Week 4 Extravagantly Generous Discussion Guide

Sermon recording

If anyone missed Sunday's sermon, encourage them to watch the recording.

Check-in

Share with the group something you are grateful for and something that is causing you stress

Opening prayer (pray aloud together):

Godliness with contentment is great gain. We bring nothing into this world, and we take nothing out of it. We, who call Jesus LORD, devote ourselves to resisting greed, which plunges the human heart into ruin and pierces it with many griefs.

We are determined to practice generosity with free hearts, fixing our hope on GOD and not the uncertainty of wealth. We desire to be rich in good deeds and willing to share all that we have, laying up for ourselves treasure that will not decay but will shine in the age to come. Amen.

Opening questions:

In his sermon Sunday, Pastor Aaron talked about what it’s like when we experience resistance to what we are reading in the Bible. When have you experienced resistance to something you read in Scripture? What do you do when you read something in the Bible that makes you feel uncomfortable?

Reading of Scripture:

Have someone read 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

• What resonates with you in this passage? Where do you experience resistance?
  
  
• In this passage, Paul is comparing the generosity of the Macedonians to the lack of generosity of the Corinthians. In parenting, we try to avoid comparing our children. It's been said "comparison is the thief of joy." Are there times that it is appropriate and healthy to practice comparison?
  
  
• Who is someone in your life who is very generous? What would it look like for you to model after them in your giving?
  
  
• How would you feel if you received a letter like this? How would you feel if a church leader or a friend told you how you should be using your money?
  
  
• In verse 7, Paul tells the Corinthian church: “But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.” When it comes to the grace of giving and being generous, how do you think you are doing?
  
  
• In verse 11, Paul exhorts the Corinthians to “finish the work” of collecting money for the Church in Jerusalem. Is there something in your life that you committed to do but haven’t followed through on? What is something God has called you to do that has been left unfinished?

Have someone read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

• What resonates with you in this passage? Do you experience any resistance?
  
  
• In verse 7, Paul writes: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” What does it look like for you to decide in your heart what to give? How do you know when God is calling you to give? How do you know what he is calling you to give?
  
  
• When have you experienced joy in giving something away to someone else?
  
  
• Verse 8: “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” Paul is reminding the Corinthians about the truth of God’s abundance. In our world, we so often live with a scarcity mindset. What are some practical ways you can resist the myth of scarcity and live out of the truth of abundance?

Go Deeper into God's Word

Ephesians 3:20
Philippians 2:5-11
Proverbs 11:24-25
Malachi 3:6-12

Practice

Take some time this week to talk to God about your giving patterns. How is he inviting you to be generous in this season? What is he calling you to give? Take some time to “determine in your heart” what to give and then follow through with it cheerfully.