A weekly guide to carry the conversation beyond Sunday morning.
Icebreaker Question: What’s one possession or item you owned as a child that you thought was incredibly valuable at the time, but looking back now seems silly?
This helps the group ease into the topic of how we value possessions and sets a lighthearted tone before diving into deeper questions about generosity.
This week’s message challenged us to examine how we view our possessions, finances, and material stuff. The core truth is uncomfortable but liberating: nothing we have is actually ours—we’re simply stewards or managers of what God has entrusted to us. Jesus spoke directly and often about money and possessions, not to make us uncomfortable, but to free our hearts from attachment to temporary things so we can invest in eternal treasure.
Key Verse to Read Together: Matthew 6:19-21
Question: The sermon stated, “Everything that you have is not yours… We are not owners of what we have. We are stewards.” How does this perspective shift the way you think about your possessions and finances?
Context from Sermon: The pastor emphasized that we weren’t born with our stuff and we can’t take it with us when we die. This means we’re managers, not owners. The Greek word for treasure is “thesauros” (like thesaurus—a treasury of words), and Jesus calls us to “thesaurizo” (heap up) treasure in heaven, not on earth. Our challenge is to steward treasures entrusted to us with an eye on eternity.
Leader Tip: Give people time to wrestle with this. It’s countercultural. Some may feel defensive about what they’ve worked hard for. Acknowledge that tension while pointing back to Scripture.
Question: Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” What does the way you currently give (time, money, resources) reveal about where your heart is anchored?
Context from Sermon: The pastor explained that “heart” in Jewish culture meant the center and seat of spiritual life—your thoughts, passions, appetites, and purpose. Out of the abundance of the heart, the person lives and gives. If you’re stingy at generosity, it means you’re stingy at anchoring your heart in heaven. The measure of your heart being anchored in heaven will reveal the type of giver you are.
Leader Tip: This is deeply personal. Consider having people journal silently for 2-3 minutes before sharing. Remind the group this is a safe space without judgment.
Question: In Matthew 19, Jesus told the rich young ruler to sell everything and give to the poor, then come follow Him. The man went away sad because he had many possessions. What are you attached to that might be keeping you from fully following Jesus?
Context from Sermon: The pastor noted that this young man had no problem keeping the commandments—not murdering, not committing adultery, honoring parents—but there’s always an attachment. Jesus addresses our attachments in every conversation. This man couldn’t see that what he had on earth could ever be outmatched in heaven. The ending wasn’t about selling stuff—it was “then come and follow me.” Following Jesus is what leads to eternal life; how we steward our stuff determines treasure stored in heaven.
Leader Tip: Attachments aren’t always financial—they can be relationships, comfort, control, reputation, or security. Help the group think broadly.
Question: When the disciples asked, “Then who in the world can be saved?” Jesus responded, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” How does this truth give you hope when it comes to living generously?
Context from Sermon: The disciples were astounded by Jesus’ teaching that it’s very hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus looked at them intently and said that salvation on our own measure, strength, or ability is impossible. But with God, everything is possible. In that statement, Jesus was subtly saying, “I am God, because the only way to the Father, the only way to eternity, the only way to heaven is by me.”
Leader Tip: This is an encouraging pivot point. We can’t do this on our own strength, but God empowers us. Invite testimonies of times when God provided or enabled generosity beyond what seemed possible.
Question: Jesus praised the poor widow who gave two small coins—everything she had—over the wealthy who gave large amounts from their surplus. How does this challenge our culture’s (and maybe your own) view of what makes a gift significant?
Context from Sermon: The pastor emphasized that our Heavenly Father is always about quality over quantity. The widow gave what seemed insignificant by worldly measures—like pennies cut in half—but Jesus said she gave more than all the others because she gave sacrificially, everything she had to live on. The wealthy gave a tiny part of their surplus without sacrifice. Sacrificial giving is not about the quantity; it’s about the quality of what you give. We should give in such a way that it stings.
Leader Tip: This may convict some and confuse others. Help the group understand that Jesus isn’t looking at dollar amounts but at the heart posture and sacrifice behind the gift.
Question: Jesus said, “Many who are the greatest now will be the least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.” How should this truth affect the way we treat people, especially those society overlooks?
Context from Sermon: The pastor asked, “Who are the great ones these days and who are the least?” He noted it sounds judgmental to draft such a list, but we’re all doing it in real time. Jesus isn’t lying or stretching matters—there’s a kingdom reality that’s opposite of the world we live in. The world is upside down; heaven and eternity are right side up. The pastor was confronted with “the audacity to ever think that I’m better than anyone” and challenged how we steward not only our stuff but also our treatment of people.
Leader Tip: This can lead to powerful conversation about how we view and serve “the least of these”—the homeless, the marginalized, the annoying, the difficult. Challenge the group to name specific people or groups they tend to overlook.
Question: The GrowCard asked: “How does Jesus want you to move toward generosity?” What is one practical step you can take this week to grow in sacrificial giving?
Context from Sermon: The pastor encouraged people to get really practical: “I’m going to start giving today” or “I’m going to start giving more sacrificially today.” He acknowledged that many are afraid to start giving because their starting point seems insignificant, but that’s thinking by the world’s measures, not heaven’s. Whatever lie is keeping you from giving, don’t cave to it. There’s something divine and eternal at work in your heart when you give. Start somewhere, and eventually that starting place will be brought to sacrificial giving—because God gave sacrificially.
Leader Tip: Encourage specific, measurable commitments. This could be starting to tithe, increasing a percentage, giving to someone in need, or volunteering time sacrificially. Consider having people share their commitments for accountability.
Question: The pastor confessed, “I’m tired of being tired… and ultimately what I’m saying is I’m tired of depending on you.” When have you felt this way? How does Jesus’ promise that He is “made strong in our weakness” encourage you to keep giving sacrificially?
Context from Sermon: The pastor got vulnerable about times he’s had it out with Jesus, tired of the rhythm of pouring out and being exhausted. He realized he was ultimately saying, “I want to be more self-reliant.” But Jesus says, “In your weakness, that’s where I’m strong.” This connects to sacrificial giving in every area—finances, volunteering (like in Grow Kids), relationships. Jesus invites the tired and weary to come to Him for rest, so that in our restedness, we can pour out again.
Leader Tip: This vulnerability from the pastor gives permission for others to be honest. Create space for people to admit where they’re tired of depending on God. Pray specifically for those areas.
Reflection Question: If Jesus sat next to the giving box at Grow Point and watched you give, what would He say? Not about the amount, butabout the heart and sacrifice behind your giving?
Context from Sermon: The pastor posed this challenging question: “I wonder what Jesus would say if he sat next to the desk out in the narthex and just watched.” He imagined people dropping empty envelopes just because Jesus was there, but Jesus would know. The point isn’t to create guilt but to invite honest self-examination about whether we give out of comfort or sacrifice.
Leader Tip: Give people a moment of silence to honestly answer this question in their hearts before God. This isn’t about public confession but personal conviction.
Have each person complete this sentence (either out loud or written down):
“This week, I will move toward generosity by…”
Examples from the sermon:
Leader Tip: Consider having people text their commitment to one other person in the group for accountability. Follow up next week by asking how it went.
Prayer Focus Areas:
Suggested Closing Prayer:
“Heavenly Father, thank You that everything we have comes from You. Forgive us for acting like owners instead of stewards. Help us to loosen our grip on temporary treasures so we can take hold of Jesus with both hands. Give us courage to give sacrificially, even when it’s uncomfortable. Anchor our hearts in heaven. In our weakness, be our strength. Show each of us how to move toward generosity this week. We trust that with You, all things are possible. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
A weekly practice you can do beyond Sunday morning.
Talk about money, possessions, and fear. Ask: “What does it look like to trust God instead of holding tight?”
A weekly practice you can do beyond Sunday morning.
Challenge: Give Until You Feel It
The Challenge: Give financially in a way that forces trust, not comfort.
This Is About Faith, Not Amount.
Concrete Action:
Rules:
