Cashed Out – Discussion Guide
Getting Started
Main Idea: Money brings comfort and security for many people; that is, if the money keeps coming. What happens when the flow of cash has stopped or dramatically slowed? You become cashed out if you serve the love of money. Trusting in God for our provision builds an immunity to the fear of the temporary loss of income. Fear can cripple our physical and mental health. Trust in God brings peace. We have a choice of which master to serve, God or money. Which do you choose?
Introduction: Lost revenue and personal income reduction will leave a lasting impact. God commands us to be good stewards of what He gives. We can be set free by the truth we have been living out. Good stewardship is not only a command. In a crisis, our stewardship will magnify which master we serve: God or money.
Discussion Starter: It is interesting that in the Tagalog (Filipino) language the same word, Mahal, is used for both love and expensive. The Bible tells us that where our hearts are, there our treasure will be also. We tend to value what we love and love what we value. God’s love for us is expensive, it cost Jesus His life to restore us. What is something you love or cherish so much that you could never put a price on it?
Encounter God
Primary Scriptures: Matthew 6:19-33
Discussion Questions:
- In Matthew 6:19-21 we read about storing up treasure in Heaven. The last verse states that where your treasure is there your heart will be also. What does this mean to you? Why are our treasures and hearts connected?
- We need to choose our master. Matthew 6:24 tells us the consequences of serving two masters is hating one and loving the other. Read this verse and discuss why such conflict arises between serving two masters.
- We might have to change our master. Continue to read in Matthew 6, verses 25-32. Many reasons are listed that show how God takes care of us each day. Compare what serving money offers us to what serving God offers us.
- Finally, we must chase our master. The most important step to chasing our master (God) is found in Matthew 6:33. What is meant by seeking His kingdom and His righteousness?
Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Matthew 6:19-33 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.
Embrace Others
Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into twos or threes for this section.
Meeting virtually has created challenges in breaking out into small groups. Choose a member of your group and set up a time to meet using Facetime, Zoom, social media, or other conferencing platform to discuss the challenges the pandemic and the stay-at-home order have caused you. Use this time to pray for and open up to each other about the areas where choosing God as master has been most difficult. Pray for each other daily throughout the rest of the week.
Engage the World Around Us
Engaging at Faith Promise: Have you been attending the Saturday morning prayer meetings online? This is an amazing way to support our community, by listening to the word, seeing where people need prayer, and praying together. Tune in at on Facebook Live Saturdays at 9 AM.
Engaging in Community and the World: Whether you are an essential worker or non-essential worker, the sudden changes in the economy have impacted us all. The impact has been harder on some more than others. While still following social distancing guidelines, check on your elderly neighbors and family members. Make sure they have all the necessities they need. They might need a friendly voice to talk to on the phone, especially if they live alone.
Expand God’s Kingdom
The enemy uses fear, especially fear of the unknown to make us doubt God and our faith. Examine your heart and determine how you can be more faithful and trusting of God during these uncertain days. Think of ways to show those you encounter how trusting God has lessened your fear of the current pandemic.
Leader’s Notes
ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.
– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.
– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.
– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.
– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.
