Rich in the Right Direction (Pentecost 8C Gospel)

Download a PDF of the Word One Bible Study for Pentecost 8 Gospel.

Text: Luke 12:13-21 for the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, Lectionary Series C

OBJECTIVES

Participants will:

1. Understand what it means to be “rich toward God.”
2. Develop a plan to gather spiritual riches.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Bible

One page of newsprint per group

Markers for each group

A note and pencil for each person

Concordance

BUILDING COMMUNITY

1. Divide into groups of 3-5 people.
2. How would you describe someone who has “Arrived” (Someone who “Has it all”). You can draw a sketch of that person or act out a scene that typifies that life.
3. How will you know when you have “Arrived”? What will be different about your life when you get there?
4. Mike and Becky were discussing the death of a local millionaire. Seth says, “I wonder how much money he left behind?” After thinking for a moment Sue replied, “All of it!” Discuss the meaning of the phrase “You can’t take it with you.” Is it bad to accumulate a lot of wealth?

LOOKING AT GOD’S WORD

1. Look in a concordance and count how many times the Bible talks about money, wealth, or riches. Do you think God sees this as an important subject? Why or why not?
2. Look up the following verses to discover how God feels about money or wealth: Matthew 6:24; 1 Timothy 6:9-11; Hebrews 13:5; and James 4:13-15.
3. Go on a Scripture treasure hunt to discover some of God’s riches. Look at Ephesians 2:6-9; Philippians 4:19; Colossians 1:27 and 2:2.
4. Read Psalm 52:1-7 and Psalm 112:1-9. Make two lists, one describing someone who is NOT rich toward God and the other describing someone who IS rich toward God.
5. Read Luke 12:13-21. What would the man in the parable have done differently if he had been “rich toward God”?

REINFORCING WHAT HAS BEEN LEARNED

1. Return to your small group and look again at your description of one who has arrived or “has it all.” How would your description of this person look different if that person is “rich in the right direction”?
2. Take a few moments for each person to develop a list of ways to begin gathering eternal wealth.

CLOSING

Close with a group prayer. Have the leader begin the prayer asking God to bless efforts to gather eternal wealth. Pause to let each individual pray silently for strength and wisdom to do the activities on their list.

By Steven Pickel

Originally published in Discovery Bible Studies.

Updated for youthESource in July 2016