As our key verses Colossians 3:14-15 note, charity and thankfulness are hallmarks of the Christian faith. When you look at the life of Jesus, for example, you see His frequently pausing both to thank God for provision and to help those in need. This example of gratitude and its outpouring toward others acknowledges God’s providence and blessings, cultivating a mindset that more readily recognizes God’s faithfulness and provision.

This Thanksgiving, teachers can show this link between charity and gratitude in the classroom through two simple exercises: (1) giving thanks for provision and (2) giving of that provision to someone in need. Before you begin the exercise, you may want to have your class memorize the two key verses.

The Gratitude Record  

Pick a medium for the gratitude record is the first step. For example, you could select a letter, paragraph, brochure, social media or blog post, video, or reel. Have your students produce a piece on something or someone that they are thankful for. If they choose a living person, a letter that could be a blessing to this individual would be very effective. You could even gear the entire class assignment toward writing a letter to someone each is thankful for. The goal here is to get the students ruminating and recording on the theme of thankfulness.

The Gratitude Gift  

Next, discuss how each student could give back in the area of gratefulness they mentioned in their Gratitude Record. If you’d like to contribute corporately for a larger effect, your class could host a toy donation for a local children’s charity or collect food for local families in need. Or, for students choosing their own gift recipient, ask them to keep track of the process and to be prepared to share the journey and outcome during a wrap-up discussion.

The Wrap-Up Discussion

The goal of the wrap-up discussion is to give students a time to share how this gratitude and giving exercise influenced them. Perhaps begin by reciting or reading the key verses together and then open the floor for student feedback.

As noted in respected medical school reports and magazine articles, the more that scientists study gratitude, the wiser this practice proves to be. (No surprise, since God instituted it long ago.) You could continue the conversation by having students research the many physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits to gratitude and giving. This topic lends itself well beyond Thanksgiving and into the Christmas season. From strengthening relationships and increasing empathy to reducing stress and building resilience and sense of wellbeing, the transformative practices listed in Colossians 3:14-15 nurture the soul, mind, and body.

Happy Thanksgiving!