All Things New: Living As a Child of God, Part 8 (Give)
We are cheerful givers when we rely on the grace of God, understand how much the Lord has given to us, and give without expecting a return on earth.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one thing that you found challenging about this message?
- Read 2 Corinthians 8 and 9. What does this passage tell you about God and about ourselves? How does it instruct about the use of the resources God has given to us?
- Discuss principles you find in this passage that teach us about giving.
- Discuss the sowing and reaping principle. What does it mean? How does it work within agriculture? How does the principle play out in our financial world?
- With regard to your environment growing up, how was generous giving modeled for you?
- 2 Corinthians 9:7 tells us that “each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give.” What biblical principles should we use to determine what that actually is?
- What makes it difficult for you to be more of a cheerful giver?
- Is there a step or two you feel you can make to applying the principles of 2 Corinthians 8-9?
- Spend some time in prayer that God would give you an increasingly generous heart.
We are cheerful givers when:
- We understand and rely on the grace of God. (2 Corinthians 8:1,6,7)
- We are alert and respond to needs in God’s kingdom. (2 Corinthians 8:3-4)
- We first gives ourselves to the LORD before giving to others. (2 Corinthians 8:5)
- We understand how much the LORD has given to us. (2 Corinthians 8:9)
- A life goal is to give more than the OT law of 10%.
- We give without expecting a return on earth. (Matthew 6:19-21)
- “We seek to raise our standard of giving more than our standard of living.” (Randy Alcorn)
What transforms us from a sporadic or necessity based giver to a generous, cheerful giver?
- Knowing Christ has promised me a joint inheritance with Him. (1 Peter 1:3-5)
- Knowing even small amounts given pleases Jesus. (Luke 21 – widow’s two Mites)
- Recognizing I cannot take earthly treasures from this world. (1 Timothy 6:7)
- “Understanding that giving is the only antidote to materialism.” (Randy Alcorn)
- Knowing God gives us more than we need so we can give more than we thought. (2 Corinthians 9:8-10)