Raising Thankful Hearts

The other day, I took a walk through Target with my preschooler. If you’ve ever done this, you know exactly where this story is going!

The moment we stepped into the toy aisle, her eyes lit up, and every other word out of her mouth was, “Can I have this?” Stuffed animals, colorful trucks, princess crowns — she wanted it all. By the time we left, her disappointment at not getting a new toy was far greater than her excitement over the fun day we had together.

As we walked to the car, I thought about how important it is to teach her the beauty of gratitude — to help her focus on what she does have rather than what she doesn’t. As children's ministers, we have a unique opportunity to guide kids and their families in practicing gratitude this Thanksgiving season.

Here are a few practical ways to incorporate thankfulness into your children’s ministry:

1. Thankfulness Wall

Create a thankfulness wall in your ministry space. Provide sticky notes or index cards for kids to write or draw things they’re thankful for. Watch the wall fill up as kids reflect on their blessings and encourage them to read what others have shared.

2. Gratitude Game

Turn thankfulness into a fun game! Ask kids to sit in a circle and take turns sharing one thing they’re grateful for. Add a twist by challenging them to name something unique that hasn’t been mentioned yet.

3. Involve Families

Send home a gratitude challenge for families. Encourage parents to start a Thankfulness Jar or go on a Gratitude Walk with their kids, naming things they’re thankful for along the way. Share these ideas in a newsletter or social media post to equip families to continue the conversation at home.

4. Model Gratitude as a Team

Let kids see gratitude in action through your ministry team. Thank your volunteers openly and encourage them to express appreciation to the kids. Pray together with the children, thanking God for His many blessings.

5. Teach Scripture on Gratitude

Incorporate Bible verses about thankfulness into your lessons. A great one for kids is 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Use stories like the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19) to illustrate the importance of saying thank you to God and others.

6. Serve Others Together

Organize a simple service project, like creating thank-you cards for church staff or baking treats for a local shelter. Helping others can open kids’ eyes to their own blessings and foster a spirit of gratitude.

Thankfulness is a skill that takes practice, and your role as a children’s minister is vital in shaping kids’ hearts to be grateful. Let’s work together to help the next generation recognize and celebrate the goodness of God this Thanksgiving

Wishing you and your ministry a joyful and thankful holiday season!