I Want it Now!
Taming the Money Monster Part 2
October 12-13, 2019
Steve Tanner
Luke 15
“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Matthew 6:21 (p.737*)
- It’s Not About Me.
Tactics to Tame Your Money Monster!
1. Talk to Tested Tamers.
“How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!” Proverbs 16:16 (p.492*)
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” Proverbs 16:16 (p.492*)
2. Trust God’s Timing.
“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.” Galatians 6:7 (p.894*)
3. Trim Your Waste.
“… this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living.” Luke 15:13 (p.798*)
“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.” Proverbs 21:5 (p.495*)
4. Thank God
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (p.907*)
“O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!” 1 Chronicles 29:13-14 (p.332*)
Remember, It’s a process:
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Romans 12:2a (p.866*)
The Generosity continuum:
First Time Giver > Regular Giver > Tither > Extravagant Giver
My Next Step This Week:
___ I will implement Tamer Tactic #_______.
___ I will go to alivechurch.com/FPU and sign up for Financial Peace University. (The eight-week class begins Monday, October 21.)
Life Groups Study Questions
Taking the Talk to Another Level
From the Weekend Talk of October 12-13, 2019
Taming the Money Monster, Week 2: I Want It Now!
This is a One Voice Talk Series, which means our kids and youth are also learning the same key Bible verses and main teaching points.
Life Groups use these questions to dig 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 (or who) is your favorite “monster” character from movies, TV or books? Why does that one stand out to you?
- When have you acted like an impatient child and said, “I want it now!”
- What’s the dumbest decision about money you’ve ever made? The wisest?
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
See the Talk Notes and related Bible verses from this Weekend’s Talk.
- Our One Thing to remember from this series is that, “It’s Not About Me.”
- Pastor Steve used the Parable of the Lost (Prodigal) Son from Luke 15:11-31 (p.798*) to jump into this week’s teaching, “I Want it Now.”
- The primary focus for our teaching was the son’s desire to “get his share” right now. Have you ever been guilty of expecting to get something that you did not work for?
- Have you ever had a “Prodigal Son” moment in your life?
- Steve then talked about some Tactics to Tame Your Money Monster.
- #1 is Talk to Tested Tamers. (Proverbs 16:16 (p.492*); James 1:5 (p.930*))
- Why is wisdom better than gold or silver? From whom have you learned the most about money? What do/did you teach your kids about money?
- #2 is Trust God’s Timing. (Galatians 6:7 (p.894*))
- When have you experienced the principle of “sowing and reaping” in life and not just in finances?
- How would you explain this principle to a five year old?
- #3 is Trim Your Waste. (Luke 15:13 (p.798*); Proverbs 21:5 (p.495*))
- Do you have a spending plan (budget)? When did you start?
- How does debt make you feel? How about being debt-free?
- Why is it important to realize that “prosperity” does not necessarily mean “material wealth?”
- #4 is Thank God. (1 Thess. 5:14, 18 (p.907*); 1 Chronicles 29:13-14 (p.332*)
- Steve said, “Wanting it now without working for it is a form of laziness?”
- Agree or disagree? Why?
- When are you most likely to remember to thank God? When do you often forget to thank God?
- Steve said, “Wanting it now without working for it is a form of laziness?”
- And Remember, It’s a Process. (Romans 12:2 (p.866*)
- How are you changing? What difference has God made in how you think and live? What differences do you WANT to see happen next?
Digging Deeper
God’s Word has a lot to say about money and stewardship. Take a look at the Bible references below. As you read them, answer these questions:
- What does the passage say about money and/or stewardship?
- Can the passage apply to areas of life beyond just the financial?
- What is One Thing you can do today to apply the principle in your life?
Deuteronomy 8:11-18 (p.146*) (See v.18 in NIV or ESV) – Proverbs 3:9 (p.482*)
Luke 6:38 (p.786*) – Philippians 4:15-20 (p.901*) – Acts 20:32-35 (p.849*)
Taking It Home: Next Step
- Our Next Step This Week has two option. What did you choose?
- ___ I will implement Tamer Tactic #_______.
- ___ I will go to alivechurch.com/FPU and sign up for Financial Peace University. (The eight-week class begins Monday, October 21.)
Pray
- Pray for one another and the church.
This Weekend:
We begin a NEW Talk Series: Why Pray When You Can Worry? We’ll talk about the What , When, and Why of Prayer, and we introduce a cool surprise, as well! It will be informative and interactive as we lean into our communications with God Himself through the gift of prayer. Come and bring someone with you!
Did you know you can get all of these notes on your digital device? 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!
* Page numbers are in the Life Transformation Bible, which is the New Living Translation of the Bible. It includes 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 lobby.