Life, Money, Hope: Beyond The Numbers – (Week 1)
Preacher: Daniel Erasmus
Check-in: As a group, listen to “Same God” by Elevation Worship as part of this week’s worship. The lyrics remind us of how the God we serve is still the same God of Moses and David. That He can do the same thing for us as He’s done for them. As you worship; surrender your needs to Him and declare Him Lord over your life. Acknowledge Him as the faithful God that He was, is, and always will be. Besides – Is anything too hard for Him? (Jeremiah 32:27)
Bible Readings: 1 Timothy 6:9-10; Luke 12:34; Haggai 1:5-7; 1 Cor 1:20; Proverbs 21:20; Acts 20:24; Luke 12:15; Philippians 4:12; Proverbs 19:11; Proverbs 18:11; Matt 6:19-20; Acts 20:35
Preparation and Discussion for Group Time:
On Sunday Ps Daniel shared 5 Money Principles with us. Financial planners might share this with you to help improve your finances. Yet, they’re just all about the “Numbers” but God sees “Beyond the Numbers” These are the five principles:
- Calling vs. Compensation (Earning) – God wants you to know your purpose vs. How much money can you make – Acts 20:24
- Contentment vs. Consumerism (Spending) – God wants contentment while society believes more is better – Luke 12:15
- God-dependent vs. Independent (Saving) – Our security is in God, the world believes in financial security – Proverbs 18:11
- Stewardship vs. Ownership (Investing) – We are stewarding God’s money vs. owning everything we have- Matthew 6:19-20
- Generosity vs. Misery (Giving) – God desires us to be generous while society believes in keeping for ourselves – Acts 20:35
- As adults, most of our behaviour and habits were formed during our upbringing and is sometimes hard to shake. This includes how we manage our finances. Share with the group how your family handled finances and how this has impacted your current view of managing your money.
- On Sunday we heard of the various ways the world regards money versus how God looks beyond the numbers. Is there one (or more) of these principles where you’ve found yourself leaning more toward the world’s way of managing your finances? Share this with the group.
- Considering your answers to the above questions, what needs to shift in your life for you to move towards being more dependent on God?
Check out, Worship and Prayer: As part of your checkout, split into pairs and pray for each other’s needs.
Leaders: Encourage members to make use of their “Act of Kindness” cards received at church to show some form of generosity to someone in their world; a cashier at the supermarket, a petrol attendant, a colleague, or an elderly person. The act of kindness (with or without the card) can include financial gratuity, a cup of coffee, being of assistance, or just a smile and a “thank you”!
Make a difference in someone’s life this week and in the weeks to come.
Love God:
- Meditate on Act 20:35 (NLT) “….You should remember the words of the Lord: It is more blessed to give than receive”.
- Resources: Visit the church website for additional resources to assist you in using money God’s way.
Love People:
- For upcoming next steps in your discipleship journey; like Discipleship 101 or serving. Sign up online at Church Center/the website.
