DISCOVERY QUESTIONS

Series: Reset
Sermon: Reset Your Treasure
Passage: Luke 12:13-21, 33-34
Main Idea: For godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing out of this world and we can bring nothing into this world.

Leader GuidePDF Version

GROUP DISCUSSION

Lean In

Purpose: Introduce topic and get the group talking.

1. Share a story of a time that you had too much of a good thing (aka “binging”). What happened and how did you feel after?


Look Down

Purpose: Observe the passage and interact with the text

As a group, read Luke 12:13-21, and vv. 33-34.

2. What sticks out to you about Jesus’ telling of the parable? What is happening in the context of this passage that sets up this parable?

3. In the story, what is the man’s end goal? What is God’s response and what does it teach us about wealth?

4. How do verses 33 and 34 tie in with this parable?


Look Out

Purpose: Connect observations in God’s Word with observations in our world today.

5. In the parable, the thing that drives the man’s actions is a desire to pamper himself with good living, but without consideration for God. Where do you see this kind of spirit showing itself in the world around us (i.e. In what ways do you see people being rich towards themselves)?

6. In contrast, where have you seen people use their wealth/resources to serve others and to glorify God?


Look In

Purpose: Internalize God’s Word and apply the truth to your personal life.

7. Jesus isn’t opposed to saving money or owning things of value as much as he is asking “what’s the purpose or to what end?” So think about your own life. What are you personally storing up? What’s the purpose and the end goal of that saving?

8. What would it look like for you to trade one of your possessions (earthly treasure) for something of eternal value?

9. What practical daily steps can you take to shift the orientation of your heart away from yourself, and towards God and others?


Live It Out

Purpose: Spend time listening for God’s direction and guidance as you seek to live out the truths of this passage in your everyday life.

10. As your group enters into a time of listening to God, possibly journaling your thoughts or expressing your hearts in worship, take some time to ask the Lord to reveal to you ways you can begin to say yes to generosity.

11. Share with each other what you sense God is laying on your heart. Close your time praying for each other as you seek to live more generously towards God and his purposes.

LEADER GUIDE

Lean In

Purpose: Introduce topic and get the group talking.

1. Share a story of a time that you had too much of a good thing (Aka “Binging”)? What happened and how did you feel after?

This question is designed to introduce the focus of this week’s Discovery Questions: God’s desire is for our hearts to be filled with the very best things. Being generous towards others and God fills up our lives with true treasures.


Look Down

Purpose: Observe the passage and interact with the text

As a group, read Luke 12:13-21, and vv. 33-34.

2. What sticks out to you about Jesus’ telling of the parable? What is happening in the context of this passage that sets up this parable?

Jesus is responding to a random question posed by a man who wants Jesus to use his authority to increase his personal wealth. But Jesus’ response shows that he isn’t interested in fixing the dispute as much as addressing the problem of the heart.

Jesus looks past arguments based on earnings, rights, or fairness to remind the crowd that it is not about how much you have, but what you do with what you have. Whether you are wealthy, poor, or somewhere in-between the question is the same…“Will you be rich toward God?”

3. In the story, what is the end goal of the man’s plan? What is God’s response and what does it teach us about riches?

Look at vv. 17-19 | We see that the man is self-focused; He wants to grow his own wealth so that he can live comfortably. The man’s end goal is comfort and leisure for himself.

Look at vv. 20-21 | We see God’s response – God shows that all the comfort and leisure that can be accumulated isn’t guaranteed. Wealth and comfort are fleeting. They could slip away in a moment. A relationship with God where the generosity can flow back and forth is the marker of the truly rich.

4. How do verses 33 and 34 tie in with this parable?

Jesus is saying that a heavenly reward reaps much greater benefits than an earthly reward ever could. Earthy wealth fades and disappears – but the treasures of God last for eternity.
Where we store our treasures is naturally where we place our heart. It is said that if you want to see what someone cares about – look at their bank statement. If their heart is in collecting model cars or expensive sports – it will be reflected there. We all store up treasure – but for what purpose? To what end?


Look Out

Purpose: Connect observations in God’s Word with observations in our world today.

5. In the parable the thing that drives the man’s actions is a desire to pamper himself with good living, but without consideration for God. Where do you see this kind of spirit showing itself in the world around us? (i.e. In what ways do you see people being rich towards themselves?)

Today there is a mindset of ‘treat yourself’ and so luxury fashion, food, homes, vacation are setup as the ideal. The american dream (much like the man in the parable) is to reach a place where you have all that you could ever want and can kickback, relax, enjoy the things you’ve accumulated and say ‘I’ve arrived’.

6. In contrast, where have you seen people use their wealth/resources to serve others and to glorify God?

Starting charities, investing in people and resources that help others and give back. Volunteering, using our gifts to give back.


Look In

Purpose: Internalize God’s Word and apply the truth to your personal life.

7. Jesus’ is not opposed to saving money or owning things of value as much as he is asking “what’s the purpose or to what end?” So think about your own life – What are you personally storing up? What’s the purpose and the end goal of that saving?

I am saving up money to buy a new car so that I don’t have to worry about breaking down on the highway. The end goal is a safer life with less hassle and uncertainty.

8. What would it look like for you to trade one of your possessions (earthly treasure) for something of eternal value?

Example: Clean out my closet/garage and the money from everything that I sell goes to my favorite charity.

9. What practical daily steps can you take to shift the orientation of your heart away from yourself, and towards giving to God and others?

Our generosity is an outward sign of where our heart is – indicating the priorities in our life.


Live It Out

Purpose: Spend time listening for God’s direction and guidance as you seek to live out the truths of this passage in your everyday life.

10. As your group enters into a time of listening to God, possibly journaling your thoughts or expressing your hearts in worship, take some time to ask the Lord to reveal to you ways you can begin to say yes to generosity.

Ex. Spending not just money, but time. Being focused on others, rather than our own immediate gain. Being willing to say yes to things that make us uncomfortable or push us out of our normal ‘self-focused mindsets’ in order to bless others.

11. Share with each other what you sense God is laying on your heart. Close your time praying for each other as you seek to live more generously towards God and his purposes.