感恩释放神迹
English version available below.
开场：分享一个在困境中依然向上帝感恩的真实故事。
经文：帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:18
“凡事谢恩；因为这是神在基督耶稣里向你们所定的旨意。”当保罗嘱咐帖撒罗尼迦信徒
“凡事谢恩”时，他们正身处苦难。这些初信者面临排斥、压力甚至欺凌。保罗无法亲身
陪伴，便在信中鼓励他们：“要常常喜乐，不住地祷告，凡事谢恩。”（16-18节）。可
见这节经文是写给受苦信徒的，提醒我们真实的信心不仅在顺境中感恩，更因深知即使在
艰难中上帝也永远与我们同在而感恩。
解读：
1. 感恩是命令，不是建议
保罗不是说“感觉好时才感恩”
上帝明确命令：“要谢恩”
原因：真正的感恩是基于上帝的属性，不是凭感觉
选择感恩：
塑造我们的心
改变我们的视角
使我们扎根于上帝的主权
关键：感恩是顺服和信靠的行动，无论境遇如何
2. 希腊文”感恩”: 持续与群体性
希腊原文：εὐχαριστεῖτε
现在时主动语态祈使动词：
感恩是持续行动：“要持续感恩”
感恩是生活方式，非一次性行为
第二人称复数：
指向全体：“你们大家要感恩”
鼓励群体性感恩实践
一个充满感恩的群体所带来的益处：
互相提醒上帝的恩典
困境中彼此鼓励
坚固个人信心
成为有力的见证
3. “在凡事中”感恩，非“为凡事”感恩
保罗说“在凡事中谢恩”，非“为凡事谢恩”
实际应用：
学业压力→感谢上帝加力量
朋友失信→感谢上帝永不离开
人生迷茫→感谢上帝有计划
罗马书 8:28：上帝使万事互相效力叫爱神的人得益处
关键点：我们不需要喜欢苦难，但可以在苦难中感恩
4. 感恩彰显对神的信靠
感恩≠喜欢所有遭遇
感恩＝在任何境况中信靠上帝
藉感恩宣告信心：
“上帝，你依然良善”
“上帝，你仍与我同在”
“上帝，你在万事中掌权”
关键：感恩是信心的彰显，尤其在艰难时刻
5. 感恩能释放神迹
需要神迹时我们常祷告，但圣经为我们呈现了另一条路径：感恩
圣经例证：
约拿（拿2:9-10）
在鱼腹中感恩
结果：上帝命鱼释放他
但以理（但6:10）
顶着禁令照常感恩祷告
结果：上帝保护他
保罗航海（徒27:33-35）
风暴中众人绝望时，保罗带领众人感恩
结果：当天全船平安抵岸
五饼二鱼（约6:11）
耶稣先感恩再分饼
结果：众人饱足有余
结论：
感恩与神迹紧密相连
感恩释放上帝的神迹
感恩不为换取神迹，而要祈求神的旨意成就、神的名得荣耀。当这成为我们的目标，神就知道我们的感恩是真诚的，是从心发出的。
实践应用：
最近我有一个朋友的女儿遭遇欺凌。这促使她向母亲求助，也让母女关系比以往更亲密。虽然欺凌本身是坏事，但我们仍然可以感恩，因为上帝使用这经历成就他的美意。
现在请思想：你正面临什么困难？你能在此境况中向上帝感恩吗？让我们此刻一起反思祷告。
小组讨论问题：
你认识总是向上帝和他人表达感恩的人吗？感恩心态如何影响他们看待上帝和他人的方式？
“为凡事感恩”和 “在凡事中感恩”有何区别？明白这区别如何帮助我们操练感恩？
为何上帝命令群体（而不仅是个人）操练感恩？群体感恩有何特殊意义？
感恩与信靠上帝有何关联？从约拿、但以理、保罗和耶稣的榜样中，你观察到感恩与神迹之间有什么联系？
在困惑或压力中，我们可以如何学习感恩的功课？
English
Giving Thanks Unleashes God’s Miracle
Hook: Share a story of someone who gave thanks to God even when things are difficult.
Book: 1 Thessalonians 5:18
When Paul told the Thessalonians to “give thanks in all circumstances,” they were actually suffering. They were new believers who faced rejection, pressure, and even bullying. Paul couldn’t be with them, so he encouraged them through his letter: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances” (16-18). So our verse today was written to hurting believers, reminding them that real faith gives thanks not only when life is good, but because God is always with us—even in hard times.
Look:
1. Giving Thanks is a Command, Not a Suggestion
Paul isn’t saying, “Give thanks if you feel like it.”
God gives a clear command: “Give thanks”.
Why? True gratitude depends on God’s character, not our feelings.
Choosing thankfulness:
Shapes our hearts
Changes our perspective
Keeps us grounded in God’s control
Key point: Thankfulness is an act of obedience and trust, for both good days and hard days.
2. The Greek Word Eucharisteite: Ongoing and Corporate
Greek: εὐχαριστεῖτε (eucharisteite)
Present active imperative verb:
Means gratitude is continuous: “Keep on giving thanks”
Thus gratitude is a lifestyle, not a one-time action
Second person plural:
Directed to the whole group: “You all give thanks”
Encourages community practice of gratitude
Benefits of a grateful community:
Reminds each other of God’s goodness
Encourages during hard times
Strengthens individual faith
Becomes a powerful witness to the world
3. “In Everything,” Not “For Everything”
Paul says: “Give thanks in everything”, not for everything.
Example applications:
Stressful school → thank God for strength
Disappointing friends → thank God He never leaves
Confusing life → thank God He has a plan
Romans 8:28 → God works all things for good
Key point: We don’t have to like hardships, but we can give thanks in them
4. Gratitude Shows Trust in God
Being thankful ≠ liking everything
Being thankful = trusting God in all circumstances
Statements of faith through gratitude:
“God, You’re still good.”
“God, You’re still with me.”
“God, You know what You’re doing.”
Key point: Gratitude is faith on display, especially when life is hard
5. Giving Thanks Can Unleash Miracles
Often, when God’s people needed a miracle, what do we do? We pray. Of course. Yet the Bible shows us examples where His people were in need of a miracle, and they gave thanks to Him. (Read the Bible verses together.)
Bible examples:
Jonah (Jonah 2:9-10)
In the fish’s belly, Jonah gave thanks.
Result: God commanded the fish to release him.
Daniel (Daniel 6:10)
Continued his daily prayers giving thanks despite the lions’ den law.
Result: God protected him.
Paul on the Ship (Acts 27:33-35)
During a violent storm when those on board didn’t know whether they will live or die for two weeks, Paul told them to give thanks.
Result: The ship reached shore safely that same day.
Jesus Feeds the 5,000 (John 6:11)
Jesus gave thanks for 5 loaves and 2 fish before distributing them.
Result: Everyone was fed abundantly.
So what can we conclude from these examples?
There is a connection between giving thanks and God’s miraculous work.
Giving thanks to God unleashes His miracles in our lives!
Of course, we don’t give thanks just to get miracles. The focus is on asking that God’s will be done and He be glorified. If that is the goal, then He knows our gratefulness is sincere and from the heart.
Took:
Recently, my friend’s daughter was getting bullied. As a result, she reached out to her mom for help and it brought them closer than ever. Even though her daughter getting bullied was bad, we can be thankful because God used it for His glory and purpose.
Look at your life right now. What is one hard thing that you are going through right now? Can you give thanks to God in this situation? If so, let’s do that now. (Lead the students in a time of reflection and prayer.)
Small Group Discussion Questions:
1. Do you know anyone who is always expressing gratitude to God and to others? How do you think their grateful attitude affects the way they see God and others?
2. Explain what is the different between being thankful “for everything” vs. “in everything.” How do you think knowing the difference helps us to be grateful to God?
3. Why do you think God command us as a church or a group to be thankful? How is that different than if the command was given to individuals only?
4. Why is gratitude connecting to showing faith in God? Looking at Jonah, Daniel, Paul, and Jesus, what do you notice about the connection between giving thanks and God’s miracles?
5. How can we learn to give thanks even when life is confusing or stressful?