Kingdom Way of Living

The weekend doesn't have to end. Keep Talking on your own or with a group.

Start Talking – Find conversation starters for the group or with a friend.

• What acts of generosity have you recently seen or heard about? How did it make you feel?
  
• Describe a time you were generous. What did you do? Was it planned or spontaneous?

Keep Reading – Read the Scriptures and ask a question to get the group thinking.

The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.

• Do you agree with the truth of this Scripture? How have you seen it in your own life?
• Pastor Julie defined generosity as “giving more than what is required.” How does this verse support that definition?

I have gained perfect freedom by following your teachings. 

• Pastor Julie reminded us the Bible has plenty to say about money, even more than it says concerning prayer! Name one or two teachings from the Bible about money and finances that have made a difference in your life.
  
• As we gain freedom in our finances, what does that allow us to do? Why is generosity nearly impossible when the typical American is overwhelmed by debt?

. . . remembering the words of the Lord Jesus himself: "It is more blessed to give than to receive.” 

• How did Pastor Julie define “blessed” (see below if you need some help)? Would you say you are blessed today financially? Why or why not?
  
• We live in a culture that is so antagonistic to the teachings of this verse. We are consistently told it’s better to receive! Discuss what Jesus knew that our culture misses regarding this issue.

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

• At Christ Fellowship, we refer to this as the “Malachi 3:10 Challenge.” What does this verse specifically promise when we are faithful with the tithe? 
  
• Have you ever “tested” God in this area? If so, describe what happened and what you discovered.

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. 

• This verse says we are to “excel” in everything. What does that mean? How can we do that in our spiritual and financial lives?
  
• The Apostle Paul specifically mentions “excel in this grace of giving.” Describe someone you know, or have heard of, who lives this way. What can you do today to begin excelling in this specific area?

• Pastor Julie’s main point was that true generosity “isn’t just a random act of giving, but a kingdom way of living!”
  
• Describe how you have struggled between these two ways of living. What “kingdom” financial tips would you give to a young Christian person living on their own for the first time?

• Pastor Julie stressed generosity doesn’t start with feelings but with faith! This is evident because:
  
  • ­ When we put God in first place in our finances, everything else also seems to fall into place.
  • Generosity is evidence of the Christian life, not an add-on. 
    
• How does this point remind us that the entire Christian life isn’t supposed to be built upon feelings but more (like convictions, truths, and ultimately a person – Jesus!)? 

• Pastor Julie admitted that many of us would like to be generous, but we can’t because of debt, bankruptcy, and many other decisions that have put us in this position. 
  
• While many people who aren’t Christians would call us crazy for tithing and being generous, which is crazier to you: living life as described in the first bullet point, or as Christians are called to live? What are you doing to make sure you are able to live the blessed life of generosity? 

• Pastor Julie challenged everyone to take a next step: What kind of “crazy” do you want to be? Today, what will be your next step?
  • Start Financial Peace University (FPU)
  • Take a step today to start giving:
    —Consistently
    —Sacrificially
    —Spontaneously 
  • Make a Faith goal to start tithing for the first time, even if it’s just 1%, or 5% so you can eventually get to 10%.
• S.O.A.P out a passage of Scripture from this week to continue growing your faith.

• Prayer requests from everyone in the group
• Prayer