Sermon Outline:

1. Parables

2. Possessions in Luke

3. The Rich Farmer

4. Absurdity

5. Planning for God

NEXT STEPS:

1. Look at your plans for the next week and the next month.

2. Where have you included God in your plans? Where have you not?

3. Look at your finances.

4. Where have you included God in your finances? Where have you not?

5. Include God in your plans and finances in areas you haven't.

GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. What is the Rich farmer's main problem?

2. How does this weekend's scripture challenge modern views on wealth and possessions? What does it teach us about the dangers of greed?

3. If you are familiar with the idea of a personal S.H.A.P.E. (Spiritual giftedness, Heart, Aptitudes, Personality, & Experience), in what ways can you apply the principle of stewardship to your own life? How can your S.H.A.P.E. be optimized for the greater good?

4. Describe what this weekend's parable suggests about the fleeting nature of wealth and the futility of selfish accumulation?

5. In light of this weekend's parable, what practical steps can we take to cultivate generosity and compassion in our lives?

6. Discuss the contrast between the rich man's perceived success and God's judgment. What might be some alternative measures of success?

7. How can you include God in your plans more? What does it mean to include God in your plans?

NOTE TO GROWTH GROUP FACILITATORS
The six day, devotional plan below, The 5 Essentials of Stewardship, includes additional discussion questions at the conclusion of each day that you may find helpful.

We encourage you to use Facebook, Instagram, and other social media to share images, quotes, links, or what you've learned from this week's message and YouVersion message notes. Social media can also be a great way of inviting your friends to worship and special events.