For the month of November we’re going to talk about Absurd Generosity from the gospel of Luke. This isn’t the only place Jesus talked about money in the Bible. Jesus talked about money a lot in the Gospels. Of His thirty-eight parables, about half of them deal with money and possessions. Jesus frequently used money as a way to grab people’s attention for a deeper issue. 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. For this series I will write some of the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.
Small Group Questions | The Rich Man’s Poor Choice | Luke 18
The closer we move towards Thanksgiving and Christmas the more we begin to think about what it means to be thankful and give good gifts. In Luke 18 Jesus has an interaction with a rich man who makes a poor choice. Jesus invites this man to follow Him but he walks away sad. He is one of the few people to leave the presence of Jesus with a deep disappointment. Jesus instructs us to think more about our investments in Heaven and not only in earth. 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.
1) Neal shared a personal story about taking a $20 bill from the offering plate as a child. When you heard this story what thoughts or emotions did it evoke in your life? Have you ever been in a place that you had to steal to eat food?
2) We talked about three areas that we are humans are confused on money: We think money provides security, When I have _________ it will be enough, God/church just want my money. What one of these areas do you struggle with the most and why?
3) Read Luke 18:18-21. This man comes to Jesus and asks about inheriting eternal life. Read Ephesians 2:8-10, John 1:12-13, 3:3, and Romans 8:14-17. What do these passages teach us about eternal life and becoming children of God?
4) Read Luke 18:22-25. Jesus invites this rich young man to give everything away and there he will find eternal life. Read: 2 Corinthians 96-8, Malachi 3:10, Matthew 6:19-21. What do these passages teach us about using our finances?
5) The way Jesus teaches us to view money is different: receive, tithe, save, spend/pay, give. Read Proverbs 11:25, 30:8-9, & Mark 12:13-17. The Bible teaches us to be generous & to not love money. How will these passages change the way you life?
6) Read Matthew 6:19-21. Jesus taught us to invest our financial resources into the Kingdom of God. The result of that lifestyle is: humble, generous, secure, relaxed, fulfilled. How does your relationship with money leave you feeling?
7) Jesus ends the passage with a focus on living for the Kingdom of God. Read Luke 18:26-30, Hebrews 10:24-25, Acts 2:42-47, and Colossians 2:203. How does your relationship with Jesus impact your relationship with those closest to you?
Close your time in prayer.
No comments:
Post a Comment