Philippians 4:11-13 NIV

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Psalm 103:1-5 NIV

Praise the Lord, my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2Praise the Lord, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits—

3who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

4who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

5who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

“Radical gratitude is powerful, provocative, life-changing. It’s like a pair of glasses that get progressively sharper: the more we thank, the more we see to be thankful for. Gratitude is the lens that reveals God’s incredible grace at work. It’s the key to tangible, everyday joy.”

-Ellen Vaughn,

Author of Radical Gratitude

Philippians 4:11-12 NLT

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.

2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Greek: hilarios = cheerful

2 Corinthians 8:2-4 NIV

In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.

overflowing joy + extreme poverty = rich generosity

Matthew 6:1-4 NLT

Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.2When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. 3But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

2 Corinthians 8:12 NLT

Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.

Proverbs 3:9 NIV

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops;

A New Kind of Normal week 3

OPEN:

Do you recall a time in your life you really wanted something or even felt like you needed it, but looking back...but later you realized you didn't need it at all? Share your story with the group.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

1. How different would your life be if you thanked God consistently throughout the day?

2. How can you manage to pray throughout your day?

Psalm 103:1-5 NIV

Praise the Lord, my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2Praise the Lord, my soul,

and forget not all his benefits—

3who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

4who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

5who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

We see people buying things and soon we start believing we "deserve them." We tell ourselves we would be content if only we had "that." Thought patterns like this steals our joy and we become less grateful.

3. We all have areas where we are more vulnerable to comparison. What gets in your way and how does it keep you from being grateful?

In her book Radical Gratitude, Ellen Vaughn writes “Radical gratitude is powerful, provocative, life-changing. It’s like a pair of glasses that get progressively sharper: the more we thank, the more we see to be thankful for. Gratitude is the lens that reveals God’s incredible grace at work. It is the key to tangible, everyday joy.”

4. Think about your life and count up your benefits. What are three things you are most grateful for this year?

We’ve been made in God’s image, so we’ve been divinely pre-engineered to give ourselves away. That’s what He does so when we do it, we feel like we are fully alive.

5. When was a time in your life that you shared or gave back. How did that impact you?

Identify one way you can practice gratitude in your life this week. Put gratitude into practice and spend time praying and giving thanks to God as a group.