Guide Marks: Using the gifts that I have been given - Small Group Notes
February 1, 2018

MY STORY
Who performs more random acts of kindness than anyone else you know? Give some details.

If you won a million dollars through a contest, how would you spend it?

QUICK REVIEW
During his message on Sunday, Randy said something like this, “You want to experience personal growth? Don’t claim that anything that you have is your own. Have a mindset that anything that you have is a gift on loan from God, entrusted to be used for God’s purposes.” What is it that you find the most difficult to view as “on loan from God”?

DIGGING DEEPER
READ Acts 4:36 – 5:11
God is generous, and greed is contrary to who God is. Contrast the gift of Barnabas with that of Ananias and Sapphira. Why was one acceptable to God and the other one not acceptable?

READ Exodus 36:1-7
Why does God give each of us the skills that we possess? For what purpose? Have you ever given so much that God has told you, “That is enough. Stop giving.”?

READ Luke 6:38
How does this verse apply to our treasures? How does this verse apply to our time?
How does this verse apply to our talents?

READ 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Name as many benefits and results of living a generous lifestyle as you can from these verses. What kinds of “treasures” can we accumulate for those who come after us?

TAKING IT HOME
We believe personal growth requires using our TIME, TALENTS, and TREASURES to serve God and others. When I am generous with my time, my abilities and my resources, I see God use me to maximize the gifts He’s given and I experience fulfillment. What is your next step in using the gifts that you have been given?

Give of your Time & Talents
a. Serve as a volunteer at church and/or with a
ministry partner. Contact Michelle Harrison for information: mharrison@brazospointe.com
b. Help out those in need in your neighborhood, such as widows, elderly, and single moms

Give of your Treasures
a. Attend Discovering Financial Peace
b. Create a budget
c. Begin tithing 10% of your income (“tithe” means a 1/10th) or give regularly to another ministry/organization regularly
d. Be spontaneously in your giving (“See a need; Meet a need”)
e. Move toward giving sacrificially above the tithe in your church and/or community