Discussion Questions

1. Which of the following words describes the primary way that you view money:

• Status
• Security
• Enjoyment
• Control

2. Read Psalm 24:1 and 50:10-12. What are these verses saying about God? What do you think the implications are for how we view God and money?

3. Everything we have is a gift from God. Read James 1:17 and then reflect on what it means that everything we have is a gift from God.

4. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus talks quite a bit about money. Read Matthew 6:19-34 and think through the following questions:

• What is Jesus saying about money and possessions?
• What is the relationship between how we view our resources and how we view God?
• What does it mean to ‘seek first the kingdom’ (v. 33)?

5. If money can be an idol, then generosity is the tool that breaks the idol. Read through the following verses and then reflect on what it means to be generous according to the Bible:

• Acts 2:42-47
• Acts 4:32-37
• 2 Corinthians 8:1-3
• 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
• James 1:26-27
• Proverbs 22:9

6. Where are you struggling with your finances right now? What do you think God might have to say to you right now about that?

7. What will you ‘resolve’ to do with God’s help as a result of this study and message? Identify one practical way you will respond this week. Write it down, reflect on it, and put it into practice this week. If you are in a small group, discuss this with one another.

Because I offered some other updates related to my recent international trip, the message is a bit shorter than normal. Still, you can listen to it online at the Eastbrook web-site here. You can also subscribe to the Eastbrook podcast here or follow Eastbrook Church on Twitter. I’ve included my outline for the message below:

Honor God by having His perspective on your resources

• God Owns Everything (Psalm 24:1; 50:10-12)
• Our Resources are a Gift from God (James 1:17)

Honor God by giving the first fruits of your resources to Him

• The offering of the first fruits (Leviticus 23:9-14; Deuteronomy 26:1-3)
• The concept of the tithe, or ten percent (Deuteronomy 14:22-29; Malachi 3:10)

Honor God by neutralizing the idol of money with generosity

• The power of money (Matthew 6:24; 1 Timothy 6:10)
• The power of generosity (2 Corinthians 9:10-11; Acts 2:45; 4:33-37)

Honor God by working hard and trusting Him in lean times

• Overcome idleness with hard work (2 Thessalonians 3:6-13)
• Trust in lean times (Psalm 9:18; 12:5)

Honor God by storing up treasures for His Kingdom

• Two types of treasure (Matthew 6:19-21)
• Kingdom treasures (2 Corinthians 8:1-7; James 1:26-27)

The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, He saved me. Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you. – Psalm 116:5-7

Oh Lord God,
You created all things from nothing,
You shaped my life from the dust,
You hold all time and creation in You,
You keep purpose in this all.

Come, shape my life to Yours,
break my pride into humility,
heal my wounds with gracious love,
shake my fears with kindest trust,
push me forward in halting steps,
give me sight for other-love,
give me rest in troubled world.

Amen.

Thank You for the gift of music – that the boys can learn it; that I can hear a fellow playing skillfully on the acoustic guitar across the room; for the ability to sing Your praises with Your people in regular gathering.

Thank You for ears to hear, and the wonders of the human body – the structure of the outer and inner ear with bones, cartilage, and flesh to reflect and capture sound around.

Thank You that in the murmurings of children speaking, the television jabbering, and music escaping from practice rooms…You are here speaking, present, and listening. Thank You for Your presence – deeper, penetrating, surrounding, and breathing within me.

Thank You for mercy and grace – Your alive and redeeming action in Jesus – His life, death, and resurrection.

Discussion Questions

1. On a scale of 1-10, how comfortable are you in our own skin – how comfortable are you with yourself – right now. Why?

2. Genesis 1 tells the story of the creation of the world. Read that chapter out loud and reflect on the differences between humanity’s creation and the creation of the rest of the world. What is distinct or unique about human beings?

3. The phrase ‘image of God’ or ‘likeness of God’ only appears three times in Genesis:  1:26-28; 5:1-2; and 9:6. However, Psalm 8 is often seen as a commentary on Genesis 1:26-28. Take some time to read through Psalm 8 and reflect on what it says about humanity.

4. Given the Scripture you read through previously, how would you define humanity in the following categories:

• Human identity
• Human value
• Human artistry
• Human capacity

5. When sin entered into the world (see Genesis 2 & 3), human beings were forever affected at the core of our being and in our actions (Romans 3:23; 5:12; Ephesians 2:1-3). When you look around you in our world, in what ways do you see humanity’s ‘image of God’ adversely effected?

6. Where do you personally struggle with understanding your image rightly before God?

7. Thankfully, in Jesus Christ, we receive a restored identity (2 Corinthians 5:16-17; Ephesians 2:4-10) with a renewed purpose. Compare Genesis 1:26-30 and 1 Peter 2:10-11 as they address our purpose for existing in this world.

8. What will you ‘resolve’ as a result of this study and message? Identify one practical way you will respond this week. Write it down, reflect on it, and put it into practice this week. If you are in a small group, discuss this with one another.