Gathering
1. What attitudes toward money did you grow up with?
- Never had enough of it, had to watch every penny.
- With “Depression Era” or tight-fisted parents, I lived frugally within my means.
- I was given a generous allowance and told to steward it well.
- Nothing was given; I had to earn every dollar.
- Born with a silver spoon in my mouth, no money worries at all.
- Other __________
Backstory
During the time of Jesus, the Jewish people believed that if you were rich, you were “right” with God, and if you were poor, you had sinned against God. The rich held a powerful place in both Jewish and Roman cultures. Jesus, through a story, teaches us how the kingdom of God is different.
God’s Story
Have someone read aloud Luke 16: 19-31.
Finding My Story in God’s Story
2. Imagine you’re the rich man in this story. How would you describe your life since you have it made financially? By contrast, what are you feeling at the end of your life?
3. Which part of Lazarus’s life can you identify with?
- His struggles with physical or emotional pain.
- I’ve always felt poor—I need more.
- I can’t relate to him at all.
- I look forward to great rewards to come.
- Other __________.
4. What good financial example or advice have you ignored in life?
- Work hard in school if you want to get ahead.
- Add value to others and what goes around comes around.
- God helps those who help themselves.
- Don’t be too proud to ask for help when you need it.
- Money can’t buy happiness but it can …
- Other __________.
5. What do you suppose are the dangers of being rich?
- Isolation—a tendency to avoid people out of my socio-economic class.
- Arrogance—I have this life all figured out.
- Self-sufficiency—I don’t need God.
- Nothing—it’s not how much you’ve got that matters.
- Putting profit ahead of people can be dangerous.
- Other __________.
6. Why do you suppose Jesus told this story to the disciples and the Pharisees?
7. After hearing this story, I feel most like a (chose one: Disciple or Pharisee) because…
- I believe everything is turned “upside down” in heaven.
- I don’t usually pay much attention to those around me.
- I usually treat people with compassion.
- I want to live it up now because the future doesn’t look so good.
- I try to avoid spiritual bankruptcy at all costs.
- Other __________.
8. Try to name ONE “gate” that you have created to separate yourself from others?
- I live in a gated community that keeps out solicitors.
- My yard is fenced in to keep out unwanted critters.
- I’m an introvert and try to avoid eye contact, even with my neighbors.
- I’m in a group that limits membership based on sex, race, or religion.
- Other __________.
If not addressed now, how might that “gate” turn into a “chasm”?
Our Story
9. Based on your group discussion, how do your various experiences and perspectives on the rich and the poor add up to a call for you to change?
10. How might Jesus be encouraging you to change your attitudes toward the rich and the poor in light of “God’s economy” (often the reverse of what we see in our culture’s focus on economic and social status)?
11. Close by praying for one another. Ask God to help each group member make the attitude changes they are considering.