The Thankful Christian

Read It:  1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 (NRSV)
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.


Learn It:
I don't  know about you but this seems a pretty hard task for even the best of Christians.  There are times in our lives when we get down and sad and it makes it hard to rejoice.  We also have so many things going on: work, sleep, cooking, chores, etc. that it makes it hard to pray without stopping to do other things.  When we are down and having a hard time it makes it hard to rejoice in everything that happens to us.  Let's take a look at what this might mean though: Rejoicing always means that we should always remember that in both the good times and bad times in our lives we have a God that loves and cares for us so much God gave us Jesus as a sacrifice.  In that we can always rejoice. To pray without ceasing is to again always keep God and the work of Jesus in the forefront of our minds.  It doesn't have to be a formal prayer but an offering of our thoughts up to God.  In those ways we can then give thanks to God knowing and seeing all that God does in our lives in all circumstances.  


Share It:
Spend some time today talking about the things that God does in your lives.  What can you see that God does in both the good and the bad?  What do you see God do in the extraordinary and in the ordinary everyday things?  What are ways that you can give thanks to God for those things?  What offerings can you lift up to God for all the circumstances that you have gone through?  Talk about these and other things that come up during your time together.


Live It:
This week as you work, play, etc. spend some time focusing on rejoicing in the things that God has given you and how you are able to to work through life knowing the blessings you have from God.  That will be your way of rejoicing always and by constantly "thinking" about those blessings you will in a way be praying without ceasing.  Enjoy those blessings!

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The Essentials of Life

Read It: Isaiah 55:1-5 (NRSV)

Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.  2Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.  3Incline your ear, and come to me; listen, so that you may live.  I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.  4See, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples.  5See, you shall call nations that you do not know, and nations that do not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.

Learn It:

Food and water are the most basic elements that we need to live. Without them we will die after just a few days. Isaiah is telling us that we should spend our money on the things that will satisfy our needs, those things that are essential to survival. If you don't have enough money for simple things that ensure your survival then why do you buy so many things that aren't necessary? Isaiah then moves on from the analogy of food and water to that of God. Just as food and water are the essentials of life so is a relationship with God. God has already given you the free gift through the covenant made through David and the ancestors.There is no need to earn or buy this gift from anyone or anything. Don't try to spend your money on something that God has already bestowed upon you.

Share It:

Share with each other what you think the essentials are for your life? Do you need food, water, shelter...tv, computers, refrigerator..etc. What are essential for a healthy life and what are things that you think would be nice to have as extras? What are the essential parts of your faith and what do you think you need to 'survive' all the things that life will throw at you? Take out a piece of paper and list on one side essentials for life and on the other side wants for life. Write down all your families thoughts and see what you all agree upon and what thngs you disagree upon and talk about why you each think it should be on the one side or the other.

Live It:

Take this week to live off the essentials of your faith. Do the things that you think are essential to having a strong faith (reading the Bible, prayer, etc). When you are done with the essentials each day then add on the 'extra' things of regular day life (tv, music, games, etc). See how the essentials might help or influence the rest of your week and the rest of your activities. Enjoy!

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Respond to the Light

Read It: Psalm 119:105-112 (NRSV)

    105      Your word is a lamp to my feet 
    and a light to my path. 
    106      I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, 
    to observe your righteous ordinances. 
    107      I am severely afflicted; 
    give me life, O LORD, according to your word. 
    108      Accept my offerings of praise, O LORD, 
    and teach me your ordinances. 
    109      I hold my life in my hand continually, 
    but I do not forget your law. 
    110      The wicked have laid a snare for me, 
    but I do not stray from your precepts. 
    111      Your decrees are my heritage forever; 
    they are the joy of my heart. 
    112      I incline my heart to perform your statutes 
    forever, to the end. 

Learn It:

While camping this week I used a lantern a lot.  I know that it doesn't get dark here in Washington until late at night but when it did get dark I needed the lantern to anywhere.  The whole idea of a lantern being used to as a metaphor is a wonderful way to express God's presence in our lives.  We can see the actions that God does to show us the path that has been set for us.  The Psalmist points out that he needs to confirm the path and to respond to that light and that promise.  It is also a reminder that following the path of God is not easy.  Verse 10 points out that there will be events or people that will try to make you stray from the path but it is up to us to choose to follow the path and the promises that God has laid out for us.  This is also a wonderful way to show that God does things in our lives for us and we respond to that light by following the path and the ways that God has laid out for us.  It is a response to what God has done and continues to do for us.

Share It:

I know it doesn't get dark outside until late but consider going outside with your family and bring flashlight or lantern/lamp during this time.  What are times when it is easy to see the path that God has laid out before you?  When are there times when it is hard to see that path?   What ways does this idea of God's path or plan being like a lamp fit for you?  How can you respond to the path that God has laid out for you and to give thanks to God for all he has done and does in your life?  Share this and other thoughts that come up during your time together.

Live It:

During this week spend some time trying to see the path God has placed for you and the ways God has done so in the past.  Take some time to try to find a way to 'respond' to that path, that love and grace that God has given to you and gives you all the time.  Respond to God for all that God has already done.

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To Sin or Not to Sin

Read It: Romans 6:14-15 (NRSV)

 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. 15 What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 

Learn It:

What a great question.  Should we not worry about sinning because we know that we have been saved by grace?  If I'm already promised eternal life through God's grace and forgiveness then what is there to stop me from sinning?  Paul wants us to understand that living in a life of grace and God's forgiveness is a free gift, but if we go and show our lives to other people and in Paul's example God, then our life should reflect the gift given us.  So if we are people who love God then we should have examples and memories of ways we have lived that out. If, however, we have a life full of sin yet say we believe then maybe our true belief isn't what we claim it to be.  Don't just say you believe but live it out.  SAY and DO what you believe.  We don't perform acts of love to others to earn God's grace but we do it as a RESPONSE to that free gift of love and grace.

Share It:

What are the ways that you as a family live out your faith life?  What ways do you live under the grace of God and not under the law of sin?  What might be other ways in the future that you can respond to the grace God has given you?  In other words, what are ways that you can say THANK YOU to God for the gift of grace which tells us of God's love and forgiveness and everlasting life for us?  Share with your family about these ideas and more about living in God's amazing grace!

Live It:

This next week pick 1 thing you can do to live in God's grace and respond to it.  Help out a friend, send someone a note, give a hug, etc.  Make this time a time to live out the gifts God freely gives us.

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