Prayer
Because the primary goal of our time together is to establish relationships and learn how to walk with one another in all that God has called us to be and do, we’d like to begin by praying for one another. So, does anyone have anything you’d like us to pray for or anything to share regarding how you’ve seen God moving in your life that we can celebrate together?
Opening Question
When or where do you most feel like you belong?
As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”– Mark 12:38-44
On Belonging
In the sermon, we heard about the complexity of belonging, specifically how we may not feel seen even when we are seen and we do belong. Given that:
What factors influence our feelings about whether or not we belong?
Why do you think that gap exists between feeling seen and being seen?
How can remembering that in God we are seen and we belong eternally help when we do not experience belonging elsewhere?
What can we do as individuals and as a collective community to foster belonging and help others feel seen?
On Giving
In our passage, Jesus taught that the depth of our sacrifice matters more to God than the volume of our offering.
What are some ways that small things have made a larger impact in your life?
How is generosity linked to belonging?
What is one small “offering” you can make this week in the life of another person?
Closing Thought
In the final moments of your time together, pray for our Live Big offering, that God would anoint it to offer care for many people in need. If you have not given toward the Live Big offering and would like to do so, there’s still time! You can give in the church app using the dropdown menu “Live Big Austin” or at livebigaustin.com.