Early Elementary Today your student learned how Jesus healed ten lepers. Only one of the ten came back to thank Jesus. When our prayers are answered, we should show God our thankfulness. Our attitude and thankfulness show God how much we love Him. Encourage your child to share with others what God does for him or her. Upper Elementary Today your student learned how Jesus healed ten lepers. Only one of the ten came back to thank Jesus. When our prayers are answered, we should show God our thankfulness. Our attitude and thankfulness show God how much we love Him. Encourage your student to share with you what God does for him or her. Make a list of blessings God has given your family. Listen to God: Read Luke 17:11-19 Thankfulness is always a proper response to God’s grace and mercy, yet true thankfulness for God’s blessings is pretty rare. Luke 17 contains a classic illustration of both a lack of thankfulness and true gratitude. Lead your family in a discussion about the best ways to express thankfulness and why it’s important to do so. Talk to God We have much to be thankful for and God continues to bless us daily. Too often we fail to be thankful for God’s blessings because our focus is on self. Spend some time together in prayer being sure to thank God for specific blessings He has given your family—spiritual and physical blessings alike. Walk With God Option 1: Make a thankfulness journal together. Designate a special notebook or a section of one for things your family is thankful for. Encourage family members to add to the list often. Make it a habit (maybe the first of every month) to look over the list and recall the many things listed. It’s a great way for kids to have a visual reminder of things God has done even when circumstances may be less than positive at the time. Consider designating every Thursday as a thankful day. Encourage family members to intentionally express thankfulness to each other and to God in special ways that day (leave notes in lunchboxes, write on the mirror with a dry erase marker, share publicly at meal times, offer to do someone’s chore for them in honor of your appreciation, etc.) Option 2: Identify verses and songs that correlate with the theme of thankfulness. Gather your family together for a special time of thanksgiving to God. For fun, you could even fix a traditional recipe associated with the holiday. Spend time reading the verses together and singing the songs. Include all family members who are able to read. If you are feeling really creative, write a Thankfulness song together to a popular tune. Have fun with the activity as you reinforce this important lesson. Week 13 May 27, 2012 D6 Family Theme: thankfulness The Point: Giving thanks is the proper response to receiving God’s mercy.