Scripture: Luke 17: 11-19
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn God cares about our problems.
- Students will learn nothing is impossible for God if it is within His will.
- Students will learn God wants us to thank Him for everything he gives us and does for us.
- Students will learn vocabulary and phrases used to express gratitude.
Guiding Question: How can students learn to express gratitude to others?
Materials: Small boxes wrapped as gifts
Procedure: Review the story of the Ten Lepers Healed. Remind the students that God cares about all of our problems no matter how big or small they may feel. Explain that often we can feel that a problem is too big for us and that even God cannot handle. It is important to remember that God can handle all problems and give us the strength and wisdom to work through difficult situations. He brings good out of tough situations and nothing is impossible for God to fix if it is His will to do so. When God shows up and does what feels impossible for us, it is important to give Him thanks, knowing that we could not have overcome without Him. This is part of obedience to God and expressing our love for Him.
Introduce the activity. Teach the students ways of expressing gratitude. The ways of expressing gratitude can be found in this resource:
-https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-words-of-appreciation.html
Bring in small boxes wrapped as gifts. Have the students take turns giving each other “gifts” and the recipient must find a new way of expressing gratitude.
Additional Questions: How can students express gratitude to loved ones?
Supplemental Activity: Have the students write letters of gratitude to two two-three special people in their lives.