Sermon Discussion Guide – November 3, 2013
Sermon Title / “Needed Reminders”Scripture / Malachi 3:6-12
Key Verse(s):“Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:7 (NIV)
Summary: The seed is the Word of God. He constantly is saying remember Me, come back to Me.
He tells us that everything belongs to God. Everybody has a different amount to give; however, we can all give generously.
Discussion Starters: He reminds us over and over that we are His. He wants nothing more than our love for Him, ourselves and others. Do we sow these seeds of love both to Him, ourselves and others? Which of these do you think is the hardest for us to do? How do we continually do this?
Read and Discuss
Unless otherwise noted, scriptures have been researched and referenced based on the New International Version (NIV); however any translation is perfectly acceptable to use for discussion.
Leviticus 27:30 –Sacrifices and tithes in the Old Testament were to encourage our inward attitudes as well as our outward attitudes. Read Deuteronomy 14:22-23. We are told by these verses that we are to put God first. How does God show us through these passages what is important in our lives? What are we investing in our lives and how is that showing us what is important in our lives? Give some examples.
Luke 15: 4 and Luke 15:8 – These verses show that God rejoices when one of His children is found. Do you understand the depth of His love for you/us? Read Luke 18:9-14. The Pharisee in this Parable from Jesus was self-righteous. How do we sometimes relate to the Pharisee in our dealings with others? The tax collector was humbled but Jesus said He would be exalted. Why do you think this is so? How do we cut ourselves off from God and what can we do to stay close to Him?
Numbers 18:25-26–God was telling them that even though they did not own land, they were also to give a portion of what they had to care for the other Levites and the tabernacle. What lesson does this teach us concerning tithing? Does God expect us to supply the material needs to our community and if so, how do we do this? Does He also expect us to provide spiritual needs to others? This might be more difficult. How do you think we should do this? Do you think from humbling ourselves we also will be exalted?
Prayer: God thank you for everything that you bless us with. Help us to know in our hearts that everything we have belongs to you. Make us good stewards of what you bless us with and help us to daily commit to giving back to you and others. Help us to provide the material and spiritual needs to others. Amen