Breaking Ground
What was your first job? What was it like? What do you think about the experience in hindsight?
The Dig
This Sunday, we began our new series called Jesus’ Money, where we’re going to be exploring a number of Jesus’ teachings concerning how his disciples should see, think about, & interact with money, possessions, & wealth.
In your experience, what are the most commonly held beliefs & narratives about money in Christianity? Which do you see as being healthy & unhealthy?
What internal beliefs & narratives have you held about money throughout your life? Where did those come from & how has that impacted your relationship with money?
During this Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Mike explored two teachings where Jesus refers to money as Mammon. These teachings are unique because:
- They’re the only two times Mammon appears in the Scriptures.
- Mammon is a transliterated Aramaic word that both Gospel authors intentionally choose not to translate in the Ancient Greek used for the vast majority of the New Testament.
- Mammon is a noun created from the semitic verb for being trustworthy or “that or in whom you place your trust.”
With this in mind, read Matthew 6:19-24 (NOTE: Mammon is used in verse 24).
Why does Jesus claim that we cannot serve two masters? What does he believe will happen to those who serve & put their trust in Mammon rather than God?
Next, read Luke 16:1-13 (NOTE: Mammon is used in verse 13).
Where do you see similar & seemingly divergent ideas at play in this teaching & the one from Matthew? According to Jesus’ parable, what is the upside-down purpose of money in God’s Kingdom?
What is the paradoxical vision of money that’s created when we hold both of these teachings at the same time? What internal postures, attitudes, & actions should this lead us to embrace?
Where do you struggle with putting your trust in Mammon? How has this negatively impacted you & your discipleship? How might these teachings & this series help you reorient your relationship towards money moving forward?
Getting Out of the Hole
Take time each week to reflect upon the Sunday sermon.
- What is your relationship to money, wealth, & possessions today? Do you feel discomfort, anxiety, or anger when you think about these topics? Do usually you find yourself seeing money through a lens of abundance or scarcity?
- What internal narratives or beliefs do you think about being revealed based upon your answers to the previous questions? Where do you see signs that maybe you’ve put your trust in money for security or satisfaction as opposed to God? How is this impacting you internally & externally?
- How might Jesus’ teaching & example help you embrace a healthier, more Christlike attitude & relationship with money in this next season? What initial steps can you take to begin that journey of transformation?
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 19th: Join us next week as we continue seeking Jesus as the center of our church!
* Please see mye3.org for details.