God Wants Us to Grow in Gratitude       grp168       Near Chapel       01Dec02
Gratitude Brings Wholeness and Joy
IceBreaker: Describe an event or a person in your life that you are really grateful for.

Luke 7: 37When a sinful woman in that town found out that Jesus was there, she bought an expensive bottle of perfume. 38Then she came and stood behind Jesus. She cried and started washing his feet with her tears and drying them with her hair. The woman kissed his feet and poured the perfume on them. 39The Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this and said to himself, "If this man really were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him! He would know that she is a sinner." 40Jesus said to the Pharisee, "Simon, I have something to say to you." "Teacher, what is it?" Simon replied. 41Jesus told him, "Two people were in debt to a moneylender. One of them owed him five hundred silver coins, and the other owed him fifty. 42Since neither of them could pay him back, the moneylender said that they didn't have to pay him anything. Which one of them will like him more?"
    43Simon answered, "I suppose it would be the one who had owed more and didn't have to pay it back." "You are right," Jesus said. 44He turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Have you noticed this woman? When I came into your home, you didn't give me any water so I could wash my feet. But she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45You didn't greet me with a kiss, but from the time I came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You didn't even pour olive oil on my head, but she has poured expensive perfume on my feet. 47So I tell you that all her sins are forgiven, and that is why she has shown great love. But anyone who has been forgiven for only a little will show only a little love."
    48Then Jesus said to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven."  (CEV)

Ephesians 4: 31... Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. 32Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ. (CEV)

Hebrews 12: 14Try to live at peace with everyone! Live a clean life. If you don't, you will never see the Lord. 15Make sure that no one misses out on God's wonderful kindness. (CEV)

Romans 15: 13I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope. (CEV)

Philippians 4: 6... pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel. 8Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don't ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. (CEV)

1. Why did Jesus often complement and helped people who religious people called sinners?
2. What does a bitter attitude do to prevent or hinder gratitude and forgiveness?
3. How does gratitude expand our capability to love and forgive people we don't like?
4. When we are ready to forgive others, how does that change our own lives?
5. Tell us how meeting with friends increases our gratitude and makes our lives more complete.
Please study the above references and then add your observations and applications:
Observations                                                             Applications
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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