Thanksgiving 2018

GOAL:

To reflect on what we are speaking and to ensure we have attitudes of thankfulness.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

  • What is your favorite Thanksgiving tradition/food?

  • Would you rather only be able to eat dessert on Thanksgiving day, or only NOT be able to eat dessert on Thanksgiving day?

REVIEW:

Ask Champion Group members to share some of their favorite points, examples, or questions from Sunday’s sermon. Use your own notes to help you recall your own favorite points and encourage your Champion Group members to take notes and reference them as well.

DISCUSSION

Praise Brings Presence

Read: Psalm 100:1-4, Luke 17:11-19, John 6:1-13

  • How does Psalm 100 describe what our attitude should be when it comes to God? Have you found that joy comes before thankfulness, or thankfulness comes before joy?

  • When should we be thankful to God? How does thankfulness promote God’s presence in our lives?

  • In John 6, compare and contrast the attitudes of Jesus, Peter, and Philip. Who had the most thankfulness, and who had the least? What do you think would have happened if Peter and Philip had the same attitude as Jesus when they first realized their predicament?

  • In the story of the 10 lepers, why did Jesus respond so negatively to the 9 who did not return to say thank you? What did their actions tell us about them in Luke 17:11-19?

  • How often would you say that you take the time to thank God? Tell about a time where you praised God and sensed an increase of His presence.

Remember God’s Goodness

References: Joshua 4:1-7, James 4:6-7

  • Why do you think God was adamant that the Israelites set up reminders so that they always knew what He had done for them? What reminders do you have in your life of the goodness of God? How can you use those reminders to increase your thankfulness?

  • What do you think the God means when He says that he resists the proud but gives grace to the humble? How does pride manifest? How does thanking God work against pride?

  • Have each member of your Champion Group answer each of the following questions. What has God done in your life? What is God doing in your life? What will God do in your life?

ACT ON IT

Challenge yourself to spend at least five minutes a day praying and journaling about things that you are thankful for. Do this every day this week and see how it changes your thoughts and attitudes.

BEFORE YOU CLOSE:

Read: Acts 16:25-28

When we give thanks to God the Father, we can expect that He will continue to show up in our life. Just like when Paul and Silas praised the Lord and it caused God to set them free, when we praise God in our finances, we can expect that God will continue to give us greater and greater reasons to praise Him! If you want to see this principle in action in your life and desire to bless the Lord with your tithe or offering, you can do so by donating on the Champion Center App or through PushPay.

PRAYER, PRAYER REQUESTS, AND TESTIMONIES

Ask Champion Group members to share any prayer requests or testimonies they have. Record any notes or prayer requests to pray for members during the week. Take time to pray and ask if anyone would like to receive salvation, baptism of the Holy Spirit, or prayer for a physical need.