Breaking Ground
What summer activity did you look forward to the most when you were a kid? Why?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued our series called Jesus’ Money, where we’re exploring several of Jesus’ teachings concerning how we should see, think about, & interact with money. This week, we turned our reflection towards how we tend to think about money.
How does our culture think about money when it comes to human value, dignity, deservedness, & merit? How has this impacted the way you think about money in relationship to yourself & others?
Next, read Jesus’ parable from Matthew 20:1-16. As a reminder, parables were short, metaphorical stories that used common, everyday realities, which he then subverted in order to shock & provoke his 1st century Jewish audience. In doing so, they were meant to reveal an unexpected reality about God’s upside-down Kingdom & where our human worldviews fail to mirror it.
Here, a Landowner hires day-laborers early in the morning to work in his vineyard, agreeing to pay them a denarius (which was simply a living wage & enough to survive for the day). He then periodically hires more throughout the day before paying them all in reverse order of their arrival & the same amount of money. This, in terms, produces resentment amongst the workers who were hired first.
Do you identify with the first workers hired & their complaint about being treated unfairly? What does their complaint & the Landowner’s response reveal about how they understand fairness & deservedness?
Alternatively, how does the Landowner understand fairness & deservedness? How does his worldview differ from that of the grumbling workers? How does each character’s worldview shape their treatment of the other workers?
Close by reflecting on how this parable can challenge the way we think about money.
How does this parable challenge our culture’s predominant perspectives about human value & dignity as they relate to money? In doing so, what does it want to change about our worldview concerning these realities?
How does this parable challenge our culture’s predominant understandings of fairness & deservedness as they relate to money & having enough? In doing so, what does it want to change about our worldview concerning these realities?
How would adopting the worldview of the Landowner transform the way you think about money as it relates to yourself, others, & God? How could this, in turn, transform the way you see & act in regards to money?
Getting Out of the Hole
Take time each week to reflect upon the Sunday sermon.
- Read Matthew 20:1-16. Make note of any emotions that come up or internal responses you have to specific moments in the story. Reflect on which characters you find it easiest to identify with.
- What in the parable did you find most upsetting or challenging? Why? What internal narratives or beliefs are being revealed in that response?
- Where do you find it hardest to embrace the worldview & choices of the Landowner? Why do you think that is?
- How might Jesus be using this story to reveal where our worldviews concerning money & deservedness don’t align with his? Where might we need to change in order to do so in this next season of life?
Journal, reflect, & pray on how God might be speaking to you through each week’s teaching. Share your experience with your growth group next week!
Additional Resources*
Centered Set Church by Mark D. Baker
Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer
TheBibleProject.com
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, July 26th: Join us next week as we continue seeking Jesus as the center of our church!
* Please see mye3.org for details.