Do What Matters | Habit #6

Do What Matters | 13 Holy Habits That Can Change Everything

Habit #6| Saying Thanks

We can give thanks to God.

Scriptures | Luke 17:11-19; Colossians 3:14-17uke u

Our Holy Habit for this week is gratitude. This scripture is full of goodness, including gratitude. From Luke 17:11-19:

11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy [b] met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Question 1 | You don’t have to have heard the sermon from Sunday, but if you were in church, watched online, or listened to the podcast, what stuck with you?

Question 2 |  Jesus was travelling through a region with border issues (v. 11) and race issues (Samaritans). Jews and Samaritans were enemies. The last time Jesus came through this area, he was rejected by the Samaritans (Luke 9:53). In response, the disciples wanted God to kill the Samaritans (Luke 9:54)! So why would Jesus go back and re-engage the same people? Have you ever had to engage – and then try to re-engage – people who you considered to be your enemies? (Note: These have to be your enemies, not someone else’s.)

Question 3 | Ten men with leprosy recognize Jesus (v 13!!) and they ask him to heal them. Jesus does not heal them immediately, but tells them to go, and they were healed as they went. Sometimes God doesn’t move until we do, He is waiting on us to take steps of faith and meets us along the way. Can you think of a situation like this in your life right now? (In the past is fine, but in the present is better.) Where do you need to take steps of faith?

Question 4 | In an amazing act of faith, 10 out of 10 men immediately follow Jesus’ command. That almost never happens! But only 1 out of 10 comes back to thank Jesus. So 10 out of 10 are examples of faith, but only 1 out of 10 is an example of gratitude. Some have said that “It’s easier to have faith when you’re sick than it is to have gratitude when you’re well.” Can you relate to this? If so, how?

Question 5 |  In the final twist of the story, the faithful, grateful man is revealed to be a Samaritan (v. 16). In this case, “the enemy has become the example.” This is perhaps the most challenging lesson of the passage. Are there places in your life today where Jesus wants to teach you something about him through your enemies? (Repeat: These have to be your enemies, not someone else’s.)