Discussion Ideas
Does the Lord require us to thank Him?
- The Lord demands humility, worship, and thanksgiving for a person’s own sake. For if people possess humility, they are able to accept good from the Lord (see Arcana Coelestia 5957). Why is being humble and thankful to the Lord useful for a person?
- True confession of the heart involves acknowledging that everything good comes from the Lord (Arcana Coelestia 3880:7). Is it challenging to acknowledge this sometimes?
What does it mean to give glory to the Lord?
- To give glory to God means to worship the Lord from His Divine truth by a life according to it…. The meaning of “giving glory to Him,” is to live according to the Divine truth, that is, according to His commandments in the Word (Apocalypse Explained 874).
- It is easy to say thank you to the Lord with our lips. Saying the blessing at mealtime or using the Lord’s prayer at bedtime is one way to thank Him. But it is much harder to thank the Lord by making the best use of the life He has given us, using our talents to help others and doing our best to live according to the commandments given in the Word. Yet this is how we truly show our thanks and give Him glory!
- What are some specific ways you can give glory to the Lord?
When we humble ourselves before the Lord, then we can worship Him with our minds and hearts and be prepared to receive Him ever more fully into our lives.
Readings
- A Grateful Heart by Eric Carswell (ages 18 and up)
If we reflect on what the Lord has given us, including talents with which He has blessed us and the loving friends that we have, we may find that we have no difficulty feeling grateful to the Lord. - Saying ‘Thank You’ to the Lord by Kenneth O. Stroh (ages 4-6)
How many times in a day do you say “Thank you” to somebody? How often do you thank the Lord? - What Shall I Render to the Lord? by Christopher R. J. Smith (ages 7-14)
It is good to say “thank you” to the Lord, but the most important way to thank Him is by making good use of all that the Lord gives us to help us be closer to Him and to heaven. - Actions Speak Louder than Words by Michael D. Gladish (teens and adults)
How can we be truly thankful to the Lord? Here’s a clue: actions speak louder than words. - Enter into His Gates with Thanksgiving” by Hugo Lj. Odhner (ages 18 and up)
The “gates” mentioned in the 100th Psalm refer, in the spiritual sense, to knowledge—the knowledge about what is true and good.
Projects and activities for all ages
- Bless the Lord, O My Soul Poster illustrated by Marguerite L. Acton
Print and display this lovely poster of portions of Psalm 103 with an illustrative color border. - O Give Thanks Coloring Page by Robert G. Glenn
Depicts a grateful farmer with his harvest bounty. - With Grateful Hearts (ages 4-10)
Encourage children to draw pictures on a large heart to show the Lord the things for which they are thankful. - Thanksgiving Quotation Cards (ages 8 and up)
Print and cut out the cards so that a family or other group can take turns reading them aloud. - Bless the Lord Calligraphy, a project by Ruth Davis Gyllenhaal
Use colored pencils or markers to color this lovely calligraphy of Psalm 103 with 3 illuminated letters. - O Give Thanks unto the Lord—Discussion of the Blessing (ages 12 and up)
Explore the meaning of the words from Psalm 107:1 that are often used as a blessing before meals in New Church homes: “O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy is forever.” - Making Known His Deeds (ages 9-14)
To make known His deeds means telling people what the Lord does for you. Can you make a list of some of the things that the Lord does for you? What kinds of gifts has He given you? In what ways does He help you every day of your life? - Thank You Lord Thanksgiving Display (all ages)
Think of the natural and spiritual blessings the Lord has given you and your family. Then make a mural or display that shows what you would like to thank the Lord for giving you. - Give the Glory to God (teens and adults)
It is good to thank people who do kind things for you. And it is appropriate to accept the thanks that other people may offer you. But we should remember—deep down—that all good and truth come from the Lord. It is He who inspires all of us to do good things.
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