Ideas for Small Groups
Giving is Fun Weeks of Self-Denial 2014 Discussion ideas on the General’s Appeal for the Weeks of Self-Denial 2014 The following suggestions for discussion take passages from General André Cox’s appeal, as it is reprinted in The Salvation Army’s Forum, and invite you to talk about them and relate the contents to your own lives. The General’s words are printed in a different typeface and in italics. I suggest that you read the relevant passages out loud and then follow the suggestions for discussion.
The following paragraph seems to offer me a key to the answer: The Bible also speaks to us about the heart of the giver. The Old Testament deals with the subject of tithing, by which we give a certain percentage of what we have. The New Testament adheres to this teaching. At the same time it places in the centre the joyful, willing, sacrificial and generous giving of the believers. Paul writes these wise words to Timothy: ‘But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs’ (1 Timothy 6:6-10).
‘We take care of God’s property’ General Shaw Clifton (R) writes in his book Never the Same Again: ‘When you are a Christian, you begin to see possessions in a new light. Yes, you still possess things, whether few or many, small or big. But your right of ownership is not governed by the laws of this world. Your eyes are now focused on a more distant horizon and you understand: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1). So if you have money, it is all God’s money. If you own land, it is all God’s land. If you have books, or a car or clothes, everything belongs to God. You possess it but, ultimately, everything belongs to God as owner. He has entrusted it to you as trustee or custodian. You take care of it for him and use it according to his will.’ •
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When I saw how few worldly goods my brother had when he died, I realised how worthless they are for people who have to leave the world. My perspective has changed since then. A psalmist suggests that we keep in mind that one day we have to die. That would be a wise thing to do.
Remember back to the moment when you first became aware that your life belongs completely to God. To what extent did this have an influence on your relationship to your possessions? How do you feel about the fact that you no longer have sole control over your possessions? How does that match with the freedom for which Christ has set us free? (Galatians 5:1)
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What objects do you cling on to especially? What would happen if they were destroyed in a flood?
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What would change if you started to give away every tenth book and every tenth DVD you possess?
1 Frank Honsberg // Evangelist & Territorialer Sekretär für Entwicklung geistlichen Lebens // Impulse 2014 SVW 02 ENG Die Heilsarmee THQ // Salierring 23-27 // 50677 Köln // frank.honsberg@heilsarmee.de // 0221-20819-0
Ideas for Small Groups
Giving is Fun Weeks of Self-Denial 2014 •
An Easter hymn by Isaac Watts describes, in the following verses, Jesus’ giving and our giving:
What do you do to safeguard your heart and be a cheerful giver? (2 Corinthians 9:7)
When I survey the wondrous cross On which the Prince of Glory died, My richest gain I count but loss, And pour contempt on all my pride.
Satisfaction is something we see little of. People always want more. Unfortunately, Christians, in the pursuit of more and more, are also tempted to take what does not belong to them. Unfortunately, we must say that officers and even leaders were poor role models because they were more intent on getting than giving! Paul never said that we should have no material possessions, but that we should be satisfied with what we have. In this way we will live happier lives! Whoever wants more and more will inevitably fall into the sin of greed! It doesn’t matter if we are rich, poor, unattached or dependent. As Christians we are all called to share generously with other people what we have received. •
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Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all. (Song Book of The Salvation Army 136, verses 1 and 4)
Money and material things won’t be worth anything in eternity. Therefore, let us invest wisely in the future now! Regarding the issue of financial independence: just imagine what greater things will be achieved when God leads us to greater generosity in respect to our time, talents and possessions. General André Cox International Leader of The Salvation Army
How would you answer someone who says he just needs ‘this one thing’ to be satisfied in his life?
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Where have you experienced generosity and what did that trigger in you? Which good role models have you encountered in your life?
We cannot deny that our faith shows more in what we do and less in what we say. We must not make empty promises when it comes to money matters! •
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Read 2 Corinthians 9 and ask yourself what influence generosity has on our life together. What could you do in your sphere of influence to encourage giving?
End the evening with a little roleplaying game. Sit in groups of two or three. o
One person is Dorothea, the ‘cheerful giver’.
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The other(s) are the beneficiaries of these gifts.
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The other two thank this person for her generosity.
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Imagine all the things she could have given.
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Tell her how her gift has contributed to the fact that you can now hear the gospel, that you can now eat or receive an education and how that has changed your life.
2 Frank Honsberg // Evangelist & Territorialer Sekretär für Entwicklung geistlichen Lebens // Impulse 2014 SVW 02 ENG Die Heilsarmee THQ // Salierring 23-27 // 50677 Köln // frank.honsberg@heilsarmee.de // 0221-20819-0