WELCOME ICEBREAKER How does/did your family celebrate thanksgiving? WORSHIP Read Psalm 92, a song of thanksgiving that was sung on the Lord’s Day, a day of worship. 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’.
- Why did the Samaritan return? What can we learn from him?
- Discuss as a group some of the things we take for granted in our lives?
Read Philippians 4:11,12. Paul here says he had learned to be content in whatever circumstance. If this is something that does not come naturally and has to be learned, how do we teach this? A thankful heart moved the Samaritan leper from being cured (Greek iaomai) in verse 15 to being saved (Greek sozo) in verse 19. If we live in the thankful zone of life instead of the “moan zone” there are some great benefits. As a group list some benefits of being a person who is know for always having a thankful attitude. (Psalm 92:14,15 is a good start) WORK This week focus your prayer time on giving thanks.
Next week is our home group dessert night. If you are able to help please contact Jen Neuman.
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