Gratitude: Week 7 (Nov 28-Dec 4)
Gratitude Practice: Week 7 | Week of Nov 28 - Dec 4
Communities @ Grace
Overview of the Night:
15 Minutes Before Start Time : Arrive + Set Out Food
45 Minutes : Welcome, Pray, Eat, + Mingle
15 Minutes : Review Last Week’s Practice
45 Minutes : Introduction of Practice + Discussion
5 Minutes : Practice for Week Ahead
10 Minutes : Pray for One Another + Close
Goal for Week: We will focus on gratitude as the foundation of the practice of generosity.
45 Minutes : Welcome, Pray, Eat, + Mingle
What vacation would you recommend to others?
What chore around the house do you like the least? Which one do you do the best?
15 Minutes : Review of last week’s practice experience
(Worship at home, study the sermon, consider baptism, share a meal, help someone in a tangible way, think about a fun activity for our group to do.)
What practice did you try and how did it go?
If you decided to branch out of your comfort zone with a newer practice, how did it feel trying something new?
What help do you need in order to try something new or uncomfortable for you?
45 Minutes : Introduction of Practice + Discussion
Gratitude is the foundation of generosity, we give from the abundance in our heart, in obedience to God. God has wired us to give and receive gratitude. It sets us up for not just surviving but thriving in a world that is often difficult. God wired us to give/express and receive gratitude to keep us healthy. It reduces our anxiety and depression, improves our physical health, creates better relationships (community), gets the focus off self and onto others, and draws us closer to Jesus.
When we express gratitude and receive it, our brain releases dopamine and serotonin, the two crucial neurotransmitters responsible for our emotions, and they make us feel 'good'. They enhance our mood immediately, making us feel happy from the inside.
Can a couple of us share an experience where being grateful made the difference in a difficult situation?
When you think of someone modeling gratitude well and in a Christ-like way, does someone specific come to mind? If so, why do you think they chose gratitude?
The Bible has a lot to say about gratitude. Here are a few verses to consider.
1 Thes. 5:18 - Gratitude puts us squarely in God’s will.
Phil. 4:6 - Gratitude brings peace.
Psalm 84:11 - Gratitude defies Satan’s lies.
Psalm 138:1 - Gratitude guards against envy. Do you compare yourself or life circumstances to others, or your younger self to who you are now?
(*Adapted from Lisa Appelo, 12 Benefits of Gratitude Website)
On Sunday we heard the passage telling us about how the Israelites were to show gratitude to God by celebrating the Passover. Read Exodus 12:14 -17.
What stood out to you about how God asked them to observe the remembrance of Passover?
How does this compare/relate to your pattern of showing gratitude to God?
How did Jesus demonstrate the practice of gratitude? Let’s look at John 11:41(God hearing his prayers) and Matthew 14:16-19 (providing provisions, serving others).
What stands out to you in these verses that stirs your heart to change?
Think of something recently that was hard to be grateful for. Would it be possible to now practice thanking God for that circumstance?
What was something meaningful that happened recently that you’re grateful for?
5 Minutes : Practices for Week Ahead
Showing God our gratitude helps build our relationship and connection with Him. He has designed us to have an “attitude of gratitude” to strengthen our mental outlook and “love your neighbor as yourself.”
Set a goal to stop at specific times each day to reflect back to God something you are grateful for at that moment.
Pick one type of gratitude to focus on this week and express it in as many situations as you can. This might be giving eye contact and saying thank you, telling those around you what you appreciate about them, stopping to thank God when something hard comes your way, writing a note to someone, or taking a small appreciation gift to someone.
Notice when others show you gratitude and how that makes you feel.
10 Minutes : Pray for One Another + Close
Take a minute to think about when it’s hard for you to show gratitude. Ask the group to pray for you this week to find ways to change that pattern.
This is also a great time to give God thanks for the small and big ways he freely gives. Consider praying for continued gratitude, unity, and deepened awareness for these things in your heart, that the Holy Spirit wants to continue strengthening you in.