time to share what this day means to them). What does it mean to be thankful? (Allow children to share some thoughts they may have). Say: Another word for thankful is appreciate. How many, by a show of hands, appreciate when someone does something nice for you? How do you show your appreciation? (List their responses on a dry erase board). Examples: Say thank you; Hug them; write a thank you note, do something nice for them; be nice to them; draw them a picture. Listen to what God says about being thankful. (Use your Bible to read the verse from). Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. I Chronicles 29:13. Now lets all say this verse together. (Turn around easel which will have the verse on it or use a Power Point to project on screen or a wall. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. I Chronicles 29:13.

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh October 2013 All rights reserved. Permission to use for ministry purposes.

King David encouraged the people to give willingly of their resources to God. King David gave thanks to God for all that the people gave for the temple. He consecrated it all to God; it belonged to Him. The people gave it in consecration of their service to God. All that we have belongs to God. He gave it to us in the first place and wants us to be good servants of it. When we consecrate something to God, we give Him complete permission to use it as He wants. He will bless us in different ways. Gods blessings include a promise to take care of us the way that is best. It pleases God when we show our appreciation and thanksgiving to Him every day. What are some ways that we can show our thanksgiving to God? I am going to write the word THANKSIGIVNG on the board and I will need your help to think of some things that we are thankful for that begin with the letters in the word thanksgiving T Time with God H Home warn bed, food, clothes A Angel - guardian N Numbers for writing letters and reading a good book K Kindness friends, parents, family S Salvation Jesus died on a cross and arose from the grave G God sent His only Son to die for our sins I Information learning new things V Vacations a time to relax and have fun with family I Intelligence God gave me a good brain N Nachos and cheese makes a tasty snack G Grandparents

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh October 2013 All rights reserved. Permission to use for ministry purposes.

Lets review our memory verse again: Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. I Chronicles 29:13. Thanksgiving is approaching and many of us, if not all, will enjoy some wonderful food and fun with family. Many of you may have turkey, some ham, and some a wonderful assortment of vegetable dishes mashed potatoes, yams, corn, green beans, salads, baked beans, rolls, baked macaroon, gravy, stuffing, cranberry, and a variety of desserts. It is a wonderful time to anticipate with eagerness. It is a time to be thankful! Some of you shared what Thanksgiving meant to you. How many know how it first began? Many years ago, some people wanted freedom to worship God and to share the Gospel with others. They wanted to share about Jesus to many who had never heard the Gospel of Jesus salvation. So they traveled a long ways to come to a new world America. They were obeying Gods calling on their lives like missionaries. During the journey, the water was rough and people got sick. There were terrible storms. Many of them were afraid. They finally land at Cape Cod Bay then later Plymouth harbor. They were miserable and tired and cold. They could not find any people on the land. They felt that this was the place God wanted them to be, so they sailed back to get the Mayflower. Upon their return, they had no houses to live in, but they did build a common house to store their supplies. With no shelter from the cold many got sick bronchitis and pneumonia. They begin to die. Bot God was watching over and a few families did live. He sent them an Indian named, Squanto who taught them how to trap. He showed them what herbs were good and safe to use. He was Gods instrument to help the Pilgrims. In October, the Pilgrims had down so well with planting corn under Squantos help so they decided to have a celebration festival. They invited other Indians to come and celebrate with them. The Indians brought deer, and wild turkeys, while the Pilgrims provided the vegetables from their gardens. This is what we would call the First Thanksgiving. Now many years later, we all still celebrate this holiday with families and friend once a year. Revised from The True History and Real
Meaning of Thanksgiving by Peter J. Marshall. Rev. Jeanne McIntosh October 2013 All rights reserved. Permission to use for ministry purposes.

Thanksgiving Drama Reader 1: Hey, who are you having over for thanksgiving this year? Reader 2: My mom is sick and our family lives far away. Reader 1: You are not going to have a BIG Thanksgiving dinner? Reader 2: Not this year.my mom said we would have a small dinner or go down to the diner in town. Reader 1: Thats too bad. Well have a nice time! (Reader 1 exits) (Reader 3 joins Reader 1) Reader 3: Are you ready for Thanksgiving? Reader 2: Nomy mom does not feel up to cooking a lot this year. Reader 3: Thats yuck! She wont cook Thanksgiving Dinner. Everyone has Thanksgiving! Reader 2: She has been sick. Reader 3: No turkey? No stuffing? No pumpkin pie? Reader 2: Not this year.but we are going to the diner to eat. They have some good food. Reader 3: Not me.we are having ALL the family over and MY mom is cooking a BIG Thanksgiving Dinner. That is too bad for you. (Exits) (Reader 4 joins in with Reader 2) Reader 4: Hey! You look kind of discouraged. Whats up? Reader 2: Its nothing(head down) Reader 4: Come on, you can talk to me. We have been friends since Kindergarten. I know something is wrong. What is it? Reader 2: My mom is sick and we will be having Thanksgiving at the diner this year. That is allnothing to it.
Rev. Jeanne McIntosh October 2013 All rights reserved. Permission to use for ministry purposes.

Reader 4: Not so.my mom cools plenty and I know she loves to have people over ALL the time. Reader 2: That is a lot of trouble. We will be finemy mom and me. Reader 4: No way! Here.I am calling my mom now. (Gets out cell phone). You are coming over. Ok? And bring over that new game you got. We will have some fun. My cousins all too young to play and I would really like you to join us. Wait..here is my mom now.. (Acts busy on phone) Reader 4: Its all set. Lets go over and see your mom, I am sorry she is sick. My mom is calling her just now. Lets go. Reader 2: Thank you for being a good friend. Yes, lets go.

Discussion Questions What is Thanksgiving all about? (Give time for responses) It is being thankful for all we have and treating others in the same way. How do you feel about the way the others treated the boy (or girl) in the skit who had a sick mother at home? (Allow responses) What would you do if you had a friend who was going to miss a Thanksgiving Dinner because of a sick family member? How would God want us to treat someone who was going to be alone during a special holiday?

Rev. Jeanne McIntosh October 2013 All rights reserved. Permission to use for ministry purposes.