LifeGroup Notes - February 21, 2010 Fearless (Part four)
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FEARLESS GIVING
OVERVIEW:
In Luke chapter six, we see an interesting scene… Jesus had just spent the night on a mountain praying. When he came down from the mountain, he gathered his many disciples around him and chose from among them the 12 who he designated as “apostles.” Immediately following this appointing of the 12, Jesus stood and taught his followers through a powerful series of beatitudes, proverbs and parables. Included in this barrage of fundamental truths, which he imparted to his newly appointed “team,” there was a key proverb about the power of giving. Jesus said,
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” –Luke 6:38
In our LifeGroups tonight, lets further unpack the powerful (and often avoided) kingdom principle that Pastor Tom taught on last Sunday in his message: FEARLESS GIVING.
DICSUSSION POINTS:
Sacrificial Giving Gets God’s Attention
As you read Mark 14:1-9, about the woman and the alabaster jar of perfume, consider the lesson Jesus is teaching us through the extravagance of her “generous gesture.”
1. Talk about how she is putting Jesus first, pouring out from her resource to bless the one she loved more than herself.
2, Consider and discuss verse 8, that says “she did what she could.” Apply that idea to our current reality in the Body of Christ. What if everyone “did what they could?” What could God do with that in the local church.
3. Notice the response of the others who were present, how they saw what the woman did as “wasting” money. Contrast that with how the world views a believer’s sacrificial giving to the work of God’s kingdom in the earth.
Focused Giving Releases a Blessing
As followers of Christ, we are called to be givers of “alms” to individuals who are in need and to bring our “tithe” into the “storehouse.” (the storehouse is commonly equated in present day with the local church, from which God distributes his blessing to the nations.
NOTE: the word alms in the Bible means “to have pity or mercy on, to show mercy.” The word tithe means “a tenth part.”
1. Read Matthew 6:1-4 and talk about “how” Jesus tells us to give our “alms” in response toward others in need.
2. Read Malachi 3:8-12. Notice four things in verse 10
a. How much of and where God says to bring the tithe.
b. Why we bring the tithe there.
c. That God is challenging, even daring people to obey him in this.
d. And finally, notice the extraordinary promise God offers.
e. Notice the promise of protection in verse 11
Cheerful Giving Touches God’s Heart
Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 and notice that we are encouraged to give from the heart, not under religious compulsion.
— Notice in verse 7 the heart attitude being encouraged and how it touches God’s heart.
— Talk about the blessing represented in this passage, for those who give liberally.
ACTION ITEM: Take time this week in prayer to evaluate the powerful kingdom principles of cultivating, maintaining and exercising a generous spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and guide you as you apply these truths to your life and unleash the blessing of living a life of giving.
Ministry Time