God exhorts us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thess. 5:18). Use this holiday as a catalyst to cultivate hearts of gratitude that flow throughout the entire year, not just at Thanksgiving or when life seems good.
These Bible lessons can help spark a realization this holiday season that we can always “give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Ps. 107:1).
Bible Lessons to Cultivate a Heart of Gratitude
Following you’ll find Bible lessons with a theme quite appropriate for this holiday season. Some of these resources are free to use while some must be purchased. Not all of these studies specifically refer to the holiday but you could easily tie it in. You’ll find individual lessons as well as series that could cover the entire month.
While seeking to choose doctrinally sound resources, we make no claim to total endorsement of any listing. Where possible, links go to merchants with whom we have an affiliate relationship, such as being an Amazon Associate from whom we earn from qualifying purchases. These sites may use cookies to track activity to ensure that Ministry Tools Resource Center gets commissions from any sales. Links open in new pages to keep the list available.
Adults:
- Giving Thanks to God (Jesus Calling Bible Studies) by Sarah Young
- Grateful Bible Study Book: Giving Thanks to God in All Things by LifeWay Women
- Gratitude Mini Bible Study at Got Questions Ministries
- Gratitude: Giving Thanks in Life’s Ups and Downs (LifeGuide Bible Studies) by Dale Larsen & Sandy Larsen
- Secret Power of Gratitude [Video Download] by Carol Kent
Children:
- 3 Bible Stories That Teach Kids About Thankfulness at Minno
- Cornucopia of Thanks at Group’s Children’s Ministry
- Give Thanks 4-Week Preschool Curriculum (ages 3-5) at the Sunday School Store
- Give Thanks This Thanksgiving at Lifeway
- Harvesting Gratitude 4-Lessons at the Sunday School Store
Preschool Thanksgiving Lesson: Jesus and the Ten Lepers at Ministry to Children - Say Thank You 4-Week at Children’s Ministry Deals
- Thankful to God: 3 Lessons on Biblical Thankfulness PDF at Ministry to Children
- Thankfulness 4-Week at Children’s Ministry Deals
- Thanks: 4-Lessons (ages 6-12) at the Sunday School Store
- Thanks a Lot Lesson at Children’s Ministry Deals
- Thanksgiving Lesson for Children’s Church (Psalm 100:4-5) at Ministry to Children
Teens:
- Attitude of Gratitude at Download Youth Ministry
- Count Your Blessings at Creative Youth Ideas
- Exploring Thankfulness Series at Ministry to Youth
- Give Thanks at Download Youth Ministry
- Give Thanks at Youth Group Ministry
- Growing in Gratitude Psalm 100:4 at Youth Group Ministry
- Growing in Gratitude – Teen Devotional: 30 Days of Thankfulness by Lifeway (can be adapted for teaching)
Living a Life of Gratitude 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 at Youth Group Ministry - Psalms: 4-Week Thanksgiving Series at Ministry to Youth
- Thank God: Junior High Thanksgiving Lesson at Ministry to Youth
- Thanks On Repeat at Download Youth Ministry
- Thanksgiving Ideas to Deepen Teens’ Gratitude to God at ChurchLeaders
- Thanksgiving Object Lesson – 5 Kernels of Corn at Creative Youth Ideas
- Turkey Feathers of Thanksgiving at Creative Youth Ideas
Teaching Tools for Thanksgiving:
For Children:
- Activity Idea: Count Your Blessings Tree
- Activity Idea: Gratitude Pick-Up Sticks
- Activity Idea: Thankful Toss – A Game about Remembering to be Thankful
- Book: A Very Thankful Prayer: A Fall Poem of Blessings and Gratitude by Bonnie Rickner Jensen
- Bulletin Board: Give Thanks to the Lord Bulletin Board Set
- Crafts: Variety of Craft Kits
- Door Decoration: Thankful Tree
- Object Lessons: 10 Object Lessons for Thanksgiving at Children’s Ministry Deals
For Teens:
- The Empty Chair: A Thanksgiving Play for Youth by Raymond I. Keffer
Click Here if You’re Looking for Bible Lessons for Other Holidays