Narration: After reading Luke 17:11–19.

Mr. Joe: That Bible story always stirs me to show more appreciation.

Ace: Thanks, Mr. Joe, for the Bible class!

Mr. Joe: Let’s now review our memory verse.

Andy: 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18.

All the children: “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”1

Mr. Joe: What’s wrong, Danni? I thought you knew those verses.

Danni: I always forget the last part, Mr. Joe.

Mr. Joe: We all forget verses from time to time. We can help each other.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 KJV

Danni: Jesus, please help me not give up on memorizing this verse. Thank You for Mr. Joe’s encouragement!

Mr. Joe: I’ll write the second verse out again for our review. Now let’s all read that verse out loud three times.

Narration: They read the verse three times, then…

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Danni: I’ve got it now! Thanks, Mr. Joe, for the help!

Narration: Noon

Mother: Are you feeling any better, Billy?

Billy: My nose is still very runny.

Mother: I think you should stay in bed and rest this afternoon too.

Billy: But that means I won’t get to go on the bike ride with everyone!

Mother: I’m sorry, sweetheart. Do you remember that verse, “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving…

Billy: …and into His courts with praise.” That’s from Psalm 100, which I memorized last week.

Mother: Praise is powerful! What things do you have to be thankful for?

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds” (Philippians 4:6–7 ERV).

Billy: Jesus, thank You that I’m the only one sick. Please help me be well soon.

Mother: Thank You for taking good care of Billy.

Billy: And, Jesus, please continue to keep the other kids healthy so they can enjoy all of the activities.

Billy: Thanks, Mom, for lending me your tablet.

Billy: And Jesus, thank You for loving me!

Billy: I still feel sick, but I’m happier now.

Mother: When we praise, it’s like taking a sword and cutting away the gloom!

Narration: After rest time

Mr. Joe: Today, after our bike ride, my father, Mr. Foreman, has invited you to his office.

Mr. Joe: This house is my father’s holiday house that he offered to us for our three-day activity. Let’s see what we can do to share some of our joy and thankfulness with my father.

Narration: Later, at Mr. Foreman’s office

Mr. Joe: Billy’s sick, but he asked me to thank you for letting us use your house.

Lulu: We’re having a lot of fun. We started the day with a class on being thankful. And then we rode bikes through the nearby forest.

Danni: We memorized a Bible passage today. Do you want to hear it?

Mr. Foreman: Yes!

Danni: “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

Andy: Jesus did a lot of nice things for us today!

Ace: We even had raisin bread for breakfast!

Children: Thank you, Mr. Foreman!

Mr. Foreman: You children make me very happy!

Mr. Foreman: Now it’s my turn to tell you what I’m thankful for.

Mr. Foreman: Let’s see. Jesus helped me today with…

Narration: Bedtime

Dialogue:

Billy: I’m feeling much better! Mom said I can join tomorrow’s activities!

Lulu: Tomorrow we’re going for a hike and swimming!

Mr. Joe: Before we head off for bed, what stands out to you about today?

Billy: Being thankful. When I started thinking of the good things in my day and stopped feeling sorry for myself, it was easier to relax and get the rest I needed to get well.

Ace: When we told your father about the things we are thankful for, it made him happy!

Mother: “God dwells in the praises of His people!” (See Psalm 22:3.)