Topical

Webster's dictionary defines gratitude as the state of being grateful. Grateful, it says, is being appreciative of benefits received, or thankful. Gratitude is being thankful and giving thanks.

Is the word, "thank you" part of your day-to-day vocabulary? Is it something you say when you are grateful, thankful, because you are told to say it, because it is a habit, or because you are thankful from your innermost being?

We can and should be thankful for many things to many people. Let'sl look just at gratitude to God.

What do the following verses teach about God's desire for us to be grateful? (choose several readers - discuss each briefly)

Ephesians 5:4
Ephesians 5:17 ? 20
Philippians 4:6
Colossians 1:9-12
Colossians 3:15 - 17
I Thessalonians 5:18
I Timothy 2:1
Hebrews 13:15

What does Colossians 4:2 teach about an attitude of gratitude?

Why do you think that this is in a section addressed specifically to "Masters," as indicated in the preceding verse (4:1)?

What does Colossians 2:6-7 teach about the nature of our gratitude?

What does Romans 1:18-21 teach about the attitude of gratitude of the ungodly?

Is it possible to have wrong gratitude?

Read Luke 18:9-14. What was wrong with the first man's thanks?

Why do we pray before eating?

Many people, even non-Christians, are used to saying a prayer of thanks before eating. Some call it saying, "Grace" or "The blessing." Is it commanded in the Bible to pray before eating?

Mark 8:6-7

Acts 27:33-35

Are these commands to pray before eating?
What about I Timothy 4:1-5?

Does the "everything" in this verse mean absolutely "everything" - even sinful things? (obviously not)

What is this verse teaching about an attitude of gratitude?

One person recites a prayer that they were taught as a child every time they eat. They don't understand the prayer, and/or don't really care, but it is what they have been taught to do.

Another person rarely bows their head or says a prayer of thanksgiving before eating, but in their heart they are truly thankful and eat with an attitude of gratitude.

Which one has wrong gratitude and which the right?

What does prayer of thanksgiving before eating accomplish?

With this in mind, are there other things we do, which we should stop and give thanks before doing?

What is the most important thing we are grateful to God for?

2 Corinthians 9:12-15

Romans 7:24-25

Why do you think I say that salvation is the most important thing to be grateful for? (we are unable to be grateful for anything else without)

Looking at the way you lived your life today, would you say that you had an attitude of gratitude?

Will you determine in your heart develop a stronger attitude of gratitude?

What things can you do to remind yourself to be grateful to God?