BIG IDEA
We just finished celebrating Thanksgiving, a day dedicated to gratitude for all of the gifts God gives us every day. Because gratitude is not just for Thanksgiving Day, it is fitting that we continue the attitude of gratitude this week as we read about one man’s gratitude and 9 men’s lack of gratitude. In our study, we will be reminded to look out for God’s gifts daily and always say “thank you” to Him, the best gift giver.
BREAK THE ICE
What gift have you been given before that you did not particularly want? What happened?
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Bible Study
1. What keeps people from showing gratitude?
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Read Luke 17:11-14. Describe the desperate situation these 10 men with leprosy were in. How would you expect them to respond to their healing?
Luke 17:11-14
"As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, 13 crying out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 14 He looked at them and said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy."
"As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, 13 crying out, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!"
14 He looked at them and said, "Go show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy."
3. Read Luke 17:15-19. Compare and contrast the Samaritan man’s response versus the response of the 9 other men who had been healed.
Luke 17:15-19. 15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.
Luke 17:15-19.
15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.
4. Describe the impact of the Samaritan's gratitude.
Application
1. Do you find showing gratitude difficult or challenging? Why?
2. What often keeps you from having and expressing gratitude?
3. Describe the impact gratitude has on our own hearts when we express it?
TAKE ACTION
Your small group leader will set a three-minute timer. Use those three minutes to make a list on a piece of paper or the Notes app on your phone of the things that you are thankful for this week. When the timer is over, pray together and thank God for the gifts he gives each one of us every day. He truly gives the best gifts.
Going Deeper
God gives the best gifts. Every day, He gives us gifts and a reason to show gratitude. The question is, do we stop to say “thank you?” For the next few minutes, we will look at examples of what we can thank God for daily.
We Can Thank God for His Goodness:
God is good. His nature is good. Everything He does is good. The way He relates to us and provides for us is good. My friends, we have a good God, and we must not take His goodness for granted. Take a look at a Psalm dedicated to praising God for His goodness to us.
1. Read Psalm 100:1-5.
Psalm 100:1-5
"Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!2 Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy.3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.5 For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation."
2. How does the Psalmist describe God in this passage of Scripture? (There are multiple answers to this question.)
3. How are we to respond to God's goodness according to this passage of Scripture?
4. What is one way God has shown goodness to you this week?
We Can Thank God for His Provision:
We have a God who provides for us. Every day, He takes care of us and provides just what we need. We must not take this remarkable truth for granted. God takes care of us. He has provided for us in the past, and He will continue to provide for us in the future. Take a look at a Psalm of thanksgiving for God’s provision.
1.Read Psalm 107:1-9.
Psalm 107:1-9
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.2 Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.3 For he has gathered the exiles from many lands, from east and west, from north and south. 4 Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless.5 Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died.6 "Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress.7 He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live.8 Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.9 For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things."
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.2 Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.3 For he has gathered the exiles from many lands, from east and west, from north and south.
4 Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless.5 Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died.6 "Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble, and he rescued them from their distress.7 He led them straight to safety, to a city where they could live.8 Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.9 For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things."
2. Name the different things the Psalmist praises God for in this passage of Scripture?
3. What is the impact of remembering God's provision for us?
4. What is one way God provided for you this week?
We Can Thank God for Salvation
The greatest gift we have ever and will ever receive is God’s salvation. When we were lost in sin, God rescued us. We have hope and peace because of God’s gift of salvation when we place our faith in Christ. This gift deserves every ounce of our gratitude.
1. Read Psalm 62:5-8.
Psalm 62:5-8
"Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.7 My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.8 O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge."
2. What does David, the author of this Psalm, praise God for in this passage of Scripture?
3. How did Jesus, years and years after this Psalm was written, make this salvation a reality?
4. In light of what God has done, how does this Psalm compel us to respond?
Over the next few moments, let’s follow the example of the Psalms we read. Have your group members spread out and write out a prayer of thanksgiving to God right now. Thank God for His goodness, His provision, and His salvation. When you are finished, come together to finish your time in prayer, praising God for who He is and all He has done.
WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App) WEEKLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
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