Living a Life of Generosity

May 23, 2016 | by: Lars Haglund | 0 Comments

Posted in: Sermon Questions

PARTICIPANT'S GUIDE FOR COMMUNITY GROUP GATHERINGS
Message: “Living a Life of Generosity” 2 Corinthians 8-1-7; 9-6-15 - 05.22.16
Series: Guest Speakers
Speaker: David Wooten
Sermon Questions Prepared by: Lars Haglund

Primary Passages: 2 Corinthians 8:1-7; 9:6-15

Cross Referenced Passages: Jn. 3:16, Rom. 8:32, Ps. 65:9-13, Acts 14:17, 1 Jn. 3:1, Eph. 2:7, Eph. 1:7, Rom. 6:23, Eph. 1:3, Jn. 3:34, James 1:5, 1 Cor. 2:9, Ps 24:1; 50:10, Mt. 25:14-30, Matthew 6:21, Phil. 3:20; Heb. 11:16, 1 Cor. 10.33, 1 Tim 5:17-18, Proverbs 19:17, Acts 4:34.

Launching Discussion: Before Sunday's worship gathering, when you heard the phrase living a life of generosity, what came to your mind? Take some time to discuss with the group your previous ideas about generosity. Share some examples if you feel comfortable.

Sermon Questions: In the first part of the message, David Wooten defined Generosity like this; Generosity is “the natural and appropriate response of people who have been confronted with the grace of God so that all that they are, all that they have and all that they ever will become is meant to be shared for the advancement of the kingdom and the glory of God.”

1. With that definition in mind, how have you been “confronted with the grace of God”? In other words, how does the vast and immense generosity of God empower you to live generously for His Kingdom? Please be specific.

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As David began to unpack the ten realities on living generously, he stated that “God owns it all, everything” (Psalm 24:1; 50:10). Essentially what he was saying is that our stuff is not our stuff, “it all belongs to God.”

2. Is this the first time you have heard this? If so, how does it affect the way you see and or look at the resources God has given you to steward for His Kingdom? Either way, please explain how and why.

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During the talk it was said that; “generosity is not something God wants from you it’s something that God wants for you. When God cultivates a generous heart – He’s making you like Himself – because He is a generous God. He wants you to be generous because of what generosity does for you, in you and through you.”

3. Do you consider generosity to be an obligation or an opportunity? How do the statements before this question and the example David gave about the Macedonians in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 – who had so little – yet “urgently pleaded… for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people (v. 4)” affect this?

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In the sermon, it was said that our culture “lives for the moment,” but as Christians, we live with eternity in view. “You want to know how rich you are today? Add up everything you have, that money can’t buy and death can’t take away, and that’s how rich you are.”

4. With this in view, have you ever found yourself making it a priority to accumulating “stuff” in this life? “Stuff” is not bad by itself – but how does our heavenly citizenship (Phil. 3:20) change the way you view Gospel-Centered generosity now?

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The final focus of David’s message revolved around 5 Biblical targets of generosity. They were:

  • Your pastor (1 Tim 5:17-18).
  • The Poor.
  • The Oppressed (especially widows & orphans).
  • Other believers in need (Acts 4:34).
  • Ways to advance the Gospel (especially to those who have never heard).

5. Take some time to discuss with your group some practical ways you can grow in these areas as individuals, at RCPO and in the community.

Conclusion Discussion: Since “we want to see the grace of God extended to this community” – How can your group be so marked by generosity that the community takes “note of that -because it is so counter-cultural to the way they live their lives everyday”?

 

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