Next Steps--Lesson 27--Don't Be Short-Sighted--Various Passages

Discussion Questions:

1.  What difference does it make that the billionaire and the beggar come into the world with nothing and leave the same way?  How are our lives like playing a game of Monopoly?  What will you be able to take with you into life after this world?   

2.  Since there are no death evaders, what should we focus upon during the time we have on this earth?  What kinds of things make an effort to keep your focus upon this temporary world instead of God’s eternal Kingdom?

3.  How do our desires in this material world point to life beyond?  Are desires for pleasure, possessions and power inherently bad?  Why or why not?  How has God provided healthy ways for the desires of pleasure, possessions and power to be fulfilled?

4.  How do the disciplines of fasting, prayer and giving assist in developing better control over the desires God has placed within us?  What struggles or distractions keep you from growing in these important means of maturation, so your desires stay healthy and righteous?

5.  What role should delayed gratification play in the maturation of a disciple of Jesus?  What types of things fight against you living according to delayed gratification?  How has God shown through mankind’s history that He wants us to recognize the importance of delayed gratification?

6.  What does a pilgrim or sojourner mentality look like for a disciple of Jesus?  What should we learn from Paul’s teaching that we live in tents?  How does this tie to us being the tabernacle of God?

Next Steps--Lesson 26--The Laws of Giving-- II Corinthians 8 + Various Passages

Discussion Questions:

1.  What typically happens when one violates or ignores the laws of nature?  In what ways have you seen the spiritual realm governed by Laws of Nature (God’s nature)?  Should we expect the same if we ignore the laws of His nature?   

2.  How is going against God’s ways like “kicking against the goads”?  How does this imagery help you understand the purpose of God’s laws?

3.  In what ways have you seen sin entangle people so they cannot operate in the way they were designed to?  What does this teach you about sin being its own punishment?  Why is it important for us to realize that sin brings its own punishment?

4.  In what ways is serving God and money a temptation to you?  How have you seen our culture influence us to try to serve both?

5.  What stokes the fires of generosity, moving you to give more to help others or to see the Kingdom built?  What kinds of things has God provided in your life to be grateful for?  How have you seen gratitude produce more contentment?

6.  How was Zacchaeus changed by salvation?  How has salvation moved you from being mastered by a spirit of accumulation to being mastered by a spirit of generosity?

7.  How has God’s “overflowing generosity” influenced you?  What helps you remember the generous things God has placed in your life?

8.  Why do you think when Paul writes to the Corinthian church about the collection for the Jerusalem churches who are in need he never uses the word “money” but instead emphasizes the grace of God compared to their act of grace?

9.  How is giving passing on the momentum of what we have received?  How does this show that the laws of God when it comes to giving are working? 

Next Steps--Lesson 25--Being a Good Steward--Matthew 25

Discussion Questions:

1.  How does the way we use money provide insight into the level of character we have?  In what ways did Jesus show a connection between character and the use of money?

2.  What does it mean to be a steward versus an owner?  What are some of the things God has placed in your hands asking you to be a good steward with them?  Why does it matter that we not consider ourselves owners instead of stewards?

3.  What does it mean that God has an investment mentality?  In what ways has He invested in your life and your eternity?  Since you are created in His image, what kinds of things does He want you to invest in?

4.  What observations do you have from the way the glow sticks were used or not used?  What lessons do we learn about being prepared to act with what the LORD has provided when opportunity arises?  What kinds of things distract you from being a good steward with the things God has placed in your hands?

5.  How does being alert for a task help with focus and concentration on what the LORD says or does around us?  What are some ways to be more intentional about fulfilling the tasks of the Kingdom as good stewards of the things He has blessed us with?

6.  What purpose do you have within the Kingdom of God?  How does being a steward help you recognize purpose?

7.  What temptation is there to act like the Fed Ex driver who kept the packages for himself with the things God has placed in your care?

8.  What is the opposite of “steal, kill and destroy”?  How does focusing on these opposites help you be a better steward?