NOVEMBER 20, 2022 STUDY GUIDE:
Thanks & Giving: A Clear Command
Psalm 100
Is Thanksgiving your favorite holiday? "Thank you" was a common and courteous expression years ago. You did business at a store, and the employee would say, "Thank you." That expression is heard less often in our day.
God calls His people to be grateful. Thanksgiving is a clear command in Psalm 100. You're to enter His gates with thanksgiving.
What does the Psalmist teach you about thanksgiving?
1. Thanksgiving is about Worshiping God. A thankful person is a worshiping person. The Psalmist revealed various aspects of worship. God's people need to shout! God's people need to serve! God's people need to sing? Is your worship overflowing with thanksgiving?
2. Thanksgiving is about Knowing God. God wants you to know Him in intimate ways. The Father reveals Himself in order for you to worship and know Him. The heavenly Father gave you life. You're fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). He leads you in life, and He is the One who changes your life. How intimately do you know the Lord God Almighty?
3. Thanksgiving is about Thanking God. What do you have to be thankful for? The Psalmist stated that the Lord is good. You have a good good Father. The Lord loves you. His love is unconditional. The Lord is always faithful. The Bible testifies that God's faithfulness is great (Lamentations 3:22). Would you pause for a few moments and thank the Lord?
As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, may the Lord give you a heart overflowing with gratitude.
We hope you'll worship with us in-person or online. It's healthy for us to enter His gates together and praise Him with thanksgiving. On one of our social media platforms, you share your words of thanksgiving using #fbctthanks, too.
We pray to see you on Sunday.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
View all of the Thanks & Giving Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/thanksandgiving.
NOVEMBER 27, 2022 STUDY GUIDE:
Thanks & Giving: His Church Matters
Acts 11:19-30
Do you love the Lord Jesus? Do you love His church?
The local church matters. In the New Testament, many of the local churches were flawed. Those churches experienced moral failures, doctrinal divisions, personality issues, and broken fellowship. While those churches were flawed, God used them to change the world.
Why are many churches growing and other churches declining? The Church in Antioch gives us seven realities of healthy churches:
1. Embrace Surrender. Many churches never grow because of a lack of surrender. Is the Lord pleased with your attendance, giving, and participation?
2. Share Jesus. Sharing Jesus is more than a gift; it's a calling. If you know Jesus, you're called to share Jesus. Are you building bridges or barriers?
3. Welcome Change. The word change makes many Baptists uncomfortable. What happens when you share Jesus? Are you praying for change?
4. Partner Together. Paul and Barnabas served together. Are you serving the Lord in His church? As you think about the Lord's church, you're needed!
5. Make Disciples. Why does our church exist? We're not about entertainment or membership perks. We exist to make disciples. Are you making disciples?
6. Live Generous. Is God generous or stingy? The Antioch Church was generous. Are you giving the Lord your best? Are you living a generous life?
7. Model Trust. Healthy relationships require trust. Trust was evident in the Antioch Church. Are you trusting the Lord? Do you trust other people?
We invite you to worship with us in-person or online. The Lord is at work and changing lives at First Baptist Church.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
View all of the Thanks & Giving Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/thanksandgiving.