PURPOSE
To help family members better understand the importance of expressing thanks
MATERIALS
Paper Pencils Crayons Markers
SONG SUGGESTIONS
“A Song of Thanks” page 20 in the Children’s Songbook “Because I Have Been Given Much” #219 Hymns
LESSON IDEAS
1. Read or tell the story of the ten lepers Luke 17:11–19. (You can learn more about leprosy in the Bible Dictionary) Ask:
a. “Do you think Jesus felt bad that the 9 lepers didn’t come back to thank Him?”
b. “How do you think He felt about the leper who came back to say thanks?” c. “Which of the lepers do you think you are most like: the one who came
back or the ones who didn’t?”
2. Read or tell the following story told by President Thomas S. Monson: “The District of Columbia police auctioned off about 100 unclaimed
bicycles Friday. ‘One dollar,’ said an 11-year-old boy as the bidding opened on the first bike. The bidding, however, went much higher. ‘One dollar,’ the boy repeated hopefully each time another bike came up.
“The auctioneer, who had been auctioning stolen or lost bikes for 43 years, noticed that the boy=s hopes seemed to soar higher whenever a racer-type bicycle was put up.
“Then there was just one racer left. The bidding went to eight dollars. ‘Sold to that boy over there for nine dollars!’ said the auctioneer. He took eight dollars from his own pocket and asked the boy for his dollar. The youngster turned it over in pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters – took his bike, and started to leave. But he went only a few feet. Carefully parking his new possession, he went back, gratefully threw his arms around the auctioneer=s neck, and cried. When was the last time we felt gratitude as deeply as did this boy?” (Ensign, Nov. 1998, 18).
3. Give each person a blank piece of paper and have them write down 2 things they are very grateful for (older children can help younger ones who can’t yet write).
a.
The family then tries to guess the two things each family member wrote by asking questions such as:
“What letter does it start with?” “Is it a person?” “What color is it?” “Is it somewhere in our house?”
4. Ask, “What are some of the ways we can show we are grateful?” Read the following scriptures with your family:
a. Mosiah 2:17 (by our service to others) b. John 14:15 (by our obedience)
5. Express appreciation for all you are grateful for. Encourage your family to be thankful and to express thanks to Heavenly Father and to those around them.
ACTIVITY IDEA
Help each family member make a poster for their room using one of the following quotes/scriptures (or one of their own choosing):
o “And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more” (D&C 78:19).
o President Thomas S. Monson: “Think to thank. In these three words is the finest capsule course for a happy marriage, a formula for enduring friendship, and a pattern for personal happiness” (Pathways to Perfection, 254).
o D&C 59:21 o Mosiah 2:17 o John 14:15
Dessert
1 1/2 cups Original Bisquick® mix
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup firm butter or margarine
4 eggs, beaten
1 cup dark corn syrup
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted, cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (6 oz)
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans (6 oz)
Heat oven to 350°F. In medium bowl, mix Bisquick mix and powdered sugar. Cut in firm butter, using pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives through ingredients in opposite directions), until crumbly. Press firmly in bottom of 13x9-inch pan. Bake 15 minutes; cool.
In large bowl, beat eggs, corn syrup, melted butter and vanilla with spoon until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips and pecans. Pour over crust.
Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown and set. Refrigerate at least 2 hours until chocolate is firm. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows.
