Seasonal lessons · November
Thanksgiving Bible Lessons for Kids
Five Bible stories about giving thanks to God, from the Red Sea to a sinking ship.
Thankfulness is more than good manners. In the Bible, God's people give thanks because of who God is and what He has done, sometimes with singing and dancing, and sometimes in the middle of a storm before the rescue comes. These five lessons walk kids through the Bible's great thank-you stories, and every one points to Jesus, the greatest gift God has given.
The lessons, in teaching order 5 lessons
Teach one lesson a week through November, ending with Paul in the storm the Sunday before Thanksgiving, or pick the ones that fit your calendar. Each lesson stands on its own.
Thanks for God's rescue
Sing to the LORD! Miriam’s Song by the SeaExodus 15:1-21; Exodus 14:29-31; Exodus 1:22-2:4When God led Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground and the water closed over Pharaoh's army, His people were safe at last. They saw God's great power, and they believed. Then Moses and all Israel sang a song of thanks to the LORD, and Miriam the prophetess took a tambourine and led all the women in singing and dancing. Their song tells who God is and what He did. God rescues His people, and the right answer to His rescue is a thankful song of praise.Old TestamentThankfulnessThanks in worship
Give Thanks to the LORD: David Brings Home the Ark1 Chronicles 15:1-16:36; 2 Samuel 6:12-19King David wanted the ark of God, the sign of God's presence, to come to Jerusalem. The first time, they didn't carry it God's way, and it went badly. So David studied God's Word, and this time the Levites carried the ark on poles on their shoulders, just as God had said. All Israel brought it up with shouting, trumpets, harps and cymbals, and David danced with all his might. When the ark was home, David gave everyone food and gave the Levites a song of thanks to sing, "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever." Worship is our glad, thankful answer to the God who comes to be with His people.Old TestamentWorshipComing back to say thank you
The Ten LepersLuke 17:11-19; Leviticus 13:45-46Ten men with leprosy begged Jesus for mercy, and He healed all ten. Only one came back to thank Him, a Samaritan outsider. Jesus is good to us every day, so we come back to Him with thankful hearts.New TestamentThankfulnessThanks with the whole city
Heard Far Away: Nehemiah’s Thank-You ChoirsNehemiah 12:27-43; Ezra 3:10-13; Nehemiah 4:3When Jerusalem's wall was finished, Nehemiah gathered singers and musicians from all over Judah for a great celebration of thanks to God. He sent two huge choirs up on top of the wall. One marched one way around the city and one marched the other way, singing and playing, until they met at God's house. That day the people offered sacrifices and rejoiced, because God had given them great joy, and the sound of their rejoicing was heard far away. When God keeps His promises, His people answer with loud, glad thanks.Old TestamentThankfulnessThanks before the rescue
Thanks Before the Rescue: Paul in the StormActs 27:13-44; Luke 22:19Paul was a prisoner on a ship to Rome when a terrible storm hit. For two weeks the sailors saw no sun or stars, and everyone gave up hope of being saved. But God sent an angel to tell Paul that everyone on board would live. Paul told them, "Take courage, for I believe God that it will happen just as He told me." Before dawn on the fourteenth night, with no land in sight, Paul took bread, gave thanks to God in front of them all, broke it and ate. Everyone was encouraged, and in the end all 276 people reached land safely. We can trust God's promises and thank Him even before the rescue comes.New TestamentTrust
Every lesson includes
- A Teacher Guide with a 45-minute class plan
- Preschool, K–2nd, 3rd–4th and 5th–6th grade versions
- Printable activity sheets and a take-home page
- A Christ Connection: how the story points to Jesus
Good to know
Looking for something to send home? Every lesson has a take-home page with a question for the dinner table, and our free printables include coloring pages and word searches you can use the week of Thanksgiving.
Included in every membership
Every seasonal lesson comes with your membership, along with the full library of Bible lessons for the rest of the year.
Questions
What Bible stories are good to teach kids at Thanksgiving?
Stories where God's people stop to thank Him: Miriam's song after the Red Sea (Exodus 15), David's song of thanks when the ark came to Jerusalem (1 Chronicles 16), the one leper who came back to thank Jesus (Luke 17), Nehemiah's two thank-you choirs on the rebuilt wall (Nehemiah 12) and Paul giving thanks on a sinking ship (Acts 27). Each one is a full lesson here.
What ages are these Thanksgiving lessons for?
Preschool through 6th grade. Every lesson comes in four versions (Preschool, K–2nd, 3rd–4th and 5th–6th grade) with one Teacher Guide, so you can teach mixed ages from the same story.
Can I teach these at home or in a homeschool?
Yes. The lessons are written so a parent can teach them at the kitchen table, and the take-home page gives families a question to talk about together.
How long is each lesson?
Each Teacher Guide has a 45-minute class plan with an opening, the Bible story, discussion, activities and a hands-on section. You can shorten it by choosing fewer activities.
Are the lessons free?
The lessons are included in a Teach Them Jesus membership, which unlocks the whole library. You can try a full lesson for free, and our coloring pages, word searches and other printables are free for everyone.
