CCP SERIES STUDY WEEK 4 – PRAY FOR A CHANGE… WITH THANKFULNESS

COMMUNITY GROUP/FAMILY AND DAILY STUDIES BASED UPON OUR PREACHING SERIES AT COMMUNITY CHURCH PUTNEY)

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COMMUNITY GROUP/FAMILY STUDY NOTES
As one reads Paul’s prayers we cannot help but be struck by his emphasis on thanksgiving; whenever Paul sees something good in others his reaction is to thank God whom he sees as the true source of all good,

I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way (1 Corinthians 4:4-5)

As children, after Christmas or a birthday, you may have been taught to write ‘thank you letters’. Maybe we enjoyed the presents but resented writing the letters! Giving thanks is vital because it keeps us dependent upon God; it reminds us that any good in our lives, and blessing we would like to see for others, is dependent upon Him. Therefore Paul commands us,

‘Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.’ (Colossians 4:2)

Discuss/think/pray about

Read Philippians 1:3-8.

·      How often does Paul thank God for this church and is this our habit?

·      For what things is Paul full of thanks?

·      What does Paul’s thanksgiving and joy say about his ‘heart’ and ‘affection’ for this church?

·      How can we grow in love, joy and affection for the church and one another?

·      What does verse 6 say about who is the ultimate source of our growth? And how does knowing this make us a people of gratitude?

Read Colossians 1:3-5.

·      What are the two things for which Paul gives thanks, and how was the message of the gospel responsible for these ‘fruits’?

·      In this passage, Paul rejoices in their being UP (faith in Jesus), IN (loving one another) and OUT (spreading the gospel). Are you, and is your Community Group, balanced in these three attributes?

Read 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3 and spend some time giving thanks (only) for the good things that God is doing (evidences of God’s grace) in this church, your group, in friends, the nation etc.

GOING DEEPER PERSONAL DAILY STUDIES 

Monday: Those who understand God’s grace give thanks

Begin by meditating (reading slowly, repeatedly, with feeling) on this text:

1 Corinthians 1:4-5 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge

This church has many problems (See 3:1); never the less, he begins by acknowledging God’s grace at work in them.

Pray for CCP. Begin with thanksgiving for all the good ‘enriching’ that God has done and is doing.

Now pray for Christians whom you find difficult, or are concerned for, giving thanks for the good that is in them and their lives.

Tuesday: Express thanks for what you’d like to see more of

Begin by meditating (reading slowly, repeatedly, with feeling) on this text:

Romans 1:8-9 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you.

Paul thanks God, and expresses his joy to them, that they are so open in sharing their faith. Paul then reminds them that he is on the same mission in ‘preaching the gospel’, and prays for more success in their shared mission.

Let’s ensure that we not only thank God but also communicate our thanks to people who are doing things we would like to see more of.

What things are you particularly thankful to God for at the moment? Is there anyone involved that you could talk to, write a card, praise them on social media, expressing your thanks to them and God?

Wednesday: Give thanks in all circumstances

Begin by meditating (reading slowly, repeatedly, with feeling) on this text:

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

God always loves us, is always in control, always has a plan and so we give thanks or ‘praise’ in every circumstance! What does this verse teach us about good that can come out of all suffering?

Read Habakkuk 3:17-19. What was wrong in his life and what did it teach him about God?

Like Paul and Habakkuk, take some time to recall the most difficult times in your life. You probably don’t have a complete answer of what God was trying to achieve in us or through this situation; but what did these painful periods teach you? Give thanks for that.

Thursday: Don’t just think about, but thank about, theology

Begin by meditating (reading slowly, repeatedly, with feeling) on this text:

Ephesians 1:3-6 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.  For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love  he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves….

We need to continually revisit and deepen our understanding of truth about God and what He’s done (theology). But don’t stop there! Like Paul, let’s turn what we know into praise so that it gets into our hearts.

Using Ephesians 1:3-6 praise and thank God for the riches that we have in Christ.

Friday: Our thanks reveal our pride or humility

Begin by meditating (reading slowly, repeatedly, with feeling) on this text:

Philippians 1:3-6 I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Why does Paul spend so much time thanking and modelling a lifestyle of gratitude to God? It’s because Paul knows that, whilst acknowledging and praising human action, God is the source of all fruitfulness – we can do nothing without God. Those who are slow to thank God reveal that they are not ‘poor in spirit’, they do not realise how dependent they are.

Take some time to thank God for your salvation and His on-going work in you.

Using John 15:5 express your need and thanks to God.

Saturday: Thanksgiving and concern grow together

Begin by meditating (reading slowly, repeatedly, with feeling) on this text:

1 Thessalonians 3:9-10 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you? Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.

To be devoted to thanksgiving is to be planted in healthy soil that cause a person or a church community to grow.

Those who consistently give thanks for someone or a church will inevitably develop a loving burden for their good. As we praise God for His work in people, we will, by the Spirit, take on the Father’s heart; we become co-workers with God through our prayers, for their growth.