Community Group Leader Guide
Acts Lesson 6
Community Group Leader Guide Generosity [Acts 4:32-5:11] LESSON & DISCUSSION POINTS Primer Question: What is the greatest example of generosity you have ever experienced? Read Acts 4:32-5:11. This is an outstanding depiction of community life in the early church. Here we see both exemplary sacrificial generosity as well as the reality that sin and failure still existed within the church body. Observation: What stands out to you about the generosity you see in chapter 4? The passage begins with telling us that all the believers were of “one heart and soul.” How did this kind of unity come about? Why is it significant?
Walking in the fullness of the Holy Spirit (v. 31) Transformation by God’s word and God’s grace (v. 31, 33)
A crucial part of the believers’ generosity was their selfless attitude about their own possessions. Would you say you have seen or do see this kind of attitude in Christian community life today? What about in your own life? The story of Ananias and Sapphira should certainly give us pause. What is your reaction to this story? What should we learn about God from this? What should we learn about ourselves?
God is holy, and he takes sin seriously. Even under the new covenant where we are saved by grace, we are still called to obedience and holy living. God will protect his church. You can take comfort in that. While this kind of immediate judgment is rare in Scripture, we should remember that God will ultimately judge everything and everyone one day. That should cause us to live with fear for the Lord, as the church does here. We should never coast spiritually. We are just as prone to greed, selfishness, and deceit as they were. We must constantly abide in the Lord and put our sin to death.
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
Acts Lesson 6
APPLICATION
In the sermon Sunday, Ryan offered four encouragements for moving towards living generously. Which ones stand out to you as an area of growth? What steps can you take to grow in these areas? o Summary of the four points: o Start with the heart. Our hearts must be changed by the immense generosity of God’s grace to us in Christ before our actions will change. o Give through sacrifice. Don’t ask, “what should I possess?” but rather, “what or who possesses me?” Let God be in charge, and then use what he has given you to generously build up the church and help those in need. o Live below your means. Make a plan to get finances away from being maxed out. Increase income, decrease spending, and create margins. Then plan to give. Don’t give what’s left over, give first! o Put your (Christian) family first. Actively pray for ways you can help meet needs within our church body.
PRAYER
HUDDLES & APPRENTICES Model | The best way to model generosity is to be generous to those you are leading. Be generous with your time, home, meals, belongings, and finances. Show them generosity. Experience | Invite those you disciple to join you in practicing generosity towards others (in giving to the church, helping those in your CG, giving to those in need, etc.) Debrief | After these opportunities, reflect with them on God’s generosity to us and how grateful we can be.
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
Community Group Leader Guide Generosity [Acts 4:32-5:11] LESSON & DISCUSSION POINTS Primer Question: What is the greatest example of generosity you have ever experienced? Read Acts 4:32-5:11. This is an outstanding depiction of community life in the early church. Here we see both exemplary sacrificial generosity as well as the reality that sin and failure still existed within the church body. Observation: What stands out to you about the generosity you see in chapter 4? The passage begins with telling us that all the believers were of “one heart and soul.” How did this kind of unity come about? Why is it significant?
Walking in the fullness of the Holy Spirit (v. 31) Transformation by God’s word and God’s grace (v. 31, 33)
A crucial part of the believers’ generosity was their selfless attitude about their own possessions. Would you say you have seen or do see this kind of attitude in Christian community life today? What about in your own life? The story of Ananias and Sapphira should certainly give us pause. What is your reaction to this story? What should we learn about God from this? What should we learn about ourselves?
God is holy, and he takes sin seriously. Even under the new covenant where we are saved by grace, we are still called to obedience and holy living. God will protect his church. You can take comfort in that. While this kind of immediate judgment is rare in Scripture, we should remember that God will ultimately judge everything and everyone one day. That should cause us to live with fear for the Lord, as the church does here. We should never coast spiritually. We are just as prone to greed, selfishness, and deceit as they were. We must constantly abide in the Lord and put our sin to death.
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
Acts Lesson 6
APPLICATION
In the sermon Sunday, Ryan offered four encouragements for moving towards living generously. Which ones stand out to you as an area of growth? What steps can you take to grow in these areas? o Summary of the four points: o Start with the heart. Our hearts must be changed by the immense generosity of God’s grace to us in Christ before our actions will change. o Give through sacrifice. Don’t ask, “what should I possess?” but rather, “what or who possesses me?” Let God be in charge, and then use what he has given you to generously build up the church and help those in need. o Live below your means. Make a plan to get finances away from being maxed out. Increase income, decrease spending, and create margins. Then plan to give. Don’t give what’s left over, give first! o Put your (Christian) family first. Actively pray for ways you can help meet needs within our church body.
PRAYER
HUDDLES & APPRENTICES Model | The best way to model generosity is to be generous to those you are leading. Be generous with your time, home, meals, belongings, and finances. Show them generosity. Experience | Invite those you disciple to join you in practicing generosity towards others (in giving to the church, helping those in your CG, giving to those in need, etc.) Debrief | After these opportunities, reflect with them on God’s generosity to us and how grateful we can be.
www.citychurchgnv.com · ©2014 Ryan Harding and City Church
