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Aftershock Week 3: Prioritization

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Aftershock Week 3: Prioritization

weekend in review

We wrap up our series this week, exploring our priorities and looking at the only way in scripture we are invited to test God. 

WARM UP

Begin with some conversation, checking in on how people are doing. You can talk about whatever you’d like, but here are potential questions to get the conversation going.

  • Have you ever served as a volunteer at a church, school, hospital, charity or anything else? If so, why?

  • Have you ever donated financially to support a cause you believed in or took an interest in? If so, why that particular cause?

    DISCUSS

    Select 5-6 questions from the list below to guide your discussion time.

    Read Malachi 3:10. Gene explained this is the only place in Scripture where people have been invited to put God to the test and see his blessings. A tithe is 10% of whatever God gives us to manage here on this earth, and an offering is anything above and beyond that. Blessings come in different ways and means: time (things last longer), fruit (increased finances), business opportunities (the phone just keeps on ringing), an umbrella of protection (safety in the midst of a storm), peace (we can sleep at night knowing we have been obedient), eternal impact (investing in the lives of others who will believe and commit themselves to Christ), and more. In what way(s) have you been blessed? 

    • Have you ever tested God in the area of your finances? Share what you learned.

    • Gene listed five things that can be done with money: spend it, pay debt, pay taxes, save it, or give some away. What is the usual priority order of your spending?

    • Read Leviticus 27:30. What do you think of the concept that the tithe is merely bringing back to God what is already his, rather than giving God something that is really yours?

    • Take a look at different translations of Luke 11:42. Though it is worded in a variety of ways and we see that Jesus’ criticism of the Pharisees was that they were neglecting justice and love, notice that Jesus told them to not neglect what?

    • Read Genesis 4:2-7. Gene challenged us with the statement that God wants us to trust him with the FIRST and BEST from us, not the leftovers. Why do you think that matters?

    • Do you now or are you ready to step out in faith and trust God in this area of your life? How can the group encourage and pray for you?

    application

    Gene emphasized that tithing is not a give-to-get thing. It is not an insurance policy. It is an act of gratitude, thanksgiving to a God who has given us everything, especially his son. 

    If you haven’t already developed the tithing habit, are you ready to trust God by participating in the three-month tithe challenge?

    If after three months you have not seen God’s faithfulness, Gene invites you to contact him directly. Spend time in prayer about taking this challenge. 

    WRAP UP & PRAYER

    Share prayer requests and spend time praying for each other. 

    Close in prayer, thanking God for his love and goodness to us, for making us his beloved children, and for teaching each of us personally to trust him as we honor him with a heart of thanksgiving.