Breaking Ground
What charitable cause, charity, or organization have you felt most drawn or connected to in your life? 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 reflected on what we do with our money.
Begin by reading Matthew 25:14-30. This parable appears within a section of Matthew’s Gospel where Jesus is laying out his expectations for how his disciples should live after he’s gone. In particular, each highlights an area of life where they’re being called to adopt a different way of being human than the rest of their surrounding world. With this in mind, take time to break down the parable.
What stands out to you about the Master in this parable? How would you describe his character? What expectations does he have for his servants?
What stands out to you about the servants? How does each act in response to being entrusted with much by their Master? What do their responses reveal about themselves & how they view their Master?
According to this parable, what relationship does Jesus see between how much we’ve been given & the expectations we should be held to? What heart & behavior changes do you think he wants this parable to produce in his followers?
Close by reflecting on how this parable might speak to us in terms of what we’re called to do with our money.
Where are you generously stewarding your money in a way that reflects the first two servants? What tangible actions have made this possible (budgeting, giving, etc)? What’s been the impact of this good stewardship on others or the world?
Where are you acting with money in a way that reflects the third servant (being selfish, apathetic, cynical, or greedy)? What is this costing both yourself & others?
How can you grow in your generosity during this next season? What tangible habit changes & actions would you need to take in order to do so?
Getting Out of the Hole
Take time each week to reflect upon the Sunday sermon.
- Read Matthew 25:14-30. 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 tend to be selfish with money or apathetic when it comes to helping others in need? Why do you think that is?
- How might Jesus be using this story to reveal where our worldviews concerning money & generosity don’t match up with his own? Where might we need to change in order to better reflect Jesus with our generosity in this next season?
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, August 2nd: Join us next week as we continue seeking Jesus as the center of our church!
* Please see mye3.org for details.