Family Night Fun: Gratitude Is an Attitude

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thesselonians 5:16-18).

Opening song: Count Your Blessings (Hymns, 241)
Prayer: Collin
Scripture: 1 Thesselonians 5:16-18

Lesson:
Gratitude Glasses
Hide a variety of objects (representing blessings) inside brown paper lunch bags, such as an apple, a family photo, scriptures, autumn leaves, etc. Talk about how we have many blessings but sometimes forget them, or have a difficult time seeing them. Present a pair of "gratitude glasses" to your family. Explain that when nothing seems to be going right, these glasses can help you find things to be glad about. Take turns wearing the glasses as you open each bag. Discuss each blessing you discover.

The Ten Lepers
Read the Biblical account of the ten lepers healed by Jesus (see Luke 17:11-19 and art work). Why is it important to thank God for the blessings He gives us? How do we show our thanks to God? Play the game below to help you think about your own blessings.

The Leper Wrap Game
Unwrap a roll of toilet paper (representing leper bandages) and use a marker to write the letters in the word G-R-A-T-I-T-U-D-E. Each letter should be written on a tissue square that is far apart from the others. To begin play, the first person wraps an arm or leg in tissue until he finds a letter (and possibly a hidden candy). He then tears the roll of tissue and says something he is grateful for. The roll of tissue is then passed to the next family member. Continue until the tissue is completely gone and you have a family of grateful lepers. Build the word 'gratitude' and remind children that gratitude is an attitude of thankfulness.

Challenge: Stuff the Turkey
Decorate a paper bag turkey. Each day until Thanksgiving, write something you are grateful for and put it inside the turkey. Come Thanksgiving you will have "stuffed" the turkey. Read blessings aloud on Thanksgiving Day and try to guess who wrote what. Also, invite kids to put on the gratitude glasses whenever they start whining or complaining. It will remind them to have an attitude of gratitude!

Activity:
Handmade Thank You Cards
Decorate your own thank you cards with fingerprint turkeys (see photo below). Write a note inside then deliver them to neighbors, friends, family, teachers, and others you wish to thank for the kindness they have shown to you.

Refreshments:
Coconut Cupcakes
Decorate like turkeys using Nutter Butter cookies for the head and fruit leather for colored feathers (see instructions or recipe below).

Closing song: Children All Over the World (CS, 16)
Prayer: Mom