Thanksgiving - Give thanks to the Lord
Teachers
Lesson Summary
Richard Sutton taught a Bible study class focused on the spiritual practice of thanksgiving as a foundational Christian attitude. He began by recounting the historical journey of the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower in 1620, emphasizing their difficult two-month voyage and their commitment to placing God at the center of their new community through the Mayflower Compact. Despite losing over half their colony in the first year, the Pilgrims celebrated the first American Thanksgiving in November 1621, demonstrating gratitude despite hardship. Sutton connected this historical narrative to the biblical imperative for thanksgiving found in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, where Paul instructs Christians to give thanks in everything as God's will. He emphasized that authentic Christianity is not a self-centered faith asking "what's in it for me," but rather a religion dedicated to God and expressing gratitude for His blessings—both spiritual and material. The class focused primarily on Psalm 116 as a model of individual thanksgiving. Sutton explained that the Psalms contain over 16 psalms dedicated to thanksgiving, divided between communal and individual expressions of gratitude. Psalm 116 specifically illustrates how a person who has endured difficult circumstances recognizes God's blessings and responds with thanksgiving. The psalmist opens by declaring "I love the Lord because" He has shown goodness and blessing. Sutton illustrated this concept through literary and personal examples, including Elizabeth Barrett Browning's writings on love, to show how recognition of blessings naturally produces love and gratitude. The overarching message emphasized that giving thanks should be integral to Christian life, reflecting proper understanding of God's character and our dependence on His grace.
Key Scriptures
in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you