Love as a Way of Life



Study Series: The Power of Positive PrayingBy: John BisagnoLesson Title: “Thanksgiving and Praise in Prayer” (pp. 31-40)December 17, 2017Session 03The main point of this lesson is: Thanksgiving and praise are vital elements of prayer.Focus on this goal: To help adults make thanksgiving and praise part of their praying.Key Bible Passages: Psalm 100:4; 103:1-4; Philippians 4:4-7To the LeaderYou may have noticed several of the personal learning activities in the weekly studies engage learners in praying. Since this is a study on learning to pray more powerfully and positively, urge adults to complete all those personal interactive exercises.Before the SessionObtain lyrics and recording of “Ten Thousand Reasons” by Matt Redman (). (Steps 3, 7)2. Obtain thank-you cards for every participant. (Step 7)During the SessionStep 1. Lead-in / Illustration Invite estimates of the number of times adults say and hear “Thank you” on a daily basis. Ask: Do you think that’s enough, too much, or not enough expressions of gratitude? Explain. How might life be different if people were more thankful? Why should Christians be the most thankful people in the world? State this lesson encourages us to activate the power of positive praying by incorporating thanksgiving and praise to God in our prayers. Step 2. Day 1 – Thank Him, Part 1Ask adults if their moms made them write thank-you notes when they were growing up and how they felt about that. Ask: Why should we say “Thank you” if people, and God, know we are grateful? Invite a volunteer to read the first paragraph of Day One (p. 31). Allude to Day One, activity 1 and ask how believers can more consistently be like the one leper who returned to thank Jesus. Invite volunteers to read Philippians?4:4-7 in several different translations. Ask: How can we possibly rejoice about some situations? Note Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord, not in our circumstances. Determine what we are to do about our circumstances. Evaluate how we can present our requests to God with thanksgiving. Note the CSB translates NKJV’s “gentleness” (v. 5) as “graciousness.” Analyze how thankful praying rather than anxious worrying makes believers gentle and gracious people. Ask adults how they have discovered the Day One margin quote (p. 32) to be true.Step 3. Day 2 – Thank Him, Part 2State that Psalm 103:1-5 lists spiritual blessings every believer can thank God for. Invite a volunteer to read that passage. Note that song-writer Matt Redman declared our hearts can find ten thousand reasons to bless the Lord. List some of those reasons from the song’s lyrics. Ask: How long do you think it would take you to, as the old hymn says, “count your many blessings”? What are some blessings you would list? Discuss Day Two, activity 2 (p. 34).Step 4. Day 3 – Praise Him, Part 1Ask a volunteer to read Psalm 100:4. Note that thanksgiving focuses on what God has done; praise focuses on who God is. Inquire: How do thanksgiving and praise usher us into God’s presence so we can pray positively and powerfully? Discuss Day Three, activity 1 (p. 35). State that praise reminds us of God’s sovereign, loving, holy power that He employs on behalf of His purpose and His people. Beginning with praise transforms our prayers from “Oh God, what a problem” to “Oh problem, what a God!” Draw from Day Three basic ways to get alone with God so we can praise and pray to Him. Discuss Day Three, activity 2 (p. 37). Note some doors we need to shut might be literal. Other doors to shut might be putting our phone in another room so we’re not tempted to check messages or social media while we’re praying. Discuss the quote in the margin of Day Three (p. 35).Step 5. Day 4 – Praise Him, Part 2Discuss Day Four, activity 1 (p. 37). Examine why praising God for who He is will inevitably lead into a time of confession and repentance. Discuss: Why would prayers of repentance lead us right back into prayers of praise and thanksgiving? Why is it never a waste of time to spend time just being with Jesus and praising Him? Ask adults when, if ever, it’s OK to brag. Read and discuss the quote in the margin of Day?Four (p.?38). Invite volunteers to read Psalm 34:2; Psalm 44:8; Jeremiah 9:23-24; and Galatians 6:14. Discuss Day Four, activity 2 (p. 38) in a general rather than specific sense.Step 6. Day 5 – Praise Him, Part 3Read Hebrews 13:15. Complete Day Five, activity 1 (p. 39). Consider why we are commanded to continually offer a sacrifice of praise. Note we are to praise God as an act of our will in the good times and the bad. Read the quote in the margin of Day Five (p. 39). Read Psalm?33:1 from the CSB or HCSB. Ask: How have you discovered that God’s people are beautiful when they praise Him in all circumstances? Note the writer references singing numerous times in this lesson. Evaluate why singing is such a powerful way to express praise and thanksgiving. Point out many of the psalms are songs of praise. Invite volunteers to share their responses to Day Five, activity 2 (p. 40).Step 7. Application / Make It PracticalGive each participant a thank-you card. Encourage them to write a note of praise and thanksgiving to God. Play a recording of “Ten Thousand Reasons” (or the hymn “Count Your Many Blessings”) as adults write their thank-you notes. Read Psalm 103:1-5 as your closing prayer. ................
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