Group Guide
This Week's City 7:
2. Are there sources outside the Bible that confirm the Biblical account of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead? Many Roman and Jewish historians have confirmed that the apostles died as martyrs for preaching that they saw Jesus risen from the grave. No one dies for something they know to be a lie.
(Luke 1:1-4; Acts 26:26; 1 John 1:1-4, Josephus, Clement, Hegesippus, Tertullian, Origen, Polycarp)
(Luke 1:1-4; Acts 26:26; 1 John 1:1-4, Josephus, Clement, Hegesippus, Tertullian, Origen, Polycarp)
Ice-Breaker:
- What was your very first job? Bonus points if you remember how much your first paycheck was!
Scripture
Matthew 6:19-33
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
22 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
22 “Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is filled with light. 23 But when your eye is unhealthy, your whole body is filled with darkness. And if the light you think you have is actually darkness, how deep that darkness is!
24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
Discussion Questions:
Jesus said that our hearts follow what we treasure. Brandon challenged us to think about what our bank account transactions would reveal if everyone could see them. The things we spend our money on often tell us more about our priorities than the things we say are important. Jesus also warned that we cannot serve both God and money. It's easy to let the things we own, our desire for more, or the security money provides take God's place in our lives.
Jesus warned us not to spend our lives chasing things that won't last. Everything we work so hard to gain and hold onto here on earth is temporary, but what we do for God's Kingdom has eternal value. That doesn't mean we shouldn't save money, plan for the future, or provide for our families, but we need to be careful not to become so focused on building a comfortable life here that we lose sight of eternity.
Jesus taught that our Heavenly Father knows what we need and promises to care for us. Brandon pointed out that worry over money can reveal how much we're depending on our finances rather than trusting God. Whether we have a little or a lot, an unexpected expense or financial setback can quickly expose where we've placed our security. Brandon shared how he and his family had to trust God after he unexpectedly lost his job, experiencing God's peace and provision even when the numbers didn't seem to add up.
Jesus told His followers to seek God's Kingdom above everything else, trusting that their Heavenly Father would provide what they needed (Matthew 6:33). Brandon compared this to buttoning a shirt: if you get the top button wrong, everything else will be out of place. When God isn't first, our other priorities can easily get out of order. This means giving Him our first and best, not just whatever time, energy, or money we have left after everything else is taken care of. Giving first requires faith because we're trusting God to provide for what remains, and giving our best requires sacrifice.
The Bible calls us to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). Brandon pointed to the Macedonian believers, who gave generously even in the middle of their own poverty because they had first given themselves to the Lord (2 Corinthians 8:1–5). He challenged us to think beyond a percentage or a dollar amount and consider what it means to give God our first and best. One day, we'll stand before Jesus and give an account for how we've used what He's entrusted to us. The question is whether we're using our lives and resources to build our own kingdom or His.
- What do you tend to look to money for: security, comfort, freedom, approval, or something else? How might that reveal a place where money has too much influence in your life?
- Jesus said we cannot serve both God and money. Where do you find yourself struggling to trust God more than your finances? Where do you think that struggle comes from?
Jesus warned us not to spend our lives chasing things that won't last. Everything we work so hard to gain and hold onto here on earth is temporary, but what we do for God's Kingdom has eternal value. That doesn't mean we shouldn't save money, plan for the future, or provide for our families, but we need to be careful not to become so focused on building a comfortable life here that we lose sight of eternity.
- If someone looked at how you spend your money and use your time, what would they see as your biggest priorities? Are you spending more of your resources on things that make life comfortable right now or things that have eternal value?
- Is there an opportunity to be more generous with your money, time, or resources that you've been overlooking?
Jesus taught that our Heavenly Father knows what we need and promises to care for us. Brandon pointed out that worry over money can reveal how much we're depending on our finances rather than trusting God. Whether we have a little or a lot, an unexpected expense or financial setback can quickly expose where we've placed our security. Brandon shared how he and his family had to trust God after he unexpectedly lost his job, experiencing God's peace and provision even when the numbers didn't seem to add up.
- Think about a season when money was tight or you faced an unexpected financial challenge. How did you see God provide for you?
- If you're walking through a difficult financial season right now, what would it look like to trust Him instead of letting worry take over? How can this group support you?
Jesus told His followers to seek God's Kingdom above everything else, trusting that their Heavenly Father would provide what they needed (Matthew 6:33). Brandon compared this to buttoning a shirt: if you get the top button wrong, everything else will be out of place. When God isn't first, our other priorities can easily get out of order. This means giving Him our first and best, not just whatever time, energy, or money we have left after everything else is taken care of. Giving first requires faith because we're trusting God to provide for what remains, and giving our best requires sacrifice.
- What is one change you need to make so that seeking God's Kingdom comes first in the way you manage your money, schedule, or resources? What might it cost you to make that change, and who could help you follow through?
- Is your giving something you've intentionally planned, or do you tend to give whatever is left over? Have you considered a specific amount or percentage that you could commit to giving regularly? What might it look like to take that step of faith?
The Bible calls us to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). Brandon pointed to the Macedonian believers, who gave generously even in the middle of their own poverty because they had first given themselves to the Lord (2 Corinthians 8:1–5). He challenged us to think beyond a percentage or a dollar amount and consider what it means to give God our first and best. One day, we'll stand before Jesus and give an account for how we've used what He's entrusted to us. The question is whether we're using our lives and resources to build our own kingdom or His.
- When you think about standing before Jesus one day, what do you hope your life will have been spent on? Are there things you're giving your time, energy, or money to right now that might be keeping you from investing in what lasts?
- As you pray and consider what it means to give God your first and best, what do you sense He may be asking you to change? How can we encourage one another to live generously, support the work of the church, and help make Jesus known in our community and around the world?
Prayer Topics:
- Ask God to reveal anything in your heart that has taken His place.
- Ask God to help you live with eternity in mind; using your time, gifts, and resources to invest in His Kingdom and the lives of others.
- Thank God for His faithfulness and provision. Ask Him to help you trust His care when financial uncertainty or unexpected challenges come.
- Pray about what it looks like to give consistently and generously, including a specific amount or percentage.
- Pray that your whole life would belong to God. Ask Him to show you where you need to grow in surrender and generosity, and to help your church family make Jesus known in your community and around the world.
No Comments