How to Biblically Prepare Thanksgiving
Psalm 9:1 – “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.”Leviticus 19:9-10 – “9 When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. 10 And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.”
March and April is the month of Easter, November is the month of Thanksgiving and December is the month of Christmas. When PD first came to the U.S in 2006, he was invited to a friend’s house for Thanksgiving and had turkey, the turkey was delicious so he remembered that. Many people when they think about Thanksgiving, they think of turkey, big banquet, traveling, Black Friday, or Cyber Monday. To us, as Christian we have to think differently.
Two important ways to prepare for thanksgiving:
1. let’s write and share what we thankful for, and make a thanksgiving board with our HC members
In Psalm 9:1: the word ‘recount’ means remember actively, speak out, and declare: this is an active way to share what you are thankful for and what God has done in your life. This is a commandment from God. When God commands us to do something, we have to actively obey God.
Think about what you are thankful for, God’s grace, and our blessings actively. Sometimes we don’t remember and we don’t share with others. This time, let’s think about 100 reasons why we are thankful for God and write it down, personally.
Some people have started writing gratitude journals and receiving good benefits. They become more thankful and positive not because of their situation changes but their attitude changes. This can help us grow spiritually.
When we have HC in the following week, let’s share and collect 10 best things that we are grateful for this year and make a thanksgiving board.
2. Let’s give a special thanksgiving offering to the poor
In Leviticus 19:9-10, 23:22. Deuteronomy 15:7, 15:11, Proverbs 13:31 , Isaiah 58:6-7, Mathew 19:21: the recurrent word we can find is ‘The poor.’ These passages are very straightforward: Don’t be greedy, don’t be selfish, we need to share what God has blessed us with the poor. We need to remember what we are thankful for, and also actively give.
In our church, we collect special offerings and give to the poor.
In James 1:22-24: God wants us to do what he heard, very simple. We need to remember the poor and give actively what we have been collecting throughout the year. This is PD’s challenge for this year: Give 1% of your annual income as a special thanksgiving offering for the poor.
Reflection Wuestions:
Reflecting on your experience at the retreat
Share 10 things you are grateful for
