How To Be Thankful and Encouraging?

How to be thankful and encouraging? In this Bible lesson for youth we will talk about how blessed we are, God will take care of His people and how to encourage others that are facing hard times.

Fellowship and Pizza

We host Friend Night the first Wednesday of each month. For these special nights of inviting our buddies, we start the night with some yummy pizza!

Thankful Game- How To Be Thankful and Encouraging?

For this thankful game you will need alphabet stickers that spell “THANKFUL” and some extra letters. I picked up a page of alphabet stickers from Dollar Tree. Don’t have a sticker alphabet? Simply print off the letters from your computer. Cut out the letters individually and put tape on the back.

To start this fun game, pair up the youth. First, ask who does not want a sticker on their forehead. Begin by placing the letters that spell “THANKFUL” starting with the letter “T” on one of the pairs forehead. Don’t let the person see the letter before you stick it on their head.

Then, the leader will say “Go” to the first pair. The partner without a letter on their head will tell their partner what letter is on their head. They have 5 seconds to say what they are thankful for that begins with that letter. For example, for “T” if they say “tacos,” that is correct. But, if they say something that is totally not true, like “trash,” they are out. It has to make sense. And if the time goes longer than the 5 seconds, they are out.

After you spell out “THANKFUL” which will take 16 youth or 8 pairs, use any other letters so everyone can participate.

This ice breaker game makes the youth think about what they are thankful for. Later, they will write down what they are truly thankful for.

Remember, save the letter stickers that spell “THANKFUL.” You can use them on the pumpkin or poster board. See below.

Items Needed

Greeting Cards (assorted)
Pens
Markers (colorful)
Stickers
Crosses or Hearts
Bible Verse Bracelets
Pumpkin or Large Poster Board
Black Sharpie (to write on pumpkin or poster board)
Sticker Alphabet

For the items needed, get creative and use what you have to make this lesson work for you and your youth group.

Being the Hands and Feet of Jesus- How To Be Thankful and Encouraging?

Have 3 youth look up Psalm 72:12-14 and read aloud one at a time. This allows the youth to hear the passage 3 times. The hope is that it will stick. This is a powerful set of verses. This lesson reminds us how truly blessed we are, how God will take care of His people and how we can be the hands and feet of Jesus by sending words of encouragement and praying.

At the time this lesson was taught, our church was sending needed items to people affected by a terrible storm. I had planned another lesson for this night, but God gave me this lesson instead.

Psalm 72:12-14 NIV says, “For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.”

Encouragement Card-How To Be Thankful and Encouraging?

A table was set up with assorted cards, stickers, markers, pens, bracelets with Bible verses and wooden crosses and hearts. A prayer example was posted on the wall for anyone needing help with what to say in their special card. Decorate the outside with stickers and enclose a strength Bible verse bracelet and a cross or heart inside.

We wanted to send encouragement cards for anyone that needed some hope. We didn’t know their specific name, we just put “Jesus Loves You” on the front.

Strength Bracelets

Play Music

To set the tone, while the youth work on these special cards, play your favorite Christian music! We played “Don’t Stop Praying,” by Matthew West, it is amazing!! It encourages everyone to keep praying, don’t stop.

Pumpkin or Poster Board- How To Be Thankful and Encouraging?

Place a real pumpkin or poster board where the youth can share what they are thankful for. Those letters you needed to save that spells out “THANKFUL” can go on the pumpkin or on your poster board.

Prayer Time In A Circle

Lastly, circle up with all the youth and the leaders and hold hands. Then, place all the cards in the center of the circle. Next, ask everyone that would like to pray, to pray for the cards of encouragement. Finally, pray that the one who needs the card will pick it up where they are delivered and be blessed by the hope we have in Jesus!

Prayer For You

Dear Jesus, thank you for the person reading this post. Lord, I pray that this lesson will help us all remember how thankful we are and how to encourage others during times of hardship and need! Please move in a mighty way through each card that is written and given. Lord, move mountains and change lives for your glory! I love you in Jesus name, Amen.

Other Resources for Bible Lessons

Ministry to Children is an amazing resource for Bible lessons of all ages. They have amazing lessons and neat ideas, some even have a video. Check them out, you will be blessed!