Use one story each Sunday in November, or tell them all as a Thanksgiving week devotion at home. Each one has a short retelling, a King James verse to read from the Bible, and a question to ask.
1. The one leper who came back
Ten men with leprosy called out to Jesus, and He healed all ten. Only one turned back to thank Him, and he was a Samaritan. "And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan." (Luke 17:16, KJV) Ask: Jesus noticed the nine who didn't come back. Who can you thank this week? The ten lepers story →
2. Jesus gives thanks for five loaves
A boy had five barley loaves and two small fishes. Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and fed a huge crowd, and there were twelve baskets left over. "And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples..." (John 6:11, KJV) Ask: Why do we thank God before we eat? Feeding the 5,000 →
3. Jonah thanks God from inside the fish
Jonah ran from God and ended up inside a great fish. There he prayed, and he promised to thank God. "But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD." (Jonah 2:9, KJV) Ask: Can we thank God even before things get better? Jonah →
4. Daniel gives thanks three times a day
A new law said that for thirty days no one could pray to anyone but the king (Daniel 6:7). Daniel went home, opened his windows toward Jerusalem, and kept praying and giving thanks, just as he always had. "...he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime." (Daniel 6:10, KJV) Ask: When could you thank God every day: morning, lunch, bedtime? Daniel and the lions →
5. Hannah thanks God for Samuel
Hannah prayed for a son, and God gave her Samuel. She said, "For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him." (1 Samuel 1:27, KJV) Then she prayed a prayer of praise: "My heart rejoiceth in the LORD." (1 Samuel 2:1, KJV) Ask: What prayer has God answered for your family? Hannah →
6. Paul and Silas sing at midnight
Paul set a girl free from an evil spirit in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 16:18), and then he and Silas were beaten and locked in prison. "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them." (Acts 16:25, KJV) Ask: Who might hear you thank God? Paul and Silas →
7. Jesus gives thanks at the Last Supper
The night before He died, Jesus ate with His disciples. "And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me." (Luke 22:19, KJV) Ask: What did Jesus give for us? The Last Supper →
Thanksgiving memory verse
"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18, KJV). Print it and 15 more on our Thanksgiving Bible verse cards, and try the Christian Thanksgiving word search.
Frequently asked questions
What Bible story is about being thankful?
The ten lepers (Luke 17:11–19). Jesus healed ten men, but only one, a Samaritan, came back and fell at His feet giving thanks. Jesus asked, "Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?"
Did Jesus give thanks?
Yes. He gave thanks before He fed the 5,000 (John 6:11) and when He broke the bread at the Last Supper (Luke 22:19).
What is a good Thanksgiving lesson for Sunday school?
Teach the ten lepers, ask the kids what God has done for them, and learn 1 Thessalonians 5:18 together. Our ten lepers story page has the lesson, coloring page and puzzles for it.
Is Thanksgiving in the Bible?
The American holiday isn't, but giving thanks to God is everywhere in the Bible. Psalm 100:4 says to enter into His gates with thanksgiving.
