We could all use a little more faith in life. Gratitude and faith have a significant relationship. This impacts what is going on inside a person’s heart and when the inner man is strong then the outer man follows suit.
3 John 1:2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. NKJV
Faith determines how you see your situation. Amazing how two people can have exactly the same circumstance but see it from two totally different points of view! The servant and the critic see the same situation but have two totally different responses. The servant has humbled himself/herself to serve God and others. The critic has elevated himself/herself to judge situations and others.
Humility is the foundation for every good attitude you could ever embrace and express. Pride produces ingratitude contaminating the soul triggering bad attitudes.
The natural inclination of the flesh if it is not controlled by the Spirit will always drift toward the negative.
Paul talks about how they were overwhelmed in the province of Asia even to the point of wanting to die.
2 Corinthians 1:8-9 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. NIV
All this turmoil and pain brought humility. Notice Paul says it helped them not rely on themselves but on God. We feel like we have been discouraged to the point of death but one good thing that has already come from this is we know longer trust in ourselves and pride has been dealt with. We know God will turn it around, but I can appreciate immediately this important principle no matter what the trial may be.
Stop giving challenges in your life so much power!
2 Cor 4:8-9 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. NIV
The attitude of your heart sets the tone for the atmosphere of your life. As your soul prospers on the inside!
2 Cor 4:17-18 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Having the right attitude releases a healthy atmosphere which helps produce the right perspective.
It is in this place of seeing things correctly it is automatic for the weak to say I’m strong! - Joel 3:10
Gratitude is a gateway spiritual discipline that takes us into the deeper places with God and stronger places of faith.
Psalm 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. NIV
Gratitude teaches us to intentionally look for and be aware of reasons to rejoice even on days we don’t feel like it.
We Bring GP2RL Action Point:
Give out two thank you cards to somebody in your life.
DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR COMMUNITY GROUP LEADERS
Click here for a downloadable pdf file of this guide.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What is one of the greatest gifts you have ever received from another person?
Why was the gift so special?
How did you show gratitude?
Luke 17:11-19 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” NIV
In this passage only one of the ten people who Jesus healed returned to thank Him. Their lives were completely changed. In their zeal of this new life they failed to give thanks to the one who provided it.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
2. What are some of the reasons we aren’t as grateful as we should be?
3. What does gratitude toward God in your life look like?
How often do you show it?
Col. 3:15-16 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. NIV
Col. 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. NIV
DISCUSSION QUESTION:
4. What are some ways to cultivate gratitude in your daily life to God?
In conclusion have each person share 3 names of people who have made a difference in your life. Then have each person share how they can express gratitude toward those people this week.
Encourage everybody to utilize our Thank You cards available in the lobby. Perhaps you can provide some of these cards in your group to commission people out with the assignment of expressing gratitude to others