Small Group Discussion/Study Guide
Week 3: Becoming Generous
Reﬂecting on the Sermon
Key Scriptures: Luke 16:1-13; John 3:16;
Matthew 6:21; Proverbs 11:24; 2 Corinthians
9:6-8
generous when we remember the gifts and
blessings of God as the ultimate source of
all life?
•
Opening Questions:
•
What stood out to you from the sermon on
Being Human by Becoming Generous?
•
What do you see in the example of Jesus
that shows generosity? Is it “easy” for
Jesus to be generous, since he has all the
riches of heaven at his disposal? Would
you say that you also have all the riches of
heaven at your disposal?
Made to Give
The Point of the Parable
In Jesus’ parable that Patrick taught on today,
the manager was praised for fraudulently
reducing the debts of those who owed his
master money.
•
Knowing what you know of the rest of the
teaching of Jesus and the whole Bible, do
you think the point of the parable is that
it’s OK to commit fraud, or is there a bigger
lesson Jesus is driving home?
•
Read 1 TimotHY 6:17-19. In Paul’s
instructions, he says that rich people who
share with those in need store up treasure
for the future. Do you see the parallel with
Jesus’ parable? If God is the owner, and
we are the managers who will have to give
him an account, then according to Paul and
Jesus, God is the kind of manager who
actually wants you to give away His money.
Instead of judging those who do, He will
judge those who don’t. How does that
speak to your attitude towards wealth?
Patrick made the assertion that being
generous is part of being fully human.
Discussion Questions:
•
Read Genesis 1:27-30. What are some of
the key words and images? How do ideas
like blessing, life, multiplying, ﬁlling, and
fruitfulness relate to generosity?
•
Now compare Genesis 3:17-19. How have
the words and images changed? How
do ideas like curse, toil, sweat, and dust
relate to generosity vs. greed? Is it easier
to be greedy when we focus on the hard
work and eﬀort required to survive in a
fallen world? Conversely, is it easier to be
Which kind of life do you think God wants
us to operate in now, as redeemed people
saved by Jesus Christ—the cursed life
Adam had after sin, or the blessed life he
had before?
• Share Your Story
Has someone ever been unusually generous
to you? How did it make you feel? How do you
think God felt?
Welcome to Management
One of the ways Patrick listed to develop
generosity is to begin seeing yourself as a
manager, not an owner.
• Read Psalm 24:1. True or False based on
this verse: 10% of my money belongs to
God. Discuss your answer.
• Read Luke 19:17. If God is the owner and
we are the managers, what kind of owner is
God? Is He someone who will bless, honor,
and reward those who manage well?
Uncounted
Patrick challenged us to learn generosity by
giving to those who don’t deserve it.
• Read Proverbs 19:17. According to this
verse, when you give to the needy, who
takes on the responsibility to pay you
back? If your giving is really to the Lord,
how does it change your perspective on
who is “worthy” to receive your giving?
• Read Luke 6:32-36. Why do you think
giving to those we think don’t deserve it
is especially important to developing true
generosity?
The Great Reminder
Patrick made the case that we all end up either
greedy or needy—either demanding what we
think is our right, or remembering that we are
in need of God’s goodness and grace.
• Read Revelation 3:15-19. How does Jesus
describe his feelings toward those who
think they are rich and need nothing, when
really they are desperately poor in his
sight? How do you think regular, intentional
giving to others could help you remember
who you truly are in the sight of God?
Share Your Story
Have you ever given to someone without any
regard to whether they deserve it, or whether
they could ever pay you back? How has giving
to others shaped your sense of joy for how
much God has given to you?
Next Week…
Being Human through the Virtue of
Forgiveness
FRAZER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH • WWW.FRAZERUMC.ORG/HUMAN