flowmaster – Page 4 – Mariners Church Flow Questions

Jonah 4 // Ignite

Lean In // 5 minutes

What was a close encounter with a creature where you lived to tell the tale?

Leader Note: The question is designed to be fun although there may be some scary encounter stories! Use the question to transition to the story of Jonah.

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read Jonah 4

Story Note: In the first three chapters, we learn how Jonah was sent by God to warn the people of Nineveh that God was going to judge them. Rather than go, Jonah chose to flee in the opposite direction, because the Assyrians were cruel and wicked. Jonah boarded a ship that was bound for the city of Tarshish when a great storm came in a time of the year that the storms do not happen. The sailors finally agreed at Jonah’s request to throw him overboard, and when they did a great fish, prepared by God, swallowed Jonah. After a period of three days and three nights, Jonah repented and obeyed the Lord. Then, Jonah came to the land of the Assyrians and pronounced God’s judgment upon Nineveh, and as a result the people of Nineveh repented at the preaching of Jonah and God spared the city. This is where we pick up chapter 4…

What do learn about Jonah?

Sample answers could include:

He becomes angry that God did not destroy the Ninevites
Jonah would rather have died than be a part of God reconciling Nineveh
Jonah’s anger and bitterness clouded his vision

What do you learn about God’s nature?

Sample answers could include:

God was patient with both Nineveh and Jonah
God’s desire is to extend mercy rather than destruction
God is gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love (v. 2)
God has great concern for the lost and wicked

Commentary: Jonah had good reason to disobey and run from God’s command. The Ninevites were cruel and wicked and caused much pain and difficulty for Jonah and his people. However, as the passage tells us, Jonah was resistant not because the Ninevites were cruel and wicked, but because he knew God is a God of grace, compassion, slow to anger, abounding in love, and relents from sending destruction. This context is important to understanding Jonah’s motive for withholding grace and compassion from the Ninevites.

Look Out // 10 minutes

Where have you seen compassion extended to others? What does it look like?

Where have you seen compassion withheld? What keeps people from extending it?

Leader Note: In Israel’s story, God had extended compassion toward them, which included Jonah, but then Jonah was not as willing to extend it to the Ninevites. Help guide group members to specific examples and stories of where they have seen compassion extended and withheld.

Look In // 20 minutes

Who are the Ninevites in your life?

Leader note: In Jonah’s story, the Ninevites were people that caused hurt and pain for Jonah and his people. So, who are the people that have caused hurt and pain in our lives? As the leader, it will be helpful to have some examples and stories from your own life to help your group identify these people and places in their own lives.

What could it look like to extend compassion to them?

Leader note: Help group members find one or two tangible things they could do to move toward extending compassion. It could be as simple as saying a prayer or even initiating a conversation. The goal is to move toward an actionable step.

Live It Out // 5 minutes

Who might be impacted by extending grace to the difficult people and places in your life?

Key Verse: I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. – Jonah 4:2

Key Thought:

Click here for Life Group Serve Opportunities

Learn More About Flow Questions: Check out Kenton Beshore’s book Ask in the Irvine Campus Bookstore for more on the Flow Question model.

Galatians 5:1-15 // Ready, Set, Reset

Lean In // 5 minutes

Describe your ideal vacation

Leader Note: Watch for the kinds activities people list. Some will be all about the poolside rest while others find rest in activities. Transition your group by saying something like… “while we may all live out our vacations differently there’s one thing we can agree on, vacations are a time for space, connection, rest and hopefully freedom! Today we’ll look at what the bible says about true freedom.”

Look Down // 15 minutes

What do you learn about freedom?

Sample answers…

Christ sets us free, freedom comes only from Him
Freedom can be lost
Freedom can be lost when we return to old ways/habits, the law
We fall into traps of needing to earn and prove our freedom
Freedom can’t be obtain by outward expressions, we can’t “do things” to prove our freedom
Working to earn freedom cuts us of from Christ and God’s grace
Freedom involves faith and waiting, or resting
Freedom puts faith in the the things God has promised
Freedom is an expression of love, the love and grace we receive from Christ
God calls us into freedom
Little things matter when it comes to freedom. When we mix even a little of our mistrust in God’s promises we are in jeopardy of missing Christ’s freedom entirely
The idea of simply receiving freedom from Christ is revolutionary and upsetting to many
Freedom must be expresses in serving others, freedom is just for us, it needs to be expressed through us

Look Out // 15 minutes

Describe the freest person you know? What makes them appear free?

Leader Note: Set the tone to this question by giving examples of people who seem to live a “care-free” life, untethered by overwhelming responsibilities or obligations. This is typically what our culture looks to when describing freedom.

Sample answers…

Someone with little to no responsibilities
They live for themselves, don’t care about the option of others
They have enough money to make their own choices, based on what they want
They get to do the things they want and don’t have to do the things they don’t want to do
They have an abundance of time

Commentary: Be it a child, a free-spirited no attachments wander or the multi-millionaire, when we think of freedom we most often associate it as state where we are free to do whatever we want, whenever we want it. This freedom places our wants and desires at the center with little or no regard for the affairs of others.

What does it look like to have freedom in Christ? Where have you seen in?

Sample answers…

Defined by what Christ did not what I do
The awareness to know that you are unconditionally love
I know there’s forgiveness when I sin
Defined by how Christ see’s me and not how others see him
I can extend what I have been give because I have recived so much
Frees me from worry, needing to prove or show my worth
Unmoved by circumstances, rest in who God is and what He has down
Willing to serve others with no need for recognition or praise
Freedom in Christ moves us from a me first mentality to an others first focus

Look In // 20 minutes

Where do you feel the pull to earn your freedom in Christ?

Commentary: The passage clearly tells us that freedom is found in Christ alone. Yet for many, (if not all of us!) we tend to fall into the trap of needing to show we are worthy of receiving Christ’s freedom for busying ourselves with “spiritual activity” to show that we are truly free. Freedom is something that is giving and when it’s expressed it’s not for show our for our own benefit. Freedom is best expressed in serving and loving others.

Sample answers….

Have to read my bible everyday
Spending more time in prayer
Go to church every Sunday
I am measured by what I do, what I produce, I need to be good enough
Need to be perfect, have perfect kids, a conflict free life
Looking to be validated by others, commended for how “good I am”
My work ethic, work harder, work more so others will think highly of me

What do you need to believe about yourself and God to combat that pull and how would that belief impact your life?

Leader Note: It may be helpful to direct your group back to the passage at this point, asking them to identify with a line or two that they need to hold onto. Then ask, what would change in you, what would change in how you view yourself and others if you held onto that truth?

Live it Out // 5 minutes

Who could you impact by living a “freedom in Christ life?”

Key Verse: For you have been called to live in freedom. – Galatians 5:13

Key Thought: Freedom is found in who Christ is and what He has done for us

Click here for Life Group Serve Opportunities

Learn More About Flow Questions: Check out Kenton Beshore’s book Ask in the Irvine Campus Bookstore for more on the Flow Question model.

John 20:1-31 // We are EASTER

Lean In // 5 minutes

What’s something incredible you’ve experienced and couldn’t wait to share it?

Sample answers may include:

Engagement story
Natural wonder
Birth of a child
Hole-in-one
Celebrity sighting

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read John 20:1-31

Leader Note: It may be helpful to break this passage into sections (vv. 1-18; 19-23; 24-31). After each section, ask the Look Down question.

What do you observe about Mary, The Disciples and Thomas?

Sample answers for Mary (vv. 11-18):

Mary was looking for Jesus in the tomb (v. 11)
She was overcome with grief because she couldn’t find Jesus (v. 13)
She expected the worse and was blinded by expectations
She’s confused
Jesus appears and Mary doesn’t recognize Him (v. 14)
Mary believes at the sound of Jesus’ voice (v. 16)
Upon hearing Jesus’ voice and seeing him, she obeys (vv. 17-18)

Sample answers for The Disciples (vv. 19-23):

They were gathering in fear (v. 19)
Even though there was tragedy, they still gathered together
Jesus speaks peace to their fear
Upon seeing the Lord, they are filled with joy (v. 20)
Jesus gives them a mission accompanied with the Holy Spirit (vv. 21-22)

Sample answers for Thomas (vv. 24-29):

Thomas was not gathered with the other disciples
Thomas does not believe unless he experiences it for himself (vv. 24-25)
Jesus brings peace to the believers
Jesus invites Thomas to touch his hands and side
Upon experiencing Jesus’ resurrection, he believes (v. 28)
Jesus shows Thomas but blesses those who believe without seeing

Commentary: At the cross, there were no believers. Rather, there was pain, confusion, hurt, disappointment, and fear at the apparent loss of Jesus. It wasn’t until the tomb was empty and Jesus appears that His disciples believed. John 20:9 is key to understanding the passage as the disciples did not understand that Jesus had to rise from the dead.

For each section, Jesus showed up uniquely. Mary needed to hear Jesus’ voice, the disciples were afraid until they saw the Lord, and Thomas required evidence and experience so he could believe it was Jesus.

Take some time to draw out the different observations, as your group will enter back into the characters in the Look In question.

Look Out // 10 minutes

What are things that keep people trapped in doubt?

Sample answers:

Fear
Grief
Ignorance
Lack of experience
Believing that things will never change
Preconceived ideas
Disappointment

What moves people toward belief? Where have you seen it?

Leader note: This is a great storytelling question. So, allow group members to share stories and capture their insights. Help your group move past simply listing the reasons “why” people doubt or believe and where they’ve seen the effects of doubt or belief in our world.

Sample answers:

The endorsement of someone respected
Undeniable proof—Sight, taste, touch, sound, smell, etc.
Popular opinion
Events—September 11, act of compassion/love, loss of a loved one, etc.

Look In // 20 minutes

Who do you identify with from the passage and why?

What can you grab onto from Jesus’ words/actions to Mary, The Disciples, and Thomas?

Commentary: In the passage, Jesus responded in different ways to the different needs. As your group identifies with one or two of the characters, help them grab onto a word or phrase that speaks to them.

Mary – “Why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”; Jesus’ compassion/love; Calls her by name; “I have seen the Lord!”
The Disciples – I am present among you; “Peace be with you!”; Joy at seeing the Lord; “I am sending you”; Receive the Holy Spirit”
Thomas – “Peace be with you!”; See & Touch; “Stop doubting and believe”; Your doubts are ok, I can handle your doubt, they don’t separate you from me; You’re not left out

Live It Out // 5 minutes

How could you bring the hope of the resurrection to those around you?

Key Verse: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

Key Thought: Easter: the best news ever!

Click here for Life Group Serve Opportunities

Learn More About Flow Questions: Check out Kenton Beshore’s book Ask in the Irvine Campus Bookstore for more on the Flow Question model.

John 11:1-44 // The Last Week

Good Friday Services – April 3, at 12n, 3, 4:30, 6, & 7:30 – Before there is the resurrection and new life, there is darkness and death. We want to encourage you and your life group to attend a Good Friday service to feel the heaviness and weight of the cross so that you can also experience the joy, celebration, and new life of Easter in a deeper and more profound way!

Lean In // 5 minutes

What are things that don’t change in life?

Sample answers may include:
• Death
• Taxes
• Getting old
• World systems (government, economic, etc.)
• Teaching old dogs new tricks
• UCLA fans and USC fans not getting along

Leader Note: Transition your group into the Look Down by highlighting how this week’s passage challenges the idea that things don’t change in life.

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read John 11:1-44

Leader Note: Before reading the passage, ask the question and encourage group members to take notes and write down observations. This week’s passage is written in story form and is longer than usual. As you read, it may be helpful to break it up into sections (IE- 11:1-16; 17-37; 38-44).

What do learn about death and life from the passage?

Sample answers on death:

Jesus promises that death is not the end (v. 4)
God uses even death for His glory (v. 4)
Jesus holds the power over death (v. 11)
Jesus speaks of death in ways we don’t understand (v. 12)
Death causes confusion and questions about God (vv. 20, 32, 37)
Jesus grieves the death in our life (v. 33)
We doubt that God can bring dead things to life (v. 38)

Sample answers on life:

Jesus is the resurrection and the life (v. 25)
Where there is death, there is opportunity for resurrection and new life
Jesus promises life to those who believe in Him (vv. 25-26)
God turned a sad and hopeless event into a time of belief and celebration
Jesus’ words have the power of life (vv. 43-44)
Jesus allows us to participate in bringing life to others (vv. 39, 44)
New life points to God’s glory (v. 40)

Look Out // 10 minutes

What causes people to lose hope? Where have you seen it?

What causes people to regain hope? What does it look like?

Leader Note: This question is designed to get your group thinking about where they have seen the principles of this passage in the world today. Have they ever seen someone lose and regain hope? What did it look like and what were those defining characteristics?

Look In // 20 minutes

What are things in your life that you think will never change?

Sample answers:

I’ll never get out of debt
I’ll never hear God’s Voice
I’ll never get out of this place
My family will never come to know the Lord
My relationship will never be reconciled
I’ll always have this stronghold
I’ll always have this addiction

What would it look like to “roll away the stone” and trust Jesus?

Leader note: In the passage, Jesus’ desire was to bring Lazarus from death to life but he asked others to trust him and roll away the stone. In a similar way, Jesus’ desire is to bring life to our places of death. But, there is a part we play in trusting Jesus and His power and opening up those places that are dead and decaying.

Live It Out // 5 minutes

How would experiencing Jesus’ new life in those areas impact you and others?

Easter 2015…is the celebration of new life! Like a spark exploding out of the darkness of death – it’s the event all of eternity hinges upon. Jesus overcame the power of death to bring us abundant life, hope and new beginnings. We want everyone in our community to experience the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection and the gift of a life lived out in full color offered to you this Easter! We have a part to play in this celebration. From inviting our neighbors and friends to serving on the weekend we encourage you and your Life Group to jump all in! Sign up to serve here.

Easter Services: April 4- 4pm & 6pm // April 5- 8:30a, 10a, & 11:30a

Learn More About Flow Questions: Check out Kenton Beshore’s book Ask in the Irvine Campus Bookstore for more on the Flow Question model.

Matthew 5:38-48 // Outrageous Love

Lean In // 5 minutes

What’s something bizarre you’ve seen that stopped you in your tracks?

Leader Note: Help your group think out of the box here, invite humor, crazy things that happen or we see that seem to come out of nowhere. Transition your group by saying something like… “just as these things cause us to stop and take notice, the words of Jesus in this passage would have been absolute crowd stoppers.” Here are some things are team came up with if you need a little help getting this conversation going!

A man riding a bike in our neighborhood with a parrot on his shoulder
An intoxicated person in a “spider-man” costume falling of a sidewalk
Someone carrying a baby calf on his back while driving a motor bike
A sidewalk “sign waiver” breakdancing on the street corner

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read Matthew 5:38-48

What do you learn about outrageous love from the passage?

It goes against what most people think, say and do
It’s more the what’s expected, above and beyond vs. the bare minimum
It’s selfless and generous
It’s dangerous, risky
Pray is a part of it but it also takes effort, active not passive, you have to do something, turn your cheek, give your shirt, go the extra mile
It does not demand or even expect anything in return
It doesn’t not pursue revenge, leaves issues of justice to God.

Look Out // 10 minutes

What does it look like to meet hate with hate, where have you seen it?

What does it look like to meet hate with love, where have you seen it?

Leader Note: This question is designed to get your group thinking about where they have seen the principles of the passage in the world today. Have they actually seen or heard about someone loving this way… what did that look like, what were the defining characteristics? What stories, examples, can you think of where people don’t live this way and what does that look like?

Look In // 20 minutes

When was a time someone showed you outrageous love?

Leader Note: While we want our group to discuss where they need to live this way it is helpful to talk about where they’ve given this type of love. This will not only invite emotion but cause people to see that in many ways I have been the offender and need to receive this type of love from others. Recognizing our own need for this compels us to offer it to others.

Where do you struggle to extend outrageous love and what steps can you take to live this way?

Leader Note: Use caution in this question as we never want to excuse any form of abusive behavior. Identifying the person or the situation where we need to live this out does not make the action or behavior ok. By choosing love we take the control away from the abuser and put our trust in God to make things right.

Live It Out // 5 minutes

What if you actually lived this way? How would others see Jesus, how would they be impacted?

Key Verse: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you – Matthew 5:44

Key Thought: Jesus calls his followers to live out outrageous love!

Click here for Life Group Serve Opportunities

Learn More About Flow Questions: Check out Kenton Beshore’s book Ask in the Irvine Campus Bookstore for more on the Flow Question model.

Be Fearless

There are no flow questions this week due to a guest speaker. Take time this week to look at the Be Fearless Campaign, reminding your group that is who we are called to be as a Mariners Life Group. Our goal is 100% participation… everyone giving, everyone serving as response to the generosity we have received form God!

We are called to fearlessly impact our community. In 2013, we began BE FEARLESS. Through this generosity campaign, so far we have raised over $1.5 million and served thousands of hours to benefit those in Orange County and around the world. It’s time to BE FEARLESS again.

Through giving $39.95 (or more) or serving at one of these opportunities, you can
make a difference.

Serving Opportunities:

Boys and Girls Club Work Project Irvine

Date: Saturday, March 7
Time: 8:30am – 12pm
Location: 295 E. Yale Loop, Irvine, CA 92604
Details: We will be doing some painting, cleaning and light repair work in the interior of the Boys & Girls Club facilities. Please meet at Boys & Girls Club and wear comfortable clothing! Ages 7+

Kids Around The World

Date: Saturday, March 7
Time: 10:30am – 1pm
Location: Mariners Church, Irvine Campus
Details: Kids Around the World partners with local churches, schools and other organizations to provide food for other countries. In response to the current food crisis in Liberia, we are partnering with them to help package meals for distribution. Families and children are welcome. All ages.

Lighthouse Community Centers Work Project

Date: Saturday, March 21
Time: 8:30am – 12:30pm
Location: 1010 Minnie St., Santa Ana, CA 92701
Details: We will be working alongside the community members of Minnie St. to beautify the community center and surrounding neighborhood by painting, cleaning, tending to the community garden and more! Meet in the Upper Room at Mariners Church at 8:30a. Transportation will be provided. Wear comfortable work clothes and pack your sunscreen and water bottle. Ages 7+

Medical Clinic at Christian Arabic Church

Date: Saturday, March 21
Time: 8am – 3pm
Location: 662 N. Gilbert, Anaheim, CA 92804
Details: Provide basic medical care for those in need. By bringing these vitally needed services, our hope and prayer is to spread the gospel message throughout the world and be a force for change. Wear comfortable work clothes and pack your sunscreen and water bottle. Lunch will be provided! Ages 18+

Matthew 25:31-46 // Do Good, Be Generous

Lean In // 5 minutes

Leader note: This week a simple question and image has polarized people into two camps. Click the link below and have group members answer the question. Make sure to watch your time as the question is simply intended to be fun and create energy. Don’t spend more than 5 minutes on the question.

Click here: White/Gold or Black/Blue?

What color is the dress?

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read Matthew 25:31-46

What separates sheep from goats?

Sample answers may include…

Sheep respond with:
- Action- food for the hungry & water for the thirsty
- Engaging the stranger
- Compassion- visiting the prisoner
- Care for the sick
- Obedience- Serving others is the same as serving Jesus
- Seeing and identifying with the “least of these”

Goats respond with:
- In-action
- Indifference
- Complacency
- Rationalization- “why” help is not needed
- Self-centeredness
- Belief that the least are unimportant

What’s the surprise in the story?

Commentary: The surprise is found in how the people responded to the poor, needy, marginalized, and broken.

Look Out // 10 minutes

Who are the “least of these” in our world today?

Sample answers could include…

Hungry/Thirsty – Physically hungry/thirsty, seeking fulfillment & life
Stranger – Outsider, the immigrant, marginalized,
Without clothes – Homeless, vulnerable, human trafficking
Sick – Mentally ill, shut-in, physically handicap
Prisoner – Addicts, broken, indebted, broken relationships, depressed

Leader note: Go through each of the categories Jesus highlights in the passage and put together a full list of who would be included in each one before moving on to the next question. Consider the emotional, physical, spiritual, geographical, financial, and relational factors.

An experiment: Integrating Love, Truth, Justice, & Peace

Leader note: We tend to lean toward one characteristic more than the others. So, when we see a person described as “the least of these” we tend to react with love, truth, justice, or peace.

As a Look Out experiment, choose a category from the “least of these” question (listed above) and divide your group into four groups. Depending on their category, group members will only give voice for either love, truth, justice, or peace. So, group members in the love category will speak up for the “least of these” through only a perspective of love while group members in the truth category will give voice for their perspective through a lens of truth, and so on and so forth.

*Please remind everyone that it is only an experiment!

Sample Story: Mike pulls up to a traffic light and discovers a person standing on the side of the road holding a sign. The Love Group responds by finding a way to help the person by rolling down the window and giving them something. The Truth Group responds by thinking, “They made decisions that have led to this circumstance and I know that helping can only further the hurt.” The Justice Group responds by advocating for the poor and needy and how they never received the same opportunities as others. And, the Peace Group responds by trying to harmonize the different ways to help the person in need.

Look In // 15 minutes

Leader note: With the definitions of the “least of these” listed above and in mind, lead group members through these questions. Don’t let the group settle for just the usual talking points like homelessness or immigration. Rather, encourage group members to go deeper.

Where have you recently seen someone in need? How did you respond?

What could it look like to integrate love, truth, justice, & peace for those in need?

Leader note: As the leader, pay attention to group member’s stories and themes so that you can possibly respond to helping those in need as a group.

How could your group respond to the needs in your community?

Live It Out // 5 minutes

What would happen in our community and world if we unleashed good deeds and generosity?

Leader Note: This weekend is our Be Fearless campaign where we are unleashing good deeds and generosity. If you are looking for opportunities to serve, please click this link: Be Fearless. There are five events to serve with one goal in mind: To fearlessly change the world for Jesus Christ. Here are the events:

Saturday, March 7-

Boys and Girls Club Work Project Irvine – 8:30a-12n
Kids Around The World – 10:30a-1p

Saturday, March 14-

Boys and Girls Club Work Project Costa Mesa – 8:30a-12n

Saturday, March 21-

Lighthouse Community Centers Work Project – 8:30a- 12:30p
Medical Clinic at Christian Arabic Church – 8a- 3p

Key Verse(s): For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Matthew 6:21

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. – 1 Timothy 6:18

Key Thought: Do good for those who can’t and won’t do anything for you.

Click here for Life Group Serve Opportunities

Learn More About Flow Questions: Check out Kenton Beshore’s book Ask in the Irvine Campus Bookstore for more on the Flow Question model.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 // Giving Is Living

Lean In // 5 minutes

What something you’ve bought that was a total waste of money?

Leader Note: Keep this question light and encourage everyone to play. In couples group it’s probably not a great idea to have them talk about what they think their partner wastes money on! Think of informercial products, silly trinkets, things that end up in the trash or in storage in a few weeks.

Transition your group by saying something like… “when it comes to our finances there’s one thing that we can all generally agree on, there never seems to quite enough of it do to all things we want to do. We want to spend time in this discussion looking at how the scriptures shape our view wealth and generosity.”

You may also want to quickly review week 8 of Rooted where we discussed how although we don’t see our think of ourselves as being “rich” that living in Orange County automatically puts us within the top of the worlds richest economies. We are rich in opportunities, resources and possessions, especially when you consider the baseline for much of the world’s population. We are “those who are rich in this present world.”

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19

What does this passage say about wealth?

Sample answers…

Wealth can lead to arrogance – creates a false sense of security
You can’t put your hope in it
Wealth isn’t something you can count on, put your hope in
God alone gives us wealth, trust in his provision
God gives us wealth so we can be generous, share with others
Generosity produces a richness in us that we can’t get anywhere else
God wants us to be rich, experience wealth, in doing good deeds
Wealthy people are the ones who understand it’s all from God
Wealthily people use what God has given them to bless and serve others
Giving leads to true life/treasure that extends beyond this world

Look Out // 10 minutes

What are the traps people fall into because of wealth?

Sample answers…

No one can tell me what to do you.. I have money so I know everything
Creates a false sense of power and entitlement
Thinking it makes me secure
I own what I have, I earned it and can do whatever I want with it
My worth is equal to my bank account
Wealth buys happiness
Wealth is the answer to all of lives questions
Selfishness and greed, can’t get enough of it
Debt, chase after it, live outside of my means
Creates worry, anxiety, always concerned “how my money is doing”
Disconnect you from the needs of others, out of touch with other’s needs
I’m smarter, I work harder

Leader Note: Invite stories here for where people have seen others fall into traps because of their thinking and actions concerning wealth. For example, it someone answers… “it creates a false sense of security” ask them where they have seen that.

Look In // 15 minutes

What traps have you fallen into regarding wealth and money?

Sample answers…

Thinking what I have is mine, I earned it and I can do whatever I want with it
That it will solve all my problems, if I only had a little more then I would be happy
Wealth will improve the ways people see me, give me prestige
Worry that I won’t have enough, can’t trust that God will really meet my needs
Money gives me ability control others, makes me a person of authority and influence
People who don’t have significant wealth are a waste of time, thinking less of them
Uncertain… now that I have it, I can’t live without
If I had more I could give more, I’ll give have enough, when I’m taking care of
That giving doesn’t really bring me peace, I do it out of obligation
Ownership

What do you need to believe about God to get out of that trap?

Sample answers…

That everything I have comes from him, he owns it all
My identity comes from how God sees me, not in my wealth
That God knows my needs and he will take care of me
That giving is a command that is for my benefit, not my punishment

Leader Note: There are two main things we want our groups to see in this passage. Firstly, that we can’t place our hope and trust in our wealth. Secondly, that God calls us to be “rich in good deeds” through the ways we use what he has given us to bless and serve others. The first understanding is a matter of changing our perspective and the second is one of practice. Shift your group with the next question to focus on what it could look like to practice generosity for the sake of others.

What could we as a group and as individuals do to be “rich in good needs”

Leader Note: Encourage your group to dream about what it could look like to commit to giving regular with their time, talents and treasures. What are the needs in your community that you could rally around together? We believe that God has unquietly placed our groups together for a reason that goes way beyond us simply meeting together for our own encouragement! He wants to use your group serve and bless others.

Live It Out // 5 minutes

What if we made generosity a normal expression of our group? What would change around us?

Leader Note: Outreach Weekend is next weekend! Set your group up this week by telling them that you’ll have an opportunity to give and serve together, to put this week’s discussion into practice.

Key Verse: Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God. 1 Timothy 6:17a

Key Thought: God owns everything

Click here for Life Group Serve Opportunities

Learn More About Flow Questions: Check out Kenton Beshore’s book Ask in the Irvine Campus Bookstore for more on the Flow Question model.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 // I Like Giving

Lean In // 5 minutes

What do people worry about today when it comes to money?

Sample answers…

Cost of sending kids to school
Having enough for retirement
Living “pay check to pay check”
Never benign able to get of debt
Never having enough
Having more than the “next guy”
Loosing it all – how to protect and invest it safely

Leader Note: Pay attention to the answers as your group may answer in the third person but it may actually be what they are worried about and it will come up again later in this discussion.

Look Down // 10 minutes

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

What does the passage say about generosity?

Leader Note: Remember to keep your group engaged with the passage. Encourage them to put it into their own words while not straying from the meaning of the passage. Ask them to point to the verse when they give their observations.

Sample answers may include…

You will have enough
There’s a connection between what you plant and harvest (give and receive)
It’s a decision, a choice… a free non-forced choice
When we choose to give it should be an all in choice, because we want to
God loves when people give with joy
God is in control of the return
God promises to take of you, give you all you need
God wants to give to you so that you will have more to give to others, not just keep it for yourself
God want’s to enrich us in every way to bless others – not limited to just money
When we give others get to experience the heart of God
When we give God gets the glory
Giving is a sign of an obedient follower

Look Out // 10 minutes

What happens when we live with financial fear and worry?

Sample answers may include…

We hold on to what we have, less likely to give anything
Our relationships take on stress, they suffer
We make decisions based of desperation
We feel less free to take risks in life
We can see past our current troubles, no vision for the future

Look In // 20 minutes

Where do you worry about your finances?

How can this passage address your worries?

Leader note: Have your group choose one or two verses or truths from the passage that directly address their worries. Have them put into a sentence, I worry about ____________ but I choose to believe that _____________________. Have them claim the promises from this passage as a way to move from worry to trust.

For example…
I worry that I won’t have enough money for retirement but I choose to believe that God is able to bless me abundantly, and give me all I need

Live It Out // 5 minutes

What would change in your heart and relationships if you help onto the God’s promises about generosity?

Key Verse(s): And 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. – 2 Corinthians 9:8

Key Thought: God will meet our needs

Click here for Life Group Serve Opportunities

Learn More About Flow Questions: Check out Kenton Beshore’s book Ask in the Irvine Campus Bookstore for more on the Flow Question model.

Matthew 6:1-4 // Journey to Generosity

Lean In // 5 minutes

Would you rather receive an Oscar or a Grammy? Why?

Leader note: We love awards so much that we even like to watch people receive awards. Use this question to transition into the Look Down section and highlight how people think the only thing better than receiving an award is receiving a public reward!

Look Down // 10 minutes

What do you learn about the generosity of the Scribes and Pharisees?

Read Matthew 6:1-4

Sample answers may include…

It was for show
Desired honor from others
Wanted the immediate reward
Gave them prestige
Looked to be celebrated
Tooted their own horn
It was hypocritical

What does Jesus say about practicing generosity?

Sample answers may include…

God’s reward is now and in the future
The Pharisees and Scribes’ reward was simply the praise of the people
The Disciple’s generosity received God’s reward
Giving is for the audience of God—Give in secret (v. 4)
Generosity is a when and not an if—When you give…(vv. 2-3)
Generosity is a practice from a changed heart (v. 1)

Commentary: The challenge with the Scribes and Pharisee’s giving was that it was to be seen by others rather than focusing their giving for God to be seen. As a result, Jesus refers to them as hypocrites (v. 2). The image of a hypocrite is an actor with a script that is playing to an audience. Jesus highlighted the hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees because they were giving to be seen as generous rather than giving as a response from a changed and generous heart.

Look Out // 10 minutes

What does a life of generosity look like? What does a life not lived generously look like?

Leader Note: This question is designed to get your group thinking about how the biblical principal of generosity works in our world today. Invite your group to share stories where they’ve seen generosity displayed through someone they know and likewise where they may have seen the effects of greed. Let your group know that their examples don’t just have to be about money… i.e time, gifts ect.

Look In // 15 minutes

What holds you back from giving generously?

Sample answers may include…

Fear that I won’t have enough
The desire to keep more of my money
I want recognition for my giving
My small amount doesn’t matter
The Church doesn’t need my money
I want to control how my giving is used

What steps do you need to take to move at generosity?

Sample answers may include…

Believe that God is good and trustworthy
Realize that my money really belongs to God
Take a step of faith:
- Give for the first time
- Give regularly rather than randomly
- Give generously and sacrificially

Where have you experienced God’s rewards through your giving?

Leader Note: There are people in your group that have experienced God’s goodness through their giving. This is a good opportunity to share stories and hear how God has moved in their lives. It’s not so they can be seen but rather to inspire the faith of others.

Live It Out // 5 minutes

What would change in our community and relationships if we became more generous?

Key Verse(s): Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. – Matthew 6:4

Key Thought: Take the journey to generosity.

Click here for Life Group Serve Opportunities

Learn More About Flow Questions: Check out Kenton Beshore’s book Ask in the Irvine Campus Bookstore for more on the Flow Question model.