WARM UP

1. Chris called this weekend our “midterm” since we’re about mid-way through our Foundations series. In your school days, what kind of test-taker were you? Studied weeks in advance, crammed the night before, guessed your way through?

Such a fun question to get to know the personalities in your group. Since we are in week 7 and there is a little bit of a better understanding of one another it may be fun to try and guess what kind of test-taker the different members in your group are together.

2. Have you ever been put in charge of something for someone else—like a friend’s car, pet, or house? How did you treat it differently than if it were your own?

3. What point or idea caught your attention the most in this weekend’s message?

KNOW IT

The big takeaway this weekend was seeing your life as a manager, not an owner. Read Matthew 25:14-30.

1. How do you know if you’re acting like a manager or an owner? What are some differences?

This is a great question and could be a great one to hear from everyone on. To help get everyone sharing maybe break off into smaller groups and see what similar lists your group comes up with. This could also help get some different perspectives than if one person shares and then everyone else just agrees.

1a. What encouragement and illustration is given in Romans 12:1-2 to help us understand this mindset?

Read the passage together!

Additional scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 1:20-21

2. The third servant hid his gold out of fear. What are some other common reasons people ‘hide’ or don’t use what God has given them? Is there a particular fear or obstacle that’s held you back before?

A great question to answer together as a group. Some scholars have suggested that the servant hid his gold out of a misunderstanding of the character of God, whereas the first two servants knew the master’s generosity, the third considered him harsh.Additional question: What are some misconceptions about who God is that many people believe? For example, God only helps those who help themselves. Or God is just up there waiting for us to make a mistake so he can punish us.

3.  2 Corinthians 10:12-13 warns against comparison with others, reminding us to be faithful to what we ourselves have been given. Does this challenge how you measure success in your own life? Does it bring comfort? Explain.

If you choose to go after this question as a group, it could be encouraging to dig into ways we compare our spiritual walk with others.

Additional Thought: Hebrews 10:24 encourages us to spur one another on in the things of God, then Hebrews 11 is called the hall of faith listing faithful men and women, lastly Hebrews 12:1-2 invites us to look at those and be stirred up to keep running the race. How can looking at others also bring us comfort to keep going after Jesus?

SHARE IT

1. When you realize you’re a manager of what God has given you, your priorities shift. What’s a priority you’ve seen the Spirit change in your life as you’ve followed Christ?

This is a tough question for some, but I would lean into it together as a group. If there aren’t any priorities that shift, we could gently and lovingly ask the question are we still viewing things as owners?

2. Much like the servants were given gold, we have been given resources to manage for God’s kingdom. Let’s take an inventory.

Set a timer for 60 seconds and write down as many things you can think of that you have been given in your life.

Fun! I love setting the timer! Maybe prime the group by sharing some examples, like time, a job, a family, a specific skill or two or three.

Looking at your list, what do you notice? Which of those are you already investing in God’s kingdom? If there are any you aren’t, how could they be used for God’s kingdom?

LIVE IT

1. To make sure we aren’t the foolish servant, what is one area or thing in your life that you need to be investing more in the kingdom, and what would that look like?

Additional thought: If someone in your group or even yourself can’t think of anything that you’ve been given, ask a close friend or family member what skills, talents or resources they may notice about them.

2. What fears might you have about changing from owner to manager in that area of your life? Is there a way your Life Group could support you in that process of trusting God with it?