A Song of Thanksgiving
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SPECIAL SESSION A Song of Thanksgiving Summary and Goal The prophet Isaiah recorded a song of thanksgiving inspired by God that the people of God would one day sing to His honor and glory. On account of His mercy and salvation promised and eventually delivered in His Son, Jesus Christ, we thank God, enjoy His gifts, and proclaim His greatness to every person and in every place. Gratitude to the Lord for salvation leads to public proclamation of His glory. Main Passage Isaiah 12:1-6 Session Outline 1. Thank the Lord for His mercy and comfort (Isa. 12:1-2). 2. Take joy together in the Lord’s promise of salvation (Isa. 12:3). 3. Proclaim the glory and greatness of God all over the earth (Isa. 12:4-6). Theological Theme Gratitude to the Lord for salvation leads to public proclamation of His glory. Christ Connection Isaiah looked forward to a day when the blessing of God would be experienced afresh by His people and God’s glory would be proclaimed in all the earth. Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we thank the Lord for His mercy, enjoy His gift of salvation, and commit to spreading the songs of His praise throughout the earth. Missional Application God calls us to proclaim the glorious mercy of our great God among all nations. Date of My Bible Study: ______________________ 151 © 2017 LifeWay Christian Resources. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute within the license agreement with purchaser. Session Plan A Song of Thanksgiving Special Session Introduction For Further To begin, remark that thankfulness can be an easy thing to express but much Discussion more difficult to embody (leader p. 154; PSG p. 119). How is maintaining a thankful spirit related In what circumstances have you struggled to be grateful for to humility? the words or actions of another? How does remembering who we are as creations of God and as sinners Why might we have a difficult time being thankful toward help us to cultivate a heart other people? of thankfulness? Emphasize that thankfulness is a matter of the heart and that our sinful nature causes us to struggle with it (leader p. 154). Then summarize this Point 1 Option session on Isaiah’s song of thanksgiving (leader p. 155; PSG p. 119). As group members arrive, distribute each “Day of the 1. Thank the Lord for His mercy and comfort LORD” passage referenced below to those willing to (Isa. 12:1-2). read for the group (write Offer some background for the context of Isaiah 12 (leader p. 155). Then ask these on index cards or on slips of paper; a print-out a volunteer to read Isaiah 12:1-2. Talk about the “day” in view in this passage is available on the DVD with its positive and negative connotations. This “day” is what the Old in The Gospel Project for Testament prophets often called “the Day of the Lord” (leader pp. 155-156; Adults: Leader Pack): PSG p. 120). • Old Testament: Isaiah 2:12; 13:6-9; Joel 2:1-2,28-32; Obadiah 15-17 What are some reasons people may not look forward • New Testament: eagerly to “the Day of the LORD”? Acts 2:16-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-5; 2 Peter 3:8-13 Note why it makes sense that Isaiah’s future-oriented song begins with a note Ask group members of thanksgiving to the Lord. Elaborate on why God was angry toward Israel to read their passages. and individual sinners. But God provides atonement, so we can sing “God is Then ask the group the following questions: my salvation” (leader pp. 156-157; PSG pp. 121-122). • What do these passages seem to have in common? What is the relationship between trust in the Lord and fear? • How can we see both salvation and judgment What is your favorite song of praise and thanksgiving to the in them? God of your salvation? Why? 152 Leader Guide 2. Take joy together in the Lord’s promise of salvation (Isa. 12:3). For Further Read Isaiah 12:3. Highlight the transition to the plural in this verse and how Discussion the imagery of water would have spoken to an agrarian society settled in a How can we improve at moving from “small talk” relatively dry land (leader pp. 157-158; PSG pp. 122-123). with people in our churches to making known God’s What are some metaphors from our culture that we could great works throughout use to describe salvation from the Lord? history and in our lives? How can we improve in similar fashion in our Expand upon the imagery of water as the overflowing nature of God’s conversations with people salvation for the entire community of the redeemed. Add that partaking outside of our churches? of the Lord’s salvation won’t be like a depressing chore but will be a joy (leader p. 158; PSG p. 123). How can we make the community of faith a priority in our lives and in the church? 3. Proclaim the glory and greatness of God all Conclusion Option over the earth (Isa. 12:4-6). Consider concluding this Read Isaiah 12:4-6. State that on the Day of the Lord, God’s people will be session by singing “ ’Tis So speaking to one another, and their message will be full of mutual instruction Sweet to Trust in Jesus” together as a group. to honor the Lord everywhere (leader p. 159; PSG pp. 124-125). (A printable PDF of this hymn is available on the What works of God in your life can you make known among DVD in The Gospel Project the peoples of the earth? for Adults: Leader Pack. Make as many copies as needed.) Show how Isaiah 12 teaches that salvation and worship must lead to evangelism. Say that Isaiah 12 looks forward to a day when God has set all things right but that the Lord began this process with the first coming of Christ Connection: Isaiah looked forward to a day Christ (leader p. 160; PSG p. 125). Reference Pack Item 8: Jesus’ Exaltation when the blessing of God when making this point. would be experienced afresh by His people and God’s glory would be How would you explain the connection between worship proclaimed in all the earth. and evangelism in your own words? Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, we thank the Lord for His How can we encourage one another in our worship mercy, enjoy His gift of outside the church for the sake of sharing the gospel with salvation, and commit the nations? to spreading the songs of His praise throughout the earth. Conclusion ......................................................... Close by saying that if you are one of the redeemed in Christ, then thank the Missional Application: God Lord. But if you are numbered among the enemies of God, turn to Christ, calls us to proclaim the glorious mercy of our great and then you can give Him thanks (leader p. 160; PSG p. 126). Apply the God among all nations. truths of this session with “His Mission, Your Mission” (PSG p. 127). Special Session 153 Expanded Session Content A Song of Thanksgiving Special Session Introduction Voices from Thankfulness can be an easy thing to express but much more difficult Church History to embody. We say, “Thank you,” to someone who has just done “I’m so glad I learned to something for us, but do we mean it, or is it simply a polite courtesy trust Him, Precious Jesus, hiding rather ungrateful thoughts? Savior, Friend; And I know that He is with me, Will be • In a line of traffic, a motorist lets you merge in front of her. Maybe you with me to the end. Jesus, mouth the words; maybe you wave your hand; or just as easily, you Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and might find yourself thinking, Finally! About time! o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious • In the grocery store, the cashier rings up your food items and gets you Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!” 1 moving on your way. Maybe you communicate your thanks for their –Louisa M. R. Stead work, but are you ever prone to walk away and think, He’s just doing his (circa 1850-1917) job; I bet he doesn’t even care? • At home, are you thankful for the obedience of your child or do you immediately start considering the motives—What does she want now? What’s he after? • At work, does your coworker’s assistance on a project nearing its deadline engender gratitude or indifference? Of course, she should help me because my work is more important! In what circumstances have you struggled to be grateful for the words or actions of another? Why might we have a difficult time being thankful toward other people? Thankfulness is a matter of the heart, and that is why we struggle to be thankful. Our sinful nature inherited from Adam constantly directs us to feel entitled to other people’s actions and attention. It is true that people can take advantage and work an angle to get their way—this too is the work of sin in our lives—but the struggle with thankfulness is more often inward than outward. We think we are deserving; we think we are owed. Sadly, sin would have us believe the same in our relationship with the Creator God. The holy God owes us nothing except judgment for our sin, yet He freely offers His love, mercy, and grace to us undeserving sinners because He paid the cost for our sin Himself.