Meeting# 8| This Week’s Leader: David Goodno
Introduction: This is the eighth meeting of the Fall Semester. The Men’s “Called” Growth Group’s meets weekly 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm every Wednesdays through November 13, 2024 (11/13/2024). Everyone is welcome to join; you do not have to have been at a previous meeting to attend.
Tonight, the Men’s group is going to have fellowship and, review and discuss salvation and tithing.
In this past Sunday’s sermon, Candace challenged us to read the book of Hosea. Did anyone take up the challenge? - How did you do? Discuss among the group.
Salvation:
Salvation is being saved or protected from evil, harm or a dangerous situation. In Christianity, salvation is a basic central concept of God saving us from the consequences of sin.
Let’s review The Three Circles: ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcj5G_4dwrI ) God created a perfect world for us (humans) and to be in close relationship with Him. But humans disobeyed God, which brought sin and death into the world; we now live in a fallen and broken world and people try anything to escape it. But all those things’ people try, it doesn’t fix anything, and people snap right back into brokenness.
Ultimately, if people die in that state of brokenness, they will be eternally separated from God. What we call Hell (complete separation from God). But God didn’t want to leave us in a state of brokenness. And God loved us so much, that he sent His one and only son, Jesus, to die on the cross as atonement for our sins. Jesus died as our substitute and took the wrath that we deserved, so that we can experience God’s mercy and grace. Jesus took our punishment, so we could be free. Jesus, often referred to as the Passover lamb, fulfilled the sacrifices of the old covenant by his death.
Salvation is not something that can be earned through good actions or behavior. Instead, it is a gift from God that comes through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We just have to be willing to accept it and let our relationship with God and Jesus work within us. Jesus said that if we would turn away from our sin and believe in Jesus, and make Him the Lord of our Life; we’d become a new creation and be restored back into God’s original design; we’d be a new person in Christ and He’ll restore us back into relationship with Him. So, there are only two types of people. Those who are in brokenness and those who are in God’s perfect design.
Discuss among the group.
Have you committed your life to Jesus?
Is there anything holding you back from committing your life to Jesus?
Have you been baptized?
If you have not been baptized, please consider being baptized.
Do we all know what the Sinner’s prayer is? - Discuss.
The prayer expresses a person's belief in Jesus Christ and acknowledges Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and their desire to turn away from sin and have a relationship with God.
Let’s say the sinner’s prayer together:
I confess to Almighty God, and to you by brothers and sisters. That I have sinned through my own fault. In my thoughts, in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do. I ask you Lord Jesus for forgiveness of my sins. From this moment on, I reject and turn away from sin. I believe you are the Son of God, who takes away the sins of the world. You died and rose again. I invite you Lord Jesus to come into my life and work within me. I recognize and acknowledge you as my Lord and Savior. Help me follow you; Lord, I want to follow you; I commit myself to you and living your way. – Amen
(or)
Dear Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I ask your forgiveness; I believe you died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead to defeat death. I turn away from sin and ask you to come into my life and work within me. I confess you as my Lord and Savior. Help me follow you; Lord, I want to follow you; I commit myself to you and living your way. – Amen
(or)
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe you died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow you as my Lord and Savior. - Amen
What other questions do you have?
Tithing:
What are different ways we can worship God?
Sing
Prayer
Bible reading / Bible study
In our finances with tithing and giving
What is a tithe?
The word tithing means a tenth.
Tithing references the principle of giving 10% to God and His Church.
Honoring God with our finances is a crucial element of our relationship with God. It is easy to stand in church, sing songs, read the Bible, and pray, but it is much harder for us to trust God with our finances and give 10% of what we earn.
As a practice, tithing does not always come easy. The world teaches us to hold on to our wealth and focus on ourselves, invest in our retirement, and only to occasionally help people in need.
Tithing is a crucial element in our relationship with God, it reveals our heart, honoring God with our finances is evidence of a growing faith. Tithing reminds us of the ownership of God over all that we are and what we have.
Tithing acknowledges God as our source and provider.
Read: Luke 12:34
34 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
God sees the first thing as the root that governs all the rest. The first portion of our labor or income represents the totality. What we do with that first portion determines what happens to the rest.
Read: Genisis 4:1-7
Cain and Abel
4 Now Adam had sexual relations with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to Cain, she said, “With the Lord’s help, I have produced [b] a man!” 2 Later she gave birth to his brother and named him Abel.
When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. 3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.
6 “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? 7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
Why do we think God rejected Cain’s offering? – Cain “presented some of his crops as a gift”; whereas Able gave “the best portions of the firstborn lambs of his flock.” Able honored God with the best portions; Cain gave some.
It is honorable to give some of our finances to the Church, however, to be obedient we should be giving the first and our best. Agree/Disagree – Discuss.
People give for all sorts of reasons to support worthy causes. Some give to support: saving, the rainforest, removing trash from the ocean. Saving baby seals, sea turtles, ocean whales, polar bears, or protecting endangered animals.
These are all noble causes, but they are not the same as tithing. Tithing is intended to honor the Lord with our finances.
Read: Proverbs 3:9-10
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce.
10 Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with good wine.
What does “Honor the Lord with your wealth” mean to you? Discuss among the group.
Honor is the attitude we have when giving. Are we happy to give, or reluctant to give? Why? Discuss among the group.
Read: Mark 12:41-44
The Widow’s Offering
41 Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42 Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. [a] 43 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. 44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”
What do we think Jesus meant by saying that the widow gave more than the others, when the rich clearly gave a larger amount of money? Discuss among the group.
Read: Matthew 6:24
Teaching about Money and Possessions
24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.
What do we think this means? Whom do you serve - God or Money? Discuss among the group.
It is important to remember that tithing is not a punishment. We often think of tithing as a “bill” that we have to pay no one really likes paying bills. - We need to think of tithing as an “investment.” We are investing in our Church, we are investing in each-other (through our giving to the church), we are investing in sending children to kids camp to learn about Jesus; some children learning about Jesus for the first time, and many other important functions of the church as well as spreading the gospel.
***
Is there anything that stood out to you? Share with the group and discuss.
Is there anything that left you with more questions? What were they? Share with group, discuss and research.
Biggest takeaway?
Prepare for next week’s meeting. Read: Colossians 4:1-18 .
Is there anything that stands out when reading these verses? Be ready to discuss it at the next meeting.
REMINDER: This Fall 2024 Semester Men’s group will be meeting every Wednesday, 09/04/2024 through 11/13/2024; 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. Please monitor https://fv.church/events for more information.
References/Acknowledgements:
Elements of tonight’s Bible study were from:
1. NLT Courage for Life Men’s Bible, New Living Translation (NLT); copyright 2023 Tyndale House Ministries Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation https://www.tyndale.com/sites/courageforlifebible/
2. ESV Study Bible, copyright 2008. The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV); copyright 2001 by Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois.
3. NLT, Life Application Bible Studies, Philippians and Colossians; copyright 1998, 2009, Tyndale House Publishers Inc, Carol Stream, Illinois.
4. LOGOS: Finding (&Sharing) Jesus on the Romans Road to Salvation https://www.logos.com/grow/nook-romans-road- salvation/#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20Romans%20Road,Jesus's%20free%20offer%20of%20salvation.
5. Answers in Genesis: Why did Jesus have to Die? https://answersingenesis.org/jesus/crucifixion/why-did-jesus-have-to-die/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw99e4BhDiARIsAISE7P83PFO9kdH_z_glEqO5zw5t3HjZaducbA1wIC2N37TnbG6wWGpiGw8aAqlJEALw_wcB
6. The Power of the Tithe, Matthew Ashimolowo; copyright 2018, Mattyson Media, Chatham, Kent ME5 9QG. www.pastormatthew.tv
7. The Tithing Principle, Tom Felder; copyright 2011, Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, Kansas City, KS.
Schedule:
Month, Meeting Number, Date, Book/Chapters/Verse/ (Total Verses)
September 2024:
_x_ 001, 09/04 Philippians 1:1-30. (30 Verses)
_x_ 002, 09/11 Philippians 2:1-30. (30 Verses)
_x_ 003, 09/18 Philippians 3:1-21. (21 Verses)
_x_ 004, 09/25 Philippians 4:1-23. (23 Verses)
October 2024:
_x_ 005, 10/02 Colossians 1:1-29 (29 Verses)
_x_ 006, 10/09 Colossians 2:1-23 (23 Verses)
_x_ 007, 10/16 Colossians 3:1-25 (25 Verses)
_x_ 008, 10/23 **UPDATED** Back to Basics: Discussion about salvation and tithing.
___ 009, 10/30 Colossians 4:1-18 (18 Verses)
November 2024:
___ 010, 11/06 Bible Translations (Video and Discussion)
___ 011, 11/13 TBD (FINAL MEETING OF THE SEMESTER)