A Guide to Gratitude

Start Talking – Find conversation starters for the group or with a friend.

• What changes have you made based on the previous message series Awaken, regarding sharing our faith in Jesus?
• Does your family have any unique Thanksgiving traditions? What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving?

Keep Reading – Read the Scripture and ask a question to get the group thinking.

Read these scriptures out loud:

Luke 17:11-19
This is the story of Jesus healing the ten lepers.

• Take a moment to read this story. What stands out to you in this passage, and why do you think it is important?
  
• What connections do you see regarding gratitude and faith in this story?

1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

• Gratitude is a choice – we have the ability to choose to be grateful regardless of what we are facing. Notice also that this verse says to be grateful in every situation, not for every situation.
  
• How does knowing that being grateful is God’s will for our lives change your perspective? If it is God’s will for us to be grateful, what does this say about when we choose to complain?

Keep Talking – Choose questions to create openness.

1. Gratitude will change the way you THINK.

• Secular psychological studies have shown that an “attitude of gratitude” is associated with decreased rick of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and suicidal attempts, among other issues.
• A unique aspect of human thought is that we tend to be more aware of what we focus on. For example, if you recently purchased a new blue car, you would likely find yourself noticing more blue cars on the road. What if we used this in terms of gratitude? What if we started being intentionally grateful? Do you think that would increase our awareness of how much we truly have to be grateful for? How might that impact how you think in general?

2. Gratitude will change how you FEEL.

• Prov. 4:23 says, “Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.” How we think has a huge part to play in how we feel. Science tells us that when we have an attitude of gratitude, our brains release chemicals that stabilize our mood, give us feelings of happiness and well-being, increase trust and attachment in relationships, and even aid in sleep and digestion.
• Do you find any significance in the fact that God designed our bodies to function better when we choose to be thankful rather than complaining? Are there any aspects of your life that you think might improve by choosing to practice gratitude?

3. Gratitude will move you closer to God.

• Pastor Todd made the statement that “You don’t have to understand completely to obey immediately.” Going back to the story of the 10 lepers, the Bible says that they were healed “as they went.” What Jesus told them to do didn’t make sense in the moment, but their faith and obedience resulted in a great miracle.
• While all 10 lepers were physically healed, it was only the Samaritan who returned to give thanks and praise who experienced a deeper relationship with Jesus. Pastor Todd mentioned that the Greek word for “healed” in vs. 19 is different in the Greek than the previous verses that mention healing – it means “healing, salvation, and deliverance” instead of just physical healing. How do you think having an attitude of gratitude could help move you closer to God?

Keep Moving/Going – Commit to a step and live it out this week.

• Take a moment to write down (on a notecard, in your phone, etc.) all the things for which you are grateful to God. Each day this week, take time during meal times, breaks, while driving in your car, and so on to thank God for specific things in your life. At the end of the week, see how this attitude of gratitude has impacted how you think, feel, and your closeness to God.
• Pick one of this week’s key Scriptures and make it a reminder in your phone. Spend a few minutes repeating it and thinking about it each day. 
• S.O.A.P out the Scripture this week.

Keep Praying

• Prayer requests from everyone at group
• Prayer

Keep Praising

“Glorious Day” – Passion 

“Victory Belongs to Jesus” – Todd Dulaney

“Fresh Wind” – Hillsong Worship

“This Is A Move” – Tasha Cobb Leonard

 Or check out our "Faith Over Fear" playlist on Spotify and Apple Music.

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