"I was Sick..."

MERCY FOCUS 2011

“I was sick and you looked after Me.”  ~Jesus

OPENING QUESTION:

1. Do you, or have you ever sponsored a child through one of the relief organizations?  Why did you do it?  What was your experience like?

    

DIGGING DEEPER:

1. READ Deuteronomy 15:7-11.

    

2. What instruction does God give to His people about treating the poor?

    

3. Can someone in the group explain what the “year for canceling debts” was all about?

    

4. What about that special year would cause someone to be less generous with the poor?

    

5. In verse 11, God says that there will always be poor people.  Does this discourage you or challenge you?  Why?

    

6. What promise does God make to those who are generous with the poor?

    

7. What causes people to be “tight-fisted” with their wealth?  What can lead a person to become more generous?

    

GETTING PERSONAL:

1. In what ways can you become more “open-handed” with your giving to those in need?

    

2. Have you ever been on the receiving end of a generous donor?  What was it like? 

    

3. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  How has this been true in your own life?

    

PRAYER

Let’s ask God together what we can do to serve the poor.