Recipe for Thanksgiving

Sermon Notes November 26, 2017 Psalm 107:1-3 Short Review Review the main points of the morning message. Some Questions for Discussion: Why should God’s people have a thankful heart? 1. Let’s be honest, we know a lot of people who seem to be ungrateful almost by nature. a. How do such people talk about their past, their present circumstances, their future? Give examples of the kinds of things you might hear. b. What seems to be their overall perspective on life? c. Is there something in their history that accounts for this perspective? Other reasons? 2. Do you ever stop and count your blessings? That is, do you consciously and purposely do this? 3. What are the blessings in your life? Can you name some of them? 4. Are there blessings in your life that surprise you, that still fill you with wonder? (Any at all?) 5. Look at Psalm 107:1. What is the reason for “giving thanks” given here? Review what this means. 6. How– practically – does knowing about the ‘goodness’ and ‘lovingkindness/steadfast love/grace’ of God help us to be grateful when the challenges of life mount up? Examples from your life? 7. God told the people to set up markers even as they were led away by the enemy (31:21), and told Jeremiah to buy a piece of land even as the enemy was about to take over the country (chapter 32). a. Why? [Leader: see the beautiful promises in 31:12, 33:10-11] b. Can you think of ways we can “set up markers” or invest in future blessings from God? 8. How can we demonstrate our faith in future blessings when our lives are in a storm? a. When, or in which circumstances, is it hardest to believe/trust God for future blessings? b. Discuss the encouragement given to Jeremiah (32:17, 26f). c. Does this mean God will do exactly what we want? How does God being “good” affect the kinds of blessings that come to us? 9. Are all of God’s blessings realized in this life? Read Ephesians 2:7 – how long will it take God to show us the riches of His kindness towards us in Jesus?