October 26th - Small Group Guide

October 26th - Small Group Guide


SMALL GROUP GUIDE “What If You’re Thanking God for the Wrong Things?”

Core Scripture: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

1. WELCOME / ICEBREAKER 

  • What’s something small or unexpected you were genuinely thankful for this week?

2. OPENING THOUGHT — Gratitude Gone Wrong

  • We often thank God for what goes right. But Paul challenges us to give thanks in what goes wrong.

Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Discussion:
  • Why do you think it’s easier to thank God for comfort, convenience, and control?
  • How does this verse challenge your definition of gratitude?
  • When life gets hard, what usually happens to your thankfulness?

Reflect: How might God be teaching you that same lesson right now?

3. WHEN LIFE DOESN’T COOPERATE

  • Paul wrote these words to believers under pressure — not in comfort. Gratitude in suffering is a posture of trust.

Read: Job 1:20–22 & Habakkuk 3:17–18

Discuss:
  • What stands out to you about Job’s and Habakkuk’s responses?
  • How can someone be thankful through pain rather than for it?
  • What does it mean to “worship anyway”?

Key Truth: Gratitude isn’t a product of good circumstances; it’s a posture of trust.

4. THE MYTH OF CONDITIONAL THANKS

  • We often think, “I’ll thank God when things get better.” But Jesus gave thanks before the cross, at the Last Supper.

Read: Luke 22:19

Discuss:
  • What does it mean that Jesus “gave thanks” knowing suffering was ahead?
  • Have you ever experienced gratitude before a breakthrough?
  • Why is conditional thanksgiving so easy to fall into?

Quote: “True thanksgiving is not a celebration of comfort — it’s a declaration of confidence.”

5. A DIFFERENT KIND OF THANK YOU

Maybe it’s time to thank God for what makes faith real — not just what makes life easy.
  • “Thank You for the waiting — it’s teaching me dependence.”
  • “Thank You for the closed door — it’s protecting me.”
  • “Thank You for the pain — it’s pruning me.”

Discuss: Which of those statements resonates most with your life right now? Why?  

  • “If gratitude only works when life does, it’s not gratitude — it’s entitlement.”

6. CONCLUSION — A NEW KIND OF THANKSGIVING

Redefine gratitude this week: Not just “Thank You for what’s good,” but “Thank You, Lord, anyway.”

Challenge: Each day this week, complete this sentence: “Thank You, God, even though…”

The world gives thanks when life is good. Followers of Jesus give thanks because God is good, even when life isn’t.