Give THANKS - Word Study

This week we have a WORD STUDY for you. You will need a journal and pen to complete it. It can be done through the week or in a couple of days. You can do it on your own or with a group of friends.

The word we are going to study this week is thanks.

Some days it is very easy to thank God and overflow with praise. On other days it is hard. A bad medical report or a distressing family situation can leave us feeling empty and there may be no words in your heart to thank God.

I have found this word study to help me find reason to thank God in the worst of times. It gave me a clear view of what the Bible says about ‘thanks’ and how Jesus modeled it.  I hope it does the same for you too. 

Day 1

  • If you know another language write the word thanks in that language.

  • Look up the dictionary meaning /meanings of the word thanks and note them down here.

  • Note down 3 things for which you are thankful to God today.

I am thankful for my family, my eyesight and for clean water. Through the week write down 3 things you can thank God for. Remember not to repeat!

  • Write down Psalm 34:1 from your own Bible and another version you prefer. Learn it by heart.

  • What better way than to thank God in song! Listen to your favorite worship music. Here is my choice: https://youtu.be/R9gEo0_Abc4

Day 2

  • Set aside time to read Psalm 136:1-16 or listen to it as it is read to you. Highlight words which stand out. Note down phrases and words which leap out of the page as you read.

Here are phrases which stood out to me:

God’s love endures forever

He alone does great wonders

God made the heavens by his understanding

Day 3

  • When do you think should we thank God according to the Bible? For example, pausing to thank God before a meal is something I would love to start doing.

  • Read Psalm 34:1, John 6:11, and Luke 17:16. List what it says:

1.

2.

3.

  • What should we be thankful for? Read Psalm 107:1,8-9; Psalm 75:1; Isaiah12:1; and Psalm 9:1.

    •  

    •  

    •  

  • ‘I will tell of your wonders’ in the Psalm 9:1 has encouraged me to make a ‘wall of praise’ at home with lots of family photos and verses. I am also making a ‘answered prayers and divine surprises journal’. Very often when we have friends or family visit us these are conversation starters and we share of all the wonders God has done in our lives and in our family.

What have you learned from these verses and desire to incorporate into your daily life? 

Day 4

  • How can we thank God? Look up Daniel 6:10 and Luke 17:16 and Psalm 9:1

    •  

    •  

  • According to 1 Thessalonians 5:18 why should we thank God?

  • Daniel sets aside a time and place to thank God intentionally. Could I do the same? Take some time to meditate on the verses.


Day 5

  • Read 1 Thessalonians 1:2 and 1 Corinthians 1:4

  • Like Paul in the verses we read, who are some people you would thank God for? The granny who prayed with you? A neighbor who introduced you to Christ, a friend who supported you, a coworker or a parent?

  • Take time to write a prayer of thanks for the people in your life. My list looks like this:

Thank you Lord for grandparents who modeled a legacy of praise

Thank you God  for Amma and Appa’s simplicity, care and love.

Thank you God for Sudhan and that even if far away we are able to keep in touch.

Thank you for God our children and their trust in you.

Thank you for God Binu and her creativity and joy.

Thank you for God teachers who taught me to read and write.

Thank you for Lord Pastor Noel Jason who was a fine example.

Thank you Lord for Nivin’s fresh joy, huge smile and cheerful talk.

Thank you Lord for Susan Keene and her skill in teaching your word to us.

Amen

Day 6

  • Write a note of appreciation or thanks to someone from yesterday’s list. Now send it to them, or call them to tell them how grateful you are for them.

I decided to write to my Bible Study leader Susan Keene.Susan puts in a lot of time and effort to lead us through the study each week. So I took this as an opportunity to thank her with words and verses on a card.

  • Let us end our study with another song of praise. Here is another one of my favorites: https://youtu.be/sax4aTgZ9dw

A Noble CharacterShoba RanjitsinghComment