BLESSED 3: What It Means

This week, we are taking this idea of blessing a step further. And this is not always a welcomed step. Be patient with your students, helping them relate this idea of "giving back" to themselves. Also, focusing the group’s attention on people that you have all seen do this well—a family in the church, someone on the pastoral staff, etc.—may help them get a bit more excited about the idea of being a blessing to others. And, if there are students in your small group who really excel at giving and being selfless, give them a quick shout out!

Create meaningful conversation. Adjust questions as needed, and don’t feel like you need to answer all of them. 

Ice breaker: What is the one gift you were most excited to get when you were growing up? What was the gift you were most excited to give?

1. Why do you think, for most people, it is harder to give than to get?
2. Is that true for you? Is it harder for you to give things to people than it is to receive?
3. Are there particular things you find exceptionally difficult to give (i.e. resources, time, attention, patience, love, trust, humility)? Why do you think it is hard to give those things?
4. Do you think by giving you are going to get something in return? Why?
5. Based on what you heard today, how should we approach giving? Why does it matter to look at it this way?
6. 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) As we look at this passage, consider this: What would it look like if we let God use our resources for his purposes? How might that change us? How would that change the history of the church, or do you think it would?
7. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. (Acts 2:44-45) How is our own mission like this passage of Scripture? How can we better align ourselves to this model of living? Do you feel a desire to do this, why or why not?
8. Where is a place or who is a person you need to give more to? How do you think you can start doing this and why do you think it's important?
9. How has your previous idea of “blessing” been changed? What is your new definition, based on what you have heard over the past three weeks?

NEXT STEP: As we wrap up this series, send your students a text message asking them to take some time this week to pray for a person they can help. Tell them to take 5-10 minutes to be alone and simply talk to God about their chosen person.

ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

• Toilet Paper Wars (We are competing against the middle school to collect toilet paper for the Hope Resource Center.)
• New Year's Eve Lock-In
• Sign-Up for Big Stuf Camp