High Voltage Outline - Nov 26, 2006

Attendance: Average
Lesson Topic: Week 1 - Tis the Season... Thankfulness
'Fun Factor': Above Average
Volunteer Involvement: Average
Music: Above Average
Student Involvement in Music: Above Average
Lesson Quality: Average
Length of Lesson: 20 minutes
Student Response: average
Overall Night Rating (scale of 1(not good) to 10(awesome)): 6

Overall the night was pretty good. The only problem was we seemed to have a train wreck with the computer every time we turned around. Half of the powerpoint game didn't get imported right, so we lost some of the questions. The message powerpoint was messed up. It's little things like that that attempt to derail a night.

But it was a good night for one HUGE reason... Kyle Reimers (a 6th grader in our group) had given his life to Christ at our Fall Retreat a couple of weekends ago... he was obedient in baptism last night. So, that was most excellent.

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Here's last night's outline:
‘Tis the Season
November 26, 2006 – High Voltage – Jim Clark
Week 1
I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:1-3
Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5

Things to be thankful for (King David’s Thanksgiving List):
His love.
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits – who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion. Psalm 103:2-4
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

His concern for all people.
The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. Psalm 103:6
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14

His forgiveness.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:11-12
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15

His grace.
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse nor will be harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. Ps 103:8-10
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:13-14
Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:35-36

His continuing nature.
But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children – with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts. Psalm 103:17-18
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights who does not change like the shifting shadows. James 1:17

Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word. Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the Lord, all his works everywhere his dominion. Praise the Lord, O my soul. Psalm 103:20-22
How to Cultivate an Attitude of Gratitude:
1. Make time for reflection.

2. Be honest with yourself and have the right perspective.

3. Make thankfulness a part of your lifestyle.

The Bottom Line: Thanksgiving is a great time of the year to slow down and thank God for the incredible stuff He’s done for us.

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Discussion questions:
1. What is the thing in your life that you are most thankful for?
2. What, in your relationship with God, are you most thankful for?
3. How can you practically begin to include more thankfulness in your relationship with God and with others?

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JC