04.30.08
Small Group Plan - April 27, 2008
“Investment: Avoiding A Success That Fails”
Windows on the Soul
Small Group Plan
April 27, 2008
Dear Small Group Leader,
“He is no fool
to give what he cannot keep
to gain what he cannot lose.”
– Jim Elliot
“In Whatever Man Does Without God,
He Must Fail Miserably,
Or Succeed More Miserably.”
– George MacDonald
“What Good Is It …
To Gain The World, But Lose Your Soul?”
– Jesus
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· If your house caught on fire and family and pets were safe, what three possessions would you want to save from the flames?
· Are you more of a spender, saver, or giver? Explain.
· How does our culture define success? Why?
· If most people got what they wanted in “retirement” what would they get?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
The Story That Prompted The Story – Luke 12:13-15
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 1`5 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
· Why would someone conclude that the “abundance” defines their life?
· What would you say makes your life abundant right now?
A Success That Fails – Luke 12:16-20
16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
· Count the personal pronouns in this man’s speech to himself. What does it tell you about him?
· What is the goal of this man’s life? If he were your son or close friend, what would you say to him?
· Is Jesus condemning material prosperity in this parable? Explain.
· What in the man’s attitude led to God’s condemnation?
· What does “the ground” represent in verse 16?
Possessed By Possessions – Luke 12:21
“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.”
· How do you reconcile this verse with Proverbs 6:6-8, which tells us to be, like the ant and store up for the future?
· Also, how do you balance the message of this parable with Paul’s message to provide for our families (1 Tim. 5:8)?
· What does it mean to be “rich toward God?”
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Why do you think people place such value on money and material possessions?
· Even though America is wealthy compared to the rest of the world, do you think of yourself as wealthy? Why or why not?
· Is it possible to be prosperous without being greedy? If so, how?
· If you could write your obituary, how would you fill in the following blanks?
- Last night, __________ died suddenly.
- He/she will always be remembered for _____________.
- He/she always had time for ______________.
- He/she felt that their possessions were _______________.
As you close in prayer, confess to God that He already owns everything and ask for His help to manage His wealth.
Small Group Plan - April 27, 2008 said,
April 30, 2008 at 3:02 pm
[…] While Supplies Last - Outdoors wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptSmall Group Plan - April 27, 2008 Posted in Small Group Plans at 2:01 pm by Bob “Investment: Avoiding A Success That Fails” Windows on the Soul Small Group Plan April 27, 2008 Dear Small Group Leader, “He is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” – Jim Elliot “In Whatever Man Does Without God, He Must Fail Miserably, Or Succeed More Miserably.” – George MacDonald “What Good Is It … To Gain The World, But Lose Your Soul?” – Jesus OPEN IT / INTRODU […]