Sermon Based Small Group Lessons
Our American Idols: What’s in your wallet?
Dr. Les Hughes
September 28, 2008
Psalm 115/Matthew 6:24
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Beginning
Wednesday, October 8, 6:30 PM
House of Prayer
Westwood
Baptist Church
Opening Question
(New
groups: Share your name and what
you’d buy if you had more money.
Focus Passage
“I am the Lord you God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me” (Ex. 20:1-3).
Outline of Sermon (The
Life Changing Lessons)
This is for the
leader’s use. You don’t
have to read through these for the group.
1. God wants to be our only Master and will not share our allegiance with anyone or anything.
2. Something becomes a god to us when we begin to put our trust in it.
3. The possession of wealth is not a sin, but it is a big responsibility
Digging for Truth
1. What are some of
the things we idolize in our culture?
(money, sex, fitness, looks, college football,
job, etc.) Which ones do you think
are most common?
2. Can we enjoy these things
without them becoming idols? How do
we know when they take over?
Questions:
a. How do I use
my wealth (Matt. 6:19 “store up for ourselves”)
b. How have I
obtained my money and possessions?
(Prov.
11:1 tells us that God abhors dishonesty.)
c. What is my attitude when I lose wealth or
possessions?
3. The following
passage tells us that we can enjoy our wealth so long as we are generous. Does
this passage give you more freedom?
1 Timothy 6:17-19 - Command
those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their
hope (trust) in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God,
who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do
good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In
this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the
coming age, so that they will take hold of the life that is truly life.
4. Luke 6:25 says, “For this reason do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink.” Share a time in your life when you’ve worried too much about money.
5. Why is it sometimes hard to place our trust in God instead of money?
(our faith is weak, we haven’t seen Him work in our lives previously, our walk is not where it should be)
6. The person who obtains money honestly, spends it wisely, and if you gives it generously is probably well on his her way to placing wealth in its proper place. Which of these three do you struggle with most: obtaining honestly, spending wisely or giving generously?
7. Gambling trusts in chance rather than God for our provision. This is why most churches oppose gambling. What are your thoughts on gambling?
8. How can I avoid this trap of allowing money to be my god? And if I’m treating it as a god already, how can I turn things around?
9. Read the following Core Values regarding money. Which is the most difficult to accept or practice?
a. All things belong to God
b. People are more important than things.
c. Money is an inanimate object that can be used for good or evil.
10. 1 Tim. 6:10 says that the LOVE of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Therefore money is not good or evil. The most important question is “What’s in your heart?” On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being great), where are you in handling this issue?
Closing Thought
What has God called me to change as a result of today’s
sermon and discussion?