NEXT WEEK 4
GOSPEL GENEROSITY
ANNOUNCEMENT:
As mentioned last week we are going to start our time with the pledges, hopefully everyone has had a chance to think and pray about this already.
The purpose of this is to help us be givers who are prayerful and intentional and wise stewards of our money as well as to assist the church leadership in planning and budgeting for the year ahead. These will be viewed by the volunteer members of the church committee and its up to you whether you are anonymous or not.
This isn’t intended to be a stressful thing, and its possible that at the moment that some might not be in a position financially to do this, or perhaps you yourself are in need of help financially, if that’s you, please don’t feel forced to pledge.
NOTE: Please only submit ONE pledge per family (Unless you are actually giving individually).
Send link to all:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeT0GblEqGiEBlyuib-o9SP2n6SboiaQxJ6LH7BV9Figq3Okw/viewform?usp=sf_link
READ THE FOLLOWING TWO PASSAGES
2 COR 8:1-9
8 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
2 Cor 9:6-8
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
DISCUSSION
1. What phrases or ideas stands out to you as you read this passage?
2. What was the motivation for the Macedonians Generosity?
3. Do you tend to see giving money away as a privilege? (v4) Why or why not?
4. How does Chapter 8 Verse 9 show how the Gospel leads to Generosity?
5. Why is the motivation for giving important?
6. Based on these passages what would you say to someone who says: (could break into smaller groups then bring back answers to the group)
a) I’m upping my giving this year because i really need God to come through for me and get me a promotion at work.
b) I feel like a really bad christian because i haven’t been giving, so even though i don’t really want to i’ve signed up to give weekly.
c) Hopefully if I give more, then the church will get some better sound equipment, and comfier chairs and a new coffee machine to make Sunday more enjoyable for me.
Share and pray: (in small groups)
1. Which false motivations for giving do you sometimes find within yourself?
2. Do you feel like you have been being generous lately? Why/ Why not?
PRAY