Teaching our Children to Give Thanks

Kelsea Studebaker
Nov 22
3 min read

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it is the perfect opportunity for us as Christian parents to teach our children to give thanks to God for all He has done for us. Taking time to reflect on the many ways God has blessed us and His faithfulness through all the generations will deepen our love for Him and ignite an excitement to learn more about Him.

As a family, see if you can come up with a list of 10, 20, 50, or even 100 ways you have seen God's goodness and faithfulness throughout the ages. Whether it be from Biblical history, our nation's history, or your family's history, there are evidences of God's faithfulness all around us. Then take time to praise Him for each of the ways He has been faithful.

Here are a few ideas to get you started: He created a beautiful world for us to enjoy, He brought the Israelites out of Egypt and into the promised land, He helped David defeat Goliath, He protected Daniel in the lion's den, He sent Jesus to die on the cross to pay our debt!!!, He helped our founding fathers come up with a system of government that honored Him, He gave us the freedom to freely worship Him, He blessed us with a family who loves us, etc.

Ask your children, what does your thankfulness to God inspire you to do? Praise Him, serve others, give to those in need, share the gospel. We can show our gratefulness to God not only in words but in actions! Try to think of at least one way your family can share your thankfulness to God in a practical way this week. Is there someone you can pray for, share the gospel with, invite over for Thanksgiving, bring a meal to, rake leaves for, or send a note of encouragement to? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal how best your family can serve Him this week. Then be obedient when the opportunity arises.

"Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. (NLT)

It can be difficult at times to be thankful when we find ourselves living in an evil generation that wants nothing to do with God or when we find ourselves going through a difficult season of life. However, when we take time to reflect on all the Lord has done for us it will bubble up gratitude in our hearts. I remember doing this during the doom and gloom of the 2020 plandemic. When I was feeling discouraged I made a list of all the ways God had blessed us over the past year and quickly filled two pages of praises. This helped change my heart attitude from grumpy and depressed to grateful and joyful.

It really is a matter of perspective. When we focus on what Jesus went through so that our sins could be forgiven, it helps us remember that our circumstances pale in comparison. We must help our children live eternally focused reminding them that our time on earth is just a blip compared to eternity. Let's make the most of our time here by shining the light of Jesus in this dark world with our example of joy and thanksgiving.