Christian Life Table Discussions
Living in Gratefulness

Select Leader who will decide when to move from section to section. Select the person who got up the latest this morning.

Introduce one another and then talk about the economic level of the home you grew up in.

Bible Basis.

2 Cor 3:5. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. (English Standard Version); and 1 Cor 4:7 What is so special about you? What do you have that you were not given? And if it was given to you, how can you brag? [Contemporary English Version]

Personalize. To help one another see the relevance of the topic for life today, please read over all the following questions, and then let people talk about any of them (it is not necessary to take them in order or to talk about all of them).

The Questions: What does God’s provision for our needs show us about His character? What does our attitude toward our possessions show us about our character? What insight do you have into the prevalence of ungratefulness? Have you run into people who exhibit thankfulness to God even though their situation seems lacking to you?

God’s Word.

2 Cor 9:8-11/ And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has scattered abroad His gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever.” [Psalm 112:9] Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion. [NIV]

What in these verses is the purpose of getting all these blessings from God?

Matthew 6:30. [Jesus said]: If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? [NIV]

What is identified here as the reason for worrying about whether God will provide?

Application. Based on the verses above, I think God’s will for me today is … (this may be different for each person)

Insight. What is there about me that keeps me from doing this? (This will provide insight into your sin nature, whether it be areas of deliberate disobedience or weakness. Seeing our sin afresh leads to seeing our savior afresh).

Christ. How is he the answer to the particular insights surfaced above (these would  include forgiveness for what is past, and strengthening your new life for the next time to temptation comes up). Prayer at this point could include repenting of sins, and asking God to bring about change.

Future. Promises to rely on next time the problem arises:

2 Peter 1:3-4. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us His very great and precious promises … [NIV]