Invested (Part 3): Invested in the Local Church

TO START: Every breath, relationship, ability, and financial resource is entrusted to us for partnering and fueling God's work. In the Invested series we unpack how we invest our lives, especially our finances, to align ourselves in the present with God's coming future. In the final message of this series, we unpack Paul’s call to excel in financial giving to the local church so that we can partner with the Lord in making His grace visible and tangible to those both inside and outside the church.

TO READ: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

TO DISCUSS:

(1.) Share one thing you are completely unapologetic about spending money on and why it’s worth it to you.

(2.) Think about someone you’ve known who gives sacrificially and faithfully like the Macedonian churches in 2 Corinthians 8. How did their generosity impact others or inspire you?

(3.) Reflect on Paul’s statement in 2 Corinthians 8:9 that “Jesus became poor so that by his poverty we might become rich.” What do you think this means?

(4.) Looking back, in what ways have you used your resources or finances to make God’s grace and love visible or tangible to others?

(5.) Imagine stretching yourself in the practice of generosity to the church. What might your next step look like?

TO CLOSE/TO PRAY: Consider following the prayer exercise below

Leader: Say something like, “Paul describes a people so filled with God’s grace that generosity overflowed from them. As we close, let’s ask God to shape that same grace in us.” 

Leader: “Let’s quiet our hearts and become aware of God’s presence” Then, “Now that we have quieted our hearts, let’s spend 30 seconds silently offering to God any fears or hesitations we carry about generosity.” 

Leader: “Free us, Lord. Make us open-handed”... Now consider this prompt, “In one word or sentence, name something God has provided this week” (Wait 30 seconds and then invite popcorn responses)

Leader: “Now is the time to share anything that bubbled up as you sat in prayer on that question.” 

Once folks have finished sharing and things quiet down, consider closing in prayer in light of what comes up. Maybe something like this, “Lord, help us to become people of generosity who make your Love visible in our church and our community. Thank you for modeling what it looks like to become poor so we became rich. Shape our hearts to be like Yours. Amen.”