Offerings Week 3- God Passes The Plate For Us

Didn't get to hear the teaching conversation on Sunday? No problem, you can join in via our PODCAST.

Scriptures From Sunday: James 1:16-17; John 3:16-17; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Colossians 1:19-20; Romans 5:6-9; Hebrews 9:9-15, 10:1-4; Matthew 11:28-30

REFLECT/DISCUSS:

Would you describe yourself as an initiator? Why/Not? What are some situations where you’d volunteer to go first? Others where you’d prefer that someone else take the first turn?

Agree/Disagree & Explain: When we give, we’re simply responding to God’s initiative to give first.

Spend some time with John 3:16-17. What do these verses tell you about God’s willingness to make the first move? About his intentions and motivations toward us?

We’re told in Hebrews 9 & 10 that he Old Covenant sacrifices of animals and produce didn’t really take away sin. So, why did God instruct His people to offer them in the first place? What kinds of things have you “offered” to try and make yourself right with God that didn’t really work either?

Is there any resistance in you to the idea of Jesus sacrificing Himself for your mistakes? If so, can you name what is behind it?

List as many appropriate answers as you can to the question: What did Jesus come to offer us? When you are done, take a shot at summarizing everything you’ve got in a sentence or less.

After all the answers you’ve come up with to the last question, why do you think some people focus solely on Jesus offerings us forgiveness and heaven? While those are certainly crucial, do they fully capture what Jesus Himself and the rest of the scriptures say Jesus offers us?

What does God’s willingness to go first when it comes to giving and sacrifice Jesus for us so that He can offer life to us mean to you emotionally? Does it affect your feelings about giving to God?