Encourage “Thanks Living” at dinner or bedtime!
Use a question each night for discussion starters at meal time or bedtime.

• Who in your life are you thankful for? Why?
• What memory brings you joy? Can you see God’s goodness in it?
• How have you seen God answer a prayer?
• What Bible verse can you learn to express gratitude to God? (Psalm 100:4-5, Psalm 136:1, Psalm 111:2-3)

We all enjoy (especially children) hearing a parent’s excitement in  counting God’s blessings and expressing thankfulness to others. Maybe it will become a habit called “Thanks Living”!
 
Resources:
Homelife (November 2017), “Through the Years” by Holley Gerth
ParentLife (November 2017), “How-to’s for Families Living Thankfully” by Dixie Walker
Kids Ministry 101 (Fall 2017), “5 Festive Family Fun Activities” by Cristy Wicks

Try one of these ideas to start a tradition of “Thanks Living”!

• Create a Gratitude Timeline. Start with a dot on the far left for birth and then add dots to represent blessings you are grateful for throughout your life. Keep it simple or add photos or scriptures to represent the blessings. When you’re done, thank God for the ways He has cared for you in the past and present. Thank Him in advance for His continued care in the future.
• Create a family banner with construction paper or scrapbook paper triangles. Each family member writes or draws something they are thankful for on the triangle and uses clothespins to add to a “clothesline” of twine. You can do this each day of the week leading up to Thanksgiving or do this once a week for any month of the year. Decorate your home with gratitude!

Remember: Look for more ideas tomorrow!
 
Resources:
Homelife (November 2017), “Through the Years” by Holley Gerth
ParentLife (November 2017), “How-to’s for Families Living Thankfully” by Dixie Walker
Kids Ministry 101 (Fall 2017), “5 Festive Family Fun Activities” by Cristy Wicks

​ Celebrate God’s goodness and “Thanks Living” with your family with the following ideas:

• Shop for baby items together to donate to the Sheltering Tree.
• Invite a single adult from church or work for a meal and have children participate in meal prep or a special placemat for the guest.

Remember: Look for more ideas tomorrow!
 
Resources:
Homelife (November 2017), “Through the Years” by Holley Gerth
ParentLife (November 2017), “How-to’s for Families Living Thankfully” by Dixie Walker
Kids Ministry 101 (Fall 2017), “5 Festive Family Fun Activities” by Cristy Wicks

​  Thanksgiving is a beautiful holiday to remember the blessings we enjoy and express our gratitude and thankfulness to God. He has reminded me recently that “thanks living” is honoring Him each day!
Here are a couple ideas to celebrate God’s goodness not only this month but anytime: Thanks Living!

• Children can create a homemade card for an elderly neighbor or shut in.
  
• Record a cheerful message from your children on your phone and text it to friends/relatives who live far away.

Remember: Look for more ideas tomorrow!
 
Resources:
Homelife (November 2017), “Through the Years” by Holley Gerth
ParentLife (November 2017), “How-to’s for Families Living Thankfully” by Dixie Walker
Kids Ministry 101 (Fall 2017), “5 Festive Family Fun Activities” by Cristy Wicks