Sermon Study Guide

Q1: Icebreaker: Share something or someone that is something of great value to you? How does your life orient around that?

Q2: Matthew 6:19-20 distinguishes between treasures on earth and treasures in heaven. Treasures on earth are susceptible to corrosion, whereas treasures in heaven cannot be destroyed or stolen. What are some examples of these types of earthly and heavenly treasures?

Q3: ”The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” (1Tim 6:10). This verse is often misinterpreted as “money is evil.” Money itself is not good or bad, it’s morally neutral. What are some cases where you’ve have seen money used for great good, and for great evil?

Q4: Matthew 6:22 talks about a healthy eye which describes a singularity of focus, rather than a wandering eye that covets what one lacks and therefore focuses upon. What attracts your eye the most, and what does that say about your body being full of light or darkness?

Q5: Do you view money as the goal of life, or a tool / resource / medium for achieving the goals you have in life?

Q6: Matthew 6:24 says “No one can serve two masters…You cannot serve God and money.” Everyone has a master, someone or something in control. What are the pros and cons of a world ruled by capitalism? What other examples of “Mammon” (other than riches) can you think of? Mammon can be money, but it can also be anything else that takes the place of “Master” over us.

Q7: We discover at the end that this is not so much a teaching about money, as it is a teaching about discipleship. The central tenet of Christianity is: “Jesus is Lord.” Anything else takes second place. Do you find this total commitment of discipleship easy or challenging, and why?

Q8: Which part of this message on money resonated with you the most? Which part surprised you the most?