NOVEMBER 19
JOURNEY OF GENEROSITY
If Jesus was serious, then being rich has nothing to do with money.
Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own, and get together with your running partner, life group, or friends and family to talk through what you are learning.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What material things do you have in life that you just can’t live without? Why are they so precious to you?
- Read Matthew 6:16-34.
Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say?):
- What do you notice and what are you curious about?
Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean?)
- What do you learn about God?
- What do you learn about humanity?
Now make some applications (what’s my response?)
- How are you encouraged, challenged, or convicted by this passage?
- What should be our response to this passage?
3. Matthew 6:21 says, “ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
- What does the way you use money reveal about your heart and where it is invested?
- How is God challenging you in the area of money through Jesus’ words?
4. How do you handle worry and anxiety? How does worry and anxiety impact how you use your wealth?
5. What does it look like to store up treasure in heaven rather than on earth? What are the things that last into eternity? What are some tangible changes you can make in your life to obey Jesus’ command here?
6. Are you on the Journey of Generosity with Gateway? If so, how have you been stretched on this journey? If not, what holds you back from beginning the journey of giving?
KEY SCRIPTURE
Matthew 6:16-34 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 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! “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. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
PRAYER
Read 2 Cor. 9:1-15
First, take time to express your gratitude to God for how He has provided for your daily needs. Then, take time to pray and ask God to reveal where you are storing your treasure and ways that He wants you to start storing your treasure in heaven. What is He saying to you and how will you respond?
TAKE A NEXT STEP
- Read through 2 Corinthians 9:2-15 and spend time evaluating your giving. Do you give and is your giving cheerful? Do you regularly pray about your giving and how God wants you to use your wealth to love others? If not, you can start now! If you have never participated in the spiritual practice of giving, you can take that step here: https://www.gatewaychurch.com/give/
- Consider thoughtfully reading or listening through the whole Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) weekly throughout the series.
- For further study, check out the Financial Generosity Outcome here: https://www.gatewaychurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Financial-generosity-Outcome-writable-final.pdf
FOR THE PARENTS
Hey, families! Here’s a look at what we’re covering with your kids so you can help them continue to grow at home during the week.
THIS WEEK
All month long we are going to be talking about how Joseph had big dreams but God’s plans for him were even bigger!
THE BIBLE: Genesis 50:20 “You attended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20)
THE MESSAGE: God loves you, and He is ALWAYS at work in your life. It may take a long, long time for you to see the good that God is doing, but you can trust that God’s timing is perfect! God can turn any situation upside-down! Remember God sees the big picture. God promises to be with us always. Joseph lived a life that
honored God. He served Potiphar and served the men in prison. He was humble before Pharaoh, and now he was being honored. Joseph probably never imagined that Pharaoh would put him in charge of his kingdom!! But God did, because God saw the big picture.
THE BIG IDEA: God sees the big picture!
ASK THIS
Because sometimes you and your kid need a conversation-starter that isn’t,
“So . . . how was church?”
- How did God use Joseph to plan for the years of famine? Do you sometimes feel like God has forgotten about you?
REMEMBER THIS
We may have wonderful dreams for our life, but God’s plans for us are so much better!! Even though Joseph went through some terrible times, he knew that God was with him and would work everything our for his good. Whenever you are feeling unseen by God or alone, remember that He always sees the big picture and has great plans for your life.
NEXT WEEK
Next week, we will hear the story of Joseph forgiving his brothers and being reunited with his family!