Discipleship Cliff

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Bible Study, Conversations Starters, Discipleship, Parent Driven Discussions, Spiritual Formation

Practicing Thankfulness: A Parent-Driven Discussion

Welcome to the Thanksgiving edition of Parent-Driven Discussions! The holiday season is one of the most meaningful times of the year for families. From Thanksgiving gatherings to Christmas celebrations, these weeks fill up with traditions, anticipation, and chances to point our kids to Jesus. In the middle of the excitement, it is easy to rush…

Bill Cliff

November 18, 2025

9–14 minutes

Discipleship, Family Discipleship, Parent-Driven Discussions, Parenting, Spiritual Formation

Welcome to the Thanksgiving edition of Parent-Driven Discussions!

The holiday season is one of the most meaningful times of the year for families. From Thanksgiving gatherings to Christmas celebrations, these weeks fill up with traditions, anticipation, and chances to point our kids to Jesus. In the middle of the excitement, it is easy to rush past the simple moments God wants to use to shape our families.

Every good thing on our table comes from God, and the greatest gift He ever gave us is His Son. When our kids see Jesus as the reason we give thanks, gratitude takes root in their hearts and lasts long after the holiday ends.

This discussion gives you one Bible verse, a handful of questions, a coloring page, and a short prayer to help your family thank God for Jesus and for everything else He gives. Whether you are at the dinner table, driving to a holiday event, or winding down at bedtime, it takes about ten minutes.

Practicing Thankfulness

Bible Focus

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV) – “Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Paul teaches us that thankfulness is something we choose. God does not ask us to pretend everything is perfect, but He does invite us to look for His goodness even on hard days. For younger children, this can be as simple as thanking God for a warm meal or a fun moment. Older kids can recognize deeper blessings like a friend who encouraged them or strength God gave them during a challenge. When we practice thankfulness, we train our hearts to see God at work in everyday moments.

Discussion Questions:

What is one thing from today you can thank God for?

Why do you think God tells us to give thanks in all circumstances?

What makes it hard to be thankful sometimes?

How do you feel when someone thanks you?

How does it feel when you thank someone else?

Can you think of a hard moment when God helped you? What could you thank Him for in that situation?

Coloring Page Activity

Let the kids color while you talk. Sign up below and we will send free Bible coloring pages to your inbox so your family can color together.

Coloring page of a boy jumping in the leaves with the title - God made Fall and the verse Psalm 74:17

Prayer

Father, thank You for loving us and for giving us everything we have. Thank You for our food, our home, and the people around this table. Most of all, thank You for sending Jesus to save us. Help us remember His goodness on the easy days and on the hard ones. Fill our family with Your peace and joy, and teach our hearts to say thank You in everything. In Jesus’ name, Amen.