· Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, Rejoice! – Philippians 4:4

· God made you to be joyfully generous.

· God loves a cheerful giver – 2 Corinthians 9:7b.

· You need to let go of your ideas about money and giving to take hold of God’s teaching.

· It is more blessed to give than to receive – Acts 20:35b

· 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 -And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches.

· Someone must define what generosity is

· 2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.

· Generosity does not depend on your economic situation.

· Overwhelming joy leads to rich generosity.

· Heavenly Father, increase my joy.

· Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.

· With great urging they begged us for the grace and fellowship of serving the holy ones.

· When we are generous, we create connection.

· Giving to the local church body is an act of trust.

· 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.

· Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also – Matthew 6:21.

· Heavenly Father, I give my ideas about generosity to, for you to teach me.

· Heavenly Father, show me examples of generosity.

· 6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part.

· Do not leave generosity as the last task to be done.

· 7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

· God wants you to excel in joyful generosity.

· Heavenly Father, am I generous?

· Heavenly Father, teach me to give joyfully.

LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Starter: In your opinion, what helps people be generous?

Discussion:

1. Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-3a

2. Who is your example of generosity?

3. How would you explain to someone that joy is the key to unlocking generosity?

4. What might motivate you to give beyond your ability?

5. Read 2 Corinthians 8:3b – 5.

6. In your opinion, what would help people see being generous as a privilege?

7. In your opinion, what might help people to give themselves first to the Lord when it comes to generosity?

8. Read 2 Corinthians 8:6-7

9. Who has permission to be Titus in your life, to hold you accountable for your generosity?

10. What would be your next step to excel in generosity?