Life Group - Study Guides

As we chase after the “American Dream,” it’s easy—almost natural—to drift into pursuing comfort, success, and status more than more than we pursue God Himself. None of those things are wrong in and of themselves. In fact, living in America brings incredible blessings, opportunities, and freedoms that we can truly thank God for. But blessings can quietly become idols when they take primary place in our hearts. If you have ever been on a mission trip, you’ve probably noticed that believers who have far less than we do often carry far more joy, peace, and contentment in the Lord. Why? Because their treasure is rooted in God alone. So how do we, in a culture filled with abundance, keep our focus on the “main thing”, God’s purpose, God’s kingdom, and God’s calling for our lives?

We are beginning a series called the American Scheme! What some may see as an ideal (the American Dream) is instead a nicely packaged, destructive scheme that prevents us from achieving God’s best. This week we consider what happens when we allow comparison, jealousy, and envy to steal our contentment and gratitude. What an appropriate season to refocus from a scarcity mindset to how we can generously support and celebrate with others!

Last week we learned that tithing is an act of obedience and trust—giving back to God what already belongs to Him. This week we’ll explore what it means to go above and beyond—to live a generous life with our time, talents and treasures. Generosity is not just a transaction; it’s a transformation of the heart. It’s not about our works but that Jesus paid a high price for us, and we should have the desire to live that out. There is not a finish line in generosity. When we give from love, not obligation, we mirror the character of Christ—who gave everything for us.

Here at The Cove Church, one of our six core values is “We are generous.” For many people, generosity—especially the topic of tithing—can feel uncomfortable or confusing. Some think the church just wants their money. Of course, we have all heard or known churches that may have abused this area. We are sorry if you have experienced this kind of hurt. But the truth is, God doesn’t need our money—He wants our hearts. Scripture teaches that everything we have belongs to Him, and tithing is one way we express gratitude and trust. He invites us to be faithful and even tells us we can test Him in this area. This week we will look at what the bible teaches on this topic.

This is the final week of our More than a Feeling series, and we have discovered so much about the Holy Spirit. We have learned He is not just an emotion or mysterious force but a real and personal part of the Trinity—our Helper and constant companion, we’ve also seen that He can’t be controlled or fit into a formula that gets a certain answer, but He can be trusted to guide, empower, and transform us as we walk with Him. As we wrap up, remember this isn’t the end—it's the beginning of learning to walk daily with the Spirit. Keep digging into God’s Word, invite the Holy Spirit into your ordinary moments, and watch how He shapes your heart and steps each day.