through gratitude and the gospel · 2019. 11. 4. · now, we are going to put our gratitude into...

A Life Transformed Through Gratitude and the Gospel © 2019 Sojo Academy. All Rights Reserved.

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GRATITUDE AND THE GOSPEL

THROUGH

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Introduction:

Why should we be concerned about the discipline of gratitude?

There has been a lot of research on the science of gratitude and some pretty smart people are convinced it has some major benefi ts. One of the early re-search studies on gratitude found that “counting one’s blessings” in a journal led to improved psychological and physical functioning. Participants in their studies were more optimistic, exercised more and had fewer symptoms of physi-cal illness. They were more positive, de-termined and alert. Basically, those who kept weekly or daily gratitude journals had psychological and physical benefi ts compared to participants who did not.

Does this surprise you? Considering the fact that we were created by God for gratitude and worship it really should not. When you look at the purpose behind gratitude, which is ultimately in-tended to glorify God, this makes perfect sense.

We are forgetful people and need constant reminders of who God is and what He has done. Practicing consistent gratitude is just one way to do this.

Psalm 145:3-9 Daniel 2:20-23 Isaiah 40:28 1 Chronicles 15:34 Psalm 18:2 Malachi 3:6 Deuteronomy 4:31 Matthew 11:25 Psalm 9:1 Jonah 2:9 2 Samuel 22:49-50a Luke 17:16 Acts 28:15-16 Matthew 11:25 John 6:23 Mark 8:6 Psalm 9:1 Jonah 2:9 2 Samuel 22:49-50a Luke 17:16 Acts 28:15-16 Romans 5:6-11 Psalm 95:1-3 Psalm 7:17 Colossians 3:15 Psalm 103:1-5 Hebrews 12:28-29 Revelation 7:12

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Part I: StudyDay 1

Gratitude defined. It’s object identified.

Let’s define gratitude. This is actually more difficult than you would think.

Look up the word gratitude in the dictionary and you will quickly go down a path to phrases like “to be grateful” or “to be thankful”... which in turn point you to the defini-tion “feeling or expressing gratitude”. Try it, you’ll see.

So, take a moment to define gratitude, using sources and with your own thoughts.

The final wording I am choosing to use to define this is “A feeling of appreciation for someone or something

you were given” although this doesn’t come close to what we should feel when we truly grasp this discipline.

Read James 1:17. What does this tell us about EV-ERYTHING we have been given?

In light of this, if our gratitude is a feeling of appreci-ation or thanksgiving for someone or something we have been given… WHO is the one we are to ultimately express this to?

Although we can certainly be grateful to others (and should be), in the end, we must realize that God is the final object of our praise. This truth is important to remember as we proceed with this study. Don’t lose sight of the ONE who is worthy and demanding of your gratitude and worship.


Day 2 Remembering the WHO.

Before we can consider our horizontal blessings, we have to be very clear about the vertical source of them. We’ve already established the focus of our gratitude and praise, but let’s take today to remem-ber who God is and what He has done.

For each of these passages, list out the qualities and works of Gods mentioned.

Psalm 145:3-9

Daniel 2:20-23

Isaiah 40:28

2 Peter 3:9

1 Chroni-cles

15:34

Psalm 18:2

Malachi 3:6

Deuter-onomy 4:31


Day 3 When you don’t practice gratitude.

OK, we understand a bit more about what gratitude is and that our God deserves it, but isn’t it true that we fail in this discipline all the time?

See, there is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed. If it’s unexpressed, it’s simply ingratitude.And how many times does this describe our habit of thanksgiving?

Life gets busy and full, or we feel deep down that we are owed things, or we simply forget. There are many reasons we live lives of chronic ingratitude.

And let’s not forget the most important reason… the fact that we are sinners.

How do we work on this?

Let’s take a look at some biblical examples of grati-tude.

For each scripture, explore the example of thanks-giving and think of how it can translate into practice for your life.

Matthew 11:25

John 6:23

Mark 8:6

Psalm 9:1

Jonah 2:9

2 Samuel 22:49-50a

Luke 17:16

Acts 28:15-16


Day 4 The most scandalous example.

When is the last time you sacrificed something you truly love for someone or gave something precious to some-one? When is the last time you did this for someone who was completely unworthy?

Read Romans 5:6-11. What does this passage (espe-cially verse 8) tell us about God’s greatest gift to us?

God saved us while we were still living lives of chronic ingratitude.

Write a prayer of thanksgiving for this gift.

Day 5 Gratitude realized.

Read Colossians 2:6-7

What do you gather about thanksgiving from these two verses?

I tend to spend a lot of energy on how I “feel”.

But once I grasp the gospel, this truth we focused on yesterday, I have no choice but to worship.

Even when I don’t “feel” it.

Let’s do this together before moving on. Read, write, sing or just reflect on these prayers of gratitude found in the Bible:

Psalm 95:1-3Psalm 7:17Colossians 3:15Psalm 103:1-5Psalm 28:7Hebrews 12:28-29Revelation 7:12


Part II: Practice

Now, we are going to put our gratitude into practice. I challenge you to use this work-book as a gratitude journal (can keep it in the study or take it out)

There are 12 prompts and you can do one a day or work through them at your own pace.

Each prompt will include an introduction and action items.

You will also have some creative ideas to try, so feel free to get out of your comfort zone a bit. The important thing is your heart of gratitude.

Gratitude

Journal


them WHY you are thankful for them.3. Add a picture or a drawing of your immediate

family members right in your journal. You can represent them creatively or simply print off a photo. This can be done on one a blank page, a scripture page, or another “Family” prompt page. But put their lovely faces right there!

Gratitude Prompt #1:

Immediate Family

We were going to start with an easy one. When you were a kid and filled out the construction pa-per turkey with the things you were thankful for in school, one or more of the feathers was undoubt-edly labeled as your parents... and maybe your siblings... and probably your favorite toy. Anyway, now that you are an adult when you think of your blessings, one of the first things that comes to mind is probably the people you are most closely related to.

Action Items:

1. List out each member of your immediate fam-ily. This can be your spouse, children, parents or siblings. This can include in-laws or pets. Honestly, anyone you consider “immediate”.

2. But wait... there’s more... under each per-son’s name, I want you to write them a brief note. This can be 1-2 sentences or simple bullet points. Your family may never actually see this, but write directly to them... and tell



Extended Family

Yesterday, you listed your “immediate” fam-ily and reflected on why you are thankful for them. For most of you, this was not a difficult task. Today, we are going to expand our circle to our extended family. And I know that for some of you, the gratitude may not come as easily.

Here’s the thing... family can be interesting. You may have a super close relationship with everyone who shares your DNA. Or you may not actually get along with everyone in your extended family. You may love being with them, or you may have even been deeply hurt by them. Regardless of any of this, you were given the family that you have for a reason. Today is the day to thank God for them.

Action Items:

1. List out as many members of your extended family as you can think of. This may be a few well-loved cousins or some difficult in-laws. Either way, write their names down in your Journal.

2. Then circle a few names to focus your attention and prayers on today. If you are struggling with any relationally, or know of any who are going through particular challenges right now, they are the ones I want you to circle. Take time to petition the Almighty on behalf of family members you may not see often, may love dearly, or may not feel fondly about at all.



Friendships

Today, we are giving thanks for the friend-ships in our lives.

Read Proverbs 13:20 and write it out…

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This verse is both encouraging and convicting. Encour-aging because I have some really wise friends. Convict-ing because I want to be one to others.

It’s easy to let life slip by and let friendships go, but I’m going to encourage you to hold onto those relation-ships. New friends. Old friends. Online friends. Every day friends. Every decade friends. Give thanks for them today.

Action Items:

1. Take the time today to write down at least 5 friends in your Journal. Pray for them and remind yourself why they are important to you.

2. Encourage them today! Text them, call them, send them an email or a card and let them know you value their friendship and are praying for them. Schedule a coffee date or a Facetime call with them. Just find a way to show them you are blessed that they are in your life.



The Local Church

Today’s prompt may be an easy one for you to complete, or it may be a little more challenging. But let’s dive in.

I love the local church. And I know that we need it. However, I also know that it is dirty and hard and can be painful. I suspect that you have been hurt at one point in your life by people in the church. And if you have not yet, you most likely will be.

You see, for some reason, we forget that the local church is made up of imperfect, messed up sinners. And we forget that we, too, are imperfect, messed up sinners. We also forget that God has called us to do life together so that we can show an onlooking world the truth of His Gospel. The difficult truth that we are never good enough, apart from the work of Christ on the cross. We sharpen each other and practice grace, giving us more appreciation for the ultimate grace that we have been given.

And because of this and so much more, today we are giving thanks for our church body.

Action Items:

1. Write down the name of your church in your Journal. Then, write down the names of the lead-ership. As you write these names, pray earnestly for them. Trust me when I tell you, they need and covet your prayers.

2. Next, think of the ways you are currently serv-ing your local body... or ways you would like to. Thank God for the opportunity to serve and be His hands and feet in a tangible way.

3. Finally, think of one or more people in your church family that you struggle with. (I don’t suggest that you write these down). Just think of them... maybe they are difficult to be around or take a lot of your energy. Think of them and thank God for them today. They are helping in your sanctification and they are loved by God.

If you are not in a local church, you can do this exercise with a past church you were a part of, but I encourage you to find a place that preaches the Gospel and be-come a part of it. We were created to worship and serve and there is no better place to do that than through the local body of Christ.



The Worldwide Church

In our last prompt, we took some time to give thanks for our local church. Today, we are going to zoom out a bit and document our gratitude for the “big C” Church.

Read Mark 16:15. Write out the commandment Christ gave… and still gives today.

I know you realize this, but sometimes it’s good to remember that the Church is worldwide. And God is calling us to the work of showing people of every tribe and nation His glory so that they might turn to Him. This can look like packing your belongings and moving to live among an unreached people group. Or it may look like loving those around you, sharing the gospel with

them in word and deed, and helping those who have been called to GO with your finances and prayers.

I am so very thankful for the grace of God to the na-tions, the churches that emphasize a worldwide Body of Christ, and the men and women who leave comfort behind to follow the call of missions.

Action Items:

1. Write down the names of missionaries you are familiar with, especially if you know them person-ally or they are from your local church.

2. Pray for them, give thanks for their ministry and consider supporting them financially. If you don’t know of any, I’ll be happy to give you the names of some beautiful people I know well who would covet your prayers.

Also, let’s show gratitude for the diversity of the nations today. I am American, but not everyone reading this is. And although we are different, if we are in Christ, we are also the same.

3. Put your bonus downloads in your Gratitude Jour-nal as a visual representation of today’s prompt. The watercolor world map is sized to fit in your Traveler’s Notebook and I’ve also included it as a Journal Card. The globe coloring sheet is full-sized (8.5 x 11), but can be printed smaller if you wanted to include that in your book as well. Your imagination in how you use this is your only limit.



School

Wait. Wait. Don’t go.

Not in school? Don’t go. No kids in school? Don’t go. Not teaching school? Don’t go. Our prompt today is one that you can participate in regardless of your current stage of life! I prom-ise. Let’s give thanks for education today!

You will fall into at least one (if not several) of these categories. Keep reading…

Action Items: Choose one or more of these cate-gories to complete

1. You are currently in a time of learning. If you are in high school, college or graduate school right now, I want you to stop and give thanks for each of your teachers, administrators, and coach-es. They are pouring their hearts into your life and whether you are having a great experience with them or not, they have been given to you by God for this time in your educational journey. You can be thankful.

For those of you not in “traditional” school, I’ll bet you have recently been involved in a program where you were learning something new. A local art class? An online Bible Study? Even this little Workshop. We have information at our fingertips with a click of a mouse and for that, we can give

thanks. Write out anything you have recently learned from someone else, and thank God for your access to that education and for the teacher who answered the call to teach it.

2. You have children in school. Educating young minds is a difficult and often thankless job. But, what a bless-ing to have teachers and aids and after-school workers and secretaries and administrators and coaches and directors and anyone else who speaks into the lives of your children day after day. Pray for these people regularly! And stop today to express your gratitude to God for them.

As an extra step, when you have time over the next week or so, take a moment to write them a quick email, note or text thanking them for what they are doing. It will bless their souls and may be just the encourage-ment they need to face a new week with love.

3. You homeschool your children. Thank God today for your ability to educate your children in the home. Give thanks for all of the resources now available and for the friends your child is in fellowship with. Your ability to even stay home with your kids is a blessing that should never be taken lightly. And teaching them each day is a responsibility God gave you that you can be proud of and grateful for.

4. You went to school. OK... this catches the rest of you! You were influenced by someone in your educa-tional journey. Who was that? Was is a tough coach that helped ingrain in you the perseverance ethic that serves you well now? Was it the teacher that made learning so exciting that you developed a burning pas-sion for it? Whoever it was, write down that name today and thank God for them.


Gratitude Prompt #7: Skills and Abilities

Today’s prompt is going to push you a bit. Why? Because you are going to give yourself a compliment. And then take it back.

You were created in the image of God just like every other human on this Earth. And yet, you are also completely unique. Today, we are going to focus on some of the abilities you were given that make you special and the skills you have devel-oped with those abilities.

For our purposes, we are going to differentiate be-tween skills and abilities using Webster’s Dictionary definitions.

Ability: natural aptitude or proficiency

Skill: developed aptitude or ability

You have things that come easier for you and per-sonality traits that help you accomplish goals. And you also have used those gifts to execute and per-form certain tasks. Let’s give thanks for these today and remember where all good things come from.

Action Items:

1. List out at least 3 things that come easily for you.

2. List out at least 3 things you have accomplished with those above-listed abilities.

3. Write out James 1:17 and journal how it applies to your lists above.

4. Appreciate these unique and beautiful things that make you who you are, remember that they are ulti-mately gifts from a good Father, and write out a note giving Him the thanks and glory for them.



Hobbies

What do you do when you need to relax? If you had all day with no responsibilities... what would you do with it? Stop right now and think about it.

No... seriously... get the dirty clothes pile out of your head and think about it.

Recreation is important. It can refresh the soul. It can certainly be God-glorifying. And I suspect that some of those skills and abilities you gave thanks for yesterday can translate into super fun hobbies!

Action Items:

1. Plan out the day I mentioned above. You know, the one with no responsibilities. Use your vast imagination and you can even stretch time to fit more stuff in. Bear with me here. You may never actually live that day, but allow yourself to plan it anyway.

2. During your “recreation day”, list out at least 2-3 things that you would consider hobbies (“an ac-tivity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation”... yes, that’s the actual definition).

3. Now, I’d like for you to schedule at least ONE hour in this upcoming week to spend doing at least ONE of those listed hobbies. And give thanks for both the hobby and your ability to enjoy it.


Gratitude Prompt #9: Health

This may be another tricky one for you because I know that there are some of you who suffer from illnesses and infirmities that I would never take lightly. If this is you, you may not consider yourself “healthy” and therefore may not feel grateful when looking at this prompt.

I’d like to challenge you on this a bit. We are all in a state of “health”, regardless of where we are on the spectrum between good and poor. Some of the physical issues we have are brought on by lack of discipline and bad habits (psst... preaching to myself here). Some of the things that make us un-healthy are out of our control. But, just like anything else in life, our gift of good health or our struggle with poor health can point us to the cross and be a focus for our gratitude.

Action Items:

1. If you are in good health, do not let today pass you by without thanking your Creator God for this gift. And commit anew to treat your body like the Temple of God that it is, doing all that you can to keep it that way.

2. If you are suffering physically or mentally today, know that our sovereign God sees you, knows you, feels you, created you, and will keep you. Thank Him for a plan for your life that is far greater than any that you could have mapped out. Pray for healing today. Pray for under-standing and peace in your circumstance today. Pray that God will use your situation for His Glory. And put on an attitude of gratitude.

3. Pray for the health of those you love and give thanks for every blessing, big or small.

4. Write out your prayers of trust and thanksgiving. You may choose to print out the card for this Prompt (reduce the size if you are using a Traveler’s Notebook) and use it as a tip-in if you want to keep the journaling private. (If you don’t know what I mean by “tip-in”, check out this article: https://www.graceincolor.com/add-pages-with-tip-ins/)


Gratitude Prompt #10: Needs Supplied

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Je-sus.” Philippians 4:19

Today is the prompt that many people start with when they express gratitude. And it’s important to consider the “things” in life that we have been blessed with. So, let’s get to it.

Action Items: This is a day for lists. We are going to create long lists. Yep, you heard me. Long lists. But they are going to be easy, so bear with me.

And contrary to the prompt title, this exercise is actually a reflection of more than just “needs”. We are going to think of all of the tangible ways were are blessed on a daily basis. Ready?

P.S. you don’t need to do all of these... they are just ideas.

1. List out as many things in your house either provide comfort that you can think of (air condi-tioning, clothing, electricity).

2. List out things in your house that provide entertain-ment (TV, computer, books).

3. List out things in your house that help you with your daily chores (washing machine, oven, cleaning prod-ucts).

4. List out any mode of transportation you use (car, bus, subway).

5. List out any source of income that you enjoy (full-time job, part-time job, odds and ends work)

6. List out all the foods that you have eaten over the last couple of days.

7. List out everything you are currently wearing and have worn over the last couple of days.

8. List out any way someone has come beside you in a time of need with help of any kind (finances, babysit-ting, shoulder to cry on).

Feel free to expand on these lists. The idea is obvious. You have been blessed. Your needs have been met. Even when you struggle, God is with you and will take care of your needs.


Gratitude Prompt #11: Past Experiences

Today, we are giving thanks for the pieces of our past that have shaped us into who we are today. God is utterly sovereign and He uses our good and bad experiences to draw us to Him. What a blessing to know that He guides our steps all along our journey of life.

Action Items: (These are mostly reflections, but feel free to journal whatever you are comfortable with)

1. Think of times in your life when you felt truly happy. Perhaps it was a short-lived moment or it lasted a lifetime. Think of experiences you lived through that caused you to feel joy or love or peace. Maybe it’s your wedding day, the birth of your children, a special vaca-tion... Whatever comes to mind, give thanks for those moments and write them down in your journal today. Allow yourself to feel those bits of joy again as you remember them.

2. Now, think of a time in your life when you were hurting. Think of circumstances that left you raw. Maybe you are thinking of a failed

relationship, the death of a loved one, or a battle with your own sin. Regardless, if you are on the other side of the experience, take time to focus on how you have come through. And thank the God who never left you.

If you are still in the middle of one of these times, you may or may not be able to understand the reason for this pain on this side of Heaven. You can, however, know that if you are trusting that Christ lived a perfect life and died a terrible death that you deserved so that you will one day stand before God clean... if you believe this, then you can also trust that He is working all things together for your good and His glory (Romans 8;28). And you can give thanks.


Gratitude Prompt #12: Salvation

This is the last of our Gratitude prompts! How are you feeling? Grateful, overwhelmed, guilty, accomplished? It doesn’t matter where you are on this gratitude journey, today is the perfect day to jump in... because we are all starting over.

Wait. What?

Take a look at everything you have written down over the past 11 days (or however long it took you to get through these prompts), all the things you thought about, prayed about and gave thanks for. Then imagine how you would feel if it was all gone.

Devastated.

Absolutely. And yet, we are not promised any of these things. What we are promised is so.much.more.

Action Items:

Read Romans 8:18-25. Re-read Romand 8:18 in particular and write it down. What “sufferings of this present time” was the author of these words endur-ing? What are you enduring?

What does the second half of this verse (v18) mean? And how does that encourage you today?

Christ was sent to this Earth to live a perfect life that you could never live. He died a brutal death that you deserved. And in doing so, he has allowed you to trade in your sin for his righteousness. All you have to do is trust in him. And here’s what’s even more amazing... that trust is called faith and even that is a gift that He will give you. (Ephesians 2:8).

In your own words, express what is it means to trust in Christ’s work on the cross?

For me, it means that one day when I stand before a Holy God, He will not see my sins and failings, but only Christ’s righteousness. I will live in His presence for all of eternity. And the glory that will be revealed to me will cause ANYTHING in this life to be unworthy of compari-son. How amazing is that?

God is with you today. God is blessing you today. God is your provider. But more than that, God is your savior. For that and that alone, He deserves our praise. Our thanksgiving. Our utter gratitude.


Part III: Response

We have looked at gratitude and have practiced giving thanks. But is there more?

In the last section of this study, I challenge you to turn things around a bit and become a blessing to someone else.

Read these Scriptures:

Colossians 3:12-14 Psalm 100 1 Peter 1:3-9 Proverbs 11:25 Matthew 5:16

How can you bless someone else today, this week, this month? Write out some tangible ideas and give your-self a deadline (go ahead and put it in your calendar).

Remember the gospel, give God the glory for all things, and allow His grace to be seen through your actions.

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through gratitude and the gospel · 2019. 11. 4. · now, we are going to put our gratitude into...

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