Part 7 - The Good & Beautiful Life - Controlling the Need to Want Study by: HVC 2023 Interns Sermons can be viewed on the Hope Valley Church YouTube Channel GATHERING / WORSHIP / PRAYER Take a few minutes to catch up with each other and build community. If you have new people present give time to getting to know each other. Possibly listen to ‘Jireh‘ by Elevation Worship & Maverick City. Pray: Generous God, everything belongs to you and is given by you to establish your kingdom on earth. Enliven our conversation throughout our time together with your Holy Spirit, so that we might be set free to live in harmony with your will for all creation. Amen. FOCUS Our series ‘The Good and the Beautiful’ is based on three books by James Bryan Smith. Our focus throughout June and July is from the second book 'The Good and Beautiful Life’. Jesus said he came to give life and give it to the full (John 10:10). What does that life look like? Through this second series of studies we will be encouraged to unpack Jesus’ narratives about life in the Kingdom of God. SETTING THE SCENE The main argument Bryan Smith makes in this section of the book is that we are all stewards of money we earn or are given, and we all have the choice to invest it either in earthly or heavenly treasures. The false narrative that drives our modern materialistic culture is that money and/or material possessions will make you feel secure, powerful, successful and happy. However, earthly treasures, and the positive feelings they generate, are only ever temporary. Alternatively, the kingdom narrative taught by Jesus is “God will provide for and protect me and mine, therefore I am free to seek His kingdom and invest the resources He gives me in His endeavours”. OPENING GOD’s WORD Warm Up Question: Why do you think money is an area that so frequently causes people trouble in life and relationships? Read: Matthew 6:19-24 Have one volunteer read out loud to the group. What insights and questions do you have about this passage of scripture? In what ways can wealth or material possessions hinder our devotion to God? How can we practically “lay up treasures in heaven”? How does the concept of “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” apply to our daily lives? LIVING OUT GOD’s WORD If kingdom economics are real, how will you live differently after today? As a group brainstorm ways you can put into practice kingdom economics. Let it be a joyful experiment and see what God does! PRAYER Pray for a fresh revelation of God as ‘Jehovah Jireh’ = the Lord who provides for both your daily and eternal needs. Pray that the Holy Spirit would reveal to you areas where you have pursued or prioritised wealth or material possessions in an unhealthy way. Ask God to help you grow in your trust of Him and therefore your generosity. Contacts If you would like more information or further help please contact: scott.button@hopevalleychurch.com.au