(10 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will examine Psalm 145 to find reasons to be grateful for God’s provision.
Provide a dry erase board and marker.
Learning Goal: Students will compare the responses of the lepers that Jesus healed.
Say: One of the reasons that the Samaritan leper returned to Jesus to show his gratitude was because he understood the goodness of Jesus and the Father. Explain that one of the first steps towards gratitude is understanding who God is, what He is capable of, and what He does for us on a daily basis. Say: We are going to read Psalm 145 to see just how great our God is. This should become part of our foundation for showing Him gratitude.
Enlist one volunteer to take notes on the board as each section of Psalm 145 is read. Enlist a second volunteer to read Psalm 145:1-7. Instruct the remaining students to stop the reading when they identify characteristics that make them understand God’s goodness. Instruct the first volunteer to list those characteristics on the board. (God is great, God is worthy of praise, His majesty is glorious, His works are wonderful, His power is awesome, His goodness is abundant, He is righteous.)
Enlist a third volunteer to read Psalm 145:8-14. Again, instruct the volunteer to list on the board the characteristics that help them understand God’s goodness. (Gracious, merciful, slow to anger, great lovingkindness, good to all, glorious kingdom, mighty power, everlasting kingdom, dominion over all generations, sustains all who fall, raises up the burdened)
Enlist a fourth volunteer to read Psalm 145:15-21. Again, instruct the volunteer to list on the board the characteristics that help them understand God’s goodness. (Gives food to all, satisfies desires of every living thing, righteous and kind, near to those who call on Him, fulfill desires of those who fear Him, saves those who cry to Him, keeps all who love Him, destroys the wicked)
Invite students to call out the characteristics of God that create a sense of gratitude in them. Say: Knowing our God is great and cares for us, provides for us, and delivers us on a daily basis are a great reasons to be grateful to God.