Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is upon us!  The holiday, that is.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving, and encourage everyone to remember in your prayers all our servicemen & women overseas as well as any missionaries you may know.  If you’d like to know more about the history of this holiday, click HERE.  I’ve included just some of the many scripture verses relating to the subject of giving thanks.  May God bless you with a thankful heart this holiday season.  --rb 

• “Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.” (1 Chronicles 16:8-9)
• “I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” (Psalm 7:17)
• “I will give thanks to him in song.” (Psalm 28:7)
• “These things I remember as I pour out my soul how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.” (Psalm 42:4)
• “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.” (Psalm 69:30)
• “Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” (Psalm 95:2)
• “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” (Psalm 100:4)
• “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good…” (Psalm 107:1)
• “Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.” (Isaiah 12:4)
• “Nor should there be any obscenity, foolish talk or course joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.” (Ephesians 5:4)
• “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
• “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thes. 5:18)
• “I urge you then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for all kings and those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Truthseekers Bible Study–October

Our ministry to the Malayalam-speaking Indians continues, and this past week we studied Matthew chapter 3.

We took a look at the very interesting John the Baptizer and his likely connection to the Essene community, the nature and forms of baptism and its roots in the Jewish rite of miqveh, and the meaning of repentance, which was his basic message.

We also spent time discussing the Kingdom of Heaven, and what that means in its Jewish context, and why that’s vitally important to us as Christians.  Also, I shared about who the Pharisees and Sadducees were, and how we’re not that different (doctrinally) from Pharisaism. 

Here are our study questions for your consideration:

1. Locate Desert of Judea, Galilee, Jerusalem, and the Jordan River on a map.

2. Terms to define: kingdom of heaven, Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, baptize.

3. When did John the Baptist preach? What does “in those days” mean?

4. What was John the Baptist’s message, and what does it teach us about the kingdom? Why does he say kingdom of heaven rather than kingdom of God?

5. Why would Matthew specifically mention the type of clothing that John wore and the food that he ate?

6. What did the people do when they got baptized?

7. John’s message to the Pharisees and Sadducees was a stunning rebuke. Why would he say such things? Is it ever appropriate to speak to someone like that today?

8. Who was John referring to as the “one who who is more powerful than I?”

9. How does the image of Messiah (the One) of verse 11-12 fit with your image of Jesus?

10. Why would Jesus need to be baptized? Did he need to repent of anything? What does it mean “to fulfill all righteousness?”

11. Compare verse 17 with its parallel passages at Mark 1, Luke 3, and John 1. Are there any differences or insights you notice? Does it matter?

Truthseekers is the name of the Bible study group we lead for Malayalam-speaking Indians from various church backgrounds.