Ice-breaker

Would you classify yourself as more of a saver or a spender?  What is your favorite thing to spend fun money on? 

Discussion Questions

1. Prior to entering this class, what has your relationship with money looked like?  What are you hoping to take away from these lessons?
2. Some Christians believe it is not godly to accumulate wealth.  How do the stories of Old Testament characters such as Abraham, Isaac, and Solomon, and God’s words of blessings to His people speak against this idea?  
3. 1 Timothy 6:10 is one of the most well-known verses in Scripture about money, except it is typically quoted incorrectly.  Read and discuss this passage along with Matthew 6:24 about serving two masters. 
   1. What is the difference between money being the root of all evil vs. the LOVE of money being the root of all kinds of evil?
   2. What does it look like for money to be our master or an idol?
   3. Do you think we can idolize money with a scarcity mindset? 

God Gives You the Ability to Produce Wealth

Give everyone 3 minutes to read and highlight Deuteronomy 8:10-18.

1. What stood out to you in this passage?
2. What does this passage teach us about God? 
3. What does this passage teach us about people?
4. Share personal experiences or observations of others (in the Bible or your life) who have drifted away from God due to prosperity.
5. Discuss the balance between taking responsibility for our efforts and acknowledging God's role in our success.
6. Share practical ways to guard against pride and maintain a humble heart before God.

Unit 1 Bonus: have this handy for a week you get through materials too quickly 

1Chron 29:6-19

…9 The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.

10 David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,

“Praise be to you, Lord,
  the God of our father Israel,
  from everlasting to everlasting.
11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power
  and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
  for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;
  you are exalted as head over all.
12 Wealth and honor come from you;
  you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
  to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks,
  and praise your glorious name.

14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 15 We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 16 Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. 18 Lord, the God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep these desires and thoughts in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. 19 And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, statutes and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.”

1. What stands out to you from this passage? 
2. What does this passage tell us about God and his character? 
3. Why does this passage suggest God is worthy of our praise and generosity? 
4. What does it look like to acknowledge God as the owner of everything He has given us?  
5. What are some practical ways we can hold our money with an open hand and let Him be Lord over our money and our attitude towards money?