Huddle/Week of 9-22-19

Zach Below   -   September 22, 2019

Refresher

  • We have spent the last few weeks talking about our vision. Planting churches devoted to changing the secular worldview of the next generation.
  • Daniel Fast Reminder—From September 30-October 20 we are going to pray and fast for vision. Encourage the members of your group to participate in some way.
  • Centered Series—Coming October 20

 

INTRO

  1. What do you remember about the way that money was/or wasn’t talked about in your house as a child? How did you end up learning the value of money?

 

  1. Thinking back, how was money modeled to you as a kid? From your view, what did your family spend money on?

 

  1. Growing up, do you remember any family members commenting on the church and money? Was it positive? Negative?

 

Read John 13:28-30

Leader Note: This text is set in the middle of the Last Supper. Jesus is having the Passover meal with his disciples and he brings up the fact that he is going to be betrayed. Jesus seems to single out Judas but, John, the author, seems to paint the picture that no one really put it together that the betrayer was Judas. What is interesting about verse 28-30 is that in those two short verses we gain some insight into the way Jesus handled money throughout his ministry.

 

  1. Looking at verse 28-30, what are a few insights we can make into how Jesus handled money in his ministry?

 

  1. In Luke 8, we also see that Jesus’s ministry was financially supported by a number of women in his community. How do the insights from John 13 and Luke 8 speak to the reality of doing ministry?

 

1 Timothy Intro

In 1 Timothy, we see Paul pouring in to the next generation of leaders…specifically a young man named Timothy. In this letter, Paul is providing Timothy with guidance on how to maintain the integrity and holiness of the church in light of false teaching that had been going around. He is basically teaching Timothy how to be a church planter.

 

 When we get to chapter 6, verse 2, it says, “Teach and encourage these things…” the “things” that Paul is talking about is everything he laid out in the previous chapters up to that point.

 

At this point, Paul shifts to a new topic…false teachers motivated by financial gain.

 

Read 1 Timothy 6:3-10

 

  1. Looking at verse 5, what comes to mind when you read of people that use “godliness as a way to material gain?

 

  1. In verse 6, Paul makes a counter statement saying, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” In light of the difference between verse 5 and 6, what do you think Paul is getting at?

 

  1. You may have heard someone say, “Money is the root of all evil.” However, verse 10 actually says, “The love of money is the root of all evil.” What is the difference between these two statements? What does the “love of money look like in our culture? How do we guard against it?

 

  1. In Sunday’s message, Bret said, “In America, it’s easy to associate your self-worth with your net-worth, yet many people who reach that level struggle to find contentment.” Do you find that to be true? Share a story from your own life if you are comfortable.

 

  1. Culture often claims money/title/achievement is the way to true life. However, in verse 18-19, Paul paints a different picture of the way to true life. In what way does verse 18-19 clear the way for true life?

 

Read Philippians 4:10-13

Paul is writing this letter to the church in Philippi from prison. Paul received a “care package” from the church and this text was writing in response…a thank you note.

 

  1. If you have read/seen verse 4:13 before, how is it generally used?

 

  1. How does it better speak to the reality of life knowing that it is actually speaking about contentment?

 

  1. In his message Sunday, Bret made the comment, “God guides by what he provides…but…God also provides by what he withholds.” Share a story of how that has been true in your life.

 

GROUP ACTIVITY

  • If your group has been grouping together for a while and you feel you have a pretty good culture of openness and honesty, have an open discussion on your journey through giving.
  • Make a list of common objections to giving to the church.
  • If anyone in the group can speak to how they worked through any of the objections, allow them space to do so.

 

Practice

  1. Reflection—block out 10 minutes this week to gauge your contentment level. Think through where your money goes and prayerfully consider the question…how much is my contentment actually tied to what I have?

 

Ask God to give you clarity to consider that question as you walk through your day.

 

 

  1. Jesus practiced contentment and simplicity. As a practice in contentment, delay the purchase of one thing this week that is non-essential.

 

 

Prayer

  • As a group pray for One Life. Pray that One Life would be a place of generosity, a place of good stewardship, and that the leadership would look for guidance both from what God provides and what God withholds.