THE APOSTLES’ CREED – 1ST ARTICLEOUR APPRECIATION FOR GOD’S GOODNESS

Lesson 33Faith Foundations

Course One

WHAT CAN WE DO TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATION

FOR GOD’S GOODNESS?

WITH OUR VOICES AND IN OUR HEARTS

1. Recall the Bible story of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19. Nine of the lepers never returned to thank Jesus for healing them. Why do you think they didn’t return?They probably wanted to go back to their families so that they forgot to praise God for no longer being a leper.

WITH OUR VOICES AND IN OUR HEARTS

2. One leper did return to express his thanks to Jesus for this life-changing gift. How would his praise serve as a witness to others of the greatness of God?

Others would come to know the great miracle Jesus had done.

WITH OUR VOICES AND IN OUR HEARTS

3. Make a list of the ways God has blessed you with health. If he has allowed a sickness to touch your life, list ways he has blessed you through medicines or medical technology.Eyes, ears and all my members, my mind and all my abilities.Insulin, glasses, hearing aids, etc.

WITH OUR VOICES AND IN OUR HEARTS

4. Good health is just one of God’s many blessings. Some children your age live in places where there is no electricity. List ways that their lives may be different from yours.No TVs or other electronic devices. No appliances like refrigerators. They spend their time getting and preparing food, with little time for entertainment.

WITH OUR VOICES AND IN OUR HEARTS

5. Read Psalm 136:1. What was the psalmist’s response to God’s goodness?

He thanked him.

WITH OUR VOICES AND IN OUR HEARTS

6. Read Psalm 43:4. Hoe did the psalmist intend to thank God for his goodness?

He was going to praise God and use his musical talents to glorify him.

WITH OUR VOICES AND IN OUR HEARTS

7. What are some of the ways we can thank God for the blessings he has given us?

We can say “thank you” prayers. We can stop complaining. We can also tell others where all our blessings come from.

KEY POINT #1

We can thank and praise God.

WITH OUR LIVES

8. Read Romans 12:1. What does it mean to offer our bodies as living sacrifices?

To use our bodies in ways that serve and glorify God.

WITH OUR LIVES

9. The inspired writer said that it was the view of God’s mercy that would inspire people to offer their bodies as living sacrifices. Why does viewing God’s mercy make us want to use our bodies in ways that serve God?When we see the sacrifice Jesus was willing to make for our salvation, we can’t help but want to serve him in return.

WITH OUR LIVES

10.Recall the story of the poor widow’s offering in Luke 21:1-4. Most people gave more money than this poor widow did. Yes, her offering expressed her appreciation more clearly than the offerings others gave. Why?She gave the last of her money to the church.

WITH OUR LIVES

11.Her trust was as much an expression of trust as of thanks. Explain.

The widow had faith that God would take care of her. She trusted God to provide for her even if she gave all her money.

WITH OUR LIVES

12.Mrs. Smith often complained about how much time she spent at church and that she wouldn’t mind spending her offering money on herself. Tell how her attitude is different from the psalmist’s in Psalm 100:2. She didn’t serve with gladness, reflecting her joy for what Jesus had done.

WITH OUR LIVES

13.What will nurture the proper attitude of gladness and joy in our hearts?

Focus on Jesus and all the blessings he gives us, especially on his cross.

WITH OUR LIVES

14.Read Psalm 112:1. Why would we find great delight in obeying God’s commands?

Because we know that it is the will of God who has blessed us so richly.

WITH OUR LIVES

15.Alison enjoyed doing the best that she could on her work rather than getting drunk. Why do you think Alison has such a positive attitude about serving God with her life?

She is thankful for the blessings God has given her.

KEY POINT #2

We can serve and obey God.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO SHOW OUR APPRECIATION

FOR GOD’S GOODNESS?

1. We can thank and praise God.2. We can serve and obey God.SUMMARY

We can show our appreciation to God for his goodness by thanking, praising, serving, and obeying him.

Psalm 136:1

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.

The 1st Article of the Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.What does this mean?I believe that God created me and all that exists, and that he gave me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my mind and all my abilities.

The 1st Article of the Apostles’ Creed

And I believe that God still preserves me by richly and daily providing clothing and shoes, food and drink, property and home, spouse and children, land, cattle, and all I own, and all I need to keep my body and life. God also preserves me by defending me against all danger, guarding and protecting me from all evil.

The 1st Article of the Apostles’ Creed

All this God does only because he is my good and merciful Father in heaven, and not because I have earned or deserved it. For all this I ought to thank and praise, to serve and obey him.This is most certainly true.