God Will Provide
Sermon Summary
In our new sermon series, God Will Provide, Pastor Jimmy Seibert teaches that learning to trust God with our daily bread is how we learn to trust Him with our hearts. Whether we have a little or a lot, the issue is not a dollar figure but a heart posture, moving from clenched hands to surrendered hands that receive from God in order to give to others. Jimmy lays out a rhythm of grace for the series: live simply by finding contentment in what God has provided, work diligently by partnering with God through the work of our hands and give generously by giving obediently, joyfully and sacrificially. He invites each of us to open our hands and trust God as our provider.
Key Scriptures
Matthew 6:31-33 (NIV)
“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Proverbs 12:24 (NIV)
“Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.”
Malachi 3:10 (NIV)
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NIV)
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
Instructions for Groups
Choose a few of these questions from the various categories to go deeper in the sermon and put the truths of Scripture into practice. You don’t need to answer every question. Select the ones that will best help your group engage with God’s Word and apply it to your lives.
Discussion Questions
Scripture Study & Deeper Understanding
1. Read Matthew 6:19-24. Jesus moves from treasures on earth and in heaven to the statement that no one can serve two masters. What is Jesus saying about money in this passage, and why does He describe it as a master that competes with God?
2. Read Philippians 4:11-13. What does Paul say he has “learned,” and what range of circumstances does he describe? According to verse 13, where does his contentment come from?
3. Read Malachi 3:10 and 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 side by side. What do these passages reveal about the kind of heart God looks for in a giver?
Encouragement, Challenge & Personal Testimony
4. Jimmy said that if we don’t learn to trust God with our daily bread, we won’t trust Him with our heart, and that the issue is never a dollar figure but a heart posture. Why do you think money reveals so much about our trust in God, whether we have a little or a lot?
5. Jimmy described three postures: clenched hands that grasp for everything, surrendered hands that let it all go and open hands that receive from God in order to give to others. Which posture best describes where you are right now? What has God used in your life to loosen your grip?
6. There’s multiple stories Jimmy shared that point to a God who provides and a joy found in giving. Share a time God provided for you in a way only He could, or a time someone’s generosity marked your life. What did it teach you about God?
Putting It Into Practice
7. Jimmy asked two questions: “Are you content?” and “What’s in your hand right now?” As you listen to the Holy Spirit, is there an area where you are reaching beyond what God has provided, or waiting for the perfect opportunity instead of being faithful with what you have? What is one specific step you can take this week to live simply or work diligently?
8. Jimmy encouraged us to give obediently, joyfully and sacrificially, with the tithe as the training wheels that teach us to trust God. Take a moment to ask the Lord about your giving. What is one concrete step He is inviting you into, whether that is beginning to tithe, giving cheerfully above the tithe or meeting a specific need you are aware of?
Prayer
9. Listening to the Holy Spirit: We’re going to take focused time to listen to the Holy Spirit and what He wants to speak to us personally based on our time in Scripture and discussion. Let’s sit in silence for 60 seconds and ask the Spirit to speak to each one of us.
[After the minute of silence] What do you sense the Holy Spirit highlighting or speaking to you as we prayed?
10. Prayer Requests: What prayer requests come up for you based on our Scripture study and discussion? How can we pray for you as you seek to trust God as your provider and apply what He has shown you?