Before diving into today’s reading, go to page 70 of your Awaken Guidebook and take a few minutes to complete the “Look Ahead” section.
Read Luke 12:13-15 in your personal Bible or at the link provided.
Review
- What was the primary concern of the person in the crowd?
- What did Jesus tell this person to guard against?
- How is life measured (or not measured)?
Reflect
Leading up to the story in today’s verses, Jesus was preaching to a crowd of people, telling them how valuable they were to God. He was awakening them to their true significance. In the sea of people, one person focused on one thing – getting more of his father’s estate. Jesus lovingly challenged him, telling him that significance doesn’t come from things. It comes from a life of following Jesus.
Greed often blinds us. We can see it in other people but never ourselves. But Jesus said it’s a big deal. Why? Because money, more than anything else, creates the best counterfeit to God. It promises what only God can do.
In your life, greed may show up as selfishness, or it may show up as something else. Security, safety, even responsibility can all be sneaky ways for greed to creep in. Just as Jesus warned the man in the crowd, He issues the same warning today. Guard against greed in all of its forms. Don’t measure your life by how much you own. Your significance doesn’t come from things. It comes from your worth as a child of God, and it comes from a life of following Jesus.
Respond
- The man in the crowd had one motivation. What would you say is your biggest motivation? Where do you see it play out?
- How or where do you see greed creep into your life? How is it keeping you from God’s best for you?
- What types of things do you use to measure your significance? How does today’s reading change your perspective on what Jesus wants to give you instead?
As you process these questions, use page 71 of your Awaken Guidebook to jot down any key reflections or next steps. Be sure to bring your guidebook to your group! Page 72 is a great place to write down things that you want to process together.