Steps to Thanks
Rev. Blake Altman, Lead Pastor

God intends to change you by His Word. How is He at work in you to do that?  Read the following passage and consider these questions. 

READ

Luke 17:11-19 (ESV)

11 On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." 14 When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19 And he said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well."

QUESTIONS (40 minutes)

1. Pastor Blake said that "gratitude makes us whole." What does this mean? Do you agree/disagree? Why?

2. Describe the actions that the Samaritan leper takes in expressing gratitude to Jesus. How might these actions serve as a model for giving thanks?

3. What do we tend to be more thankful for? Less thankful for? Why might this be the case?

4. The passage closes with Jesus saying in v. 19, "your faith has made you well." Notice the timing of this statement: it occurs after the text says "and as they went they were cleansed" (v. 14b). Did the Samaritan benefit from Jesus' healing in a way that the other nine did not? Why would Jesus make this statement?

PRAYER (15 minutes) 

Take prayer requests. Pray together that during this Advent season the Spirit would make us a people overflowing with gratitude.