FAITH DISCUSSION GUIDE
WELCOME TO YOUR FAITH DISCUSSION GUIDE! It is God’s promise to you that as you continue to love each other and seek His wisdom in your relationship, He will reveal Himself to you in beautiful ways. Be sure to have your Bible handy. If you don’t have access to one, check out the Bible Gateway app, which is available for Apple and Android devices. To enjoy the custom Date Night In – Faith playlist featuring Christian artists, visit datenightinbox.com/faith.
God really doesn’t need our thanksgiving. He isn’t a demanding father looking down on us, withholding His grace until we sing His praises. We sing His praises because of the undeserved grace that He has already poured out for us. Having a spirit of gratitude pleases the Father, but it is largely for our own benefit. It is what refuels us when life slows us down and tunes our hearts to His grace. A thankful heart has the power to keep us in a place of humility and dependence on God. As we recognize how much we need Him, it opens up the door for continued blessings (see Matthew 7:11). It invites His presence.
As you push pause on your date night activities and make your way through this discussion guide together, take a few minutes to acknowledge just how blessed you are! Give thanks to God for this time together, for each
PAUSE & DISCUSS
other and for whatever else pops into your mind. Ready your hearts to receive what God
Next time you are in a challenging situation,
has in store for you through this discussion.
try beginning your prayer for deliverance with a word of thanks for God’s redemptive plan
A THANKFUL HEART
that is already in the works.
Thanksgiving is here! This special day has
Do you find it hard to give thanks when
been celebrated as a day to give thanks to
circumstances are difficult?
God for His gracious and sufficient provision. It was President Lincoln, in 1863, who
Have you experienced a time when your
officially set aside the last Thursday of every
grateful spirit outshone the difficult
November as a day of “thanksgiving and praise
circumstance you were in?
to our beneficent Father.” As we stop to give a little extra thanks during this season, let’s be reminded of why it is important and why we should practice having a thankful heart all year long. READ COLOSSIANS 3:17 TOGETHER. “...And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” “And whatever you do…” This means every day, in each moment. Every new breath is a gift! We give thanks to keep our hearts in a right relationship with the giver of every gift. We give thanks because God gave us His Son so that we could be set free.
HOW DO WE SAY THANKS? What did this look like in the life of Jesus? If Jesus is our perfect example of living a Christ-centered life, let’s see how He modeled this for us. Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,” who, on the day of His crucifixion, knowing what was before Him, gave thanks to His Father. Let that sink in for a moment. Jesus was
surrounded by His disciples, sitting around a
It is impossible to comprehend what this gift
table. In just a short time, He would be nailed
is worth, and tonight, we are grateful that
to a cross and separated from His Father.
it comes at no cost to us. For this reason,
Knowing this, He stood before those He loved
we give our lives to You in gratitude and
and ministered to and “praised God by giving
thanksgiving. We choose to live every day like
thanks” (1 Cor 11:24).
Your son Jesus, giving all honor and praise to
He gave thanks before using a boy’s lunch to feed thousands (John 6:11). He stood before
You. I want to thank You now, especially for… Amen
the cave where His friend Lazarus lay and gave thanks to His Father for hearing His prayer (John 11:41).
CONTINUE YOUR DISCUSSION
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This discussion guide is meant to be a conversation starter, we encourage you to go directly to the source for further direction on this topic. The Bible is filled with powerful examples of how to lead a
PAUSE & DISCUSS
life of joy, peace and love—regardless of your circumstances!
What are you thankful for? What are the big things? What are the little, everyday things? What major blessings do you take for granted?
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For more reading on this topic, see Psalm 23, Psalm 50:23, Lamentations 3:22-24 and 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 in your Bible.
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Write out the answers to your PAUSE AND DISCUSS questions above asking “What are you thankful for?” Display them somewhere
What spiritual blessings have you as a couple
in your home as a reminder to give thanks
encountered in 2019?
every day.
Who are the people that you are most thankful for? Why?
KEY TAKEAWAYS
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relationship with the giver of every gift.
PRAYER AND REFLECTION Are you willing to give thanks before a time of testing or when you are in need of a miracle like Jesus did? Are you willing to pause and give thanks for small, everyday blessings? Take a few minutes to pray together now. If you are unsure where to start, pray these words: Dear Heavenly Father, giver of all good gifts. You made the ultimate sacrifice for us so that we could live in constant communion with You.
We give thanks to keep our hearts in right
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A grateful heart is for our benefit, not God’s.
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Jesus gave thanks to the Father through every circumstance.
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