Message Big Idea

When the Spirit brings breakthrough, we respond together with thanksgiving.

Scripture

Psalm 103:2-5a, James 1:16-17a, Psalm 8:3-4

Icebreaker and Opening Thought

1. How would you summarize the highs and lows of this past week.
2. Thanksgiving is a day we feel gratitude and express our thanks for all the good in our lives. It can be easy for us to take what we have for granted. That reality reminds us that thanksgiving is a practice we need to cultivate regularly throughout the year. The following questions will help you and your group practice gratitude and thanksgiving by focusing on the three “benes” (which is a Latin phrase meaning good).

Bible Discussion

3. The first “bene” is benefit. Read Psalm 103:2-5a. What benefits have you received?
4. The second “bene” is benefactor. Read James 1:16-17. Is it challenging for you to see God as a benefactor who wants to give good gifts to you? Why or why not?
5. The final “bene” is beneficiary. A beneficiary realizes they have received something good to which they weren’t entitled. Read Psalm 8:3-4. When do you feel entitled? Explain.

Life Application

6. Two realities are required to practice thanksgiving: gratefulness and thanksgiving. Tim Keller writes, “It’s one thing to be grateful. It’s another thing to give thanks. Gratitude is what you feel. Thanksgiving is what you do.” How do you respond to this statement?
7. In a few minutes, we are going to thank God for all the good we have because of him. To get us started, in what ways are you thankful for what God has done in your life, is doing, and will do?

Prayer Time

Use the following prayer prompts:

1) Give thanks to God for what he has done in your life.
2) Give thanks to God for what he is doing in your life.
3) Give thanks to God for what he will do in the future.

Finish the prayer time by praying, “Father, we want to be a praying people. Please transform us into a praying church. Draw us closer to you and each other during this season of Breakthrough. Give us an openness to your Holy Spirit. We pray all of this in the name of Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”