March 26-April 1, 2017
{The Sharing Economy: Our Five Capitals}
By Bill McMurtrey
Everyone loves a story about those who give back through sharing. Today when Dan had Carina up on stage talking about what she does, I couldn’t help but smile and think, "Wow, what a great inspiration she is going to be to so many people," and "I might see if she can knit me a scarf!"
Today we looked at Luke 12:15, where Jesus said, "Watch out! Be on guard against all kinds of greed, life does not consist in an abundance of possessions." This really spoke to me.
To describe my job in a nutshell, I’m a stay at home stock trader. I volunteer teaching investing for both the income generation and retirement generation here in KC.
The markets are dominated by 3 emotions…hope, fear and greed. That’s it. Just those three. I tell investors 8 days a week that if they can learn to harness those emotions, they aren’t just on their way to financial freedom, but to peace within themselves as well. Then I show it biblically. As in scriptures like Luke 12:15 and 12:34.
Recently I organized a "brainstorming session" made up of some smart people–some creative thinkers, and some other do-gooders, like myself. What we are working on is a way of living the "sharing life".
I created a fund, out of my own money, that I am using to generate revenue to be used to help others in need. It has a goal; an end game if you will. This type of sharing is new to me. I have always helped others, volunteering is the premise of my life. But now I have created something different, a financial instrument that will be used to help in other ways. The sharing economy that we are building is even being looked at as model in other places.
I believe in living in a sharing community. Christ taught us that "life does not consist in an abundance of possessions" and life is not about "he who dies with the most toys wins". I don’t think so at least, and want to focus on what I can do to help others while I am here. That’s a sharing community.
{sunday 3.26.17}
Read Luke 12:15
Observe, Reflect, Apply: What are your initial feelings when you read these words of Jesus? Have they changed your day to day life? Explain.
Miss the Sunday teaching? CLICK HERE to watch now!
{personal reflection and bible reading plan}
As you read the verses each day, make notes of questions you have about what you’re reading as well as answering the study questions below. Grab a friend or two to discuss what you are learning and what God is doing in your lives.
{monday 3.27.17}
Read Romans 8:34-9:7
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Paul says nothing can separate us from God. If you believe that is true, does that embolden you to live freely? How has that changed your daily life? If you don’t believe this statement, pray for clarity from God on what Paul means by it.
{tuesday 3.28.17}
Read Romans 9:8-21
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Pau tells us that God is the potter and we are his clay and that God molds us for his purpose. Can you see how God has molded you for his purpose? If so, what purpose is that? If not, pray for God to show you clarity about the purpose he molded you for.
{wednesday 3.29.17}
Read Romans 9:22-33
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Take 5 minutes and write whatever comes to mind about the word “nation”. The only guidelines are…. 1) Do NOT stop writing for the entire 5 minutes. 2) Do NOT self-edit as you write. Share what you wrote with someone else.
{thursday 3.30.17}
Read Romans 10:1-13
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Paul tells us in this scripture that Jesus was the fulfillment of his promise and that salvation is based on us submitting to God’s faithfulness by believing with our hearts and confessing with our words. I’ve never really considered whether or not God is faithful. I find this intriguing that it’s never caught my attention before. How do you experience God’s faithfulness? Where have you seen God’s faithfulness show up in other peoples’ lives?
{friday 3.31.17}
Read Romans 10:14-11:6
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Paul makes a case for why people should share about who Jesus is and what he did. From my experience, living my entire life in the Midwest, most people have heard something about Jesus but most have an incomplete picture or misunderstanding. What is your experience with people and what their understanding of Jesus is?
{saturday 4.1.17}
Read Romans 11:7-18
Observe, Reflect, Apply: Saturday
Romans 11:7-18 Through failure opportunity can rise. Paul has stated here that by failures of Israel that opportunity has come for the gentiles. Have you ever learned by watching someone else’s mistakes? Explain.
{group discussion ideas}
We weren’t meant to experience the life of Jesus alone, so we encourage you to rally a few others to discuss what you are hearing, reading, and reflecting on together. Whether you are meeting as an Heartland group, talking with a few friends throughout the week, or bringing up spiritual conversations around your table at home, feel free to use some of these questions as conversation starters for The Journey.
- Can you name an ‘takeaway’ or challenge from the Sunday message?
- How has that been relevant, challenging, or meaningful to your life this week?
- What have you observed about God, Jesus, yourself, others, or God’s plan for you from these readings?
- Where do you need a breakthrough from God this week?
- Who do you need to share what you’re learning about God with?
{extra journey resources}
CLICK HERE for more on how to use the observe-reflect-apply approach to getting the most out of your Bible reading.
The Bible App Get a free Bible for your phone, tablet, and computer. Experience the Bible anywhere, with options to highlight, save notes, and share what you are reading with others.
Bible Gateway Provides advanced Bible searching capabilities, which allow readers to find passages in scripture based on keywords, phrases, or scripture reference.
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© 2017 Heartland Community Church 12175 S. Strang Line Road, Olathe, KS 66062 (913) 341-5820.
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