Before each session, the facilitators and I meet to review the material and generate questions. There are always far more questions than time. So here is the full list of questions for Money: The Joy of Sharing.
1. What lessons about money did your family / the culture / your faith teach you when you were young? How have those lessons changed over time?
2. What makes money a difficult subject to talk about?
3. In the video Shane Claiborne says, “The best things to do with the best things in life is to give them away.” How does this sound to you? What prevents or gives pause to your giving? Is there another way to finish that phrase that is compelling for you, “the best things to do with the best things in life is to…”
4. Last week we talked about the sacraments as a way that we visibly seal our lives to God. How might the use of our financial resources be a way that we visibly seal our lives to God in the everyday?
5. In the video Shane Claiborne says that some people talk about their lives were messed up until they found Jesus, but in his own experience he says that, “My life was pretty together then I met Jesus and he messed me up.” In what ways has your faith helped put your life together and in what ways has faith messed it up?
6. In your opinion, how is the ever widening economic chasm related to the Christian faith?
7. The scriptures speak repeatedly about money and financial matters. What are verses from the bible that you remember hearing and/or reading? How have you understood these verses? How (if at all) have these verses shaped your decisions about money?
8. What messages (overt or implied) about money have you heard at Central Union (e.g. in a sermon or Bible study or at the Aloha Lanai, etc)?
9. Shane Claiborne advocates for a theology of enough; an idea referenced in Proverbs 30:7-9.
10. In the video Shane Claiborne says, “Generosity has to be provoked in us by love.” When, in your life, have you seen love provoke (or inspire) generosity?
11. In Acts 2:37-47 and Acts 4:32-35 the scripture says that the early church shared their resources in order to care for those in need. What are ways Central Union could pool or share resources (not just finances) in order to be a blessing?
12. What are the concerns or barriers to sharing our resources?
13. When have you shared your money, your time, and/or your effort in a way that was new for you or felt like a stretch? What came about in your life because of the gift you gave?
1. What lessons about money did your family / the culture / your faith teach you when you were young? How have those lessons changed over time?
2. What makes money a difficult subject to talk about?
3. In the video Shane Claiborne says, “The best things to do with the best things in life is to give them away.” How does this sound to you? What prevents or gives pause to your giving? Is there another way to finish that phrase that is compelling for you, “the best things to do with the best things in life is to…”
4. Last week we talked about the sacraments as a way that we visibly seal our lives to God. How might the use of our financial resources be a way that we visibly seal our lives to God in the everyday?
5. In the video Shane Claiborne says that some people talk about their lives were messed up until they found Jesus, but in his own experience he says that, “My life was pretty together then I met Jesus and he messed me up.” In what ways has your faith helped put your life together and in what ways has faith messed it up?
6. In your opinion, how is the ever widening economic chasm related to the Christian faith?
7. The scriptures speak repeatedly about money and financial matters. What are verses from the bible that you remember hearing and/or reading? How have you understood these verses? How (if at all) have these verses shaped your decisions about money?
8. What messages (overt or implied) about money have you heard at Central Union (e.g. in a sermon or Bible study or at the Aloha Lanai, etc)?
9. Shane Claiborne advocates for a theology of enough; an idea referenced in Proverbs 30:7-9.
“Two things I ask of you; do not deny them to me before I die. Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that I need, or I shall be full, and deny you, and say, “Who is the Lord?” or I shall be poor, and steal, and profane the name of my God.”How do you define what is enough and what is excess? What rubric do you use? What communities or individuals do you look to as a guide?
10. In the video Shane Claiborne says, “Generosity has to be provoked in us by love.” When, in your life, have you seen love provoke (or inspire) generosity?
11. In Acts 2:37-47 and Acts 4:32-35 the scripture says that the early church shared their resources in order to care for those in need. What are ways Central Union could pool or share resources (not just finances) in order to be a blessing?
12. What are the concerns or barriers to sharing our resources?
13. When have you shared your money, your time, and/or your effort in a way that was new for you or felt like a stretch? What came about in your life because of the gift you gave?
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