November 17-24
Giving Thanks Part 3: Seasons
I have a love/hate relationship with the word “season.” I love the way it describes a time period of life, as it reminds me of the changing seasons in the world around us. I have always loved these seasons, and cannot imagine living in a part of the world without them. Each is unique, and each brings with it the hope of new experiences. These seasons remind me of God’s creative genius and His sovereignty over all things.
I hate the way this word reminds me that some seasons are harder than others. Though they are temporary, their difficulty makes them seem extremely long. As this relates to the seasons of the year, some of you may feel this way about winter. Long hours of darkness, cold temperatures, and after Christmas and New Year’s, it certainly seems to lose its magic as the days drag on. We have all been through difficult winter-type seasons: the loss of a loved one, a broken relationship, financial strain, a major health setback, job-related stress, or even a generally busier time in life.
The author or Ecclesiastes, believed by many Bible scholars to be King Solomon, wrote this:
Ecclesiastes 3:1
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
He goes on to identify these seasons in verses 2-8. There is a time for everything. Our memory verse for this month teaches us that we are to give thanks during every season.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Our reading this week has given us specific circumstances of life in which we are to give thanks to God.
We give thanks in joy.
When things are generally good in our lives, we tend to breathe a sigh of relief and often forget to thank God for giving us this season. This week we read from the gospel of Luke about 10 lepers who were healed by Jesus, and yet only one of those ten came back to thank him. This is a reminder that when we experience a blessing in this life, we should stop and thank our God who has bestowed that gift upon us.
And while we certainly should stop and give thanks to God for the good things in our lives, it’s important for us to remember that the greatest gift He has given is much deeper than something we enjoy here on earth (Colossians 1:9–14). God’s love is the source of our joy.
We give thanks in sorrow and suffering.
No one wants to endure a time of hardship. We do everything we can to avoid it. And yet, we grow more through hardship than we do through ease (James 1:2–4). Hard times are part of this life, and without them we likely would remain stagnant in our relationship with God.
We give thanks in work.
God created work (Genesis 2:15). Sin made it hard, but it is still a gift from Him. (Ecclesiastes 5:18–20). We can rejoice in work when we remember that our purpose in all that we do is to glorify our Heavenly Father.
We give thanks in rest.
God created us to need rest. This is built into His creation and it was built into the Old Testament Law for Israel (Exodus 20:8–11). Rest is a gift from God (Matthew 11:28–30). When we are joyful in rest, we are exercising faith by trusting God to empower us to complete the work still to come.
We give thanks in plenty and in want.
When we have more than we need, we thank God for His provision. When we have less than what we need, we thank God for what we have and ask Him to provide (Philippians 4:11–13). As we trust Jesus, he strengthens us so that we can face any circumstance and be content.
Discussion Questions
1. Share with your group at least one thing about which you’ve been talking with God, and how your prayer time was this week.
2. Share with your group at least one passage from this week’s reading that made a difference in your life, and how God has used it to help you.
3. How would you describe the current “season” you are in? What blessings and challenges are part of this season?
4. Of the different seasons referenced in our reading this week, which has affected you the most? What was it like for you to trust God through that time?
5. Do you feel that you’re able to give thanks in all circumstances? If so, what has helped you get to this point? If not, what do you think will help you adopt a thankful mindset regardless of what you’re going through?
I hate the way this word reminds me that some seasons are harder than others. Though they are temporary, their difficulty makes them seem extremely long. As this relates to the seasons of the year, some of you may feel this way about winter. Long hours of darkness, cold temperatures, and after Christmas and New Year’s, it certainly seems to lose its magic as the days drag on. We have all been through difficult winter-type seasons: the loss of a loved one, a broken relationship, financial strain, a major health setback, job-related stress, or even a generally busier time in life.
The author or Ecclesiastes, believed by many Bible scholars to be King Solomon, wrote this:
Ecclesiastes 3:1
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
He goes on to identify these seasons in verses 2-8. There is a time for everything. Our memory verse for this month teaches us that we are to give thanks during every season.
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Our reading this week has given us specific circumstances of life in which we are to give thanks to God.
We give thanks in joy.
When things are generally good in our lives, we tend to breathe a sigh of relief and often forget to thank God for giving us this season. This week we read from the gospel of Luke about 10 lepers who were healed by Jesus, and yet only one of those ten came back to thank him. This is a reminder that when we experience a blessing in this life, we should stop and thank our God who has bestowed that gift upon us.
And while we certainly should stop and give thanks to God for the good things in our lives, it’s important for us to remember that the greatest gift He has given is much deeper than something we enjoy here on earth (Colossians 1:9–14). God’s love is the source of our joy.
We give thanks in sorrow and suffering.
No one wants to endure a time of hardship. We do everything we can to avoid it. And yet, we grow more through hardship than we do through ease (James 1:2–4). Hard times are part of this life, and without them we likely would remain stagnant in our relationship with God.
We give thanks in work.
God created work (Genesis 2:15). Sin made it hard, but it is still a gift from Him. (Ecclesiastes 5:18–20). We can rejoice in work when we remember that our purpose in all that we do is to glorify our Heavenly Father.
We give thanks in rest.
God created us to need rest. This is built into His creation and it was built into the Old Testament Law for Israel (Exodus 20:8–11). Rest is a gift from God (Matthew 11:28–30). When we are joyful in rest, we are exercising faith by trusting God to empower us to complete the work still to come.
We give thanks in plenty and in want.
When we have more than we need, we thank God for His provision. When we have less than what we need, we thank God for what we have and ask Him to provide (Philippians 4:11–13). As we trust Jesus, he strengthens us so that we can face any circumstance and be content.
Discussion Questions
1. Share with your group at least one thing about which you’ve been talking with God, and how your prayer time was this week.
2. Share with your group at least one passage from this week’s reading that made a difference in your life, and how God has used it to help you.
3. How would you describe the current “season” you are in? What blessings and challenges are part of this season?
4. Of the different seasons referenced in our reading this week, which has affected you the most? What was it like for you to trust God through that time?
5. Do you feel that you’re able to give thanks in all circumstances? If so, what has helped you get to this point? If not, what do you think will help you adopt a thankful mindset regardless of what you’re going through?
November 10-17
Giving Thanks Part 2: Shine Your Light
This week we have a guest speaker: Roger Adams, who served as pastor here at Pea Ridge from 1990-99. His message focuses on what it means and what it takes to shine the light God gives to us, and the key Bible passages are Proverbs 4:18-19 and Matthew 5:14-16. This week’s life group guide will seek to connect Roger’s teaching with our current series, “Give Thanks.”
Proverbs 4:18–19
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.
This teaching from Proverbs demonstrates that those who follow God’s ways live life in the light. They can easily see where they are going because they choose to obey the Lord. As they navigate their way through life, they are able to avoid spiritual dangers that can have dire consequences. The opposite is true for those who reject God and follow their own selfish desires. Their choices lead them into dangerous situations which can cause them to fall, and yet they do not fully realize the cause until it’s too late.
Matthew 5:14–16
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
In this excerpt from the sermon on the mount, Jesus taught that those who believe in him “are the light of the world.” Our choice to believe in and walk with Jesus shines the light of his love into the lives of others. Jesus’ teaching indicates that his followers will live out their faith so that others may see him in their lives and then glorify God the Father as a result.
Giving thanks to God is a fruit of the Spirit (joy) and demonstrates that we trust Him. It is one of many “good works” that Jesus was referencing in his sermon. As we give thanks to our Heavenly Father, others see this and realize that we live differently than those who do not believe in Him. In this week’s reading, there are multiple examples of praising God in ways that allow others to see. The point isn’t to make a show of this act, as that would be insincere. Rather, the point is to allow thanksgiving to be so much a part of our lives that it cannot be hidden from others. Also, as we follow God and walk in the light, we become people who are thankful for His love that has pulled us out of the darkness.
Discussion Questions
Proverbs 4:18–19
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.
This teaching from Proverbs demonstrates that those who follow God’s ways live life in the light. They can easily see where they are going because they choose to obey the Lord. As they navigate their way through life, they are able to avoid spiritual dangers that can have dire consequences. The opposite is true for those who reject God and follow their own selfish desires. Their choices lead them into dangerous situations which can cause them to fall, and yet they do not fully realize the cause until it’s too late.
Matthew 5:14–16
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
In this excerpt from the sermon on the mount, Jesus taught that those who believe in him “are the light of the world.” Our choice to believe in and walk with Jesus shines the light of his love into the lives of others. Jesus’ teaching indicates that his followers will live out their faith so that others may see him in their lives and then glorify God the Father as a result.
Giving thanks to God is a fruit of the Spirit (joy) and demonstrates that we trust Him. It is one of many “good works” that Jesus was referencing in his sermon. As we give thanks to our Heavenly Father, others see this and realize that we live differently than those who do not believe in Him. In this week’s reading, there are multiple examples of praising God in ways that allow others to see. The point isn’t to make a show of this act, as that would be insincere. Rather, the point is to allow thanksgiving to be so much a part of our lives that it cannot be hidden from others. Also, as we follow God and walk in the light, we become people who are thankful for His love that has pulled us out of the darkness.
Discussion Questions
- Share with your group at least one thing you’ve talking to God about, and how your prayer time was this week.
- Share with your group at least one passage from this week’s reading that made a difference in your life, and how God has used it to help you.
- Would you say you have been walking more in the light, or in the darkness (Proverbs 4:18-19)? Explain your answer.
- After hearing Roger Adams’ sermon, what are some things that you need to work on regarding your spiritual and mental health (SHINE), so that God’s light will shine from your life?
- What “Ds” (dulled, defeated, drained, disconnected) have you experienced and how did you navigate that?
November 3-10
Giving Thanks Part 1: Enter with Thanksgiving
This week we begin 21 days of gratitude as we move through passages of scripture focused on giving thanks to God. Printed reading plans will be available on Sunday morning and online versions can be accessed through our website and app. You can even use the Bible section of our app to track your progress! This journey will help prepare our hearts for the Thanksgiving holiday and upcoming season of Advent. Included in this week’s reading are sections of Psalm 100, and this Psalm is the focus of the Sunday worship gathering and life group guide.
Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
A joyful noise can be any noise that we make that shows sincere appreciation of and excitement for God. It is a sound made with the purpose of praising Him. Think about how we give praise to or cheer for people in different settings. In our country, this often happens at concerts and sporting events. In ancient Israel, this type of noise was made collectively by crowds of people who were praising God for how He had blessed them.
Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Serving God is both worship and work, and should be done from a joyful heart. This type of service is what Paul had in mind when he wrote in Romans 12:1, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” The beginning of Psalm 95 and an accompanying commentary offer some insight into the use of singing as a way to give thanks to God:
Psalm 95:1–2
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
To come singing into God’s presence is not the only way … but it is the way that best expresses love. So before making ourselves small before him … we greet him here with unashamed enthusiasm as our refuge and rescuer. The full-throated cries urged in the verbs of verses 1 and 2 suggest an acclamation fit for a king who is the saviour of his people. Like most of the verbs of this psalm, they are urged upon us as worshippers, indeed we address one another, to make sure that we rise to the occasion, not drifting into his courts preoccupied and apathetic.
Derek Kidner, Psalms 73–150: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 16, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1975), 376.
Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
This brings us to the “why” of giving thanks to God. The psalmist begins with the “how,” but he very clearly spells out the “why” in verse 3. We give thanks to Him simply because He is God. He is the One who has created us, He sustains our lives here on earth, and He has provided a future for us with Him for eternity. He is our Heavenly Father, and we belong to Him. All of these are reasons enough to give Him thanks. The psalmist compares Israel to sheep and God to a shepherd. This is consistent with how Jesus referred to himself and his followers. We need His protection, guidance and provision, and He gives all of these to us.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
The psalmist then returns to the “how” of giving thanks to God, and specifically addresses how we are to approach our Lord. We must come into God’s presence with a thankful heart as we give Him praise. As we consider this, we can think about the various ways we enter locations and circumstances, and whether or not we practice giving thanks to God when we do.
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
As he closes his writing, the psalmist returns once again to the “why” of giving thanks to God. God is good; all that He does and all that He is, is good. His love is a constant in our lives and it has no end. He is faithful to all those who follow Him throughout all time; He is just as faithful to us as He was to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Esther, Mary, Peter, Paul and Timothy.
Giving sincere thanks to God begins in our hearts. For us to have a heart of thanksgiving, we must first stop and remember who He is and what He has done for us.
Discussion Questions
Psalm 100
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
A joyful noise can be any noise that we make that shows sincere appreciation of and excitement for God. It is a sound made with the purpose of praising Him. Think about how we give praise to or cheer for people in different settings. In our country, this often happens at concerts and sporting events. In ancient Israel, this type of noise was made collectively by crowds of people who were praising God for how He had blessed them.
Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Serving God is both worship and work, and should be done from a joyful heart. This type of service is what Paul had in mind when he wrote in Romans 12:1, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” The beginning of Psalm 95 and an accompanying commentary offer some insight into the use of singing as a way to give thanks to God:
Psalm 95:1–2
Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
To come singing into God’s presence is not the only way … but it is the way that best expresses love. So before making ourselves small before him … we greet him here with unashamed enthusiasm as our refuge and rescuer. The full-throated cries urged in the verbs of verses 1 and 2 suggest an acclamation fit for a king who is the saviour of his people. Like most of the verbs of this psalm, they are urged upon us as worshippers, indeed we address one another, to make sure that we rise to the occasion, not drifting into his courts preoccupied and apathetic.
Derek Kidner, Psalms 73–150: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 16, Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1975), 376.
Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
This brings us to the “why” of giving thanks to God. The psalmist begins with the “how,” but he very clearly spells out the “why” in verse 3. We give thanks to Him simply because He is God. He is the One who has created us, He sustains our lives here on earth, and He has provided a future for us with Him for eternity. He is our Heavenly Father, and we belong to Him. All of these are reasons enough to give Him thanks. The psalmist compares Israel to sheep and God to a shepherd. This is consistent with how Jesus referred to himself and his followers. We need His protection, guidance and provision, and He gives all of these to us.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!
The psalmist then returns to the “how” of giving thanks to God, and specifically addresses how we are to approach our Lord. We must come into God’s presence with a thankful heart as we give Him praise. As we consider this, we can think about the various ways we enter locations and circumstances, and whether or not we practice giving thanks to God when we do.
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
As he closes his writing, the psalmist returns once again to the “why” of giving thanks to God. God is good; all that He does and all that He is, is good. His love is a constant in our lives and it has no end. He is faithful to all those who follow Him throughout all time; He is just as faithful to us as He was to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Esther, Mary, Peter, Paul and Timothy.
Giving sincere thanks to God begins in our hearts. For us to have a heart of thanksgiving, we must first stop and remember who He is and what He has done for us.
Discussion Questions
- Share with the group how your walk with Christ has been this week. Be specific about your time spent with the Father in prayer and His Word.
- Think about how you have made a “joyful noise” in celebrating circumstances and people at times in your life (perhaps cheering at a concert or sporting event). Do you feel comfortable celebrating God with a similar joyful noise? Explain your answer.
- There are many references in the Psalms for praising God through song. Do you enjoy praising God by singing? Why or why not? If not, what do you think could help change your mindset about this?
- What are some reasons found in Psalm 100 why we give thanks to God? How do these help you have a heart of praise as you enter into the various circumstances and locations of your daily life (i.e., waking up in the morning, coming to a worship service, going to work, spending time with family and friends, working on a project at home)?
- What are some things that cause you to have an attitude of grumbling instead of gratitude? How can you see yourself overcoming this attitude in the next 21 days?