Gratitude – Study #1
Gratitude: Giving Praise to God
Luke 17:11-19 This week’s teaching
Genuine, thankful praise does more than express; it transforms.
GETTING STARTED
Take a few moments to reflect on and share your answers to these question: Other than the Lord God, who in your life (your past or present)
merits your most enthusiastic praise and thanks for his/her/their goodness to you?
why? what story or reasons underpin your answer?
do you think you’ve expressed sufficient gratitude to that person(s)?
Do you agree with G.K. Chesterton’s[1] conclusion: “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.”
IN THE WORD
Today’s teaching from Luke 17, Jesus’ healing of the 10 lepers, emphasized that genuine thankfulness not only expresses praise to the One who endows us with all good things, but it is also personally transformative. It lifts us from focusing on the gift (preventing idolatry) to a deepened relationship with the Giver. In this story, Jesus’ mercy is intended to do more than just relieve the lepers of their hideous disease, it was to make them well and whole from the inside out. To produce a gratitude which recognizes who He truly is and transforms.
Our time in the word focuses on the final songs in the Psalms – Psalms 145-149. As a group, do the following:
TOGETHER: read each Psalm out loud, one at a time
After EACH PSALM is read, take 2 minutes to INDIVIDUALLY note something from a specific verse which got your attention about God’s goodness
SHARE what got your attention with the group
PSALM 145 _________________________________________________________________________________________
PSALM 146 _________________________________________________________________________________________
PSALM 147 _________________________________________________________________________________________
PSALM 148 _________________________________________________________________________________________
PSALM 149 _________________________________________________________________________________________
As you’ve done this together, and shared openly, has any Spirit-of-God prompted “transformation” happened in your heart? If so, share with your group what you are sensing from the Lord?
MY LIFE – OUR MISSION
Finish by reading PSALM 150 together. What’s your take on what this Psalm is calling out from God’s people, from you?
What kind of attitude?
Effort in praise?
How does this call out our lack-of-enthusiasm about the Lord?
Let these Psalms re-energize your prayer time together as a Connect Group. As you pray together, don’t hold back. Perhaps go to a new place in your deep gratitude and praise of the Lord. Enjoy His presence, and one another’s prayers!
“Blessings!” Pastor David Staff
[1] Chesterton (1874-1936) was a brilliant English apologist for Christian truth, author, poet, philosopher, dramatist, journalist, orator, lay theologian, biographer, and literary and art critic
Today’s teaching launches a November CCC family/team initiative to respond with generous gratitude to the Lord God. Please register for our UL 320 CELEBRATION DINNER (November 17, 5:00 PM) at www.ccames.org/unleashed Thank you!