The Grace of Giving
Excelling In Everything

Pastor Kirk, Nov 10^th, 2019

Scripture: 2 Cor 8:1-9

Summary: Generosity is an essential spiritual act that leads you towards spiritual maturity.

Main Thought: The generous life leads you closer to Christ.

Getting to Know Each Other (Start Here): 

• Share a story you have involving generosity or the lack of it?

Going Deeper: 

1. How would you describe a generous lifestyle? What are some of the distinguishing features or habits of the generous person?
2. Compare Jesus reaction to the Widow in Mark 12:41-44 and the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21. Jim Elliot says “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” What thoughts do you have on this with your life?
3. Read: Job 41:11, Psalm 24:1, Haggai 2:8, Deuteronomy 8:18, and 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. How does the reality that everything belongs to God and a gift to us influence the lifestyle of generosity?
4. What can you share with each other about Stewardship? Does Stewardship apply or impact giving? What other areas of life does it influence?
5. Jesus warned in Matt 23:23 about our giving turning into a heartless practice. What can we do to make sure that we have a heart attuned to God’s each time we give?
6. Read Matt 6:19-21 how is Jesus challenging our view of why we have things? How does this inspire generosity?
7. What is your motivation for giving? Is it responding to a rule, a need, a promise or to another’s act of giving?

Apply it:

• What can you do today to emulate and move closer to Christ in the area of giving?

Pray without ceasing:

              Heather Hahn de Cabezas (IW Mexico) has given us two prayer requests. 1) This upcoming week all of our IW’s in the Sun region will be together to go through Soul Care with Rob Reimer and Martin Sanders. Pray for renewal but also for key moments of deliverance and healing. Pray that this work multiply itself throughout the church in Latin America. 2) Thanks for praying for our family. We are asking God to renew his vision for our lives this year. Also for those leading ministries in our absence, that the Lord would give them much strength and wisdom. Thanks again

Community Reading Plan: 1 Corinthians 1-10

This week add 1 Corinthians 1 to 10 to your devotions. Read a chapter a day up to and including chapter 10. Look at the relationships that are present in these chapters and keep two questions in mind.

• What do I need to know from this chapter (a truth about my reality or God or a life lesson)?
• What do I need to grow (Is there something God is trying to teach me through His Word)?

Keep a journal nearby and write down any questions or thoughts you can share with your Community Group. Remind and encourage each other to participate in this group devotion.