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Straight from a Youth Worker's Mouth

Thanksgiving Activity for Youth

Start off your meeting telling your students about something that happened this week that really annoyed you (ie: flat tire on your car, one of your kids was sick, your computer has a virus…). The more annoyed you are with the situation the better — really vent to them and get them to buy in to your frustration and that it would upset them too. Then "decide" that your topic for this meeting will be things that annoy and upset us — just have a time of serious venting. Ask them to start thinking about things that happened to them during the week that was frustrating and annoying. Pass out paper and pens and have them make a list of ten things that really annoy them (ie: a certain teacher at school, their little brother always getting his way, parents not letting them stay out), whatever they want to put down. Give them time to do this, and make your own list too. Now have them share their lists with the group (depending on the size of your group you may want to break up into smaller groups for this part)

When everyone is done, share this scripture with them:

NRS Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

Ask them to give you some ideas of how we are supposed to "rejoice" when there are so many frustrating things in our lives. After all they have just made a list of ten things and I’m sure they could have kept going. It is easy to complain…

Allow some time for them to discuss the above idea, then share with them the following email forward — most of them may have seen it before — give them copies of it or show it in a Powerpoint.

Powerpoint Presentation
PDF Download

After they have looked at it (and after much eye rolling!), ask them to turn over their paper and think of a "rejoice" for each of their ten complaints and do the same with your list. After everyone has had time to complete their new list have everyone share their "rejoices".

Close with some remarks about how we can be thankful everyday even for the things that annoy us and frustrate us. God wants us to rejoice in him and the blessings we receive everyday. Sometimes we just have to look a little harder for the blessings that are right in front of us!

Thoughts on Thanksgiving