Made To Give
Made – Part 5
January 25-26, 2020
Dr. Jeffrey Allen Love
“You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35b (p.849*)
- I Am Made To Give.
“Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44 (p.774*)
Questions:
- Am I going to trust God or not?
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (p.901*)
- Do I celebrate giving as worship?
“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:21 (p.737*)
“And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.” Philemon 6 (p.919*)
- God is not concerned about what we might have.
- God is concerned about what we do with what we have right now.
Series Key Verse: “We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.” Romans 12:5b (p.866*)
Next Step: This week I will give something of mine away.
Life Groups Study Guide
Taking the Talk to Another Level
From the Weekend Talk of January 25-26, 2020
Made, Week 5: Made To Give
Life Groups use these questions to go deeper into what we talked about this weekend. Dig into them so you will be ready for the discussion at your Life Group. Find out more about Life Groups at the Info Center in the lobby or go to alivechurch.com/groups.
Car Questions/Conversation Starters
- What is your earliest memory of giving something to someone else? How did it make you feel?
- What is one material possession that would be the hardest thing for you to give away? Why is that?
- How could we, as a group, give?
- Why would Jesus tell us that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35b (p.849*))?
Quick Review
- Looking back at your Talk Notes, was there anything you heard in the service that stood out or maybe even confused you?
Discussion Starters from the Weekend Talk
Refer to the Talk Notes and related Bible verses from this Weekend’s Talk.
- Pastor Jeff highlighted One Thing to remember from this week’s Talk:
“I Am Made To Give.” - Talk about that statement. How do you live as one who is made to give?
- Who is the most generous person you know? What makes them generous? How do people respond to their generosity? (Philemon 6 (p.919*))
- Read Mark 12:41-44 (p.774*). Jeff posed Two Key Questions:
- Am I going to trust God or not? (Philippians 4:19 (p.901*))
- What motivates you to give?
- When is it (or has it been) the hardest for you to trust God? When is it the easiest for you to trust God?
- Examples of some things people give up are… sugar, caffeine, TV, social media, possessions, and money. What else do people give up? What do you need to give up (or give away)? What is holding you back?
- Do I celebrate giving as worship? (Matthew 6:21 (p.737*)).
- Week 1 of the series was, “I Am Made To Worship.” What makes giving an act of worship?
- How does giving include or affect other aspects of how we are MADE: to Share; to Belong; and to Serve?
- Am I going to trust God or not? (Philippians 4:19 (p.901*))
- Talk about Jeff’s statements: “God is not concerned about what we might have. God is concerned about what we do with what we have right now.”
- Would your giving practices change if you thought Jesus was watching like He was when the widow gave her tiny (but huge) amount at the temple?
Digging Deeper
Read Proverbs 11:24-28 (p.488*)
- Is this passage saying you will be guaranteed great material wealth if you give? What is it saying? What does “give freely” mean? How can you live in generously? Does generosity only have to do with money?
Read 1 Timothy 6:17-21 (p.913*)
- Does Paul condemn rich people? Does he praise them? What does he say we should all do with the resources God gives? What should be our goal with money?
Taking It Home: Next Step
- My Next Step: This week I will give something of mine away.
- What does that mean for you?
- 3 Month Tithe Challenge. Have you ever done this (or similar) challenge?
- Does anyone in the group want to challenge and encourage each other?
Pray
- Pray now for one another, the Church, and Alive Church. Pray for a spirit of generosity to pour through the Church and THIS church.
- (Note: Have you walked the new Prayer Path on the campus? Check it out!)
This Weekend:
This weekend is FOOTBALL WEEKEND! We’ll have bounce houses, (inflatable) axe throwing (!), lots of food and fun! Bring someone with you to also be inspired by some great faith stories from NFL players and their families.
All of these notes are also in our App. To get our FREE App just text “ALIVEAZ APP” to this number: 77977 and follow the instructions. If you need help, we’ll help you!
* The Life Transformation Bible is the New Living Translation of the Bible, including many useful tools to help you better understand God’s Word, including our own Alive Church Life Transformation Discipleship Plan. They are available FREE in the church lobby.