WEEKLY HOME GROUP GUIDE

Belong
Welcome/opening prayer This weeks passage reveals several ways we can honor God through generous giving (ultimately in response to the countless ways God has blessed us with HIS generosity! Pray a special prayer of thanksgiving to the God of ALL our provision.

July 29-Aug 4, 2012

Become
Family Time Most everyone enjoys collecting something. It could be sports memorabilia, stamps, coins, figurines, model cars/trains, junk (!), shoes (especially for the ladies!), snow globes, DVDs/CDs, old records, porcelain dolls, even bibles and crosses that we hang on walls! Have each member share with the group one or more things they have a personal affinity to collect AND what it is about those items that make it special to them. Read v. 9 of todays passage. Then ask the question...while collecting some things in and of itself isnt sinful, what steps might we want to put into place to make sure we arent guilty of Jesus words in this passage. How are Jesus words in Matt 6:19-24 supported by the phrase You cant take it with you! Kids Time Conduct a summer-time egg hunt (eggs not actually necessary!). Strategically place candy or small gifts around the house or back yard where the kids wont easily see it. Then give them 5 minutes to search up/down, high/low to find the treasures. Brings all the kids back together. Share with them how easy it is for us to seek after treasures for our own desires; but, that Jesus has asked us to have that kind of energy/excitement regarding our effort to find and store up heavenly treasures. As a follow up, have the them come up with several ways we can be intentional about storing up heavenly treasures (TN: for example sharing the gospel/leading someone to Jesus, bringing your tithe/offering to support what God is doing at PBC, serving at PBC, serving at a local compassion agency, going on a mission trip, etc.) Lastly, have the kids make a personal list of three things they want to start doing or continue doing to store up treasure in heaven.

Adult Time Weve all heard the old saying, one mans junk is another mans treasure. In what ways can you personally relate to this in a positive way (TN: say, finding something of great value at a garage or estate sale). In what ways can you personally relate to this in a negative way (TN: say, having to go through countless items left behind due to the passing of a loved one). Then, have them think about the things (earthly treasures) those in your group presently possess. Then, ask them, when you go to be with the Lord...what will survivors think of/do with all the items left behind? Oftentimes as we strive to advance our careers, there exists an underlying motivation to earn more money and have a more comfortable life; perhaps a few more earthly treasures? These things are not bad in and of themselves. Yet, Jesus words that we cant serve both God AND Money leave little wiggle room for error. What steps can we, as believers, put in place to make sure that we will become/remain preoccupied with the accumulation of heavenly treasures over (and against if necessary) those things that will be here today but gone tomorrow?

Prayer Time Spend your time in prayer tonight thanking and praising God for all the wonderful ways he has graciously blessed your life with his provision. Pray also that the Holy Spirit would guide in ways we can demonstrate to our heavenly Father that we clearly serve Him and not Money (v. 24)

Beyond
Community Calendar Mark your calendars for this Sunday, July 29th. There will be a Summer Community Event in your area! For more information on times and locations, contact Chelsea Poulos at 817-980-8691, cpoulos@pantego.org. Church Calendar Our School Supply Drive ends Sunday, July 29th. Please bring your donations to the lobby booth. Monetary donation are welcome. Find out more information at pantego.org or contact Jennifer at ext 118, kids@pantego.org.

Pantego Bible Church