What am I saying to the next generation by the way I give?
Life group discussion questions after the jump.
If you’re the discussion leader for your group tonight, make sure that everyone opens this page on their mobile device, so everyone can read along and discuss together.
ON Sunday, we talked about giving. What have you always believed/been taught about giving?
ON Sunday, we talked about how “giving is a gospel issue,” and looked at the way Colossians frames the gospel for us…
Colossians 1:15
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see- such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.
He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.
So, what position has Christ been given?
But, the gospel tells us that we tried to steal his position, doesn’t it? We tried to take some of HIS glory for ourselves. This is what turned us into treasonous criminals.
John 3:16 NLT
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
So, let’s just look at that for a second. How much has God given you? In light of forgiveness of sin, lifting of burdens, restoring you to God, giving you purpose and significance… How much has God given to you?
Comparatively, how much does Starbuck’s give? How much does your satellite dish give? You know what I’m talking about. If God has given us infinitely more than we have been given by anyone else, what should our response to him be?
Why do you think it is important that we contribute to a spiritually-motivated, Gospel-focused movement in the world today?
The apostle Paul writes about the poor church in Macedonia, describing the way they gave. Discuss with your group how these four giving characteristics work out for us.
2 Corinthians 8:1-12
Give Sacrificially
Now I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done through the churches in Macedonia. They are being tested by many troubles, and they are very poor. But they are also filled with abundant joy, which has overflowed in rich generosity.Give Generously
3 For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford, but far more. And they did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the privilege of sharing in the gift for the believers* in Jerusalem. 5 They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do. 6 So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to you and encourage you to finish this ministry of giving. 7 Since you excel in so many ways—in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your enthusiasm, and your love from us—I want you to excel also in this gracious act of giving.Give Gratefully
8 I am not commanding you to do this. But I am testing how genuine your love is by comparing it with the eagerness of the other churches. 9 You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.Give Realistically
10 Here is my advice: It would be good for you to finish what you started a year ago. Last year you were the first who wanted to give, and you were the first to begin doing it. 11 Now you should finish what you started. Let the eagerness you showed in the beginning be matched now by your giving. Give in proportion to what you have. 12 Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have.
What kinds of things do you think God could do through The Orchard Church if we were just willing to tithe? Last year, our church gave approximately $320,000, which covered our bills and allowed us to do some of the things we like to do to influence our community for Christ. If we tithed, we would likely be able to use over $1,000,000 for the sake of the gospel. What could we do right here in Ellijay?
Give back to God and be part of something bigger than you. You can give a one-time gift, or you can sign up for recurring giving right on our website. It is easy, and could just change everything.