Giving Thanks

Sermon Notes:

According to President Abraham Lincoln, the purpose of Thanksgiving is to:

1. Remember our personal and national blessings.
2. To give thanks and praise to our Father in heaven from which these blessings
3. Remembering your blessing and being thankful to God is a spiritual discipline.
4. Thankfulness has the power to change our attitude.
5. What 5 things are you most thankful to God for?
   1. ___________________
   2. ___________________
   3. ___________________
   4. ___________________
   5. ___________________

Follow-up Questions from Sunday’s Message:

Getting to Know You:

What is your favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal?

Quick Review:
Looking back on last Sunday’s message and your notes, what was the most meaningful part for you?

Digging Deeper:

1. What are some things you think all people living in America should be thankful for? Would you say Americans are thankful people?  Why or why not?
2. How do you think consumerism affects thankfulness in our society today? How does it affect you?
3. On a scale of one to ten with ten being highest, how would you rate yourself as a thankful person? What are you most thankful for?  What are some things in your life that you feel you need to be more thankful for?  Please share.
4. Read Philippians 4:6. Why do you think it’s important to God that we have a spirit of thankfulness when we come to Him with prayer requests?
5. Read Lk 1:46-55. Often called “The Magnificat”, this is Mary’s song of praise to God for all He has done and will do for her and for His people. If you were write your own Magnificat what would you say?  What topics would you include?

Taking it Home:

Spend some time reflecting on your life and all of God’s blessings that He has poured upon you and be grateful.  A grateful heart is a heart open to love and to God.

Prayer request:

Thank God this week for the good things He has and is doing in your life.