“Contentment” is such a promising word. It whispers of peace, joy, enough. Yesterday, Pastor Grant taught us that the opposite of scarcity isn’t abundance; it’s contentment in Christ, which frees us to be generous.
If you haven’t had a chance to catch the online worship experience this week, you can do so here.
Personal Devotional
As we consider generosity this week, let’s meditate on I Timothy 6:17-19.
Read I Timothy 6:17
If you have access to technology, chances are you are in the top 10% of the world’s income distribution. With that in mind, what two things does Paul urge those who are “rich in the present age” not to do?
Paul compares the uncertainty of wealth with the certainty of God, “who richly provides us all things to enjoy.” How have you experienced the uncertainty of wealth? How have you experience the abundant provision of God?
Read I Timothy 6:18
What three things does Paul tell us to do in this verse? Jot these three things on a sheet of paper or in a journal, and list some practical ways you could take a next step in these areas.
Read I Timothy 6:19
What is the end result of putting our hope in God instead of wealth? If we were to summarize these verses visually, they might look something like this:
Hope in God Rich in Good Works/Generous Treasure in Heaven
On the other hand, what does putting our hope in wealth lead to? Draw an opposite visual.
Ultimately, we live this way in order to “take hold of what is truly life.” Close in prayer. Do you need to confess an area where you have gone astray, putting your hope in something other than God? Ask God to help you reorient your heart so that you may take hold of what is truly life.
Grace Communities: Sermon Discussion Questions
Pastor Grant talked about different forms of scarcity. How does our culture encourage a “not enough” mentality?
Where do you struggle the most with discontentment? Growing up, how did your family deal with discontentment? (Did they give you everything you wanted, shame you for wanting it, try to instill the value of contentment?…etc.)
What is the secret to contentment based on Philippians 4:13? How would you explain this principle in your own words? (Or, as Pastor Grant taught us, why is this verse not all about winning football games?)
The Philippians regarded giving to Christ’s mission as a form of worship (Phil 4:18). Do you view giving as worship? Why or why not?
What are some practical ways we can encourage contentment and generosity in the next generation?
GraceStudents 5th/6th Grade
Word of the Week—Abundance
What do you think “abundance” means?
- an ancient form of dance using buns
- having nothing
- having lots and lots and lots and lots and lots of something
- a bump that forms on your toe
“Abundance” (not to be confused with a “bunion,” which is a bump that forms on your toe) means having lots and lots of something. There is an abundance of sand at the beach. There is not an abundance of toilet paper at the grocery store. Get the idea?
What are some things you have in abundance? Gaming devices? Friendship bracelets? Snacks? It’s great to have an abundance of things you need or enjoy.
2 Corinthians 9:8 says that “God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” God is abundantly generous toward us. He doesn’t just give us what we need; He blesses us above and beyond so that we can fulfill His work of loving and serving others. Thank God for His abundant generosity toward you in Christ Jesus.
GraceStudents (7-12 Grades)
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