Day Two: Monday, July 27th
Unbridled Gratitude
Before you start into God’s Word, take some time in prayer to prepare your heart for God’s Word. Open it to the presence of God’s Spirit and allow His Word to challenge you typical response to His Kingdom...
Read Luke 17: 11-19.
Where were the men with leprosy when they encountered Jesus?
Why were they there?
Why didn’t Jesus approach them?
What emotions do you think Jesus experienced when the one healed man returned to praise God?
Put yourself in the position of the one leper. Why is it so important for you to give thanks?
Since the one man’s faith “made him well,” what do you think healed the other nine men?
Based on their reaction to being healed, do you think Jesus looked at the men differently? Why or why not?
Read Isaiah 40: 25-31.
How would you summarize this section of the psalm?
Which verse stands out to you? Why is that?
List at least 3 feelings that are expressed in this psalm…
What do you think it looks like when God “gives power to the faint and strengthens the powerless?” (v. 29)
The lepers were not allowed to have any contact with normal people. They were not allowed to enter the gates of the city, let alone enter the temple to worship God. They had been cut off from their God by their own culture. Think about being in their position as you think about these questions…
· What types of frustrations would you encounter?
· What would you miss the most about being cut off from worshipping God? Why is that so important to you?
· What roadblocks do we put up to hinder the worship of God, either by others or ourselves?
· What can you do to remove those blockades but also make sure that they do not return?
· Why do people hesitate to be open with their gratitude towards others and towards God?
· Do you consider yourself to be open in your gratitude to God? Why or why not?
· What can you do to begin to show that appreciation to God today?
Today is your opportunity to open up to that freedom in Christ, whether that means introducing yourself to someone new and asking them about their life or maybe that means praying for the people in your small group and their experience on the Trip. It could even mean that you spend the remainder of this time thinking about sharing your gratitude with the individuals on this Trip, even if that means mending bridges or building new ones along the way. Today is the day for inward reflection while connecting with God’s family. Experience the freedom of living in Christ with others…
