A Life of Giving Thanks

• Session 1: The Joy of Being Content

  Intro

  We have more, but enjoy less. No matter how hard we work or how much money we accumulate, on the whole we are not happier. Why is that? Somewhere along the line we have entertained the notion that we are entitled to more. Thoughts like this make us discontent. Can contentment be learned? What prevents us from being thankful for what we have? Ultimately who is to blame when we are discontent? We will discuss these questions in this study.

  Discussion Questions

  1. Everywhere we turn we see signs that encourage us to strive for more. Is it possible to have needs that are unmet, yet be content?
  2. With which statement do you find yourself agreeing most? Why did you choose the statement you did? Do you find yourself agreeing with more than one statement?
     • Since God has given us everything, my ungratefulness is sin.
     • Contentment is attainable, but only with God’s help.
     • There’s nothing wrong with comparisons if I don’t become envious.
     • Having fewer things will make me godly.
  3. Read Philippians 4:11–13. Paul mentions times when he was content in extremely undesirable circumstances. How is that possible? Give details of a time you found yourself at peace in adverse conditions.
  4. Name five things God has given you that you are thankful for. How have they blessed your life?
  5. What tangible things can we do to promote a grateful attitude in our hearts? Share something that has helped you in this area.
  6. If you have children, how do you cultivate gratitude in their lives?

• Session 2: Seeing Green

  Intro

  Within moments of turning on the TV, commercials blare what society values. Materialism permeates our everyday life. Success is idolized. It’s what you own, what you do, and who you know that defines you. How can we live godly lives in such an ungodly world? And more importantly, how can we raise godly children?

  Most of us have heard that “values are caught, not taught.” We need to walk the truth before our children, not simply share it with them. As parents, we want to do all we can to shape these impressionable lives God has given us. Without knowing God’s truth, children can grow up to look like the world around them.

  Discussion Questions

  1. What were some of the values your parents had concerning material possessions? Do you still hold them?
  2. What are some of the lies about material things that children (and their parents) are exposed to?
  3. Read Matthew 14:19–21 Recall a time that getting a material possession you wanted failed to satisfy you. What did that teach you?
  4. How does comparing ourselves to others affect our ability to be content? Are comparisons ever helpful in this area? Why or why not?
  5. Read Luke 9:57–58; Matthew 6:19–24; and 1 Timothy 6:6–10. What are some telltale signs that our things are too important to us?
  6. Read 2 Corinthians 10:17–18. How might you begin to live before “an audience of One”?

• Session 3: Simple Living

  Intro

  Those of us who have many possessions or few can all be possessed by what we have— or don’t have. While Christians should live simply, the focus should not be on getting rid of what we have, but rather upon cultivating the disposition of “a life of joyful unconcern for possessions” (Richard J. Foster). Such a disposition will lead to actions and behaviors of simple living. This study will focus on what it means to live simply, and how we can cultivate an attitude of contentment.

  Discussion Questions

  1. Compare Revelation 3:17–20 (especially the first and last verses of this passage) to Ecclesiastes 5:17-20. Why does wealth make us become self-sufficient? What is the antidote to this in Jesus’ words to the wealthy and materialistic church at Laodicea?
  2. How do you remember and celebrate the bountiful blessings of God in your life?
  3. Do you genuinely believe that the good things you have are gifts from God and therefore belong to him? Does this help you cling less to things and be more ready to share with others?
  4. Read Acts 2:44–47 and 2 Corinthians 8:1–9. What do these verses teach us about material possessions and contentment?
  5. Read Hebrews 12:1. Thinking of the Christian life as a long-distance race, what are the things that encumber you, that keep you from running this race to the fullest?
  6. Thinking of the Christian disciple as a pilgrim walking through life with all his earthly possessions in a backpack on his back, what are the essentials that you really need to live, to enjoy life without being weighed down by things?

• Session 4: Come Thou Fount

  Intro

  “Come, Thou Fount” was written by a man who experienced a dramatic conversion from gang member to preacher. The hymn acknowledges God as the giver of every blessing. It praises the God who seeks us out when we are straying and asks him to unite our hearts with his so that we never wander away again. Who receives praise for the blessings we are given? How can we commemorate God’s actions on our behalf? How can we avoid wandering away from our Savior?

  Come, Thou Fount

  Come, Thou Fount of every blessing
  Tune my heart to sing Thy grace
  Streams of mercy, never ceasing
  Call for songs of loudest praise
  Teach me some melodious sonnet
  Sung by flaming tongues above
  Praise the mount—I’m fixed upon it
  Mount of Thy redeeming love.

  Here I raise mine Ebenezer
  Hither by Thy help I’m come
  And I hope by Thy good pleasure
  Safely to arrive at home
  Jesus sought me when a stranger
  Wand’ring from the fold of God
  He to rescue me from danger
  Interposed His precious blood.

  O to grace how great a debtor
  Daily I’m constrained to be!
  Let Thy goodness like a fetter
  Bind my wand’ring heart to Thee
  Prone to wander—Lord, I feel it
  Prone to leave the God I love
  Here’s my heart—O take and seal it
  Seal it for Thy courts above.

  Discussion Questions

  1. Why is it important to remember the times when God has been our source of help, even if we feel abandoned at the moment?
  2. There are multiple reasons someone wanders from the faith. What are some causes, in your opinion?
  3. Read Ephesians 1:3–10. What spiritual blessings do you see listed in this passage?
     • Which blessing on the list do you most appreciate, and why?
  4. Read 1 Samuel 7:2-13. What are some ways we can erect an Ebenezer stone today? In other words, what can we do to commemorate and remember times when God has helped us?
  5. Read Deuteronomy 8:6–20. When are we in danger of forgetting the Lord? Why is that? What steps should we take to remember the Lord our God?
  6. “God’s blessing makes life rich; nothing we do can improve on God” (Proverbs 10:22 MSG).  Talk about one of God’s blessings that makes you feel rich.