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Hey friends!

I’m so excited that you’ve chosen to join us for this incredible four-week study titled, “Contagious: The Spread of the Generous Gospel.” I hope you’re ready to see God do some amazing things both in and through you as you discover the power of generous living!

This study guide has been created by an awesome team who have dedicated themselves to creating a valuable resource to enhance your time in God’s Word each day! We want to encourage you to spend a few minutes each day reading the Scriptures, and to ask God to speak to you about the theme of generosity. Each week you’ll also have the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned along the way and discover the impact you can make on the lives of those around you!

The best way to use this helpful resource is to “engage daily and meet weekly.” In other words, make it a priority to have one-on-one time with God each day, and then commit to meeting with a group of friends once a week to discuss what you’ve learned and to pray for each other.

As you explore the joy of generous living, our prayer for you and your friends is found in 2 Corinthians 9:13 (NLT), which says, “As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.”

We’re so looking forward to hearing stories of how God is at work in your life, so please pass those along to us by sending an e-mail to CommunityGroups@CalvaryFTL.org. Also, know that we are here for you if you need any further assistance, or if you’d like to know more about continuing your group beyond this series. We’re here to serve!

Greg Anderson Pastor, Community Groups Ministry

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STAY CONNECTEDList the names and contact information of those in your group so you can keep in touch!

Name Phone

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HOSTING A GROUP?Hosting a weekly group meeting to discuss and learn together is a terrific way to grow in your faith while building Christ-centered friendships! To best prepare for these important group gatherings, here’s some simple advice!

LET THE GUIDE BE YOUR GUIDE!

Encourage everyone in your group to use their guides each day to read and record what they’ve learned. During your weekly meetings, have folks share what they learned while doing their daily Bible study. Ask them to reflect back on the questions they answered in the daily readings and share with the group something God revealed to them.

Copies of this guide will be available for you to distribute to each group member at the beginning of your first gathering. Their purpose is to . . .

• encourage personal Bible study

• provide thought-provoking questions on each topic

• challenge individuals to apply each principle to their personal lives

• give everyone an opportunity to dig deeper on their own

• prompt ideas for group outreach

If you need more guides, please let us know by sending an e-mail to CommunityGroups@CalvaryFTL.org.

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LEARN FROM PASTOR DOUG’S GROUP The video teachings are available online at HostAGroup.org/Host Login.

As the host, we highly recommend that you access the video teachings online before meeting with your group to review and make sure there are no technical difficulties. Watching these videos will not only give you great perspectives from a variety of people, but you’ll also learn from Pastor Doug as he leads the conversation.

START WELL. END WELL.

Hopefully by now, you have viewed the Host Orientation video online and found at least three committed people to join you as you launch your new group. Beginning with at least a “core four” will provide a much better group experience!

When you wrap up the series, you may want to have a celebration meeting to celebrate all that God has done over the four-week study. That’s also a great time to plan to do an outreach together over the holidays!

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KEEP IT SIMPLEHere’s a simple plan for how your meetings will go! Be flexible, but try to keep your meeting time to 90 minutes or less.

• Enjoy fellowship and refreshments.

• Welcome everyone and introduce any new group members.

• Open in prayer.

• Watch the video by Pastor Doug.

• Have a discussion using the host questions provided.

• Wrap up the conversation by sharing prayer requests.

• Close in prayer.

• Hang out or head out!

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YOUR HOST QUESTIONSPick the ones you feel would work best for your group. NOTE: You don’t need to use them all, pick your favorites!

ICE-BREAKERS (use as needed to get folks talking)

• What was the best example of generosity you saw this past week? How did it inspire you?

• How did you find yourself being generous this past week?

• What was the most generous thing that happened to you this past week?

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WEEK ONE QUESTIONS

• What was the most significant thing you heard Pastor Doug share in his teaching this week?

• Read Acts 2:42-27 together. How does this description of a generous life inspire you? What do you learn from this passage?

• Why is it important for us to live generously?

• What might be keeping us from a generous life?

• How can our view of God impact our own generosity?

• What are some practical ways we can be generous this week?

WEEK TWO QUESTIONS

• Why is being generous with finances not always an easy subject to talk about?

• Who has impacted your life through financial generosity, and how did they do this?

• Which part of Doug’s teaching this week challenged you the most? What inspired you the most?

• When it comes to the topic of giving, what story or Scripture has impacted you the most and why? Share a verse with the group if you have one.

• Read Philippians 4:19 together. How have you seen God meet your needs?

• What are some practical ways we could all increase our financial generosity and prepare ourselves for opportunities to give?

• As Christians, how do you think our giving impacts our message to the rest of the world?

WEEK THREE QUESTIONS

• What was your biggest takeaway from Doug’s message this week?

• Who has blessed you with the gift of time, and how did they generously do so?

• Why is being generous with time so difficult for us, and what would make it easier?

• What’s does God’s Word tell you about time and how we are to use it? Share a verse that has spoken to you.

• What changes would you like to make now that you’ve heard this teaching on time?

• How will you purpose to be generous with your time this week?

WEEK FOUR QUESTIONS

• As you look at all your relationships, who has been generous with you and how have they done this recently?

• What stands in the way of you being relationally generous?

• What did Doug’s group discussion remind you about generosity?

• Why is being generous in relationships so critical to our quality of life?

• Where do you see relational generosity in the Bible, and what do you learn from it?

• How can our being generous in relationships change our world?

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HELPFUL HINTSHere are a few extra helpful hints to guide you in hosting your group.

KNOW YOUR GROUP

It’s important for you to know who is in your group and for you to be able to call them by name. You can learn their names easily by using a simple stick-on nametag at your first few meetings. Also, if someone is not able to attend a meeting, encourage him or her to contact you or someone in the group. It may be a good idea to share your phone number or e-mail with the group at your first meeting.

MANAGE YOUR GROUP TIME AND CONFIDENTIALITY

In any group, there are those whom are comfortable sharing, while there are others who might need a little encouragement to make sure they are heard and understood. Keep an eye on the time, and make sure each person who wants to share gets an opportunity. As the group facilitator, remind them that everything that is discussed in the group should not be discussed outside of the group.

FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP

Feel free to come up with your own plan, but do try to offer some simple snacks and beverages at each meeting. Keeping it simple will serve you best!

PRAY FOR YOUR GROUP

Invite and encourage prayer as part of your group experience. Wrapping up your meetings with a group prayer time will connect your members on a deeper level. Remember, you don’t want to put people who have never prayed aloud on the spot, but giving folks an opportunity to pray aloud together can be a real blessing.

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HOW TO KEEP YOUR GROUP GOINGBy the time you wrap up this study, we pray several things have happened. We pray God has revealed His generosity in everyone’s lives and that each person has a renewed connection to His Word. We also hope that long-lasting connections are formed with everyone in your group and that there is now in them a passionate desire for reaching the world for Christ.

One of the best ways you can continue to see the generous spread of the gospel and grow as a disciple is by leading, or being a part of, a regular Calvary community group. If you’re interested in learning more about moving from serving as a host to becoming an on-going group leader, our Community Groups team would be glad to help you with your next step.

To learn more about this exciting opportunity, you can register for our next Community Group Leader Training at HostAGroup.org or contact us with any questions you may have by sending an e-mail to CommunityGroups@CalvaryFTL.org.

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KINDNESS OF GOD

Day 1

“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” —Titus 3:4-7 (NLT)

“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”

—Romans 2:4 (NLT)

Throughout the Scriptures, the genuine kindness of God is described for us in many ways, yet there’s no greater demonstration of God’s kindness than the gift of His own Son. In today’s passage of Scripture, we are reminded that Jesus coming to live among us was a reflection of God’s kind and generous heart. It was His kindness that sent Jesus to bring us salvation!

Speaking of kindness, have you noticed there is something inspiring about an act of true kindness? We are inspired by kindness because we were wonderfully created in His image, and the God who made us is exceedingly and extravagantly kind. In light of His kindness, we should be too!

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PERSONAL REFLECTION

Genuine kindness is both attractive and rare. As you look at our society, why do you think true kindness is so hard to find?

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How have you seen the kindness of God demonstrated in your own life recently?

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What is a simple act of kindness you could offer your neighbor today?

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COMPASSION OF GOD

Day 2

“The Lord is compassionate

and merciful, slow to get angry

and filled with unfailing love. He

will not constantly accuse us,

nor remain angry forever. He

does not punish us for all our

sins; he does not deal harshly

with us, as we deserve. For his

unfailing love toward those

who fear him is as great as the

height of the heavens above

the earth. He has removed our

sins as far from us as the east

is from the west. The Lord is

like a father to his children,

tender and compassionate to

those who fear him. For he

knows how weak we are; he

remembers we are only dust.”

—Psalm 103:8-14 (NLT)

In today’s verses, you’ll be reminded of God’s generous compassion. It’s His true nature to have compassion on all of His creation, and these selected Scriptures point us to this divine reality. It’s from His compassionate heart that God offers us, His children, endless expressions of His generosity.

In our world today, seeing acts of true compassion can be few and far between. So, it’s all the more important that we as Christ-followers show compassion toward everyone with whom we come in contact. In showing them the compassion of Christ, we can be a light in a dark world!

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PERSONAL REFLECTION

What difference has the compassion of God made in your own life?

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God has the ability to stir up a deep compassion within our souls for people. For whom has He stirred up compassion within you?

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What are some practical ways you can show this person genuine compassion?

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FORGIVENESS OF GOD

Day 3

“Do not grieve the Holy

Spirit of God, by whom you

were sealed for the day of

redemption. Let all bitterness

and wrath and anger and

clamor and slander be put

away from you, along with all

malice. Be kind to one another,

tender-hearted, forgiving each

other, just as God in Christ also

has forgiven you.”

—Ephesians 4:30-32 (NASB)

“Give us this day our daily

bread. And forgive us our

debts, as we also have forgiven

our debtors. And do not lead

us into temptation, but deliver

us from evil.”

—Matthew 6:11-13 (NASB)

In this lifetime, we may never fully understand all that God’s forgiveness means to us as His redeemed children. It’s hard to get our minds around the fact that God was willing to go to the length of sacrificing His own Son so we could experience freedom and forgiveness. Once again, we are reminded that God’s ways are higher than our ways and that He is a generous God!

Knowing that He has forgiven us our “debts,” how do we then respond to the opportunities we have to forgive others? For most folks, it’s easier said than done. Yet the good news is this: Through Christ, God gives us the power to generously forgive every offense! Trust Him to give you the power to forgive!

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PERSONAL REFLECTION

How have you seen and experienced the forgiveness of God?

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What difference could generous forgiveness make in your relationships?

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Who do you need to forgive, and how will you trust God to generously provide the power to do that?

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GOD GENEROUSLY GIVES ALL THINGS

Day 4

“For in him all things were

created: things in heaven and

on earth, visible and invisible,

whether thrones or powers or

rulers or authorities; all things

have been created through him

and for him.”

—Colossians 1:16 (NIV)

“Every good and perfect gift

is from above, coming down

from the Father of the heavenly

lights, who does not change

like shifting shadows.”

—James 1:17 (NIV)

Jesus is the creator of not some, not most, but ALL things. Through His love, kindness, and grace, He bestows wonderful gifts upon us and as His creation. We humbly receive and give Him all the glory. We can get confused about the source of our daily blessings. In our pride, we can revel in how successful our business is, how awesome the ministry is doing, the nice car and house, all the while praising how well “we” have done and taking all the credit. Our giving and kind nature can quickly change depending on the mood we are in or how we are treated by others. We are the shifting shadows! God’s nature doesn’t change nor does He give according to our works or how He feels from day to day. He graciously gives to us all we need, when we need it because He is our Good Father.

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PERSONAL REFLECTION

Why do you think God generously gives us gifts?

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Pride can fog our perception of God’s blessings in our lives. In what ways have you seen pride in your own life confuse the source of God’s blessings?

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What are some of the blessings God has entrusted you with? Make a list of things you are thankful for today.

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GOD GENEROUSLY GAVE US JESUS. JESUS GENEROUSLY GAVE HIS LIFE.

Day 5

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” —John 3:16 (NIV)

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” —Ephesians 5:1–2 (NIV)

Getting a present is so much fun! Whether your “love language” is gift-giving or not, we all enjoy seeing a present wrapped beautifully with a bow or receiving an unexpected package at the door.

John 3:16 far exceeds all the gifts we will ever experience in the material world. Here we see God gave generously the gift of His only Son. His desire was for us to accept this gift. Jesus didn’t come wrapped in a beautiful box, rather He was wrapped in a tattered cloth in a feeding trough. The gift of Jesus was the ultimate gift of generosity.

Jesus followed His Father’s hand at generosity when He offered His life (Ephesians 5: 1–2). Jesus’ kindest act of generosity was to turn us from our sin and give us eternal life and a relationship with Him (Romans 2:4).

Clearly God wanted to graciously share His “love language” by bringing us into eternity through the ultimate generous gift of His Son. In turn, Jesus generously shared His “love language” by giving His very life.

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PERSONAL REFLECTION

What are some of the truths God is reminding you of in these Scriptures?

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God’s gift towards us is solely by saving grace and we have done nothing to deserve it. How has God shown you grace in your own life?

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Today, how can you re-gift God’s grace to someone in your life?

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CHRIST GENEROUSLY GAVE US THE HOLY SPIRIT

Day 6

“And I will ask the Father,

and he will give you another

advocate to help you and be

with you forever—the Spirit of

truth.”—John 14:16–17 (NIV)

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit,

whom the Father will send in

My name, He will teach you

all things, and bring to your

remembrance all things that I

said to you.”

—John 14:26 (NKJV)

In today’s verses, we see that God does not want us to feel left alone or abandoned to complete the work He has called us to do until He returns and brings us home with Him. He loves us so much that He generously gave us a “Helper,” the Holy Spirit. This “Helper,” or another translation calls Him a “Counselor,” is God’s invisible Spirit that dwells inside of us teaching us God’s truth and guiding us in every decision we have to make.

As Jesus was about to leave, He calmed the fears of His followers by letting them know He would send the Holy Spirit to be with them to teach and guide them as He had done. In our world today, there is so much relative truth that we can get distracted and forsake God’s purpose for us here on earth. We need to continually ask God to generously refill us and anoint us with His Spirit in order to live in a way that pleases Him. We cannot live a life of righteousness without the guidance and help from the Holy Spirit.

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PERSONAL REFLECTION

How does this passage give you confidence and hope?

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Describe a time when you have felt either the guidance or conviction of the Holy Spirit?

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Who has the Holy Spirit put on your heart to pray for and bless today? How will you do that?

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MODELING THE GENEROSITY OF GOD

Day 7

“Don’t store up treasures here

on earth, where moths eat

them and rust destroys them,

and where thieves break in and

steal. Store your treasures in

heaven, where moths and rust

cannot destroy, and thieves

do not break in and steal.

Wherever your treasure is,

there the desires of your heart

will also be.”

—Matthew 6:19-21 (NLT)

“This most generous God who

gives seed to the farmer that

becomes bread for your meals

is more than extravagant with

you. He gives you something

you can then give away, which

grows into full-formed lives,

robust in God.”

—2 Corinthians 9:10-11 (MSG)

The Bible says that every good and perfect (free, large, full) gift is from God. God gives so generously in every way—He gives us breath and life, and He gave us His Son, forgiveness, and salvation. He has given us creation and others to enjoy. He generously gives us everything we need and much more. Our very time, talents, and treasure are all gifts from Him.

Truthfully, what God has given us is on loan from Him. For our brief time on earth, He has given all things to be used for His glory and to be a blessing to our fellow man. The world desperately needs us to generously invest all we have been entrusted with to make a difference. The reward for our investment will be treasure in heaven with an eternal return.

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PERSONAL REFLECTION

What is God saying to you through this passage of Scripture?

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How can we keep focus on eternal treasures and not worldly things?

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Read 2 Corinthians 9:11 from the Message Bible. What has God given you that He is now leading you to generously give away?

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BE PRESENT

Day 8

“Do not merely look out for

your own personal interests,

but also for the interests of

others. Have this attitude in

yourselves which was also in

Christ Jesus, who, although He

existed in the form of God, did

not regard equality with God a

thing to be grasped.”

—Philippians 2:4-6 (NASB)

“Be devoted to one another in

love. Honor one another above

yourselves.”

—Romans 12:10 (NIV)

It’s hard to focus on others, isn’t it? With all of the wonderful avenues of technology, no matter where we are on the planet we can communicate, gather news, order products, work, read, play games, and on and on. Undoubtedly, technology has brought so much good to our society, but it can also distract us from what’s really important.

But technology isn’t the only culprit. There are activities, responsibilities, and many other lures that cause us not to be “present.” We can be around people and not be present in the least. Being present means our attention is on the person or people right in front of us. Being generously present means the other is more important than our agenda or “To Do” list. Our thoughts and energies are directed on honoring others (Romans 12:10).

It certainly seems fascinating how Jesus generously chose to be present. Philippians 2:4–6 is a beautiful reminder of how Jesus didn’t try to usurp God or flaunt His royal role. Instead, He looked to the interests of others. He generously turned His efforts to who was with Him. Jesus is the ultimate example of being present. Jesus didn’t feel distracted by the pulls of other activity, nor should we. Let’s be sure to follow His example and enjoy being generously present in each and every moment.

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PERSONAL REFLECTION

How does knowing that Jesus is present in your life today make a difference in the way you live?

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We are called to love and serve others. So, how is being present an important part of loving people?

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In a world of distractions, how will you be more intentional at being present in the lives of the people in your life?

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DOING ONTO OTHERS

Day 9

“Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”—Luke 6:30-36 (NASB)

It’s easy to love those who love us and are generous to us. But what should set us apart as Christians is our willingness to rise above human expectation and show genuine love to those least deserving . . . even to our enemies. To go the extra mile, knowing that just maybe our generous love will move an unsuspecting sinner closer to Christ and our God will receive the glory!

Jesus continually raised eyebrows by His generous mercy shown to the woman caught in adultery, the tax collector, and even the thief on the cross next to Him. Most moving of all, “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NASB). His exceptionally generous love and mercy should be the motivation that drives our passion to love even the most wretched sinner the way He loved the wretched sinner we once were.

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PERSONAL REFLECTION

Why do you think this teaching of Jesus is referred to as the “Golden Rule,” and why is it so important?

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How would obeying this command make a difference in your life?

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Who will you show generosity to this week by treating them in the same way you want to be treated?

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BURDEN BEARER

Day 10

“Carry each other’s burdens,

and in this way you will fulfill

the law of Christ.”

—Galatians 6:2 (NIV)

“A friend loves at all times, and

a brother is born for adversity.”

—Proverbs 17:17 (NIV)

In Galatians 6:2, Paul instructs us to carry one another’s burden. In other words, be there for one another in times of need. When the weight of this world becomes too much to handle, help others carry the weight! Not only are you helping your friend, but more importantly, you are fulfilling the “law of Christ.”

So, what then is the law of Christ? The Scriptures offer us the law of Moses in the Old Testament, but what law did Jesus give? Jesus gave us a new commandment to keep and to live by, as He declared, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35 NASB). So, as we bear one another’s burdens, we demonstrate our love for each other!

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PERSONAL REFLECTION

Why do you think it is important for us as Christians to understand and apply these verses?

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What challenges and opportunities come along when you bear someone else’s burden?

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Who do you know that needs your help, and how can you join them in lifting their load?

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OWN YOUR BLOCK

Day 11

“For the whole law is fulfilled in

one word: ‘You shall love your

neighbor as yourself.’”

—Galatians 5:14 (ESV)

“Seek the welfare of the city

where I have sent you into exile,

and pray to the Lord on its

behalf; for in its welfare you will

have welfare.”

—Jeremiah 29:7 (NASB)

“On one occasion an expert in

the law stood up to test Jesus.

‘Teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must

I do to inherit eternal life?’

‘What is written in the Law?’

he replied. ‘How do you read

it?’ He answered, ‘Love the

Lord your God with all your

heart and with all your soul

and with all your strength and

with all your mind; and, love

your neighbor as yourself.’ ‘You

have answered correctly,’ Jesus

replied. ‘Do this and you will

live.’ But he wanted to justify

himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘And

who is my neighbor?’”

—Luke 10:25-29 (NIV)

The lawyer in Luke 10 knew the law, yet he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus’ response was far more enlightening and instructive than he bargained for. He didn’t tell him to merely consider who lived on the right and left side of his home or even who sat in the cubicle next to him at work. The Good Samaritan is the illustration Jesus shares with the lawyer (and us) to express a far more generous love and mercy that goes beyond physical location and a momentary act of kindness.

Christ calls us to a much larger Kingdom mission that includes our neighborhood, our city, and our world. We are the ones He enlists to pray and pursue our neighbors near and far with the gospel. When we generously spend our lives loving and investing in others, we’ll surely see a harvest of souls enter His Kingdom!

37

PERSONAL REFLECTION

What is God saying to you through these passages of Scripture?

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Who are your neighbors and how can you pray for them? List the names of your neighbors here.

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My prayer for my neighbors is . . .

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38

SHARING WITH OTHERS

Day 12

“When I came to you, I did

not come with eloquence or

human wisdom as I proclaimed

to you the testimony about

God . . . My message and my

preaching were not with wise

and persuasive words, but with

a demonstration of the Spirit’s

power, so that your faith might

not rest on human wisdom, but

on God’s power.”

—1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NIV)

“For it is God who works in you

to will and to act in order to

fulfill his good purpose.”

—Philippians 2:13 (NIV)

Have you ever shared your faith with someone? How did it go? Sharing our faith, or witnessing about what Christ has done for us, can be an amazing experience. But sometimes we discover those moments come with anxiousness, uncertainty, and even some fears. However, the good news found in today’s verses reminds us of some powerful promises that can be “confidence builders” when we witness!

We first need to remember that the Spirit of God is in us, empowering us to bring a message of hope. It’s not up to us, it’s up to Him who is in us! Second, we must remind ourselves that it is God who is at work, accomplishing that which pleases Him the most. God asks us to be ready to share and serve, and then He will do the work of reaching the hearts of our listeners!

39

PERSONAL REFLECTION

What do these verses say to you about you witnessing for Christ?

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Knowing the truth of these verses, how could you witness to others in a way that shows them the love of Jesus?

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Who will you pray for today and ask God to give you an opportunity to share with them your own God-story?

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40

YOUR STORY

Day 13

“My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and of Your salvation all day long; for I do not know the sum of them. I will come with the mighty deeds of the Lord God; I will make mention of Your righteousness, Yours alone. O God, You have taught me from my youth, and I still declare Your wondrous deeds. And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.” —Psalm 71:15-18 (NASB)

“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.” —Luke 8:39 (ESV)

Your story is powerful. Your generous God has given you time on earth to build a story that speaks of the glory of God. The brokenness from your past is redeemed by God and others experience that redemption as you share your story with them. It becomes easier to share your story as you realize it’s His story. The trials and pain you have walked through, that left you feeling powerless, are now a gift you can generously share with others. You are empowered by your past because Christ has redeemed your past to help people who are now walking through similar struggles. As you share your story with others, you will see how generous God has truly been. He has woven your story together with so many other people, because together we are a part of God’s greatest plan. That plan is seen in the cross of Christ. That plan is a plan of redemption for all mankind . . . and that plan includes your story!

41

PERSONAL REFLECTION

How do these verses inspire you?

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What may be keeping you from sharing your story and why?

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Who can you share your story with today and how will you do this?

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42

GOD’S STORY

Day 14

“For all have sinned and fall

short of the glory of God”

—Romans 3:23 (NIV)

“’He Himself bore our sins’ in

his body on the cross, so that

we might die to sins and live for

righteousness; ‘by His wounds

you have been healed’”

—1 Peter 2:24 (NIV)

“But as many as received Him,

to them He gave the right to

become children of God”

—John 1:12 (NASB)

Every good story has the elements of a plot, an inevitable climax, and a final resolution. In God’s own story, He deals with the sobering and sinful plot of men and women, declaring, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NIV). The redeeming climax is then linked to Calvary’s cross, where innocence suffers in our guilty place: “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24 NIV). So then, in God’s story, how do we personally experience a genuine resolution? Only as a recipient: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12 NASB).

The story of God becomes complete when we each make a personal decision to receive Christ as our Savior. If you have not taken that step, make that decision today to receive Christ!

43

PERSONAL REFLECTION

What are the important truths found in these passages of Scripture?

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How do these verses open your eyes to the great generosity of God and His love for you?

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What could you do today to share the good news of God’s story with a friend or neighbor?

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44

TIME: THE RAREST COMMODITY ON EARTH

Day 15

“So teach us to number our

days, that we may present to

You a heart of wisdom.”

—Psalm 90:12 (NASB)

“Why, you do not even know

what will happen tomorrow.

What is your life? You are a

mist that appears for a little

while and then vanishes.”

—James 4:14 (NIV)

Contrary to what we may think or believe, the reality is, our time is not our own. According to God’s Word, we are generously given the very days and years we have here on this earth, and God is the One who ultimately holds our life in His Hands. We are stewards of what He has given, commissioned to make the most of the life He has graciously entrusted to us.

So then, how can we make the most of the time we have here? It begins with living life with intentionality. Being intent on His purposes and priorities and planning with His will in mind. Our time here is short, and we need God’s wisdom in understanding how we can best live out our days for His glory!

45

PERSONAL REFLECTION

When you read this potion of Scripture, what thoughts come to mind?

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What helps you, and what hinders you, as you seek to make the most of your time here on earth?

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How could you be more generous with your time in the generous time you’ve been given?

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46

TIME WITH GOD

Day 16

“But seek first his kingdom

and his righteousness, and all

these things will be given to

you as well.”

—Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

“For whoever wants to save

his life will lose it; but whoever

loses his life for My sake will

find it.”

—Matthew 16:25 (NASB)

What’s the most important thing in your life? Truthfully, it may be a person, a place, or even a thing, but in every person’s heart there is a space reserved only for what matters most. In that place, we find there is the object of our highest love, and our priorities will then soon emerge from where our deepest affections have taken us. From that place in our hearts, we set our goals, we plan our lives, we go about our business, and we dream our dreams.

Jesus called us to put our Heavenly Father in that place of highest importance and greatest love. We’re challenged to make the Kingdom of God our priority, and if we do, the love of God would lead us to experience His perfect provision in all else that may be of concern. Are you ready to forsake all else in order to gain what He generously gives?

47

PERSONAL REFLECTION

What does this passage point out to you about priorities?

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How would you describe your love for God, and how does the time you spend with Him reflect His importance?

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What will you do to develop a deeper generosity in the time you spend with God?

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48

LOSING YOUR LIFE TO GAIN IT

Day 17

“Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?’” —Luke 9:23–25 (NIV)

The things we choose to surround us often define us, and because God is a generous Father, He knew we would require an exchange plan to become less selfish and godlier men and women. It doesn’t sound too appealing to deny ourselves, does it? What Jesus was speaking about in this passage is that if we want to truly find our life in Christ, we must surrender it all to the very God that created us.

God knows us best! We see this modeled for us in the way Jesus lived a surrendered life to His Father’s will. Like children relinquish their wants for a wiser plan from loving parents, so we must do the same with our heavenly dad. The truth is we will find the true happiness we all desire not by seeking it, but by seeking Him every day.

49

PERSONAL REFLECTION

What is the challenge and the reward you discover in this passage?

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What are some practical ways you can seek God every day and discover the life He has for you?

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My prayer to God today is . . .

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50

DEFEAT DISTRACTIONS

Day 18

“I will meditate on your

precepts and fix my eyes on

your ways.”

—Psalm 119:15 (ESV)

“I am saying this for your

benefit, not to place

restrictions on you. I want you

to do whatever will help you

serve the Lord best, with as few

distractions as possible.”

—1 Corinthians 7:35 (NLT)

“Set your minds on things

above, not on earthly things.”

—Colossians 3:2 (NIV)

Have you ever sat down to spend quiet time with God and started to think about what you are going to cook for dinner or about a task you needed to complete? I think it’s fair to say we have all been distracted by the world around us. To meditate on God’s precepts, and fix our eyes on His ways, is to think deeply about what God has said to us through Scripture. When we quiet our hearts and minds before God, He generously provides focus and understanding.

So, what is the remedy to a distracted heart? It’s setting aside quiet time to spend in God’s Word. It’s in these times of meditation and reflection that we can examine the path God has chosen for us by forgetting earthly things and setting our minds on things above!

51

PERSONAL REFLECTION

What is competing for your attention right now and why?

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What steps will you take to eliminate distractions in your own time with God?

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How would a generous ability to focus make an impact in your relationship with God and with others?

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52

TIME FOR DISCIPLESHIP

Day 19

“Go therefore and make

disciples of all the nations,

baptizing them in the name

of the Father and the Son

and the Holy Spirit, teaching

them to observe all that I

commanded you; and lo, I am

with you always, even to the

end of the age.”

—Matthew 28:19-20 (NASB)

“The things which you have

heard from me in the presence

of many witnesses, entrust

these to faithful men who will

be able to teach others also.”

—2 Timothy 2:2 (NASB)

How someone uses their time often reveals what’s important to them. Jesus used His time very generously on earth to disciple those around Him, and He tells believers we should do the same.

It must have seemed like a daunting task when Jesus said to the disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations.” It may seem intimidating to you right now as you realize He’s speaking to you, but Jesus doesn’t want anyone to do this alone. Each believer has the responsibility to use their time generously to disciple those around them. Also, Jesus immediately affirmed the disciples (and us!) by saying, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” If every believer would generously use their time to disciple those around them, imagine the impact the gospel would have.

53

PERSONAL REFLECTION

What do these verses mean to you?

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What time have you set aside to disciple someone or to be discipled by someone, and what does that time look like?

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As I consider discipleship, my prayer is . . .

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54

LEAVING ROOM FOR THE SPIRIT

Day 20

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit

guide your lives. Then you

won’t be doing what your

sinful nature craves. The sinful

nature wants to do evil, which

is just the opposite of what

the Spirit wants. And the

Spirit gives us desires that

are the opposite of what the

sinful nature desires. These

two forces are constantly

fighting each other, so you

are not free to carry out your

good intentions . . . Those

who belong to Christ Jesus

have nailed the passions and

desires of their sinful nature to

his cross and crucified them

there. Since we are living by

the Spirit, let us follow the

Spirit’s leading in every part of

our lives.”

—Galatians 5:16–25 (NLT)

One of the most amazing and remarkable realities that we experience as Christians is the presence of God’s Spirit dwelling in us. It’s His Spirit that enables us to do and become all He desires for us. Our challenge then is to live in such a way as to remain open to the leading and prompting of His Spirit. As we learn how He leads and we respond in obedience, we discover the true walk of a spirit-filled believer.

It is crucially important that we perpetually remain open to the Holy Spirit’s leading in our lives. He will always lead us away from temptation and ultimately to a place of blessing and favor with God.

55

PERSONAL REFLECTION

What does today’s Scripture mean to you and why?

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What does this passage reveal to you about your plans and God’s direction?

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What do you sense the Holy Spirit is doing in you right now, and how is He speaking to you about generosity?

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56

TRUST THE PROCESS

Day 21

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 3:13–14 (NIV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” —Hebrews 12:1–3 (NIV)

Today’s verses challenge us to move forward. Although it is not always easy, we must be willing to put our past in our rearview mirror and move ahead with God’s generous help.

So often, we can be overwhelmed with the trials of life (i.e. family, bills, health) or focus on our past (and wonder if we’ll ever “get past our past”) that we lose sight of the finish line. Remember, Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV).

In the end, God see us at the finish line. Therefore, His concern is with how we run the race—our spiritual growth, our witness, our faith in Him. God’s desire is to refine, mold, and shape us to be more like Christ for His glory! Keeping your eyes on the finish line will change how you live in this world!

57

PERSONAL REFLECTION

How do these Bible passages impact your faith?

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Who is inspiring you as you run your “faith-race,” and who are you inspiring along away? How are you doing this?

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Knowing the process of trusting God is a life-long endeavor, how can you make sure you are in it for the long haul?

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58

STEWARDS VS. OWNERS

Day 22

“Tell them to use their money

to do good. They should

be rich in good works and

generous to those in need,

always being ready to share

with others. By doing this

they will be storing up their

treasure as a good foundation

for the future so that they may

experience true life.”

—1 Timothy 6:18–19 (NLT)

“Whoever can be trusted with

very little can also be trusted

with much, and whoever is

dishonest with very little will

also be dishonest with much.”

—Luke 16:10 (NIV)

The Bible declares “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1 NIV), which includes us! We are His very own possession . . . He is our Lord, our Master and our Owner! We, on the other hand, are His stewards. In other words, we have been given the responsibility of managing what He has entrusted to us. That assignment comes with great privilege, honor, and obligation.

Thankfully we have God’s Word to guide us and give us instruction on how to do what He has called us to do. We need not wonder how we are to handle the talents and treasures from our Heavenly Father. Instead, we need only to look into God’s “instruction manual” to find clear guidance! The command to “be rich in good works and generous to those in need” is both simple and straightforward. We can be grateful that as we steward the things God owns, His guidance is always there for us!

59

PERSONAL REFLECTION

How do today’s verses encourage you?

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How do you feel about being a steward of God’s possessions and, what difference does that make in how you view things you call your own?

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What changes will you make this week to improve your stewardship of God’s resources?

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60

A MATTER OF THE HEART

Day 23

“As Jesus looked up, he saw the

rich putting their gifts into the

temple treasury. He also saw

a poor widow put in two very

small copper coins. ‘Truly I tell

you,’ he said, ‘this poor widow

has put in more than all the

others. All these people gave

their gifts out of their wealth;

but she out of her poverty put

in all she had to live on.’”

—Luke 21:1–4 (NIV)

Have you ever felt like you had nothing to give to God? Many people are living paycheck to paycheck hoping what they can give to God would be pleasing to Him. In today’s verse, we see Jesus with His disciples watching people bring their offering to the temple treasury. For us this is similar to watching people put their envelopes or money into the tithe boxes. It’s so encouraging that Jesus looks at a person’s intentions, their heart, in what they give, whether it’s their time, money, or talents.

God calls us to give generously not only through our financial offerings, but out of the abundance of our hearts. This means we must ask for the love of the Father to generously fill our hearts with His love towards others so we can give of our time, our gifts He has put in us, and our offerings to those in need.

61

PERSONAL REFLECTION

How does this story from the Bible inspire you?

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Why do you think it’s important for us to understand Jesus’ teaching that giving and being generous is a matter of the heart?

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What would need to change in your life and heart for you to be a more generous giver?

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62

ON TITHING

Day 24

“’Bring all the tithes into the

storehouse so there will be

enough food in my Temple.

If you do,’ says the Lord of

Heaven’s Armies, ‘I will open

the windows of heaven for you.

I will pour out a blessing so

great you won’t have enough

room to take it in! Try it! Put me

to the test! Your crops will be

abundant, for I will guard them

from insects and disease. Your

grapes will not fall from the

vine before they are ripe,’ says

the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

‘Then all nations will call you

blessed, for your land will be

such a delight,’ says the Lord of

Heaven’s Armies.”

—Malachi 3:10–12 (NLT)

Have you ever thought about putting God to the test? What if He invited you to do that? In this passage of Scripture, that’s exactly what He is doing. He’s saying to us that we can test His character and His promise on this issue, promising us that the result of our generosity would be His abundant blessing.

Over the years our church has experienced incredible blessings during those seasons where we have all sacrificially given. Not only have we been able to see our mission fulfilled in exciting ways, but we have also seen the truth of this Old Testament promise. When we act out of obedience and generosity, we can boldly move forward in reaching our community for Christ.

63

PERSONAL REFLECTION

How does this verse cause you to think differently about giving to your church?

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What do you see is the connection between generous giving and God’s provision?

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This week, I will pray about giving generously because I believe . . .

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64

A GODLY, GENEROUS BUDGET

Day 25

“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce.” —Proverbs 3:9 (ESV)

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.” —Proverbs 21:5 (NASB)

“Prepare your work outside and make it ready for yourself in the field; afterwards, then, build your house.” —Proverbs 24:27 (NASB)

Long ago, God blessed King Solomon with tremendous wisdom, and thankfully we find much of it collected for us in the Book of Proverbs. In these powerful passages, we find the principle of honoring God in how we go about managing our resources. As God blesses us with earthly goods and wealth, it is our responsibility to manage and steward them well.

The Proverbs are packed with instructions and impress upon us the importance of planning appropriately. Preparing a budget may at first seems very “worldly” and not too spiritual. However, when we consider God’s ownership of all things and our responsibility to manage what He gives us, we then realize it is a very serious spiritual task!

65

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Why do you think it is important we understand these verses?

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How are you currently keeping up with what you spend, save, and give?

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When it comes to making your financial decisions, what does that process look like and how is it pleasing to God?

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66

TALENTS, STRENGTHS, AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Day 26

“Each of you should use

whatever gift you have received

to serve others, as faithful

stewards of God’s grace in its

various forms.”

—1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

“In his grace, God has given us

different gifts for doing certain

things well. So if God has given

you the ability to prophesy,

speak out with as much faith as

God has given you.”

—Romans 12:6 (NLT)

God has generously given us talents, strengths, and gifts, which are resources we are to use to navigate life and glorify God. It is important to exercise and use these resources generously. Lack of use will lead to feeling stagnant and weak. Misuse will lead to regret. Generous use done in a way that brings glory to God leads to joy, peace, fulfillment, and ultimately to living the life of purpose God created you for.

We all have a purpose and a mission God has given us, which is accomplished as we use our talents, strengths, and spiritual gifts to lead people to Christ, serve and encourage the body of Christ, and above all else, love others. This is only possible if we rely on God to satisfy the purpose He created us for. Remember, as amazing as our talents, strengths, and spiritual gifts may be, they were given to us by God, and they do not compare to the amazingness of the Giver.

67

PERSONAL REFLECTION

What do the above verses explain to you about spiritual gifts and talents?

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How have you discovered and used your gifts for God’s kingdom purposes?

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What steps could you take this week to offer a full expression of your spiritual giftings?

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68

GENEROUS SERVICE

Day 27

“And Jesus called them to him

and said to them, ‘You know

that those who are considered

rulers of the Gentiles lord it

over them, and their great ones

exercise authority over them.

But it shall not be so among

you. But whoever would be

great among you must be your

servant, and whoever would be

first among you must be slave

of all. For even the Son of Man

came not to be served but to

serve, and to give his life as a

ransom for many.’”

—Mark 10:42–45 (ESV)

“If I then, your Lord and

Teacher, have washed your feet,

you also ought to wash one

another’s feet.”

—John 13:14 (ESV)

“But not so with you. Rather,

let the greatest among you

become as the youngest, and

the leader as one who serves.

For who is the greater, one

who reclines at table or one

who serves? Is it not the one

who reclines at table? But I am

among you as the one who

serves.”—Luke 22:26–27 (ESV)

Our desires consume our thoughts, prioritize our time, and are what we live for. When our desire to grow closer to Jesus turns to a pursuit of Jesus, our lives will begin to reflect Jesus to the world. The Bible says, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:28 NASB). That’s the essence of who Jesus is, and as we grow closer to Him it should become the essence of who we are. Our duty is to shine as a light in this dark, sinful world and bring the hope of Jesus to the broken and hopeless. There is no better way to shine then to generously serve our families, co-workers, and community.

69

PERSONAL REFLECTION

When you read this passage and hear Jesus explain that He came to serve us, how does this motivate you in your efforts to be generous?

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What may be keeping you from serving with an attitude of generosity and why?

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What could you do for someone this week to lovingly demonstrate the generosity of Jesus?

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70

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER: HABIT, LIFESTYLE, AND DESTINY

Day 28

“All the believers devoted

themselves to the apostles’

teaching, and to fellowship,

and to sharing in meals

(including the Lord’s Supper),

and to prayer. A deep sense

of awe came over them all,

and the apostles performed

many miraculous signs and

wonders. And all the believers

met together in one place and

shared everything they had.

They sold their property and

possessions and shared the

money with those in need.

They worshiped together at

the Temple each day, met in

homes for the Lord’s Supper,

and shared their meals with

great joy and generosity—all

the while praising God and

enjoying the goodwill of all the

people. And each day the Lord

added to their fellowship those

who were being saved.”

—Acts 2:42-47 (NLT)

The early church was known for its generosity and was characterized by those who gave sacrificially and selflessly. Now, over two thousand years later, we are a generation of believers who are still seeking to serve others through the powerful practice of giving.

As we conclude this journey we’ve been on together over the last four weeks, we need to consider what God has revealed to us through this study. Among many biblical lessons and principles, the one that rises above the others is this: Generosity is a lifestyle. God is not simply calling us to engage in an occasional moment of random kindness to meet a particular need. In fact, He’s calling us to live out our faith with a heart that seeks to reflect the generosity of our great God. In living this counter-cultural lifestyle, we demonstrate for the unbelieving world what the heart of our generous God looks like, and we welcome all to come to faith in Him!

71

PERSONAL REFLECTION

How does this verse inspire you?

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What stands out to you about the generosity of the early church? What about the generosity of our church?

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What’s been the biggest “takeaway” from this four-week study?

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Moving forward, what will you commit to doing generously?

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Calvary Chepel Fort Lauderdale2401 West Cypress Creek RoadFort Lauderdale, FL 33309