(10 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will describe different ways they might say “thank you” to someone.
Provide paper and a pen for each group.
Invite students to form groups of two to three people, with at least one smart phone in each group. Give each group a sheet of paper and a pen. Explain that groups will have three minutes to use their smart phones to write down how to say “thank you” in as many languages as they can. Share this example: In French, “thank you” is merci. Emphasize that groups have to include both the name of the language and the word(s) for “thank you” on their lists. After three minutes, call time and lead groups to share entries from their lists, one at a time, until all languages are presented.
Ask: Why do you think each language has a way for people to say “thank you” to others? After responses, ask: Do you think people today make enough effort to say “thank you” to others? Why or why not?
Ask: Beside responding with a verbal “thank you,” what other ways can you show gratitude to someone who gives you a gift? After students respond, ask: Do you show gratitude differently for large or valuable gifts than for smaller gifts? Why or why not? Point out that most of us make extra effort to show our gratitude for large or valuable gifts so that our thankfulness reflects our understanding of the generosity of the gift. Ask: How does showing gratitude to others for the things they do for us make both the giver and the receiver feel good? What happens when the receiver fails to say “thank you” to the giver?
Explain that students will read a passage of Scripture today that describes an incredible gift that Jesus gave to ten men and how each man responded to Jesus after receiving their gift.