I've been sitting on another blog post for a few weeks and just can't seem to get around to finishing it. Life with three boys and my desire to drink all the coffee and read all the books sometimes trumps my desire to write a blog post for an audience of three. All that to say, I'll get around to it. Maybe. For now, though, I can manage a simple copy/paste. Below is a copy of the Thanksgiving devotionals we have done with our boys the past few years. It is not fully fleshed out or developed and they were written with our specific family in mind, geared towards our boys and the things we want to train, cultivate, and focus on in their little hearts. Regardless, what's mine is yours- please feel free to take it and modify it for your family! Our plan is to do one or two a week between now and Thanksgiving. Enjoy!
Day 1:
Read Philippians 2:14. Do all things without grumbling or complaining.
What does it mean to grumble and complain? Take turns acting it out as a family.
What should we do without grumbling or complaining? Just some things? No, all things!
Read Philippians 2:14-15a: Do all things without grumbling and complaining, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God.
Who does this verse say that we look like when we do all things without grumbling and complaining? We look like children of God.
Who are children of God? Those who love and trust Jesus.
Read Philippians 2:14-15 in full: Do all things without grumbling and complaining, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God, without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
Who do we look like when we grumble and complain? The world- those who do not know, love, or trust Jesus.
What does this verse say we are like when we do all things without grumbling and complaining? Lights in the world.
What do lights do? Help people to see in the darkness.
What can we help people to see when we give thanks instead of grumbling and complaining? We help them to see more of Jesus. We show them what it is like to trust God and have joy even when it doesn't make sense to.
What kind of things does our family grumble and complain about?
What should we do when we feel like grumbling and complaining? We can tell God how we feel and ask Him to give us grateful hearts. We can ask for His forgiveness and help. We can look for ways to be thankful even when things are not how we want them to be.
What can we be thankful for today?
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Day 2:
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:18: Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
What does the word circumstance mean? The things that are happening to us or around us.
When does God tell us to give thanks? In just some circumstances? No, in all circumstances. We should give thanks in everything!
Even when things are hard? Even with things are bad? What about when we are sad, disappointed, angry, etc?? Is God asking us to give thanks even then? Yes! God tells us to be thankful in ALL circumstances— not just the fun, good, and happy ones.
Do you think this sounds easy or hard to do?
What can we do when it feels hard to give thanks in all circumstances? We can ask God to help us!
Why does God say we should give thanks in all circumstances? Because this is His will for us.
What does that mean? That this is something that God wants for us to do.
What are some circumstances that seem hard to give thanks in? How can we give thanks in those circumstances?
When we are sick: Thank you God for making me a strong and healthy boy. Thank you for legs that walk, eyes that see, ears that hear, a brain that thinks, and a body that can play. Thank you that in heaven we will never experience sickness again. Please heal my body and make me well.
When we lose a toy: Thank you God for giving me toys. Thank you for being a fun God who created such fun things. Thank you that nothing is hidden from your sight; thank you that you see me and thank you that you see my toy. Please help me to patiently look for it.
When a toy breaks: Thank you God that I got to enjoy that toy while I did. Thank you that I still have many other toys to play with. Thank you that even though our toys get lost or break and do not last, it helps us to remember that you will never change. You are always the same and you will last perfectly forever.
When we don't get what we want: Thank you God that you know what is best. Thank you that you do what is best when it is best. Help me to be patient and to trust your perfect timing.
When we get sent to our room: Thank you God for parents who love me. Thank you that discipline is for my good. Thank you for a cozy room and a bed to sleep in and a home to live in.
When we don't get seconds or dessert: Thank you God for providing our food. Thank you that we get three meals a day and snacks in between. Thank you for a full belly and a healthy body. Thank you that you created delicious food and taste buds to enjoy the flavors that you made.
When we are mad at our family or friends: Thank you God for my family and friends. Thank you for giving me people to love me, play with me, and take care of me. Thank you for my brothers who are my built in best friends for life. Help me to love and forgive like you do.
What can we be thankful for today?
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Day 3:
Read Psalm 118:24: This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
What does this verse say that God has made? This day.
How are we supposed to respond to God today? By rejoicing and being glad.
What do you think it means to rejoice? To feel and express great joy and delight.
As a family, take turns acting out different ways we can rejoice in God.
Do you think we should just have joy and delight and gladness on the really good days? No, on all days!
How can we rejoice on days that it is raining out? By thanking God for watering the earth and playing in the rain!
How can we rejoice on days when we have school? By thanking God for minds that think and honoring him with a good attitude and hard work.
How can we be glad on days when we feel disappointed or angry or sad? By finding things to thank God for in the midst of our disappointment, anger, and sadness.
How can we rejoice when it feels like there is nothing to be glad about? We can remember what God has done in the past and thank Him for those things! We can look ahead to what God has promised and thank Him for being faithful to bring about those things. We can ask Him to help us find ways to be thankful today.
What can we be thankful for today?
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Day 4:
As a family, play Jenga or build a kingdom made of blocks. Read Hebrews 12:18a- Let us be thankful for receiving a Kingdom that cannot be shaken.
What is a kingdom? A kingdom is an area that is ruled by a King, Queen, or President. It is run by the person in charge.
What Kingdom do you think this verse is talking about? God's Kingdom!
What is God's Kingdom? All of heaven and earth. God is in charge of everything!
What does this verse say we should be thankful for? That God's Kingdom cannot be shaken.
What happens when something is shaken? It falls apart or breaks or becomes less sturdy.
Shake your block kingdom or take notice of your Jenga tower as it becomes less sturdy. Talk about what happens as it is moved and shaken and beaten around. Did it stay together or fall apart? Was it strong or weak?
What does this verse mean when it says that God's Kingdom cannot be shaken? That it cannot come undone. It will not fall apart. It is not weak or able to be destroyed. It is strong and sturdy and will last forever.
What can we do on days where we feel shaken, worried, grumpy, scared, or weak? When things seem to fall apart and fail us? We can remember that we are weak but God is strong! We may be shaken, but He never is. We can thank God that His plans, purposes, and ways will never change or fall apart. We can thank God that His Kingdom lasts forever.
What are some things that we know about God's Kingdom that we can give thanks for? That all of His promises are true. That God uses all things (even the bad ones) for our good and His glory. That a day is coming where there will be no more sickness, sadness, tears, or death. That His Kingdom is forever!
What can we be thankful for today?
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Day 5:
Watch Veggie Tales: Madame Blueberry together as a family. Afterwards, talk through the following questions:
Why is Madame Blueberry sad?
What does she wish she had more of?
Was Madame Blueberry thankful for all that she had?
Can more and bigger and better and nicer and cooler and yummier things bring us true and lasting happiness? Why or why not?
What do you wish you had more of? How do you think you would feel if you had more of it? How would you feel when those things began to break or get lost or taken or run out?
Mom and Dad- talk about a time that you wanted more of something. Did it truly satisfy? Why or why not?
Read Matthew 6:19-21 out loud: Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
What does this verse say can happen to the things that we love here on earth? Bugs can eat them, rust can destroy them, people can come and take them away from us.
Is it wrong to love things here on earth? Things like toys and chocolate and family? No! God made those things and gave them to us to enjoy!
What do you think it looks like to love those things rightly? To thank God for those things and to enjoy them, but to remember that those things will not last forever and cannot bring us full happiness. To love the Creator more than the things He created.
What does this verse say we should love even more than the treasures we have on earth? Treasures in heaven.
What do you think that means? Loving Jesus most of all. Trusting Him more than our stuff. Remembering His promises. Thinking about and looking forward to heaven.
Why does the bible say that these things should be our greatest treasure? Because these things last forever! They will never change or go away or break or be taken from us. These are the things that truly satisfy our hearts.
What can we be thankful for today?
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Day 6:
As a family, read 1 Timothy 6:7-8. For we brought nothing into the world and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.
What does this verse say that we bring into this world when we are born? Nothing.
What does this verse say that we take with us when we die? Nothing.
This verse mentions two things that we need. What are they? Food and clothing.
How does this verse say we should respond if we have food and clothing? With contentment.
What is contentment? To be happy and satisfied and to feel like you have enough or all that you need.
Do you believe that you can be happy with just those two things?
What can we do when we notice our hearts not being content with what we already have? We can talk to God about the things we are unhappy with. We can always ask Him for more, but then we can trust that He knows what is best and gives what is best when it is best. We can wait patiently and learn to be content with what we have. We can learn to be okay even if God says no or not right now. We can express thanks for what we have instead of always looking for more.
What can we be thankful for today?
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Day 7:
Read Psalm 9:1 I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.
What does this verse say that we should give to the Lord? Thanks
What do you think it means to give thanks with our whole hearts? To not just say thank you because we are supposed to, but to truly feel thankful and to tell him!
What can we do when we do not feel fully thankful? We can be honest with God and tell him that sometimes it is hard to feel thankful. We can practice saying thank you and ask God to give us hearts that mean it.
What else does this verse tell us to do? Remember all of God's wonderful deeds.
Why do you think it might be important to remember what God has done? Remembering what God has already done for us can help us to feel grateful! When we look back on what God has done, we are reminded of His goodness to us and can trust Him with what is to come.
Play a game of Pictionary and draw pictures of the wonderful things that God has already done for our family. Spend time remembering and talking about those things together.
What can we be thankful for today?
Much love,
courtney
