How To Grow in Generosity Group Guide

Discussion Questions – Choose the questions for your group; no pressure to use all of them.

START OFF

1. Go around and check in with everyone. Take a moment to pause, reflect, and share - how are you feeling coming into our group time, and why?
2. This week’s message is about how to guide our generosity. When you think of generosity, is there a person or example of generosity that comes to mind?
   
   REFLECT ON GOD’S WORD
   
   
3. Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19 aloud, twice. Which phrases stand out to you in this passage about how we should view wealth?
4. Jeff talked about the Bema Seat Judgment, where our faithfulness and generosity on earth with be judged and rewarded with heavenly wealth and responsibility for all of eternity. Imagine you’re at the Bema Seat and Jesus pulls up a 3-minute highlight reel of how you handle money and generosity. What moment from the last 12 months do you hope makes the cut? What moment are you afraid might show up?
5. Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 aloud, twice. Why do you think God cares about how we give, not just that we give?
6. When was the last time you gave and felt joy in the moment, and not just relief or duty? What made it cheerful?
   
   GO DEEPER
   
   
7. God’s wisdom plan with finances is to give, save, and live, and Jeff made it more concrete with the 10/10/80 plan: give 10%, save 10%, live on 80%. What is your reaction to this idea?
8. Jeff shared the “3 Ps” of Giving: Planned - giving a specific amount on a recurring basis vs. spontaneous giving), Priority - giving first before saving or living expenses, and Percentage - establishing a percentage of your income to give. Which of these three giving principles could most transform your financial habits?
9. Jeff showed how investing $50/month for 40 years at historical S&P returns turns $24,000 into $405,000! What small, repeatable generosity or saving habit could you start this month that you would thank yourself for years later?
10. You don’t have to share this, but if you sat down tonight and ran your actual numbers, what would your current split be (Give/Save/Live percentages)? No shame; just honesty. And if you are not where you want to be, what’s one expense you could cut or delay to move the needle toward more giving or saving?
11. Jeff said, “When we give in a God-honoring way, we invite his enablement and blessing into our finances.” What step could you take this week to move toward planned, priority, percentage generosity?
    
    SHARE AND PRAY
    
    
12. Take some time to share prayer requests and things you are thankful for and end your meeting praising God and praying for one another.

Verse to meditate on and memorize this week

Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. -- 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Put It into Practice (Between Meetings)

1. The Stewardship Practice - “It All Belongs to God”: Each day, hold something you own (keys, wallet, phone) and pray: “God, this belongs to you. Show me how to use it for your purposes.”
2. The 10-10-80 Practice - “Give, Save, Live”: This week, make or review your financial plan using the biblical rhythm Jeff described: Give 10%, Save 10%, and Live on 80%.
3. The Planned Giving Practice – “Planned, Priority, Percentage”: Before the week ends, decide what your next faithful giving step is: setting a percentage to give regularly, making it a first priority in your budget, or automating/scheduling it as an act of worship.
4. The Gratitude Inventory – “Enjoy What God Provides”: List ten blessings you enjoy, whether things that money can buy or things that money can’t buy. Then thank God specifically for each one.
5. The Eternal Investment Practice – “Be Rich in Good Deeds”: Do one generous act this week that no one else will notice. You can serve, give, or bless quietly.