(5–8 minutes, easy setup)
Provide a dry erase board and marker.
Ask: In general, what are some attitudes that keep us from being grateful to God or to others? List responses on the board. (Possible answers include forgetfulness, self-centeredness, entitlement, bitterness, focusing on what we don't have.) Ask: How or why do these attitudes keep us from being grateful?
Referring to the list on the board, ask: Why is it sometimes difficult to manually override these attitudes or mindsets? Explain that many of these are natural human emotions and attitudes, and it is almost impossible to overcome them just by sheer will. Ask: What do you think is the key to overcoming these barriers to thankfulness? Allow for responses, and then confirm that focusing on who Jesus is and what He has done will almost always change these attitudes and leave us with gratitude and thankfulness to Him. Ask: What kinds of things can we do each day to strengthen our focus on Jesus and increase our gratitude for what He has done for us? Encourage learners as they go throughout the next few days not to focus so much on overcoming negative mindsets in their lives, but to focus instead on God's goodness and love. Conclude by leading learners to participate in a “popcorn” prayer by voicing words or short phrases in response to this prompt: “Jesus, I am thankful for . . .”