Leader Guide
Teaching Time
- Thankful Wheel Pages (2)
- One brass fastener
- Optional: hole punch
- Cardstock—two sheets
- Sharp pencil
- Scissors
- Bible or Superbook Bible App
Make one copy of each of the twoThankful Wheel Pages in color or black and white.
OPTIONAL: Make enough copies to give one wheel to each child in the class.
Using the pencil, punch a small hole in the center of each wheel.
Cut out the wheels on Page one and Page Two.
Carefully cut out the window as marked on Page Two.
Assemble the Thankful Wheel. Place the Page 2 wheel on top of the Page 1 wheel.
Insert the brass fastener through the two wheels and fold back the arms to secure.
To begin, position the large wheel window over Image 1.
In All Circumstances
Text: Luke 17:11-19
Discuss thankfulness using the Thankful Wheel as indicated.
Our memory verse says that when we belong to Jesus—which means we love and obey Him—we should be thankful in all circumstances. Why? Because it pleases God; that is what God wants us to do.
Our circumstances—what is happening to us or around us—will change, but Someone never changes. Do you know who? Children respond.
Jesus! No matter what changes in your life, Jesus stays the same!
Let’s take a look at some different circumstances you might be in.
Hold up the wheel.
Image 1: What is happening in this picture? The girl hurt her knee. She is crying.
Maybe she was playing a game and fell. Her circumstances changed but look below. Who is there? Jesus!
Jesus is there with her. Now, she isn’t thankful she hurt her knee. BUT she can be thankful that she belongs to Jesus, He loves her, and He never changes.
Image 2: Is this girl happy? No! She is angry, mad.
Look below; Jesus is still there. Is He the same or different? The same!
Even though the girl’s situation or circumstance isn’t good, Jesus is always good. He doesn’t get angry and leave us. She can be thankful, not because something made her angry, but because she belongs to Jesus. Even when you are hurt or angry, Jesus stays the same, and you can be thankful in bad circumstances.
Image 3: What is happening here? The girl looks disappointed or sad. It’s raining.
Yes, maybe she was going to play outside but it started raining, maybe a friend was coming to play but can’t come. She looks disappointed and sad. Her circumstance isn’t good but look below. Jesus is still there. He cares how she feels. Jesus will never be late or leave you, so you can always be thankful!
Image 4: What do you think is going on with this boy? He is anxious, stressed, worried, maybe afraid.
Should he be thankful he feels this way? No!
What can he be thankful for? Jesus is with Him. He loves the boy and wants to help.
Jesus doesn’t change. He does not have a bad day, and nothing worries Him or stresses Him out.
Image 5: How are these kids feeling? Happy, full of joy, excited!
Sometimes, like when the robots forgot to thank the Professor or when the men with leprosy forgot to thank Jesus, you can be so excited that you forget to thank God!
Jesus is with you in good and bad times, so always be thankful!
Image 6: How do you think this boy feels? Lonely, hurt, sad, bored, disappointed.
Maybe no one invited him to play in a game, or all of his friends were busy. Maybe he played badly, or someone was unkind to him.
Look below. Jesus is still there; is He the same or different? The same!
Even though the boy’s circumstance is not good, Jesus is good, and He is there with Him. Even when you are lonely, disappointed, bored, or hurt, you belong to Jesus, and you can be thankful in a bad circumstance.
It is important to thank God at all times, bad or good! Your circumstances change, but God doesn’t. The Bible says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever! (Hebrews 13:8). You can always be thankful because Jesus loves you, forgives you, and lives in your heart. So, whether your circumstance is good or bad, be thankful because it is God’s will for you!