Week 2—March 17/18, 2012 Get by Giving (Bob Merritt)
Discussion Guide
INTRODUCTION God uses the Bible as a way to guide us and to teach us, and from it we can learn how to live in the stream of his blessings. It may seem counterintuitive in our culture today to think that we get by giving, but the Bible tells us the more we give of our time, our money and our life, the more we will get back. Let the questions and scripture below help guide your discussion on this week’s message.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. Read Psalm 112. In these verses we learn that God blesses those who obey him. What does it mean to be blessed? What are some of the specific ways that God says he will bless us? Do you feel that God has already blessed you in any of those ways? If so, which ones? 2. Read Mark 12:30, 1 Corinthians 12:1, Colossians 3:23, and Proverbs 3:9-10. These are some of the ways that we can obey and please God; to love him and love others, to use our spiritual gifts, to work hard as if working for the Lord, and to honor him with our wealth. Why are some of these commands easier for us to obey than others? Which one of these areas do you feel like you struggle with the most? Which areas are easier for you? 3. Why is it important for us to obey God? What is the benefit of loving God and others? Using our spiritual gifts? Why should we work hard? What are some ways we can honor God with our finances? Do those around you, your friends, family and coworkers, notice you being faithful in these areas? What is your response when they ask you why? 4. It can be difficult to live a generous life. How generous are you these days? Do you live within your means and honor God with your income or do you have a tight grip on your money and material things? Do you give others your time or do you find yourself too busy? How does it make you feel when you are generous? Talk about times in your life when you were generous and how it impacted you and those around you. 5. Just because we live our lives obeying God’s commands does not mean that we will never have problems or loss or heartache, but we do know that walking through those times with God is so much better than not. We also know the more we put into something, the more we will get out of it. How can you “put more into this life”? What is one area that you will give more this week? How can you challenge others around you to give more? What blessings do you feel like God might give you for giving more?
THINK ABOUT IT
COMMIT TO MEMORY
Bob wrapped up his message by saying that to get into the stream of God’s blessing we need to fear him, obey his commands, and be generous with what he’s given us. And that someday we’ll sit around a table together with Jesus at the head, and be glad we did. This week continue to obey God’s commands for your life, live generously, and watch how it will make an impact on you and on others.
“Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands.” Psalm 112:1
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