Discussion guide questions: Rob is waiting in the lobby of a garage, waiting for his car. "I keep seeing this bumper sticker that's popular where I live. It says, 'God Bless America.' Every time I see one, I think God has. God has blessed America."
- Do you feel blessed? Why or why not?
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. - 1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV)
- What do you generally associate with someone who's considered rich?
- Do you consider yourself rich?
Rob points out, "But it's a dangerous thing when we start to think 'our' world is 'the' world. We're bombarded with all of these images of the newest models and the latest styles and, after a while, our stuff, it starts to seem kind of average, outdated, not-good-enough."
- Is what you have, your stuff, outdated and not-good-enough?
- Compared to what or who?
- Do you believe everything you own is in some way a gift from God? Everything?
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hopes in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. - 1 Timothy 6:17-18 (NIV)
- Are you generous?
- With your money? your time? your stuff?
- Are you content? If not, what will it take?
- Do you think it's possible to live out the kind of generosity Jesus talked about without being content?
Rob challenges the viewer, "Let's be honest. It's easy to go to a church service, it's easy to read the Bible, it's easy to discuss who believes what and who's right and who's wrong. It's easy. But when Jesus talks about his followers, he talks about people who are generous, people who clothe the naked, take food to the hungry, take water to the thirsty, people who invite the stranger in, people who give their time, people who give their energy, people who give their money."
- Do you consider yourself a follower of Jesus?
- Do you live the kind of life that Jesus described his followers would live?
- What can you give?
- Who are you going to bless?
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. - 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)
Class discussion: does the video annoy you, make you feel defensive? being blessed as an American, the $500K gift from Mrs. Mooneyham, gift of the church to Christians as a support system, church is impoverished by your absence.
Action items for the week:
- Give something this week - time, money, presence - with no strings attached.
- Consider contentment when you start comparing your status to others.
- Check out CharityNavigator.org to find charities to support.
Video note: 100% of the proceeds from "Rich" will be donated to charitable organizations that clothe the naked, take food to the hungry, and take water to the thirsty.
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