The Table Wk Two // Grateful
When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.
Deuteronomy. 8:10
Begin with prayer (5 minutes)
Gather together as a community in a comfortable setting (around a table, on the couch, the floor of the living room, etc.) Have somebody lead a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to guide your time together.
If you’re up for it, and your setting is quiet, spend a few minutes in silence. Why silence? Because we live in a busy, noisy world, under the non-stop assault of digital distraction. In the midst of all the chaos, it’s hard at times to hear one another, let alone the voice of God. As we gather together as a family, we want to hear what the Father is saying to and through each of us, and respond in turn. A great way to do that is to begin with a moment of quiet.
Spend a Little Time in Triads (15 minutes)
If you are a community of seven or more, divided into small groups of 3-4 people each.
Spend a few minutes catching up on life…
Then talk through the following debrief questions
Did you listen to the teaching? What did you think?
How was last week’s practice for you? Were you able to practice Sabbath?
What was the most challenging/life giving part of the practice for you?
Transition Back to One Large Group (10-15 minutes)
Read Deuteronomy 8 as a group. Have a conversation around the following questions:
According to the passage what was the biggest threat to the Israelites as they entered the promised land? How might this be a threat in your own life?
In your family and relationships are you encouraging people in their grumbling or in giving thanks to God?
What is something in your life that might be causing you to forget God?
Three times a day we have a rhythm of eating, how might the simple rhythm of eating food help us remember the Lord?
Talk About the Coming Week’s Practice as a Community (10-30 minutes)
Here’s the Practice for the coming week:
Gratitude
God knew that with His generous provision to His people in the wilderness they were at risk to become satisfied with their full bellies and forget Him. The practice of gratitude is a powerful tool to help us remember the unexpected, undeserved and lavish goodness and presence of God in our lives. Gratitude is a loving response to God for His presence with us and His presence in the world. This week try out some of these ideas to cultivate gratitude and thanksgiving.
Let food be a daily cue to practice gratitude: when you sit down to eat pause and take a moment to reflect on the following prompts: Where have you experienced God’s presence with you today? Where have you experienced unexpected kindness or provision? Have you felt authentic connection with God or others today?
Eat as an act of gratitude: Food is a reminder that we are not self-sustaining, and that God provides for our needs through lives and work of others. Think about all the people involved in your food’s growth, transportation, preparation and serving. Spend time giving thanks for each life that God worked through to bless you with your meal.
Begin a gratitude journal by keeping a record of the ‘abundances’ God has given you. Next to each abundance write what it means to you to have a God who interacts and intervenes in your life. Notice what you have been given that you did not deserve. What do you want to say to God about these things? Try writing something everyday this week.
Work Through These Discussion Questions (10-15 minutes)
AnHow has a grateful person affected you own vision of what matters in life? How has someone who lives out of bitterness affected your life?
How are you addicted to criticism, analysis and negativity? How might thankfulness be an antidote to a critical spirit?
Any thoughts, creative ideas, or feedback on this coming week’s Practice?
Close in Prayer (10 minutes)
Share prayer requests with one another, and pray for each other as you take steps this week to partner with the Holy Spirit.
Take extra time today as a group to express prayers of thanksgiving to God. It could be a simple as taking turns saying ‘God, I’m thankful for…’
