Take time to READ this CHAPTER 9: p142-176

Explore it more

REFLECT | 'What is going on in our life right now?’

Discuss

• Did you manage to implement the ONE THING you said you were going to try this week? Why/Why not? (Not supposed to be condemning, just an acknowledgement)

  How are you? What is going on for you this week?

ENGAGE | ‘How do we engage with what God is saying to us?

• What does the word ‘SIMPLICITY’ conjure up for you?

• What is the opposite of the word simplicity?

Luke 12:13-15 (NIV)

The parable of the rich fool (Full passage click here)

13 Someone in the crowd said to him, ‘Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.’

14 Jesus replied, ‘Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?’ 15 Then he said to them, ‘Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.’

• Why do you think that someone was asking Jesus this question?

• What did Jesus think was taking place behind the question?

• What are different kinds of greed?

• What does Jesus mean that life does not consist in an abundance of possessions?

Luke 12:22-32 (NIV) Do not worry

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: they do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[a]? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27 ‘Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you – you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32 ‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

• What do you love about this passage?

• What do you find challenging about this passage?

Simplicity starts in the HEART and then out into our lifestyle.

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

John Mark Comer comments that ‘it’s not enough just to simplify our closet or home or even our schedule; we have to simplify around something…..what you centre your heart on will define who you will become, for better or worse.’

• How does Richard Foster’s quote ‘Christian simplicity is an inward reality that results in an outward lifestyle’ relate to the above text in Luke?

• What does it mean to seek (greek word is the same as run after, in the previous verse) the Kingdom of God?

INSPIRE | - 'How do we inspire each other to ‘TRY’ something this week? What opportunities are in front of us, that we can choose to explore?’

Discuss

• What ONE thing am I going to take the opportunity to do ‘TRY’ this week?

Go Deeper

Watch or listen to John Mark Comer