The Narrow Road

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$tre$$ No More | The Narrow Road Stress no more comes from exceptional living (Matthew 7:24-27). Exceptional living means walking the narrow road that few choose to walk on (Matthew 7:13-14), wisely building our house on the rock and not the sand. Those who choose the narrow road allow God, not money, to give them purpose and direction (Matthew 6:31-33). They faithfully pursue generosity while planning for the unexpected (Proverbs 21:20). And they intentionally live within their means, using debt sparingly and carefully budgeting their finances and resources (Proverbs 21:5; 27:23-24). GET THINGS STARTED If money was no object or finances did not restrict you at all, what is the one thing of greatest meaning and significance you would pursue to do? GO DEEPER 1. Luke 16:11 warns that if we have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, we cannot be trusted with true riches. What are the true riches this verse is referring to? 2. In Matthew 7:24-27, what determines whether a person is wise or foolish, or whether they have built their house on the rock or the sand? 3. What principle does Proverbs 21:20 suggest is characteristic of the wise? From Proverbs 22:7, how does debt make someone a slave? MAKE IT PERSONAL 1. If you were honest, to what degree do you think the ways of Jesus concerning money are too restrictive or demanding? How skeptical are you of the church in general and the way it talks about or handles money? 2. How much does money (or the lack thereof) determine the direction of your life? How willing would you be to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit if it meant earning less and being financially tighter? 3. Most would affirm that saving is good and that debt can be very limiting, as Scripture teaches. What kind of choices and changes would you have to make to begin saving and to aggressively reduce your debt? PRACTICE IT NOW Take time as a Life Group to purposefully pray that you live exceptionally, especially when it comes to your finances. Ask God to help you seek first His kingdom so that the direction and purpose of your life is determined by Him and not by money. Ask Him to increase your generosity and for a greater willingness to save and reduce debt. Ask God to make you wise concerning your finances, like the one who builds their house on the rock.