August 24 Thinksgiving – Reflecting & Thanking Together |🔒 Sealing – Prayer of Commitment

💭🙏 "Thinksgiving" – Reflecting & Thanking Together

Pastor Arp:
“Sisters, before we close, we’re going to combine two things — thinking about what we’ve learned and thanking God for it. We’ll call this time Thinksgiving. We’re going to look into the mirror of God’s Word, see where we are, use the map of His truth to know where we’re going, and then thank Him for every step He’s leading us to take.”

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Part 1 – Mirror & Map (Thinking)

Pastor Arp:
“Let’s start with the mirror. I’ll read a question, you jot your answer in your journal. After a moment, I’ll invite a few to share aloud.”

1. What “old garment” do I still see hanging in my spiritual closet?

   • Debbie: “Holding grudges.”

2. Where in my life am I most tempted to slip back into old ways?

   • Tessie: “When I’m around negative people.”

3. Which verse today spoke most directly to me?

   • Hazel: “Verse 29 — about the words I speak.”

Pastor Arp:
“Now for the map — where we’re going.”

4. Which “new garment” do I need to put on first this week?

   • Maria: “Compassion.”

5. What’s one small action I can take in the next 24 hours to live this truth?

   • Cindy: “Send a kind message to someone I’ve avoided.”

6. Who needs to see Christ’s love through me right now?

   • Ann C.: “My struggling co-worker.”

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Part 2 – Gratitude Response (Thanking)

Pastor Arp:
“Now let’s respond in gratitude. I’ll call out themes from today’s passage. If one hits home for you, speak a one-sentence thank you to God.”

1. Truth replacing lies

   • Alanda: “Thank You, Lord, for freeing me to speak the truth.”

2. Peace replacing anger

   • Theresa: “Thank You for helping me let go quickly.”

3. Generosity replacing selfishness

   • Debra: “Thank You for the joy that comes when I give.”

4. Encouragement replacing corrupt talk

   • Gale: “Thank You for showing me how my words can heal.”

5. Forgiveness replacing bitterness

   • Glenda: “Thank You for the freedom forgiveness brings.”

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Closing Charge

Pastor Arp:
“Take one of your map answers and carry it into this week. Let it guide your steps. And each time you act on it, pause and thank God — that’s living in Thinksgiving all week long.”

🔒 Sealing – Prayer of Commitment

Pastor Arp:
“Sisters, we’ve looked into the mirror of God’s Word, we’ve mapped out our next steps, and we’ve given thanks. Now let’s seal this in prayer — asking the Lord to write His truth so deeply on our hearts that we can’t help but live it out.”

Prayer:
“Lord, we thank You for the richness of Your Word in Ephesians 4:17–32. Today we have seen what to take off, how to be renewed, and what to put on in Christ. We’ve recognized the garments that no longer belong to us, and we’ve chosen the ones You’ve designed for us to wear.

Father, seal these truths in our hearts. Let Your Spirit remind us when we start to slip back into the old ways. Give us strength to put on the new self — truth, reconciliation, generosity, encouragement, kindness, and forgiveness. And Lord, let every step we take and every word we speak this week be evidence that Christ lives in us.

We trust You to finish the work You’ve started, and we walk forward in Your love and power. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

✨ Blog Response ✨

GO LIGHT
🙏 Type “Amen” in the comments if you’ve experienced God’s transforming power while studying Ephesians 4 these past two weeks.
✍️ Then let us know with a simple “yes” or “no” if you’re ready to continue the journey into 
chapter 5.

GO DEEP
🌸 What truth or takeaway from Ephesians 4 has impacted you most? Share your reflections in the comments—and let us know if your heart is stirred to keep pressing on into chapter 5 with us.

💡 Your voice matters, and your response will help shape the next step of our journey together in God’s Word. Let’s keep growing, sharing, and being transformed side by side.

Have a great day of corporate worship.