Getting Started

Main Idea:
It’s not about what you are given, but what you do with what you are given.

Discussion Starter:
What would you do if you were given a million dollars—no strings attached?

Introduction:
This weekend, we continued to look at how Promisors can live like a boss, move into the corner office of contentment, and take charge of our finances. In the sermon, we learned that in God’s Kingdom, it is not about who gives the most money, but who gives the most of their heart. At Faith Promise, we give generously. We were challenged to consider our next step in generosity—to trust God and either begin tithing, if you haven’t already, or for those who do give generously, prayerfully consider and plan for giving at Heart for the Harvest this year. Pastor asked if we are putting God first in our finances—and in everything for that matter, because it is all His, no matter how big or how small. He is the owner; we are the managers. Christ-followers are each given unique moments, abilities and opportunities, and the critical issue is what we do with what we are given. The more we love the Giver, the more we respect His gifts! How are you managing and investing God’s gifts?

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Encounter God

Primary Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Discussion Questions:
1. Who do you think is represented by the Master in this parable, and what is meant by the long time he was away?

2. The talent in this story is money entrusted to the servants. Each was given a different amount, according to the master’s understanding of their character and ability. What are believers entrusted with today? How are you managing what He has given you?

3. How did the attitudes of the servants entrusted with five and two talents compare with the attitude of the servant entrusted with one? Is your attitude more like the former or the latter? How will you ask God to enable, empower and equip you for a life of faithful and fruitful living?

4. What promises does God give to those who have “buried their talent” but who repent before the Master returns (see Joel 2:23-27).

5. Put Matthew 25:29 into your own words.

6. Are you expectant and ready for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, or are you putting it off until tomorrow?

7. God graciously commends us for what He accomplishes through us, and He calls us to share His purposes for the world. How have you experienced the joy of being used by God?

Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Matthew 25:14-30 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.

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Embrace Others

Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into dyads or triads for this section.

This week, our focus was on how it is not a matter of what we are given but what we do with what we are given. In your dyads or triads, discuss how you are managing God’s gifts, how you are investing God’s gifts, and how you are receiving God’s rewards.

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Engage the World Around Us

Engaging at Faith Promise:  Pray as a group to explore ways you can volunteer your time and talents to serve our church family. Consider how you can specifically bless our church leaders.

Engaging in Community:  This world is dying and hurting. More than ever it needs the healing message of forgiveness found only in the Gospel of God. Discuss how you as a group can identify a need in the community and move into faithful and fruitful service. Visit https://faithpromise.org/love-local to review several opportunities to serve together.

Engaging the World:  Pray as a group that the news of Jesus will penetrate even the darkest places in our world. Pray especially for our missionaries who risk it all to share the good news with which God has entrusted them! If you have not checked out our digital missions magazine, take a look at: https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/faithpromise.org/docs/mission-magazine-2017.pdf to see what FP is up to around the world and how you can pray specifically for our missionaries.

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Expand God’s Kingdom

A woman once approached the great evangelist D. L. Moody to air a grievance. (Moody was an international evangelist of great renown in the 19th Century.) The woman said to him, “Mr. Moody, I don’t like the way you do evangelism!” “Well, ma’am, let me ask you, how do you do it?” Moody asked. She replied, “I don’t!” Moody responded, “Well, I like my way of doing it better than your way of not doing it!” Will you ask God for the boldness and strength to share the good news of Jesus Christ- to invest what God has entrusted to His children? This is our highest calling!

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Leader’s Notes

1. The Master represents the Lord Jesus Christ, and the time represents the period between Jesus’ first and second coming.

2. Believers are entrusted with God’s truth- the Bible and the knowledge of Jesus Christ. We are to use the opportunities He gives, grow in the knowledge of Him, and give His treasure to the world.

3. The servants entrusted with five and two talents both were enthusiastic, diligent, eager to gain more and excited to share in their master’s happiness. The servant entrusted with one talent was self-centered, irresponsible, lazy and did not try; he made excuses and accused his master of wrongdoing, he feared/hated the master and disobeyed. He missed his opportunity to use what His master had given him. It’s not about what you are given but what what you do with what you are given!

4. He promises to repay us for the years the locusts have eaten. There is hope! As long as there is breath, there is hope (Ecclesiastes 9:3-5).

5. A life fully surrendered to God will be blessed; those who have no heart for the Kingdom of God will be punished.

6. Answers may vary.

7. Answers may vary.

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.

 

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