Jesus Thanks God

Luke 10:21–22

Jesus loved to talk with God.

One day, Jesus was very happy. His friends had been doing the work Jesus had asked them to do, and Jesus knew that God was doing wonderful things.

Jesus was filled with joy!

And do you know what Jesus did when He was joyful? Jesus talked with God.

Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.”

Jesus praised God and thanked Him. Jesus knew that God was good and that God was doing good things.

Jesus called God His Father. He knew that His Father loved Him, and Jesus loved His Father.

We can talk with God when we are happy, too.

When we see a beautiful flower, we can say, “Thank You, God!”

When someone gives us a hug or helps us, we can say, “Thank You, God, for people who love me.”

When we eat good food, play with a friend, see an animal, hear a bird singing, or enjoy a sunny day, we can thank God.

We can also praise God just because of who God is.

We can say, “God, You are good!”

We can say, “God, You are wonderful!”

We can say, “I love You, God!”

Jesus showed us that happy times are good times to pray.

Whenever we notice something good, we can remember the way Jesus prayed and say: “Thank You, God!”

Key Takeaway for Preschoolers

Jesus thanked and praised God. We can thank and praise God when we pray, too.

Dear God,

Thank You for all the good things You give us. Thank You for our families and friends. Thank You for food to eat, places to live, and the beautiful world You made. Jesus praised You and thanked You when He was joyful. Help us remember to say, “Thank You, God,” for the good things we enjoy each day. You are good, and we praise You. We love You, God.

In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Take-Home Material

Bible Verse: “But God has surely heard; He has attended to the sound of my prayer.” — Psalm 66:19, BSB

Paraphrase: “God hears me when I pray.”

Activities

These activities help preschoolers engage with the story through movement, crafts, music, and storytelling, making the lesson fun and memorable.

1. Thank You, God! Basket

Objective: To help children recognize everyday things for which they can thank God.

Materials: Small basket or bag, Several familiar objects or picture cards, such as a toy animal, piece of play food, flower, small blanket, family picture, toy house, sun picture, or picture of friends

Activity: Place the objects or pictures in the basket. Invite each child to choose one item. Ask, “What do you see?” and then help the child think of a simple reason to thank God for it. For example:

A flower: “Thank You, God, for beautiful flowers.”

Play food: “Thank You, God, for our food.”

A family picture: “Thank You, God, for people who love us.”

A toy animal: “Thank You, God, for animals.”

After each child responds, invite everyone to say together: “Thank You, God!”

For younger toddlers, simply naming the object and repeating “Thank You, God” is enough.

Talk About It: “Jesus was happy about the good things God was doing, and Jesus thanked and praised God. There are many good things in our lives, too. When we notice something good, we can say, ‘Thank You, God!’”

2. Thankful Walk

Objective: To help children connect gratitude and prayer with the world around them.

Materials: None for an outdoor walk, Optional picture cards if the activity must be done indoors 

Activity: Take the children on a short walk outside the classroom or around the church grounds. Explain that you are going on a “Thankful Walk.” Ask the children to look carefully for things they enjoy or things God has made. When someone notices something—a tree, flower, bird, cloud, sunshine, grass, or another person—stop briefly and say together: “Thank You, God, for _____!” Encourage the children to supply the word. If an outdoor walk is not practical, do the same activity inside using things the children can see or a set of nature and everyday-life picture cards. At the end, remind the children that we can talk with God wherever we are.

Talk About It: “We don't have to be inside a church to thank God. We can talk with God wherever we are. When we see something beautiful or something that makes us happy, we can thank God for it.”

3. Thank You, God (Musical Activity)

Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (Public Domain)

Objective: To reinforce through music that praise and thanksgiving are ways we can pray.

Materials: None

Activity: Invite the children to sing while using simple motions. They can point upward for “God,” spread their arms wide for “world,” pretend to hug themselves for “love,” and place their hands over their hearts for the final line.

Song Lyrics:

        Thank You, God, for all You do,

        Thank You for Your love so true.

        Thank You for the world You made,

        Thank You for this happy day.

        Thank You, God, for all You do,

        God, we love and praise You, too.

Repeat the song if the children enjoy it. On a second singing, invite them to gently sway or raise their hands in joyful praise.

Talk About It: “Jesus praised and thanked God when He was joyful. Singing is one way we can praise God, too. We can use our voices to tell God, ‘Thank You!’”

4. My Thank-You Picture

Objective: To help each child identify something personally meaningful for which they can thank God.

Materials: White drawing paper, Large crayons or washable markers, Optional stickers 

Activity: Give each child a sheet of paper and ask: “What is something that makes you happy and makes you want to say, ‘Thank You, God’?”

Children might choose their family, a friend, a pet, food, their home, a favorite place, flowers, the sun, or something else important to them. Invite each child to draw a picture of that thing. Toddlers may simply color while the teacher talks with them about something for which they can be thankful. As the children work, visit with them individually. Ask what they are drawing and help turn their answer into a very short prayer:

“Thank You, God, for my family.”

“Thank You, God, for my dog.”

“Thank You, God, for my friend.”

When the pictures are finished, invite children who wish to show theirs to the class. After each child shares, everyone can respond: “Thank You, God!”

Talk About It: “Jesus noticed the good things God was doing, and He praised and thanked God. We can notice good things, too. Every day gives us reasons to say, ‘Thank You, God.’” Together, these activities reinforce the progression from Lesson 1. The children have already learned “I can talk with God.” This lesson adds a specific and joyful way to do that: “I can thank and praise God when I pray.”

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Story illustrations are the copyright of James M. Thomas. All rights reserved.

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