When gratitude fades, our hearts naturally drift toward self-centered darkness and spiritual suffocation. This Thanksgiving weekend we're turning to Romans 1:18-25 to discover gospel-driven thanksgiving as the essential key to vibrant worship and spiritual health. Pastor Rob Godard Romans 1:18-25 October 11, 2026 Growth Group QuestionsGROWTH GROUP NOTES: The Extreme Importance of Thanksgiving Romans 1:18–25 — Focus: Romans 1:21 When thanksgiving and a passion for glorifying God fade, the human heart drifts toward darkness—but the Gospel restores gratitude, worship, and life. “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him…” — Romans 1:21 ICEBREAKER What is one thing—big or small—that you are especially thankful for right now? After everyone has shared, ask: What difference does it make when you actually stop and express your gratitude rather than simply enjoying the gift? Thanksgiving is much more than a holiday, a mood, or good manners. Scripture treats thanksgiving as an essential part of a healthy relationship with God. READ TOGETHER: Romans 1:18–25 As you read, pay particular attention to verse 21. Paul is describing humanity's rebellion against God. Surprisingly, near the beginning of this downward spiral he identifies two failures: · They did not glorify God. · They did not give thanks to God. Ingratitude is far more spiritually dangerous than we sometimes realize. 1. THANKSGIVING GLORIFIES GOD Read Romans 1:19–21. Creation continually points beyond itself to its Creator. The beauty we see, the food we enjoy, the people we love, the breath we breathe, and every good gift ultimately come from God. The tragedy of Romans 1 is that people enjoy God's gifts while refusing to honour the Giver. Discuss According to Romans 1:19–21, what should our knowledge of God produce in us? Why do you think Paul connects glorifying God and giving thanks to God? How can we enjoy God's gifts while practically forgetting the God who gave them? What are some blessings in your life that you easily begin to take for granted? How does intentionally thanking God turn an ordinary blessing into an opportunity for worship? Take a moment and identify three specific gifts from God for which you want to thank Him. Try to move beyond simply naming the gift: “God, thank You for __________. This reminds me that You are __________.” Biblical thanksgiving isn't merely being positive about our circumstances. It recognizes that God is the source of every good gift and gives Him the glory. 2. THANKSGIVING GROWS FAITH Thanksgiving does at least three important things in our hearts: · It acknowledges God's SOURCE — He is the Giver. · It acknowledges God's SOVEREIGNTY — He is good and can be trusted. · It fuels WORSHIP — His gifts direct our hearts back toward Him. Discuss How does thanking God remind us that He—not ourselves—is ultimately the source of what we have? Why can thanksgiving be particularly difficult when life isn't going the way we hoped? How can remembering God's past faithfulness strengthen our faith for present difficulties? Read Romans 8:32. How does the Gospel give us reason to trust God's goodness even when we don't understand our circumstances? What is the difference between biblical thanksgiving and simply trying to “look on the bright side”? What is one difficult circumstance in your life where you need to deliberately remember God's goodness and sovereignty? What can you genuinely thank God for in the middle of that situation? We give thanks in all circumstances because God's character, promises, presence and Gospel remain true even when circumstances are painful. 3. THANKSGIVING GUARDS AGAINST DRIFT Read Romans 1:21–23. Notice Paul's progression: No thanksgiving or honouring God → Futile thinking → Darkened hearts → Idolatry. Spiritual drift usually isn't instantaneous. It happens gradually. When we stop seeing God's goodness, entitlement grows. When entitlement grows, our thinking becomes distorted. Eventually other things begin occupying the place that belongs to God. Discuss What progression do you see in Romans 1:21–23? Why might ingratitude make us more vulnerable to spiritual drift? What are some warning signs that gratitude is disappearing from our hearts? Which is more natural for you: noticing what God has given you or noticing what you wish He had given you? How could regular thanksgiving help protect your heart from bitterness, complaining, comparison or entitlement? Ask yourself: “Where have I become more focused on what I don't have than thankful for what God has already given me?” Romans 1 certainly describes humanity, but the sermon asks us to use the passage as a spiritual check-engine light for our own hearts. 4. THANKSGIVING PROTECTS US FROM IDOLATRY Read Romans 1:23–25. Paul says humanity “exchanged” the glory of God for created things. Idolatry isn't merely worshipping bad things. Often it means turning good things into ultimate things. · Comfort can become king. · Security can become saviour. · Family can become identity. · Politics can become hope. · Entertainment can become rest. · Thanksgiving allows us to enjoy God's gifts while keeping the gifts underneath the Giver. Discuss Why are good gifts sometimes especially dangerous as potential idols? What is the difference between enjoying a gift from God and depending upon that gift for what only God can provide? What good thing are you most tempted to turn into an ultimate thing? How could thanksgiving help you enjoy that gift without worshipping it? “God, thank You for __________. It is a wonderful gift, but it is not my God. You are.” 5. THANKSGIVING IS GOSPEL ORIENTED Romans doesn't end in chapter 1. The God whose glory we rejected came to rescue us. Jesus lived the perfectly faithful life we could never live. He died for sinners and rose again so that through faith in Him we can be forgiven, reconciled to God and given new life. Christian thanksgiving is therefore more than optimism. It is redemption-shaped worship. Discuss Why should the Gospel be the deepest source of Christian thanksgiving? Read Romans 8:32. What does the cross tell us about God's goodness? How does the Gospel give us something to be thankful for even on our worst days? What changes when we begin our thanksgiving with “Thank You, Jesus, for saving me”? Try beginning each morning this week with two simple words: THANK YOU. Before checking your phone, thinking through your schedule or focusing on your problems, deliberately remember the Gospel: “Thank You, Jesus, for who You are and what You have done for me.” Romans 1 gives us a serious warning: When thanksgiving fades, worship collapses and our hearts drift. But the Gospel invites us back. So let's increasingly become people who: · SEE GOD CLEARLY · REMEMBER HIS GOSPEL RICHLY · GLORIFY HIM JOYFULLY · GIVE THANKS CONTINUALLY “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Remember: Gratitude is contagious. So is ingratitude. Which one will the people around you catch from you this week? Leadership Reminders · You don't need to get through every question. · The goal isn't merely to talk about being thankful. Help people actually practice thanksgiving during the group. · Keep bringing the conversation back to the Gospel. · When circumstances are good, thank Him. · When circumstances are difficult, trust Him. · When your heart begins to drift, remember Him. · When you see His grace, glorify Him. Thanksgiving is of extreme importance.
