THREE THINGS TO KNOW
DON’T MISS THIS
Hundreds of people are going through Financial Peace University as a tangible next step from our current sermon series. Many existing groups have committed to FPU. For more information or to register your group for FPU, visit adabible.org/fpu. For those who register, you’ll receive weekly emails from our small groups team to encourage you along the way.
GROUP VALUES
This month we are highlighting the Spiritual Practice of Chair Time, our time alone with God. New for 2021, Beyond the Weekend (Ada Bible’s Chair Time resource) is reading through the New Testament in a year. Consider doing this as a group together. Sign up or read online at beyondtheweekend.org.
GROW AS A LEADER
Planning on leading your group through Financial Peace University? Make sure to have the members of your group register at adabible.org/fpu. Check out these leader resources to see how easy it is to lead your group through the study.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Welcome to The School of Contentment. This week, Pastor Jeff Manion teaches three key financial habits connected to our journey to contentment.
How were finances handled in your family growing up?
CONTENTMENT AND SAVING
Proverbs 21:20 says, “The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.” What do you think King Solomon is trying to say in this proverb?
We shouldn’t underestimate the value of saving a little bit—and doing it again and again and again. How does saving a little bit repeatedly over time require contentment and bring freedom?
CONTENTMENT AND GIVING
Paul asks new Jesus-communities to help the church in Jerusalem during a famine by systematically setting aside money over time. “Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made” (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Why do you think he encourages small gifts over time instead of one large offering?
Pastor Jeff Manion said when we give money away it’s not ours anymore for a getaway, retirement or a big purchase. How does growing in contentment help us grow in generosity?
CONTENTMENT AND SPENDING
King Solomon warns us to be careful of what we love. “Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich” (Proverbs 21:17). What are some of the things you love that can cause you to burn through your resources?
In Proverbs 23:20-21, King Solomon warns not to join those who drink or eat too much because it leads to poverty. We tend to mirror the spending habits of our peer group. How have you seen this to be true in your life?
Developing the habit of spending less than we make is an important element of finding contentment in God instead of things. How do you feel like you are doing with spending less than you make?
WRAP UP
This week we walked through three financial habits connected to contentment. Which habit—spending, giving or saving—do you need to focus on most in this season and what’s one way you want to do that?
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