FUEL: Refuel your Finances
Matthew 19:16-22
Connect:
Share how you have seen God in the Highs and Lows of your week.
Discuss how resolutions made last week in “growing more like Jesus” worked themselves out— what did God do in and through you (Phil 2:13)? Celebrate those together!
Prayer:
Pray that God would lead your discussion time and bring fresh insight, conviction, and hope through your time together.
Read: Matthew 19:16-22
Review: Remind the group of the focus of this series:
o This series looks at what Scripture says about health in various areas of our lives— places where the truth and grace of God can shine through and sustain us as well as those around us.
o Last few weeks, we looked at refueling in the area of our friendships, then stress.
o this week, we looked at refueling in the area of FAILURE…
The Grand Tour of the message: Thinking back on what you heard this Sunday…
o What did you learn about God?
o What did you learn about people?
o What did you learn about yourself?
o What do you want to commit to putting into practice?
Reflect:
Discuss the comment, “We are a slave to our desires, so we become slaves to our creditors”. How does that work?
Read Matthew 19:16-22. Discuss the passage:
o Why do you think Jesus asked him to “Go sell everything…”?
o Discuss the statement, “Until we look at our situation and see that it’s in conflict with God’s principles for financial freedom, it’s unlikely that we’ll do anything about it.”
o What are some signs you can identify as a group to see if “something isn’t right here” about handling money? (e.g. no savings, spending more than one earns monthly, etc.)
Read 1 Timothy 6:9-10. Discuss the passage…
o Why does riches have that effect on our behaviors?
o It seems like riches are “relative” and we all feel a degree of envy/jealousy at times to those with more resources than we have. What can go wrong if we choose to live like that?
Discuss the following along with the scriptures below:
o Get out of consumer debt: Prov 22:7: Why are we more likely to spend more than we have when using a credit card vs using cash?
o Live from a spending plan: Prov 21:20: What does it take to live by the rule, “When the money in that family budget line is gone, the spending in that area stops.”? (What would it take to live like that, what changes would need to be made, etc…)
o Begin Planned Percentage giving: 1 Cor 16:1-2: Give > Save > Live. Discuss the statement, “Planned, percentage giving breaks the power of greed and bridles our discontentment.”
o Live for the line, not the dot: Matt 6:19-21: Discuss the question, “How do I know if I am investing my money in things that matter to God and affect eternity (mine and others)?”
Respond:
o We will be tempted to spend our time, talent and treasures in places that matter nothing at all in the Kingdom of God. We need to have a clear reason WHY we’re saving and giving instead of just charging and buying. Why would we do that? (to stay healthy, free of debt, be able to help others, eternal impact and rewards…)
o Take those things to the Lord in prayer, committing this area to His Lordship and seeking His help.
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