The Ridge Church
Faith That Gives
Bible Study Outline for 9:00 a.m. June 30, 2019.
Locations & Times
The Ridge Church
7350 Old Hwy 13, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 9:00 AM
Living by Faith: Women Who Trusted God
Session 1 Rahab: Courageous Faith
Session 2 Deborah: Encouraging Faith
Session 3 Hannah: Faith That Prays
Session 4 Abigail: Intervening Faith
Session 5 The Poor Widow: Faith That Gives
Session 6 The Samaritan Woman: Faith Worth Sharing
Session 1 Rahab: Courageous Faith
Session 2 Deborah: Encouraging Faith
Session 3 Hannah: Faith That Prays
Session 4 Abigail: Intervening Faith
Session 5 The Poor Widow: Faith That Gives
Session 6 The Samaritan Woman: Faith Worth Sharing
The Point
Your giving reflects your faith and trust in Christ.
Your giving reflects your faith and trust in Christ.
The Bible Meets Life
Our culture applauds philanthropy, but Americans give less than four percent of their income to charitable causes. We might expect Christians to give more, considering the church’s desire to help others and spread the gospel. Unfortunately, the average church attendee also gives sparingly, giving less than four percent to his or her church. We tend to hold on to our money for our own sakes, but we benefit when we give and trust Christ with our finances and needs.
Our culture applauds philanthropy, but Americans give less than four percent of their income to charitable causes. We might expect Christians to give more, considering the church’s desire to help others and spread the gospel. Unfortunately, the average church attendee also gives sparingly, giving less than four percent to his or her church. We tend to hold on to our money for our own sakes, but we benefit when we give and trust Christ with our finances and needs.
The Setting
Luke 9:51 marks a shift in Jesus’ ministry. During His last year of ministry Jesus’ focus was toward the cross. Leaving Galilee, He traveled south toward Jerusalem, teaching large crowds and His disciples. Much of Luke’s material in these chapters is unparalleled in other Gospels. Jesus’ teaching on money and possessions and its illustration called “The Parable of the Rich Fool” is found in Luke 12:13-21. An application appears in the story of the poor widow in Luke 21:1-4.
Luke 9:51 marks a shift in Jesus’ ministry. During His last year of ministry Jesus’ focus was toward the cross. Leaving Galilee, He traveled south toward Jerusalem, teaching large crowds and His disciples. Much of Luke’s material in these chapters is unparalleled in other Gospels. Jesus’ teaching on money and possessions and its illustration called “The Parable of the Rich Fool” is found in Luke 12:13-21. An application appears in the story of the poor widow in Luke 21:1-4.
When was the first time you experienced how good it feels to be generous?
When have you been stung by greed?
What strategies can we use to guard against greed?
What strategies can we use to guard against greed?
What grabs your attention about Jesus’ message in this parable?
At what point does accumulating wealth cross the line and become a problem?
At what point does accumulating wealth cross the line and become a problem?
What are some practical ways for Christ-followers to demonstrate faith and trust in God today?
What truths about God fuel our generosity?
How does the story of the widow challenge or encourage you?
What truths about God fuel our generosity?
How does the story of the widow challenge or encourage you?
Live It Out
Seek to Give. Ask the Lord to give you an opportunity to financially bless someone in need this week. Keep extra cash in your wallet so you are prepared when the need arises.
Memorize. Memorize Matthew 6:2-4: “So whenever you give to the poor, don’t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Increase giving. Evaluate your current charitable giving and how you are supporting your local church. Is your giving consistent? Is it sacrificial? Challenge yourself to give more for the sake of kingdom work.
Seek to Give. Ask the Lord to give you an opportunity to financially bless someone in need this week. Keep extra cash in your wallet so you are prepared when the need arises.
Memorize. Memorize Matthew 6:2-4: “So whenever you give to the poor, don’t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Increase giving. Evaluate your current charitable giving and how you are supporting your local church. Is your giving consistent? Is it sacrificial? Challenge yourself to give more for the sake of kingdom work.
Wrap It Up
Giving is a reflection of where our trust lies. If we trust Christ to care for us, then we should give generously.
Giving is a reflection of where our trust lies. If we trust Christ to care for us, then we should give generously.