The Spirit of Thanksgiving

The weekend doesn't have to end. Keep Talking on your own or with a group.

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

• What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish?
• Share 3 blessings that you are grateful for from this past year.

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

Read these Scriptures out loud:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

• Paul wrote these verses from prison to encourage believers to let the Spirit of Thanksgiving get our focus on that which is eternal. Why is this essential to the Christian life?
• Can you live authentically grateful in all circumstances even through trials and hardship? Share an experience when you have seen this or lived this out. What did you learn?

Romans 8:28

• This verse doesn’t state that all things are good, it states that God works all things together for good, for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. What is significant about this? What does this verse tell us about God?
• How does this verse stir up a Spirit of Thanksgiving in you?

A Spirit of Thanksgiving ushers us into the presence of God. Pastor Tom shared 3 tips on how to enhance the Spirit of Thanksgiving in your life.

1. Keep your spiritual eyes wide open.

• Coach Tom encourages us to open the day with praise and worship, review God’s blessings in your life each day, and hang with those of strong faith in order to awaken the Spirit of Thankfulness in your heart. Which one of these do you need to be more intentional to do?
• In the interview with Pastor Tom, Chris Norton shared that the key to maintaining a Spirit of Gratitude through struggles in his life was to stop comparing himself with others. How does this foster a Spirit of Gratitude? Have you ever experienced this?

2. Live in the Word of God.

• What does it mean to “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly?” How do we do this?
• Share what has helped you most to read the Word. Once everyone has shared, reflect if there are any practical next steps you learned from each other that you might want to implement to build a rhythm of reading the Bible.

3. Partner in Prayer

• We need to partner with people in prayer in both the good times and the bad times. Who do you ask to pray for you and with you?
• Read Philippians 4:6-7. How do you think that thanksgiving in prayer combats anxiety and ushers in peace?

Keep Moving/Going – Carry the Spirit of Thanksgiving in your everyday life by committing to a step and living it out this week.

• In response to this message, is the Holy Spirit asking you to take a step?
  • Start your day with praise and worship.
  • Review God’s blessings in your life every day.
  • Spend time with people of strong faith.
  • Take a step to get into the Word every day.
  • Memorize a Scripture from this week’s message.
  • Find a prayer partner.
  • Add thanksgiving into your prayer life.
    
• Check out additional resources:
  • Books about gratitude
  • Caring for People Through the Holidays
  • Turn Thanksgiving into Thanks-living
    

Keep Praising

“We Praise You” – Bethel Music

“His Name Is Jesus” – Phil Wickham

“I Exalt Thee” – Jesus Culture

“A Thousand Hallelujahs” – Brooke Fraser

“What A Beautiful Name” – Hillsong Worship

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

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