Keep Being Generous
Leader Guide
There seem to be a lot of things to worry about. The holidays are a financially stressful time. Plus, we have supply chain issues, a shortage of workers, and inflation. People generally seem less kind and friendly. We can become frustrated, impatient, and focused on our own needs, making us less compassionate to others. Let’s see how we can get reconnected in relationships and in our care for others.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. Has there been a time when you trusted God with your finances, and He came through in a miraculous way?
2. Read Philippians 4:10 and 16. Have you ever experienced “compassion fatigue”? After you’ve seen the war reports, the hurricane damage, or the famine pictures, do you feel overwhelmed? Maybe you didn’t know where to start? How did you take a step to start caring again? What do these verses suggest? What does verse 16 remind us?
Leader Note: To “revive your concern” or compassion, first look for opportunities. Plan to be generous in advance. Give before you “feel” generous. Verse 16 reminds us to stay involved. Long-term care is needed to make a difference in most circumstances.
3. Read Philippians 4:11-13. Sometimes we don’t care about others because we are self-absorbed and worried about our own needs. What has Paul learned? How can his attitude affect your life? How does verse 13 reassure you that God is working behind the scenes, even when things look desperate?
Leader Note: We must learn to trust God in every situation: good, bad, ugly, or blessed. And Paul had faced hardship, persecution, and deprivation. But his faith and trust in God was not shaken. God doesn’t always supply our needs the way we think He should. However, He both supplies our needs, and He is there in the lows and the highs. In fact, when you are low—at the bottom—and God rescues you, you never forget His intervention and supply on your behalf.
4. Read Philippians 4:17 and 2 Corinthians 8:7. What does this verse say Paul wants for the Philippians? The Corinthians passage encourages what disciplines for the Jesus follower? Why would God want us to “excel in the grace of giving”?
Leader Note: Paul wants them to experience the blessings (fruit) of following God by becoming obedient in this area of generosity. In the letter to the Corinthians, Paul wants them to really understand faith, trust, love, knowledge of the Gospel. And he wants them to be generous just as God has been generous to us, sharing salvation with the whole world through giving us His only Son.
5. Read Luke 16:11, 2 Corinthians 9:11, and Philippians 4:19-20. What are some of the reasons God wants us to be generous? Where do you get the grace and supply to give? What is the result of your generosity? Have you ever thought you “owned the cookies”? How did God teach you otherwise?
Leader Note: The purpose of money and God’s commands to give and tithe is to teach us to trust Him. Additionally, worldly wealth teaches us to handle the true riches of the Kingdom of God: power, authority, unimaginable riches we gain as co-inheritors with Christ. God will supply everything you need so you can be generous. This will result in many people giving thanksgiving to God for His provision through you.
6. Action Step: Ask God to assess your generosity. Commit to your next step. If you have never tithed, read Malachi 3:8-12. Write out and memorize Malachi 3:10 and repeat it as a prayer of thanksgiving to God as you start this faith journey. If you have the principle of tithing “down” and it’s a regular part of your life, can you trust God to be generous at every opportunity? Read Galatians 6:10 and ask God if you are obedient in this area.
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
The message this week was based on Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Another great teaching on giving comes from Paul in 2 Corinthians. He had experienced painful visits with them and rebuked them in the letter we call 1 Corinthians. But in this letter (2 Corinthians), most of the controversies, divisions, and lifestyle issues have been worked out. He is encouraging them. In chapters eight and nine, he wants to take them to the next level in their faith, so he teaches them about generosity and giving!
7. What example of extravagant generosity is seen in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5? Who is giving to whom? Is that unusual? What “percentage” of their income did they give? Why were they so insistent upon giving?
Leader Note: The Macedonia churches where Gentile, but they gave sacrificially across racial lines to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem. They were themselves in desperate financial times (extreme poverty), but they gave “beyond their ability” to give. Not a percentage, but a God-empowered and God- supplied generous offering. Why? Because they were fully devoted to God and gave themselves to Him and they wanted to “share in this” ministry. They realized they were making investments in eternity.
8. What is Paul asking them to do in 2 Corinthians 8:6, 10-12? How does he both commend and challenge them? What does he tell them about the amount they are to give?
Leader Note: Paul firmly tells them that what they have committed to doing, they should complete. He tells them not to worry about the money but be willing and make the effort and the sacrifice. Follow-through is important. And willingness starts the process of an attitude of giving, even before the funds are there.
9. Finally, Paul expresses other important principles. Read 2 Corinthians 8:13-15 and 9:6, 10-11. List them out to encourage your own generosity journey and bolster your faith, and give you promises to help you trust God.
Leader Note: The principle of “reaping and sowing.” God even provides the seed you use to sow a harvest! The principle of sharing with others in need and knowing/trusting that God will use others to meet your needs. Ultimately, that you will be “enriched in every way to be generous in every way.” If you are being generous, God will continue to increase your resources so you can do anything He puts before you to do!