Generosity [Nehemiah 5]

Sermon Discussion Questions

• Ever since Adam and Eve's fall in the garden of Eden, we have been a people with a sin-sick tendency to be takers.  What things do you see around you (in our culture or otherwise) that reinforce our tendency to take?  These can be silly (Hungry, Hungry, Hippos!) or not.  Which ones in particular seem to be a temptation?
• There were clearly systems in place during the time of Nehemiah that contributed to a huge disparity of wealth (to the point of the poor being taken advantage of) amongst God's people and the world at large.  Where do we see these in the text?  What kinds of systems can we identify today in our own context? Brainstorm what it may look like to engage these broken systems as followers of Christ.
• Ryan pointed out how, "the one community that should be different is the one that has received great generosity." [paraphrase]  What passage did Ryan reference in talking about the reason for showing compassion to others?  Can you think of other passages in scripture that point to God's grace and compassion as the motivation to show generosity and compassion to others?  Why is this concept so important for us to understand?  Why does it seem that we have to keep re-learning this throughout our lives?
• When was the last time you turned down a perk?  Are there things in your life that you could sacrifice for the sake of others?  As a group, brainstorm what sacrifices could be made as an individual or as a family.
• What does it mean to leave someone in debt, from a relational perspective?  Have you seen yourself doing this?  Is there anyone with whom you are currently doing this?  
• It seems that part of being generous means using your God-given gifts for the sake of others.  What God-given gifts do you have?  What does it look like for you to use your gifts, as ones who are called to serve as living sign-posts of the coming kingdom?