WELCOME ICEBREAKER

Finish the following statement. “I thank God I live in Canada because ...

WORSHIP

Pick songs that deal with thanksgiving or read Psalm 92:1-4 and Psalm 105:1-5.

WORD

The first Thanksgiving in North America was on Canadian soil in the year 1578 when Martin Frobisher called for a ceremony to celebrate God’s protection on his journey to try and find a northern route to the Orient. Many years later on January 31st, 1957, the Canadian Parliament proclaimed:

"A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed ... to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October."

The great Christian history of our country has faded over time and the day that was meant to focus on thanks to God has slowly drifted away. Like the leper who was cleansed in Luke 17, our country needs to do a 180 and come back to thank God for His goodness. In your home groups this week take time to end by truly thanking the Lord for the bountiful country we live in.

As a group read Luke 17:11-19.

• What stands out to you in this passage?
  
  
• Why do you think the 9 did not return to say thank you?
  
  
• As a group brain storm on the reasons why we don’t stop and say ‘thanks’.
  
  
• What did the one who came back to thank God receive that the others didn’t?
  
  
• Why did the Samaritan return? What can we learn from him?
  
  
• Discuss as a group some of the things Canadians take for granted in their lives?

WORK

This week focus your prayer time on giving thanks.