Leader Guide

Leader Introduction

Today’s Bible story reinforces and expands on the previous three lessons about being thankful. Children will learn the importance of being thankful in all circumstances, just like Jesus!

*Scripture is quoted from the New Living Translation unless noted.

Object to GO!

Hold up the ear image and discuss it using the questions and comments below.

• I think you know what this is. You each have two of them! What is it? An ear.
• Yes, God gave us two ears to hear different sounds.
• What is a sound you have heard today? Children respond.
• A loud sound is heard in our teaching today. What do you think it is: a sheep, a prayer, thunder, or people? Children guess.
• Let’s move on to our video (or Teaching time) so we can find out what the answer is!

Video Lesson

Optional: Play Bible Story Video. Be sure to play it if some children haven’t seen it in previous lessons or don’t remember it.

Play Video (Bible Story)

Bible Story

In the Bible story, ten men with leprosy begged Jesus for mercy. Jesus responded by healing them all, but only one came back to say thank you.

Teaching Time

We have been learning about how Jesus healed the ten men with a disease called leprosy. The men were amazed that their skin was completely healed, and after seeing the priest, they could live again in the town with other people! This was truly an amazing miracle that Jesus performed.

Yet, the nine men were so excited after being healed that they never returned to thank Jesus. How sad! One man, a Samaritan, did come back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” Then he fell at Jesus’ feet as he thanked Him for what He had done.

Have you ever forgotten to thank someone for something they did? Children respond.

I think we all have. And we probably have done something for someone without being thanked for it! It doesn’t feel good when that happens, does it?

In the memory verse, we have learned that it is God’s will that we give thanks! No matter whether things are good or bad, we must be thankful because we belong to Jesus, and He is always good!

Jesus had a thankful heart. He thanked God for always hearing His prayers. (John 11:41–42). Did you know that God always hears our prayers, too—even when we say them softly or when we just think them? Let’s shout together on the count of three, “Thank You for hearing my prayers!” One, two, three, “Thank You for hearing my prayers!” Yes, I’m so thankful that God never sleeps and is always listening!

Jesus thanked God for food (John 6:11). Before He performed a miracle to feed a large crowd of people, Jesus held the bread up in the air and gave thanks to God.

We should follow Jesus’ example and thank God for our food before we eat.

We should also thank God for our clothes, home, family, and those who love and care for us. These are just some of the many things that God gives to us.

So, if we know that God wants us to be thankful and that Jesus showed us how to be thankful, what is something that can keep us from being thankful?

Place the basketball/can on the table. Pretend to dribble a basketball with one hand if you like to play basketball. Children respond.

Let’s pretend this is your basketball, and you are thankful for it. Let’s say you begin to play soccer with some friends. Now, you really want a soccer ball, and that’s all you think about. Place the soccer ball/box on the table beside the basketball/can.

Soon, you forget about the basketball you have; all you can think about is getting that soccer ball you don’t have. Place the soccer ball/box in front of the basketball/can.

Can you see the basketball now? No!

There is nothing wrong with wanting something new or different. But when you become unhappy and only think about what you don’t have, instead of being happy with what you do have, this is not pleasing to God.

Move the soccer ball to reveal the basketball again. Always remember the many things you have, and thank God each day for the many blessings He has given you!

Verse to GO!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

Optional: Show the memory verse video. Children will learn the entire verse today.

Play Video (Verse to Go)

Verse to Go

Today’s Bible memory verse is 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Say the memory verse slowly.

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Let’s say the verse together slowly:

“Be thankful… in all circumstances…, for this is God’s will for you… who belong to Christ Jesus.”

"Circumstance" is a big word, isn’t it? In this verse, the word means that at all times, no matter what happens, good or bad, we are to be thankful. God’s will is what pleases Him or what He wants for you to do or be. So, when we put them together, the verse says that God wants us to be thankful at all times.

Now, let’s learn the verse with some motions.

Stand facing the children and lead them to repeat phrases and imitate the motions.

Be thankful… Smile and nod head to acknowledge.

In all circumstances… Fully extend both arms out wide to the side.

For this is God’s will for you… Raise both arms as you point to the sky.

Who belong to Christ Jesus… Place both hands over heart and bow down on one knee.

Repeat as needed.

Make sure the children understand what "circumstance" means in this verse.

Note: Preschool children may not be able to memorize the entire verse. They may simply repeat it with you. Be sure all children understand its meaning.

Prayer Time

Close the lesson with a simple prayer to encourage the children to be thankful.

For example: Dear Lord Jesus, we are so thankful that You always hear our prayers and You give us what we need. Most of all, thank You for dying on the cross for our sins and coming back to life so we can live with You one day in heaven. In Your name, we pray, Amen.

Music Time

Play the video song “Thankful.” Encourage children to sing as they sway side to side, lift their hands, and clap to praise God along with Miss Tina and the choir.

Thankful

Encourage children to sing the words of the chorus:

Thanks is the will of God

God is so good

My spirit is so thankful

God is so good

My heart is so thankful

God is so good

No matter the storm on the raging sea

It’s Jesus who helps me

Near the end of the song, children can respond multiple times to Miss Tina and Gizmo, “So thankful!”

Singing Activity

Play Video (Thankful Wrap Up)

Thankful Wrap Up

• Is it always easy to say thank you? No!
• When can it be hard to be thankful? When things are going badly; when things don’t go the way we want them to.
• So, when should we be thankful—when things go good, or when things go bad? Both!

Jesus was thankful to God, and because we belong to Him, we should be too!

Play Video (The Salvation Poem)

The Salvation Poem

Gizmo and Miss Tina present the Gospel before singing the Salvation Poem.
Have the children bow their heads and close their eyes. Pray and give the children an opportunity to raise their hands if they would like to receive God’s gift of salvation and live for Jesus! Follow up after class with children who received God’s salvation gift.

Take Home Coloring Page

Take-Home Coloring Page

As children color, review today’s lesson using the discussion points below:

• In the picture, what is the man doing? Praising God and thanking Jesus for healing him.
• How many men thanked Jesus? Only one.
• Today, you learned that Jesus said thanks to God. What were some things He thanked God for? For hearing His prayers, for God providing food to eat, for healing His friend.
• What are you thankful for today? Children respond.

OPTIONAL TRADING CARD:

Optional: Hand out a GizmoGO! Trading Card (The Salvation Poem) to each child. These are available for purchase under Products.

Game

Optional Games

Play the Optional Opening Game at the beginning of this lesson.

Play the game from Lesson 1. [Insert Link Here]

Play the game from Lesson 2. [Insert Link Here]

Play the game from Lesson 3. [Insert Link Here]