In my perpetual search for AWANA teaching points, I often review the skits on Skit Guys for something that will resonate with the third-to-fifth graders in the Truth and Training program.
Thinking of what the Bible has to say about thankfulness, I determined early in the year to take special effort to teach the kids the foundational importance of giving thanks to God for His many good gifts. As the apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonian Church:
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. — I Thessalonians 5:18
So I bought this short video, and I show it from time to time: A video about taking a moment to be intentionally thankful.
Each week, I ask my leaders to pick a volunteer. We set up a special ‘Thankful Chair’ on the stage, and the volunteer sits in the chair, and tells us how and why they are thankful to God.
One week, my heart froze as I saw the girl who was chosen as the volunteer: her father had been killed in a training accident just four weeks before. She came forward and stood beside me, looking a little nervous, but otherwise calm.
My mind raced. “How can I ask this hurting girl what she is thankful for? How can I put her on display in front of her classmates, when her heart must be raw with grief?” I floundered for a way to escape, but found nothing. I realized that this must be God’s doing. “God, please don’t let me cause any further harm,” I prayed.
A way to remember our duty and joy of thanksgiving to God.
So I sat her in the chair, and asked her the standard question: “What are you thankful for?”
She spoke up boldly, with hardly a quaver in her ten-year-old voice. “I’m thankful for a good family. Even though my Dad has died, I still have a family who loves me and takes care of me.”
I hugged her and sent her back to her seat, in awe of her faith and her trust in God. Would that I could be so thankful, in the midst of such loss!
Tim
awwww so sad i wish i had a thankful chair or thanksgiving chair? you lost me
I think its really fun to go on the thankful chair!
This one made me cry.
oh so its the thankful chair okay got it. yeah it would be fun sitting on a thankful chair:)
This one brought tears to my eyes….it’s the heart attitude I seek.