Teaching gratitude is foundational to raising children who become disciples of Christ. According to a professor at Harvard, “in positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.” 

If gratitude has this many positive impacts on a person’s life, imagine the impact it could have if a child learns it from a young age. 

As a parent, Sunday school teacher, or leader in your church, there are countless ways to teach and raise grateful children. We’ve gathered helpful ideas and pray that you use these to instill the quality of thankfulness in each child you encounter.

Use David and the Psalms

What to Read

  • Psalm 136
  • Psalm 114
  • Psalm 139
  • Psalm 42
  • Psalm 56

Why It’s Important

The Psalms are filled with scripture after scripture about thankfulness. Using David as the focus of your activity can reveal to the children in your ministry what it looks like to be thankful to the Lord in good times and hard times. 

Activity

Take one verse from the text you read about David. Have your students write out their own prayer of thanksgiving that they can repeat throughout the week. Encourage them to hold each other accountable. This is best for late-elementary to middle-school-aged children.

Use Paul’s Overflow of Thankfulness

What to Read

  • Philippians 4

Why It’s Important

In Philippians 4, Paul displays a great example of what it looks like to be thankful for the church of Philippi. From encouraging them to rejoice to dictating specific reasons he is thankful for each person at their church, it’s a great example for children to read.

Activity

Encourage your children to think of one person in their life to whom they can write a letter. If they are younger, encourage them to think of a mother, father, or grandparent. If they are a little older, encourage them to identify a friend, teacher, or another ministry leader. Have them write specific reasons they are thankful for that person. Also, if they are old enough, encourage them to write out a short prayer of thankfulness to the Lord for the person they have chosen.

Use Feelings to Teach Children Thankfulness

What to Read

  • “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Why It’s Important

Even though you don’t want children to rely completely on their emotions for all decisions, being thankful is one way you can encourage children to use their feelings for good. If someone feels thankful or grateful for something in their life, they should share it immediately. Nurturing the quality of immediate thankfulness will help your children think of others as more important than themselves and cultivate a heart of gratefulness.

Activity

From the time students walk into your classroom, try giving them a special treat or small gift. Throughout class, continue to give compliments, hand out treats, do small acts of service, and anything else you can think of that displays love. Toward the of class, ask your students to name one or two ways they are thankful. Use the examples of what you gave them or did for them as simple things for which to be grateful. Have them make a list of immediate things in their life they are thankful for and be sure to encourage them to go out and tell others of their gratefulness. This activity can be tailored for any age.

Next Steps

Hopefully, we’ve given you three solid examples of how to teach gratefulness to the children in your ministry. We understand it takes time to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness in a person’s heart and diligent teaching is the key to constant remembering. If you want to learn more about teaching children in your children’s ministry, check out our online course shop. We’ve created specific courses designed to equip you to lead well.