Important Info.

Before starting the study. Please encourage your group to lock in the following dates:

Sun 23rd May - Last Sunday of 11am and 4pm in the church hall. Be there and stick around for a meal after
Wed 26th May - Prayer night to begin the new season at the school (no groups this week)
Sun 30th May - First Sunday at the School. 10:30am. Lunch on site directly after.

READ:

(Before reading tell group that the first question will be “What phrases or ideas stands out to you as we read this passage”. Ask them to keep this in mind as we read through the passages)

MATTHEW 6:19-24

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,[c] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

DISCUSSION

What phrases or ideas stands out to you as you read this passage?

Reflection

1. What might it look like to ‘store up treasures on earth’

2. Jesus says that where our treasure is, there our hearts are also. Do you believe this? How have you seen your values reflected in the use of your money?

3. Jesus says that Love of Money and Love of God are mutually exclusive.
   
   a) How have you seen the pursuit of money and possessions choke out or diminish your love for God?
   b) How have you seen the pursuit of God choke out or diminish your love for money and possessions?

Application:

1. Jesus lays out principles rather than direct instructions as to how to budget.

   What might it look like to think through the following situations in light of Jesus principles of our treasure reflecting our heart and the need to love God more than stuff?
   (Pick one or a few depending on time)
   
   Note: explain to the group that there is no ‘Right Answer’ and disagreement is ok. but this is an opportunity to share Thoughts on some big questions we don’t talk about often.
   
           a) Deciding whether to/ or how much money to put towards saving for a house.

   b) Working out what to do with your extra income after receiving a promotion or pay rise.
   c) Deciding how much to give to church / charity/ others in need?
   

Share and pray: (in small groups)

If you look back over your spending and giving over the last year, does it reflect a heart that treasures God?

- Thank God for his generosity towards us, that our hope isn’t based in our generous hearts but in his generous grace.
- Pray that we would be a Generous church, and that God would be providing our needs for the next season of church life.

Finish by encouraging people to think through their giving this week and to consider giving towards the extra funds towards the new chapter at the High School.

Share the following links in your group whatsapp/ facebook:

General and External City Light Giving: https://www.citylightchurch.com.au/give

One off giving towards school transition: https://www.churchstarter.com.au/CLC/cp/city-light/city-light-new-location