Thanksgiving Study GuideI. The importance of giving thanks.
A. It honors God -- Psalm 50:23. B. It is commanded -- Psalm 50:14; 97:12; 100:4; 106:1; 107:1; 136:1,2,3,26; Ephesians 5:3-4, 19-20; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 1:12; 2:6-7; 3:16-17; 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:18; 1 Timothy 2:1. C. Men are condemned for failing to give thanks -- Romans 1:21. D. It is something we will do for all eternity -- Revelation 4:9; 7:2 E. It is a safeguard against pride and arrogance, because it acknowledges the grace of God, and thus recognizes that we, as men, were undeserving of God's blessings -- see Genesis 3 (the fall); Psalm 95; Romans 1:21; 1 Corinthians 4:7; Ephesians 5:4. F. The antithesis (opposite) of thanksgiving seems to be grumbling -- see Exodus 15:24; 16:2, 7-9, 12; 17:3; Numbers 14:2, 27, 29, 36; 16:11, 41; 17:5, 10; Deuteronomy 1:27; Joshua 9:18; Psalm 106:25; Matthew 20;11; Luke 5:30; 15:2; 19:7; John 6:41, 43, 61; 7:12; 1 Corinthians 10:10; Philippians 2:14; Jude 1:16. G. It sanctifies what we eat -- 1 Timothy 4:1-5; it also is to be our response even when we choose not to eat -- see Romans 14:6; 1 Corinthians 10:23-33; 14:13-17. H. It expresses thanksgiving to God when we don't eat -- Romans 14:6. I. Thanksgiving should be a discipline, which we practice daily, and which we will not be kept from doing -- Daniel 6:10.II. Expressions of thanksgiving.
A. Private thanksgiving -- see Daniel 2:23; 6:10 B. Public thanksgiving -- Psalm 11:1; 22:22,25; 35:18 C. Use of music and musical instruments -- see Exodus 15; Nehemiah 12:8, 27, 46; Psalm 33:2 D. Thanksgiving offered for others -- 1 Timothy 2:1 E. Proclamation of God's goodness to the nations Elements of thanksgiving described in 1 Chronicles 16:7-36 Call on His name (8) Make His name known among peoples (8, 24) Sing to Him (9, 23) Be glad in heart, glory in Him (10) Seek the Lord (11) Remember His deeds (12) Remember His covenant, His words (15) Ascribe to Him His glory, character, and worth (28-29) All nature is called on to join in worship (30-33) Pray for salvation, to be able to praise and thank Him (35-36)III. That for which thanks is given.
A. God's wondrous works -- Psalm 9:1; Isaiah 25:1 1. In creation -- Psalm 136:1-9 (see Psalm 19:1-6; Romans 1:21) 2. In creating us -- Psalm 139:13-16 3. In works of deliverance and salvation -- Exodus 15; Psalm 18:49; 30:4, 12; 86:12-13; 118:21; Isaiah 12:1, 4; 25:1; Colossians 1:12 4. In His gifts to us, such as wisdom -- Daniel 2:23 B. God's wondrous work in the lives of others -- Psalm 109:30-31; 1 Thessalonians 1;2; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Ephesians 1:16; Colossians 1:3 C. God's grace to us, through others -- 2 Corinthians 9:10-12 D. God's attributes and character, as evidenced in His actions, and as affirmed in His Word -- Psalm 100:4-5; 107:1, 8, 15, 21, 31; Jeremiah 33:11 (prominent are His goodness and His lovingkindness). E. God's future work, based on His purposes and promises -- Psalm 79; 92; 2 Chronicles 20:1 -- 31:2 F. God is praised in the midst of trials and tribulations, based upon His character, grace, and sovereign purposes -- see, in context, Psalm 7:17; 9:1; 28:7; 56:12; 69:30; 86:12; 142:7; Jeremiah 33:10-11; Daniel 6:10 G. God is praised for His revelation through creation and through the gift of His Word -- Psalm 19; 119. H. God is praised for enabling us to do that which is supernatural, and which brings praise to Him -- Daniel 2:17-23. I. God is praised for His grace and mercy, and for witholding the punishment which we deserve -- 103:6-12. J. God is praised for all of His gracious provisions for His creation -- Psalm 104. K. God is praised for victories His has won for His people -- Exodus 15. L. God is praised for the blessings and joys of fellowship with Him, even if this has come about through suffering -- Psalm 73; James 1:1-2. M. Men promise to praise God when He delivers them from their afflictions -- Psalm 35:17-21; 79:13. N. Men praised God on the completion of great undertakings, due to God's grace -- Nehemiah 12:31-47.IV. Examples of thanksgiving:
David's thanksgiving: 1 Chronicles 29:10-16 Israel's thanksgiving: Psalm 103; 104 Anna's thanksgiving: Luke 2:38 Jesus' thanksgiving: Matt. 11:25-26; 26:27-28; John 11:41 Thanksgiving by the heavenly host: Rev. 4:9; 7:11-12; 11:16-17 Paul's thanksgiving: Acts 28:15; 1 Timothy 1:12-17 _____________________________________________________________________Robert Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. in 1971. Bob is a teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. deffinba@ix.netcom.com To download this study (thanksgv.zip) in Microsoft Word format, go to the FTP Site located on the Biblical Studies Foundation home page. ©1997 by Community Bible Chapel, 210 Abrams Road, Richardson, TX 75081, http://www.bible.org. Anyone is free to reproduce this material and distribute it, but it may not be sold under any circumstances whatsoever without the author’s consent.
