Sarah Young - Giving Thanks to God

S ometimes our busy and difficult lives give us the impression that God is silent. We cry out to Him, but our feelings tell us that He isnt answering our prayers. In this, our feelings are incorrect. God hears the prayers of His children and speaks right into the situations in which we find ourselves. The trouble is that our lives are often too hectic, our minds too distracted, for us to take in what He offers.

This Jesus Calling Bible study is designed to help individuals and groups meditate on the words of Scripture and hear them not just as words said to people long ago but as words said to us today in the here and now. The goal is to help the heart open up and respond to what the mind readsto encounter the living God as He speaks through the Scriptures. The writer to the Hebrews tells us:

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of Gods glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.

H EBREWS 1:13

God has spoken to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. The New Testament gives us the chance to walk with Jesus, see what He does, and hear Him speak into the sometimes confusing situations in which we find ourselves. The Old Testament tells us the story of how God prepared a people to be the family of Jesus, and in the experiences of those men and women we find our own lives mirrored.

T HE G OAL OF T HIS S ERIES

The Jesus Calling Bible Study Series offers you a chance to lay down your cares, enter Gods Presence, and hear Him speak through His Word. You will get to spend some time silently studying a passage of Scripture, and then, if youre meeting with a group, openly sharing your insights and hearing what others discovered. Youll also get to discuss excerpts from the Jesus Calling devotional that relate to the themes of the Bible passages. In this way, you will learn how to better make space in your life for the Spirit of God to speak to you through the Word of God and the people of God.

T HE F LOW OF E ACH S ESSION

Each session of this study guide contains the following elements:

C ONSIDER I T . The two questions in this opening section serve as an icebreaker to help you start thinking about the theme of the session, connecting it to your own past or present experience and allowing you to get to know the others in your group more deeply. If youve had a busy day and your mind is full of distractions, these questions can help you better focus.

E XPERIENCE I T . Here you will find two readings from Jesus Calling along with some questions for reflection. This is your chance to talk with others about the biblical principles found within the Jesus Calling devotions. Can you relate to what each reading describes? What insights from Gods Word does it illuminate? What does it motivate you to do? This section will assist you in applying these biblical principles to your everyday habits.

S TUDY I T . Next youll explore a Scripture passage connected to the session topic and the readings from Jesus Calling. You will not only analyze these Bible passages but also pray through them in ways designed to engage your heart and your head. Youll first talk with your group about what the verse or verses means and then spend several minutes in silence, letting God speak into your life through His Word.

L IVE I T . Finally, you will find five days worth of suggested Scripture passages that you can pray through on your own during the week. Suggested questions for additional study and reflection are provided.

F OR L EADERS

If you are leading a group through this study guide, please see the Leaders Notes at the end of the guide. Youll find background on the design of the study as well as suggested answers for some of the study questions.

C ONSIDER I T

Thankfulness is a skill we can develop with practice. Its just a matter of pausing and noticing the abundance with which God has filled our lives. We can choose to view life through the lens of deprivation (noticing everything we dont have and worrying that there is never enough for us) or through the lens of abundance (noticing everything we do have and trusting that a good God will provide for us). Which will we choose? In this session, well see what a difference it can make when we choose to view life through the lens of Gods abundance.

. What is one thing for which youre thankful to God?

[Your Response Here]

. How challenging would it be for you to come up with ten things for which youre thankful? Why do you think its easy or hard for you?

[Your Response Here]

E XPERIENCE I T

Bring Me the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Take nothing for granted, not even the rising of the sun. Before Satan tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden, thankfulness was as natural as breathing. Satans temptation involved pointing Eve to the one thing that was forbidden her. The garden was filled with luscious, desirable fruits, but Eve focused on the one fruit she couldnt have rather than being thankful for the many good things freely available. This negative focus darkened her mind, and she succumbed to temptation.