Next Steps--Lesson 31--Mustard Seed Faith

Discussion Questions:

1.     Have you ever felt like you needed your faith increased?  How does Jesus comparing faith to a mustard seed show that this is the wrong thing to seek?

2.     How is the object of your faith more important than the size of your faith?  Discuss how this applies to putting faith in your financial security and retirement plan.

3.     Next Steps is about walking with God and drawing nearer to Him.  What steps do you see God calling you to take in the way you view and handle your financial resources?

4.     How important is planning and moving forward so your faith does not stagnate?  What does it look like to plan and move forward in the realm of your finances and use of your possessions?

5.     If you graded yourself from A to F in having a budget and your ability to stick to it, what would your grade be and why?  How about your grade for praying over what you do with the finances and material possessions God enables you to enjoy?  If needed, what can you do to grow in these two areas?

6.     Are there times you are guilty of wanting God to act before you get your feet wet?  What is a step concerning your finances and giving you can take to get your feet wet making room for God to act upon your faith in Him?

7.     When it feels like your dreams are a mile away, could it be that they are only one step of faith away?  What fears or concerns or distractions are keeping you from taking that step of faith?

Next Steps--Lesson 30--Giving Beyond Your Ability

Discussion Questions:

1.     What is the connection between God having your heart and the way you handle your money and possessions?  How difficult do you find it to live as a spiritual being in a material world?

2.     What do you think Jesus was trying to say when He said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”?  What are the things you treasure most in your life?  How is it clear to others what you treasure most?

3.     Do you ever wonder, like the Rich Young Ruler did, what you lack in your life?  Are there things Jesus might tell you to sell or get rid of so you can better follow Him?

4.     What is opportunity cost?  How did Jesus offer opportunity and experience to the Rich Young Ruler?  Why is it more valuable to fill your life with good experiences instead of more things?

5.     Have you ever had a situation that felt like you were on a giant tower that called you to take a step of faith and that brought great hesitation?  How did you take that step of faith?  Who or what helped you reach a point of moving forward?

6.     What did you learn from the Cutting Corners Activity?  How have you seen God supply more than you could give away?

7.     What is “uncomfortable giving”?  What commitment will you make to practice some “uncomfortable giving” this week?

8.     Does it make a difference that the widow’s gift did not go unnoticed by Jesus?  How has her gift been multiplied over the years?  How is the multiplication of her gift like handing Jesus 5 loaves and 2 fish?

Next Steps --Lesson 29--The Haves & the Have-Nots

Discussion Questions:

1.     When are some times or what are some ways that God’s Kingdom has not made sense to you?  How does perspective or focus upon a specific stage or time play into this?   (Like the drawing of a tree)

2.     How much struggle do you have with comparing yourself or your situations to others?  How does seeing that we never travel the same path assist in recognizing why comparing is futile?

3.     What did Peter, Andrew, James & John’s dropping of their nets mean?  What did it not mean? 

4.     How significant is it that these first disciples were not told to sell all their possessions and give them to the poor?  Why was the Rich Young Ruler told to do this? 

5.     Why is it important for the Kingdom of God that there be the Haves and the Have-nots?  Is it possible to play both roles at different stages or situations of your life?

6.     How did the sponge and water Illustration help you understand the importance of being a conduit of the blessings God provides in your life?  What struggles do you have with being more focused upon your standard of giving over your standard of living?

7.     Why is it important to focus on the present problems instead of saving up for possible future ones?  What are some ways God has shown you He will provide for the present issues you face?  Will He not continue to do the same in the future? (Discuss the implications of this).