Project – Biblical Teachings on Thanksgiving and Their Relevance to Contemporary Christian Living in Nigeria: A Study of Selected Churches in Kaduna State

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Thanksgiving occupies a central position in biblical theology and Christian worship. Throughout the Scriptures, believers are consistently encouraged to express gratitude to God for His goodness, faithfulness, mercy, protection, provision, and salvation. Thanksgiving is not merely a religious ritual or occasional act of appreciation; rather, it is presented in the Bible as a fundamental aspect of the believer’s relationship with God. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, thanksgiving serves as an expression of faith, obedience, worship, and recognition of God’s sovereign involvement in human affairs. Consequently, the practice of thanksgiving has remained one of the most enduring features of Christian spirituality across different cultures, denominations, and historical periods.

The concept of thanksgiving is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative. In the Old Testament, thanksgiving was a significant component of Israelite worship and covenant life. The Israelites were repeatedly instructed to give thanks to God for His acts of deliverance, provision, and faithfulness. The Psalms, in particular, contain numerous exhortations to thanksgiving, emphasizing God’s steadfast love and enduring mercy. Psalm 100:4 encourages believers to “enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Similarly, Psalm 107 repeatedly calls God’s people to give thanks for His unfailing love and wonderful deeds toward humanity. Thanksgiving in the Old Testament was therefore both a personal and communal expression of gratitude that reinforced the people’s dependence on God and remembrance of His mighty works (Brueggemann, 2014).

In addition to verbal expressions of gratitude, thanksgiving in the Old Testament was institutionalized through sacrificial worship. The thanksgiving offering, often referred to as the “peace offering,” enabled worshippers to acknowledge God’s blessings publicly and celebrate His goodness within the covenant community (Leviticus 7:11–15). These offerings served not only religious purposes but also social and spiritual functions by fostering communal fellowship, reinforcing covenant identity, and cultivating a culture of gratitude among God’s people. Thus, thanksgiving was regarded as an integral element of worship and spiritual formation.

The New Testament further develops the biblical doctrine of thanksgiving by presenting gratitude as an essential characteristic of Christian living. Jesus Christ Himself consistently demonstrated thanksgiving in His earthly ministry. Before feeding the five thousand, He gave thanks to God for the loaves and fishes (John 6:11). At the raising of Lazarus, Jesus thanked the Father before performing the miracle (John 11:41–42). During the Last Supper, He gave thanks before instituting the sacrament that would become central to Christian worship (Luke 22:19). These examples illustrate that thanksgiving was an important aspect of Christ’s relationship with God and a model for His followers.

The Apostle Paul similarly emphasized thanksgiving throughout his epistles. He repeatedly instructed believers to cultivate gratitude regardless of their circumstances. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, Paul commands Christians to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Likewise, Philippians 4:6 teaches believers to present their requests to God with thanksgiving, while Colossians 3:15–17 repeatedly urges Christians to be thankful. Paul’s teachings reveal that thanksgiving is not dependent on favorable conditions but is a continuous spiritual discipline that reflects trust in God’s providence and faithfulness. According to Wright (2019), thanksgiving in Pauline theology functions as both a response to God’s grace and a means of fostering spiritual maturity among believers.

Biblical teachings on thanksgiving are closely connected to broader themes such as worship, faith, hope, obedience, contentment, humility, and stewardship. Gratitude helps believers recognize God’s sovereignty and acknowledge their dependence upon Him. It fosters a positive outlook rooted in divine providence rather than human circumstances. In this sense, thanksgiving is both a theological conviction and a practical lifestyle. Contemporary Christian scholars argue that gratitude contributes significantly to spiritual growth, emotional well-being, and moral development by encouraging believers to focus on God’s goodness rather than life’s difficulties (Emmons & Mishra, 2023).

The relevance of biblical teachings on thanksgiving has become increasingly important in contemporary society characterized by rapid social change, economic uncertainty, political instability, and growing secularization. Many Christians face challenges that test their faith and commitment to biblical principles. Rising materialism, individualism, consumerism, and the pursuit of worldly success have influenced religious attitudes and practices in many parts of the world. In some contexts, gratitude is increasingly associated with receiving material blessings rather than recognizing God’s faithfulness in all circumstances. Consequently, there is a growing need to revisit biblical teachings on thanksgiving and examine their relevance to contemporary Christian living.

In Nigeria, thanksgiving occupies a prominent place in Christian worship and practice. Churches across different denominations regularly organize thanksgiving services to celebrate God’s goodness and faithfulness. Annual thanksgiving programmes, harvest celebrations, family thanksgiving services, birthday thanksgiving, wedding thanksgiving, and special thanksgiving offerings have become common features of church life. These practices reflect the importance Nigerian Christians attach to gratitude as an expression of worship and acknowledgment of divine intervention in their lives.

Nigeria’s Christian population continues to experience numerous socio-economic, political, and security challenges. Economic hardship, inflation, unemployment, insecurity, corruption, poverty, and social instability have created conditions that often generate anxiety and uncertainty among citizens. Despite these challenges, churches continue to encourage believers to remain thankful and trust in God’s providence. Biblical teachings on thanksgiving are frequently employed by church leaders to strengthen faith, inspire hope, and encourage perseverance among Christians facing difficult circumstances. According to Adeyemo (2022), gratitude remains a significant aspect of Nigerian Christian spirituality because it provides believers with a framework for interpreting life’s challenges through the lens of divine sovereignty and faithfulness.

The relevance of thanksgiving is particularly evident in the context of Kaduna State. Kaduna State is one of Nigeria’s most strategically important states and is characterized by religious diversity, cultural pluralism, and significant Christian populations. However, the state has also experienced various socio-political and security challenges, including communal conflicts, religious tensions, banditry, kidnapping, and economic difficulties. These realities have affected many Christian communities and created circumstances that require strong faith, resilience, and spiritual commitment. Churches in Kaduna State continue to play vital roles in promoting peace, hope, and spiritual encouragement among believers through biblical teaching, prayer, worship, and thanksgiving programmes.

Selected churches in Kaduna State provide an appropriate context for examining the relevance of biblical teachings on thanksgiving to contemporary Christian living. Through sermons, Bible studies, testimonies, worship services, and thanksgiving celebrations, these churches seek to communicate biblical principles that guide believers’ attitudes and behavior. Understanding how Christians perceive and apply biblical teachings on thanksgiving in their daily lives is therefore important for evaluating the practical significance of gratitude within contemporary Nigerian Christianity.

Recent studies have highlighted the positive effects of gratitude on spiritual growth, psychological well-being, interpersonal relationships, and resilience (Schnitker & Emmons, 2022). However, there remains limited empirical research examining how biblical teachings on thanksgiving specifically influence Christian living within the Nigerian context. Many studies focus on gratitude from psychological or sociological perspectives without adequately exploring its biblical foundations and practical implications for Christian discipleship. This gap necessitates further investigation into the relationship between biblical teachings on thanksgiving and contemporary Christian living.

Contemporary Christian living involves more than church attendance or participation in religious activities. It encompasses believers’ attitudes, values, decisions, relationships, ethical conduct, and commitment to biblical principles in everyday life. Biblical teachings on thanksgiving have the potential to influence these dimensions by encouraging humility, contentment, generosity, trust in God, and positive engagement with society. Understanding this relationship is essential for strengthening Christian witness and promoting authentic discipleship in an increasingly complex social environment.

Furthermore, theological scholars argue that thanksgiving serves as a spiritual discipline capable of transforming believers’ perspectives and behaviors. By focusing attention on God’s blessings and faithfulness, gratitude helps Christians develop deeper faith, stronger hope, greater contentment, and increased resilience during adversity (McCullough, Kilpatrick, Emmons, & Larson, 2021). Such outcomes are particularly relevant in contexts where believers face significant social, economic, and security challenges.

Against this background, this study seeks to examine biblical teachings on thanksgiving and their relevance to contemporary Christian living in Nigeria, with particular reference to selected churches in Kaduna State. The study aims to determine the extent to which biblical teachings on thanksgiving influence the attitudes, behaviors, spiritual growth, and daily experiences of Christians within the contemporary Nigerian context.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Thanksgiving is widely recognized as a fundamental aspect of Christian worship and spirituality. The Bible consistently teaches believers to cultivate gratitude toward God regardless of circumstances and presents thanksgiving as an expression of faith, obedience, and trust in divine providence. Despite the prominence of thanksgiving in Christian theology, concerns have emerged regarding the extent to which biblical teachings on gratitude genuinely influence contemporary Christian living.

In many churches today, thanksgiving appears increasingly associated with material blessings, financial prosperity, promotions, healing, and other visible manifestations of success. While gratitude for God’s blessings is biblically appropriate, excessive emphasis on material outcomes may obscure the broader biblical understanding of thanksgiving as a lifestyle rooted in faith and trust in God. Consequently, some Christians may struggle to remain thankful during periods of hardship, suffering, disappointment, or uncertainty, contrary to biblical injunctions to give thanks in all circumstances.

The contemporary Nigerian environment presents numerous challenges that test believers’ commitment to biblical teachings. Economic instability, rising inflation, unemployment, insecurity, corruption, social inequality, and communal conflicts continue to affect many Christians across the country. Kaduna State has experienced additional challenges associated with insecurity, religious tensions, displacement, kidnapping, and economic hardship. Under such circumstances, biblical teachings on thanksgiving are expected to provide spiritual resources that enable believers to maintain faith, hope, and commitment to Christian values.

However, observations suggest that many Christians experience difficulties applying biblical teachings on thanksgiving in their daily lives. Complaints, anxiety, discouragement, materialism, and dissatisfaction often coexist with participation in thanksgiving services and religious activities. This situation raises questions regarding the practical relevance and effectiveness of biblical teachings on thanksgiving in shaping contemporary Christian living.

Furthermore, although numerous theological writings discuss gratitude as an important Christian virtue, relatively few empirical studies have examined how biblical teachings on thanksgiving influence Christian behavior, attitudes, and spirituality within the Nigerian context. Existing studies tend to focus on gratitude from psychological perspectives or examine worship practices without specifically investigating the relevance of biblical teachings on thanksgiving to contemporary Christian living.

There is therefore a gap in knowledge regarding the extent to which biblical teachings on thanksgiving influence the daily lives of Christians in Nigeria, particularly within churches in Kaduna State. Without empirical evidence, church leaders, theologians, and Christian educators may lack adequate information for developing effective discipleship programmes that promote gratitude-based Christian living.

The problem of this study therefore is that despite the centrality of thanksgiving in biblical teaching and Christian worship, there is insufficient empirical evidence concerning its relevance to contemporary Christian living among Christians in selected churches in Kaduna State.

1.3 Objective of the Study

The main objective of this study is to examine biblical teachings on thanksgiving and their relevance to contemporary Christian living in Nigeria.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Examine the biblical teachings on thanksgiving among Christians in selected churches in Kaduna State.
2. Determine the relevance of biblical teachings on thanksgiving to contemporary Christian living.
3. Assess the influence of thanksgiving on the spiritual growth of Christians.
4. Examine the relationship between biblical teachings on thanksgiving and contemporary Christian living among Christians in selected churches in Kaduna State.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What are the biblical teachings on thanksgiving among Christians in selected churches in Kaduna State?
2. How relevant are biblical teachings on thanksgiving to contemporary Christian living?
3. What influence does thanksgiving have on the spiritual growth of Christians?
4. What relationship exists between biblical teachings on thanksgiving and contemporary Christian living?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

H₀: There is no significant relationship between biblical teachings on thanksgiving and contemporary Christian living among Christians in selected churches in Kaduna State.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study will be significant to church leaders, theologians, Christian educators, believers, researchers, and policymakers. It will contribute to theological scholarship by providing empirical evidence on the practical relevance of biblical teachings on thanksgiving in contemporary Christian life. The findings will assist pastors and church leaders in developing teaching programmes that encourage gratitude-based spirituality and discipleship.

The study will also benefit Christian educators and theological institutions by providing scholarly material for courses in Christian Religious Studies, Practical Theology, Biblical Studies, and Christian Ethics. Furthermore, believers will gain deeper understanding of the importance of thanksgiving as a lifestyle rather than merely a religious activity.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study focuses on biblical teachings on thanksgiving and their relevance to contemporary Christian living in Nigeria, using selected churches in Kaduna State as the study area. The independent variable is biblical teachings on thanksgiving, while the dependent variable is contemporary Christian living.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Thanksgiving: The expression of gratitude to God for His blessings, faithfulness, mercy, and provision.

Biblical Teachings: Instructions, principles, doctrines, and commandments contained in the Bible.

Contemporary Christian Living: The practical application of Christian beliefs, values, and teachings in daily life within modern society.

Christian: A person who professes faith in Jesus Christ and follows Christian teachings.

Church: An organized Christian congregation for worship, fellowship, teaching, and spiritual growth.

Project – Biblical Teachings on Thanksgiving and Their Relevance to Contemporary Christian Living in Nigeria: A Study of Selected Churches in Kaduna State