July 17 – 23

Weekly Reading for July 17 – 23

Preparing for Next Week’s Message

Sermon Series: Faith in Action
Sermon Title: Balancing the Partnership of Faith and Works

This reading plan will get your heart and mind set for the next message on July 24, 2016:

• SUNDAY: James 1, Proverbs 1, James 1, Proverbs 1,
• MONDAY: James 2, Proverbs 2, James 2, Proverbs 2,
• TUESDAY: Mark 10, Mark 10,
• WEDNESDAY: John 9, John 9,
• THURSDAY: Isaiah 65, Isaiah 65,
• FRIDAY: Proverbs 17, Proverbs 17,
• SATURDAY: James 1-2, James 1-2,

Reflecting on the Most Recent Sermon

Sermon Series: Faith in Action
Sermon Title: Investing in a Heavenly Portfolio
Delivered On: July 17, 2016

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Memorize and Reflect

Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. ([bible]James 5:2-3[/bible])

Prayer Direction

Thank God for the many material blessings you have received. Pray for a heart that is generous to share what God has given you and for courage to invest your material goods in things that last forever! Confess where you have been unjust and ungenerous and ask for forgiveness.

“Live It!” Challenge

An “Appropriate” Standard of Living – It is not our job or responsibility to tell others how they should live and what is appropriate for them. But, we can seek the Lord and ask what is right for us. Consider praying and reflecting on what is right for you and your family (if this applies). Then, begin living at that standard and fight against going over this limit.

Small Group Discussion

1. What are things God has given you that you can share with others? What gets in the way of you being more generous?

2. Why is the accumulation of material things and wealth such a universally attractive thing? What are some of the consequences we will face if we build our life around the desire to increase our wealth and collection of things?

3. Read: James 5:1-4 Why do you think the Bible gives so many warnings about our life becoming focused on the accumulation of wealth?

4. If you were to establish an “Appropriate” standard of living for yourself, where would you draw the lines on what you spend on yourself versus what you invest in the things of God and His work in this world?

5. Tell about a person you know who lived their life focused on accumulating more and more material wealth and goods. How did this impact their relationships, their faith, and their life?

6. Tell about something that you worked for, saved for, and finally got. How did it bring joy and satisfy you? How did it let you down and not satisfy as you thought it would? Where is this thing today?

7. Read: Amos 5:11-12 Why is God so concerned about justice and right treatment of the poor? How should the heart of God impact our heart and behavior?

8. What is one next step you can take to invest what God has given you in things that will last for eternity?

9. What are things God has given you that you can share with others? What gets in the way of you being more generous?

10. Why is the accumulation of material things and wealth such a universally attractive thing? What are some of the consequences we will face if we build our life around the desire to increase our wealth and collection of things?

11. Read: James 5:1-4 Why do you think the Bible gives so many warnings about our life becoming focused on the accumulation of wealth?

12. If you were to establish an “Appropriate” standard of living for yourself, where would you draw the lines on what you spend on yourself versus what you invest in the things of God and His work in this world?

13. Tell about a person you know who lived their life focused on accumulating more and more material wealth and goods. How did this impact their relationships, their faith, and their life?

14. Tell about something that you worked for, saved for, and finally got. How did it bring joy and satisfy you? How did it let you down and not satisfy as you thought it would? Where is this thing today?

15. Read: Amos 5:11-12 Why is God so concerned about justice and right treatment of the poor? How should the heart of God impact our heart and behavior?

16. What is one next step you can take to invest what God has given you in things that will last for eternity?