“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matthew 6:24)
Join us for our afternoon Discipleship Hour during the month of July as we seek to conform our consumption ethic to the standard of Holy Scripture.
We will be using the booklet “God or Mammon” and it is available free of charge in the following formats: ePub Mobi PDF (printed copies will also be available). The class schedule and discussion questions are below:
07/10/16 – Introduction, Threats, and Values (pages 5-8)
When it comes to material prosperity, what is the assumption/expectation of most Americans?
What three circumstances unique to our culture magnify the general dangers of affluence?
How does 1 Timothy 6:8 inform our consumption ethic?
What is a “threshold of satisfaction” and how do we distinguish between wants and needs?
What is materialism? How susceptible are we to it?
What extremes have Christians fallen into regarding the use of worldly goods?
What should be our first step toward developing a consumption ethic based on Kingdom values?
07/17/16 – Developing a Biblical Perspective (pages 9-13)
Why do we tend to define ourselves according to our material possessions?
What does it mean to be “rich toward God”?
How can we avoid falling into the Psalm 73:3 trap?
Does God really want us to enjoy earthly pleasures?
If so, how is thus done safely?How might “seeking the good of others” inform our purchasing decisions?
How can we crucify the “me first” attitude towards consumption?
How will you feel when Revelation 18 is fulfilled?
07/24/16 – Practical Antidotes to Materialism (pages 14-18)
What are some synonyms for shrewd? How does this apply to the marketplace?
How does “remembering who we are” help us guard against materialism?
What are some practical ways to “simplify” your lifestyle?
Can the communal life described in Acts 4 be achieved in our local church? How?
How have you sought to teach your children a biblical consumption ethic?
Is seeking wealth (in se) a commendable goal?
How can we cultivate a “holy indifference” toward the fashions and values of this present age?
07/31/16 – Love as the Ultimate Solution (page 19)
Interpret Hebrews 13:5 – What is the sin forbidden, the duty required, and the motivation?
Are you surprised that modern dictionaries define materialism so scripturally?
What are some biblical examples of discontentment or covetousness?
Why quote the Puritans? Are their writings really relevant any more?
Is love for Christ truly sufficient to overcome materialism? If so, how?
Have you ever asked God to remove an over-loved thing from your life? Did he? How?
How has the booklet “God or Mammon” helped change your thinking and/or lifestyle?