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Gratitude

Cultivate remembrance and thanksgiving without denying present difficulties.

1. 1. Read and discover - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

   ¹⁶ Always rejoice.

   ¹⁷ Pray without ceasing.

   ¹⁸ In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Paul joins joy, prayer and gratitude; giving thanks in all circumstances does not mean calling harm good.

   Reflect

   • How can gratitude avoid denying pain or injustice?

   Put it into practice

   Name a gift received and a difficulty still needing attention.

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2. 2. Remembering gifts - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Psalms 103:1-5

   ¹ By David. Praise the LORD, my soul! All that is within me, praise his holy name!

   ² Praise the LORD, my soul, and don’t forget all his benefits,

   ³ who forgives all your sins, who heals all your diseases,

   ⁴ who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,

   ⁵ who satisfies your desire with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   The psalmist calls himself to remember mercy and care; gratitude does not replace the psalm’s wider attention to human frailty.

   Reflect

   • Which reasons for gratitude does the psalmist recall, and which do you recognize in your life?

   Put it into practice

   Record care you received and thank someone who helped provide it.

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3. 3. Putting on compassion - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Colossians 3:12-17

   ¹² Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;

   ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.

   ¹⁴ Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

   ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful.

   ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.

   ¹⁷ Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   The community is called to compassion, patience, forgiveness and gratitude; clothing imagery portrays love as visible habits.

   Reflect

   • Which habit does your community need during disagreement?

   Put it into practice

   Practice a patient response before reacting in conflict.

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4. 4. Watchfulness and gratitude - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Colossians 4:2

   ² Continue steadfastly in prayer, watching in it with thanksgiving,

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Paul connects persistence, attentiveness and thanksgiving; sustained prayer remains awake to real needs.

   Reflect

   • How can gratitude accompany an unanswered request?

   Put it into practice

   Write one thanksgiving beside a continuing request.

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5. 5. Returning to give thanks - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Luke 17:11-19

   ¹¹ As he was on his way to Jerusalem, he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee.

   ¹² As he entered into a certain village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance.

   ¹³ They lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

   ¹⁴ When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” As they went, they were cleansed.

   ¹⁵ One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice.

   ¹⁶ He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks; and he was a Samaritan.

   ¹⁷ Jesus answered, “Weren’t the ten cleansed? But where are the nine?

   ¹⁸ Were there none found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?”

   ¹⁹ Then he said to him, “Get up, and go your way. Your faith has healed you.”

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Ten receive help and one returns to give thanks; Jesus draws attention to someone also regarded as an outsider.

   Reflect

   • What does the Samaritan do when he realizes he has been healed?

   Put it into practice

   Offer specific thanks to someone often overlooked.