Family Devotional: Overflowing with Thankfulness

Begin with a prayer.

Read Colossians 2:7b.

Discuss what it means for something to overflow.

Illustration: Have one of the kids to hold a glass or cup. Get a pitcher that is full of water, and start pouring it into the glass. Pour ¼ of the glass and ask everyone if this is overflowing. Pour ½, then ¾ and after each pour ask the same question. Then talk about how the Bible tells us to overflow with thankfulness and as you are talking keep pouring the water until it flows over the top of the glass. Then ask: Is this how thankful we are?  

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:18

• How can be thankful in all circumstances?

• Why does God want us to be thankful in all circumstances?

• For smaller kids: Have a game of “overflowing thankfulness”. Have one person keep score with a piece of paper and pen. Tell the kids that we are going to take turns yelling out something we are grateful for and our goal is to get as many things, people, blessings, etc. as possible in 2 minutes so our whole family is “overflowing with thankfulness”.

• For older kids: Have a game of “overflowing with thankfulness”. Have each person take out a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Have a competition who can come up with the most things they are grateful for in 2 minutes. Give the winner a prize.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “…give thanks in all circumstances…”