Note: Adult learners (vs. kid learners) typically share several characteristics. Adult learners compare what they are studying to their reservoir of life experience. They are usually most interested in learning that relates to immediate, practical challenges that they are facing. They choose the “how” of how they engage the learning. These principles point to an adult Sabbath School process that invites highly active engagement from its members, and avoids the feel of a teacher-student presentation. “Discussion Starters” are meant to support the weekly lesson by providing additional questions that invite active, personal, and practical engagement by your adult members. Praying that we all have a Spirit-filled discussion this week!
- Ellen White says of those filled with the love of Christ that “Money, time, influence—all the gifts they have received by God’s hand, they will value only as a means of advancing the gospel.”
Think about money, time, and influence (aka talents)—which of these three is hardest for you to give at this time in your life? Why? - Can you share about a time when you took a leap of faith in giving time, talent, or treasure that worked out much better than you had feared beforehand?
- Walter Brueggemann is a theologian who saw in Scripture the great theme of abundance vs scarcity, with the manna pre-provided by God for the Sabbaths in the desert as one of God’s definitive statements on the matter to humanity. Brueggemann said “We must confess that the central problem of our lives is that we are torn apart by the conflict between our attraction to the good news of God’s abundance, and the power of our belief in scarcity–a belief that makes us greedy, mean and unneighborly.” How do you see the struggle between an abundance mindset and the myth of scarcity playing out in your own life?
- In his book The Big Four, Joseph Kidder finds that growing churches are characterized by congregations that ask their members for significant, not trivial, contributions to ministry. In other words, the worst thing a church can do is say, “Hey, would you agree to join the X ministry? Don’t worry, it hardly takes any time at all.” Rather, growing churches invite members into ministries because the ministries are important, ask for a commitment to do the ministry well, and provide meaningful training to do the ministry. Why do you think the second, more “costly” approach is actually more effective at getting people to become involved?
- Jesus said that the widow who put in two small coins (Lk 21:1-4) gave “more than all” the rich did. Modern studies continue to find that people of modest means give a higher percentage of their income to charity than do wealthy people. Why do you think this greater generosity, on a relative basis, is most often found among those with less means?
- Paul emphasizes that we are to give freely, implying a mature and thoughtful choice (2 Cor 9:7). Have you seen examples of compulsive or unhealthy “giving” on the part of one person towards another?
- A modern proverb states: “Show me your checkbook and your calendar and I’ll tell you what you really value.” Fair or unfair? Why?
- In what way is our use of this world’s time, talent and treasure one of the most dramatic dividing lines between faith and unbelief?
