Small Group Questions | The Generous Life | Matthew 6:19-24

As we move into February we typically think of this month as a month of Love. It's a month we think of hearts, Valentine's Day, and expressing our love. In the New Testament Jesus asked His listeners to think about where they placed their affection. It is easy for us to place our affection in the wrong place; we have misplaced affection for money. Of His thirty-eight parables, about half of them deal with money and possessions. In the Gospels, one in every ten verses deal with money. Why so much talk about money? Because our attitude to money reveals a lot about us. Each week, we’ve created small group questions designed to help people reflect deeply, apply personally, and grow spiritually. I’m sharing those questions here so others can benefit; whether you’re leading a small group, studying on your own, or learning to pray these questions are for you. 

Small Group Questions | The Generous Life | Matthew 6:19-24

The good life is not just wishful thinking but living into what Jesus teaches us about our heart and our treasure. Money is not simply a financial issue it is connected to our heart, priorities, and sense of security. Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6 invites us to slow down and examine what we truly treasure. In this passage, Jesus challenges us to think about where we invest our lives and what those investments are shaping us into. These questions are not meant to produce guilt or pressure, but reflection and honesty. Each of us comes from different backgrounds and experiences with money, which means this conversation may look different for everyone. Move slow and practice kindness. 

1) Neal shared a story about a greedy uncle who wanted his wife to bury him with all of his money. This story makes us think about the contrast between greed and generosity. What makes the love of money and desire to have it so compelling? 

2) Which of the four areas of confusion about money (money is evil, you have to tithe, money equals God’s blessing, or “it’s mine”) do you see most often in yourself or in our culture? What other confusion on money would you add to this list? 

3) Read Matthew 6:19-21. Jesus contrasts storing up treasure on earth with storing up treasure in heaven. What are some practical ways people today “store up treasure on earth” without even realizing it? (see Colossians 3:2 and 1 John 2:15–17)

4) In the sermon we learned there are only four things we can do with our money: save it, spend it, give it away, or invest it. Read 1 Timothy 6:10, Luke 21:1-4, and 2 Corinthians 9:6-8. What does the Bible teach us about money? 

5) Read Matthew 6:22–23 Jesus uses the image of the eye being the lamp of the body. In your own words, what do you think Jesus is teaching with this picture? (see Psalm 119:37, Proverbs 4:25–27, and Hebrews 12:1–2). 

6) Read Matthew 6:24 When Jesus says we cannot serve both God and money, why do you think this is so challenging in everyday life living in Southern California? Where do you see that tension most clearly in your life? 

7) The story from 2 Chronicles 31 about God’s people returning back to Him shows generosity as a response to God’s work, not a requirement to earn His favor. How does that perspective change the way you think about giving or generosity?

Close your time in prayer asking God to give you a persistent prayer life.

Small Group Questions | Persistent Prayer | Luke 18:1-8

As we kick off the New Year, Coastline chose to preach on Bold Prayers. Throughout God's Word we see God's people cry out to Him. This might look like a cry of gratitude or a cry for help. In the New Testament the one thing the disciples asked Jesus to teach them was how to pray. They saw the dedication Jesus had and something in His prayer life drew them to want to model what He was doing. We too can learn from the example of Jesus in our prayer life. Not only can we learn from Jesus but we can learn from a humble king, a hurting widow, and many more in the Bible who called out to God. Each week, we’ve created small group questions designed to help people reflect deeply, apply personally, and grow spiritually. I’m sharing those questions here so others can benefit; whether you’re leading a small group, studying on your own, or learning to pray these questions are for you. 

Small Group Questions | Persistent Prayer | Luke 18:1-8

We’re dedicating the entire month to studying prayer. The month of January can be a time where many people seek to make changes in their life and what better change can we make then spending more time communicating with God. Not only are we looking at what Scripture teaches on prayer but in Luke 18, Jesus teaches us about praying and never giving up. Studies show that only about 9% of people who set New Year’s resolutions actually stick with them through the year. In addition to that, 23% of resolution-makers quit within the first week, and 43% quit by the end of January. Instead of quitting, let’s study about prayer and learn to grow in spiritual maturity. 

1) Neal shared a story about how he and his son prayed for God to give them a house with an avocado tree. God answered that prayer for them. What is a prayer you  prayed, big or small, that God answered recently in your life? 

2) Read Luke 18:1-3. Jesus taught the disciples to not give up in their prayer life. As you reflect on your Christian walk is there a prayer you gave up on? What caused you to stop praying for this certain thing? 

3) Jesus taught the disciples to engage in continual prayer, not continuous prayer. Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, Romans 12:12, and Ephesians 6:18. How do these verses invite us to be persistent in prayer in a way that’s realistic for everyday life?

4) Read Luke 18:4-5. The widow was so persistent in her request that the judge thought she would wear him out. Share with your group a prayer that you really want to see God answer and you are trusting the outcome to Him. 

5) Read Luke 11:1-4. The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. Notice that Jesus said: “When you pray” not “if you pray.” How has this sermon series impacted your understanding and has it changed anything about how you pray? 

6) Read Luke 18:6-8. God doesn’t ignore the requests of His people but will come to the aid of His people. Read 1 Samuel 1:9–20, Jonah 2:1–10 and Acts 12:5–17. When you read these instances of God working, how does that increase your faith?  

7) At the end of our passage Jesus didn’t ask if we would be religious but if He would find faith when He returns. Read Hebrews 11:6, Romans 10:17, and Mark 11:24. What do these verses teach us about how faith grows as we continue to pray, even when answers don’t come in our desired timeframe? 

Close your time in prayer asking God to give you a persistent prayer life.

As we kick off the New Year, Coastline chose to preach on Bold Prayers. Throughout God's Word we see God's people cry out to Him. This might look like a cry of gratitude or a cry for help. In the New Testament the one thing the disciples asked Jesus to teach them was how to pray. They saw the dedication Jesus had and something in His prayer life drew them to want to model what He was doing. We too can learn from the example of Jesus in our prayer life. Not only can we learn from Jesus but we can learn from a humble king, a hurting widow, and many more in the Bible who called out to God. Each week, we’ve created small group questions designed to help people reflect deeply, apply personally, and grow spiritually. I’m sharing those questions here so others can benefit; whether you’re leading a small group, studying on your own, or learning to pray these questions are for you. 

Small Group Questions | Selfless Prayer | 1 Kings 3:1-15

We’re starting the year by looking at what God’s word says about prayer. The month of January can usually be a reset in our life and a time to evaluate how we use our time. Prayer is simply communication with God. It takes time, intentionality, and focus. Sometimes we’re distracted in our prayer life and sometimes we’re extremely focused. In 1 King’s 3:1-15 we learn that Solomon had a divided heart. He loved the Lord but also struggled with the worldly practices around him. He goes to the most important place to worship and has a meaningful interaction with God that really changes his life. Through a humble prayer God gives Solomon what he asked for and even more! 

1) We live in a world with such abundance which makes us think we don’t need to ask God for our daily provision. When you think about everything you have at your fingertips, how does that impact how you choose to pray? 

2) Read 1 Kings 3:1-3. When we read this passage we learn that Solomon had a divided heart. Read Matthew 6:24, Jeremiah 31:33, and James 1:22. What does God’s word teach us about having a divided heart? 

3) Having a divided heart is an age old issue humanity has struggled with for centuries. Share with your group about a time you recognized your heart was divided in choosing the world over choosing the ways of the Lord. 

4) Read 1 Kings 3:4-6. Solomon’s first response to God was thankfulness. Take some time to share what you are thankful for and where you see God’s provision in your life. (see Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, Psalm 100:4, and Psalm 107:1).

5) Read 1 Kings 3:7-9. When you read the entirety of Solomon’s response to God, does it follow the pattern of the ACTS prayer model we learned last Sunday? How does the humility of Solomon impact you? (see James 4:6 and Proverbs 22:4).  

6) Neal offered us three ways to remain focused, and not distracted in our prayer life: Put your phone away, create space for times of prayer, and viewing prayer a text thread with God. What one(s) do you plan to implement this week? 

7) Read 1 Kings 3:10-15. God responded to Solomon with abundance. Read Ephesians 3:20, John 10:10, and Psalm 103:8. Share with your group how you’ve seen God’s provision and abundance in your life. 

Close your time in prayer asking God to help you grow in spiritual maturity.