Date: November 21, 2021
Give Thanks to God
The Point: Our thanks and worship belong to God.
Get Into the Study
Use the following information to introduce Question #1.
In September, People magazine published a survey about American’s Thanksgiving traditions. Here are some things that the people surveyed prefer:
51% of Americans surveyed prefer a roasted turkey (compared to 34% who like a fried bird)
49% prefer the turkey’s dark meat (compared to 45% who prefer white meat)
43% prefer canned cranberry sauce (compared to 41% who prefer homemade)
75% of the people surveyed are already thinking about the after-Thanksgiving leftovers
Say: Whether it’s a roasted turkey or canned cranberry sauce or the leftovers, Americans have their favorite Thanksgiving traditions. Then call attention to Question #1 (What are some things you just don’t want to do without at Thanksgiving?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
https://people.com/food/americans-have-already/
Study the Bible
Use the following information to introduce Question #2.
Soon after Hurricane Ida, a category 4 storm, hit southeastern Louisiana in late August, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers from other states arrived to help. William Bekemeier was one of the people who desperately needed this help. Bekemeier had suffered a heart attack just a week before the hurricane, and he was physically unable to clear the tree from his yard.
“I wasn’t able to get out and do the clean-up myself,” Bekemeier said. “Thankfully, they showed up and started doing the clean-up for me, which was definitely a Godsend. I didn’t have the money or the energy to do it. They’ve been a big help.”
The volunteers served in all kinds of ways – preparing meals, sawing fallen trees, removing debris, and helping place temporary patches on roofs. Jimmy Blackford, from First Baptist Church Marion, Ark., was one of the volunteers. Blackford was part of a chainsaw team that worked to remove fallen trees. “We’re here showing the love of Christ. That’s what we’re here for. These people, some of them don’t even know what to do,” said Blackford. “It gets kind of rough. They need to have somebody come by and help them, and we’re here to do that. We also share the gospel where we can.”
Say: The Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers helped meet the people’s physical needs while “showing the love of Christ” as Jimmy Blackford described it. Blackford served God with his chainsaw. Then call attention to Question #2 (What are some ways we can serve the Lord with gladness?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
— Donna McKinney wrote these Leader Extras. Donna is retired from a career with the federal government of the United States. She is a veteran Bible study group leader living in North Carolina.
Additional Questions
Icebreakers
- When you seen someone go to great lengths to say “thank you?”
- When have you gone to great lengths to say “thank you”?
- What are your favorite Thanksgiving traditions?
Psalm 100:1-2
- Why is gladness a vital component of serving the Lord?
- When has an opportunity to serve the Lord brought joy or gladness into your life?
- How do you incorporate praise and worship into your daily schedule?
Psalm 100:3
- What are some ways we acknowledge the Lord in our daily lives?
- Which description of God found in this verse most resonates with you?
- How might acknowledging that the Lord is God each day change the way we live?
Psalm 100:4-5
- What are some specific ways God has demonstrated His faithfulness in your life?
- What attributes of God’s character stand out to you in this passage?
- How do you express thankfulness to God?
For Those in Your Group
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
The Inseparable Link Between Praise and Thanksgiving
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Magazine Article
These articles complements the study. Share this link with your group members.
- HomeLife – God’s Beautiful Surprises
- Mature Living – Folded Hands
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
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