Growing in Gratitude
Teachers
Lesson Summary
The class opened with a warm welcome and an invitation for visitors to feel at home, then transitioned to the theme of growing in gratitude. The teacher recounted the history of Thanksgiving in America, from the early Pilgrims’ hardships and William Bradford’s proclamation to Abraham Lincoln’s civil‑war‑era declaration and the modern date set by Franklin D. Roosevelt. This cultural backdrop illustrated how the holiday, though rooted in national tradition, can point believers toward a deeper, biblical gratitude. Turning to Scripture, the lesson centered on Luke 17:11‑19, where ten lepers were healed by Jesus. Only one returned to thank Him, prompting Jesus to ask, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the nine?" The teacher highlighted that true gratitude is a heartfelt response to God's blessings and a public testimony of His goodness. He urged the congregation to make thankfulness a constant practice, reflecting God's faithfulness and trusting in His promises, rather than a seasonal observance limited to Thanksgiving Day.