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!