Don Denyes // Rockford Campus // November 24, 2024

SMALL GROUP
DISCUSSION GUIDE

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: 1 Chronicles 29:9-18

REMINDERS

LEADER DEVELOPMENT CLASS (Sundays, 6–7pm – Rockford Campus Room 304)

We’ve had some TERRIFIC LDC’s lately covering the topic of how to navigate Crucial Conversations. Thank you to the Leaders who’ve been able to make it!

Here’s the plan as we move into the holiday season for continuing to grow and learn together:

Dec. 1: Crucial Conversations: Groups & Challenging Moments

Dec. 8: OFF – Children’s Christmas Program

Dec. 15: LEADER DEVELOPMENT CHRISTMAS GATHERING

Dec. 22: OFF – Christmas Break

Dec. 29: OFF – New Year’s Break

Jan. 5: Continue Crucial Conversations

 

TOGETHER IN LIFE

HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEK! Try this fun way to celebrate what God has done for the last year and practice gratitude together.

Using your calendar or photo app as a reminder, name one thing each month you were grateful for and share with your group – pictures can be a fun way to spark a memory and make it easier to share with others.

 

TOGETHER IN THE WORD

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: 1 Chronicles 29:9-18

Note: If you are meeting as a group, we encourage you to read the entire text together out loud.

KEY QUESTIONS:

Read 1 Chronicles 29:9-18

True gratitude depends upon a proper understanding of ..

• Who God is
• God’s Sovereign Control over Everything
• What we deserve

What do you think of when you hear those phrases?

What can you do this week to love others by sharing your gratitude for God and for them?

 

GOING DEEPER:

How we Grow our Gratitude

King David announces his transition plan for his son Solomon to take over the throne. In his plan he makes offerings to the Lord and the temple. He leads by example by donating a substantial amount of gold, silver, and other goods from not only the national treasury, but also his own pocket. As with any good leader, he not only sets the example of what to do, but also leads them through invitation to bring of their own goods, too.

Questions:

• Read 1 Chronicles 29:6-9.
• What did the leaders do in response to Davids leadership?
• What did the people do in response to the leaders offering?

3 IDEAS FOR TRUE GRATITUDE

(1) True Gratitude depends upon a proper understanding of God.

Questions:

• What does this passage have to say about who God is?
  • verse 10?
  • verse 11?
• What does Psalm 97:12 have to say about who God is?
• What other Psalms or texts in Scripture speak to the attributes of God’s character?

NOTE: Forgetfulness hinders gratitude, Creation is a powerful reminder of God’s revealed nature to cause us to pause, reflect, and recognize God’s grandness in grateful worship.

(2) True Gratitude depends upon a proper understanding of God’s Sovereign Control over Everything.

Questions:

• What does this passage have to say about God’s sovereign control?
  • verses 11-13?
• What does Romans 8:28-39 tell us about God’s control over our souls?

NOTE: It is easy to praise God and give thanks when things are going well. We are to give thanks in all things.

• What does 1 Thess. 5 connect gratefulness to?
• What might this look like in the life of a follower of Jesus?

(3) True Gratitude depends upon a proper understanding of what we deserve.

Questions:

• What does this passage have to say about man’s relationship to God?
  • in verse 14-15?
• What does the “Romans road” tell us of our relationship with God?
  • Romans 3:23
  • Romans 6:23
  • Romans 5:8
  • Romans 10:9-10
• Share a story of God’s grace that had brought you to a deeper understanding of His love for you.

 

TOGETHER IN ACTION

As we look ahead to this Thanksgiving week, we pray that you would be encouraged with a heart of gratitude and talk about that with others.

Find ways this week to share:

• Something you are grateful for with the people in your life – be specific, simple, and sincere.
• Ways you are specifically thankful for God’s grace in your life.

SHARING OUR GRATEFULNESS FOR GOD’S GRACE TO OTHERS HELPS THEM KNOW THE KIND OF GOD WE WORSHIP & SERVE! IT ENCOURAGES FELLOW BELIEVERS & IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO INVITE THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW HIM, TO KNOW HIM MORE.

TOGETHER IN PRAYER

Pray that God would help us to see life now – not only of what has happened in the past – with grateful hearts.

Pray that God would help us more quickly respond to His kindness to us with gratefulness.

Pray for opportunities to share that grateful attitude with others.