Small Group Guide: Faithful with What You've Been Given
Based on Luke 16:1-9 | Family Life Church
Overview
This week's message drew from the parable of the dishonest manager to challenge us with a central question: are we truly faithful with what God has entrusted to us? Using an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, the sermon reminded us that we are stewards, not owners, of everything God has placed in our hands. Time is limited, eternity is real, and how we manage what God has given us matters deeply.
Key Takeaways
Opening Icebreaker
Take a few minutes to go around the group and answer this question before diving into the discussion:
Think of something you have borrowed from someone, a car, a tool, a book, anything. How did you treat it differently knowing it was not yours to keep?
Optional Discussion Questions
Discussion Questions
Section 1: Recognize That We Are Stewards, Not Owners
Section 2: Respond Before Accountability Arrives
Section 3: Use Temporary Resources for Eternal Impact
Practical Applications
Choose at least one of the following to practice this week and report back to your group next time you meet.
Closing Reflection
The sermon closed with a powerful reminder: God gave his only Son, knowing we would continue to fall short, and Jesus went to the cross, was buried, and rose again with all power. We have access to that same power. We are not managing God's resources in our own strength. We are doing it as people who have been redeemed, empowered, and trusted by a God who believes in us enough to entrust us with his kingdom work.
Close your group time in prayer. Ask God to reveal any areas where you have been acting like an owner rather than a steward. Ask him for the courage to respond quickly, the wisdom to use what you have been given for eternal purposes, and the faithfulness to be found trustworthy when the day of accountability comes.
Memory Verse for the Week
Colossians 3:2 calls us to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. Write this verse down and place it somewhere you will see it throughout the week as a reminder of where your true investment belongs.
Based on Luke 16:1-9 | Family Life Church
Overview
This week's message drew from the parable of the dishonest manager to challenge us with a central question: are we truly faithful with what God has entrusted to us? Using an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, the sermon reminded us that we are stewards, not owners, of everything God has placed in our hands. Time is limited, eternity is real, and how we manage what God has given us matters deeply.
Key Takeaways
- We are stewards, not owners. Everything we have, our money, our time, our gifts, our relationships, and our influence, belongs to God. He has entrusted these things to us, and one day we will give an account of how we managed them.
- God is not unaware of what happens behind the scenes. Nothing we do is hidden from him. Our actions and reputations eventually come to light.
- Time is limited. We must act now, not later. Delayed obedience is still disobedience.
- Money is a tool, not a master. How we use temporary resources can produce eternal impact when we invest in the kingdom of God.
- The question God will ask is not how much we accumulated, but whether we were faithful.
Opening Icebreaker
Take a few minutes to go around the group and answer this question before diving into the discussion:
Think of something you have borrowed from someone, a car, a tool, a book, anything. How did you treat it differently knowing it was not yours to keep?
Optional Discussion Questions
- The sermon describes stewardship as managing what belongs to God rather than owning it ourselves -- in what areas of your life do you most struggle to release the sense of personal ownership and truly surrender control to God?
- The minister points out that people of this world often show more intentionality about temporary things than believers do about eternal things -- what practical steps can you take this week to shift your focus toward investing in eternity rather than only living for today?
- The dishonest manager acted quickly once he realized his time was limited -- what area of obedience have you been delaying, and what might it cost you spiritually to continue waiting?
- The sermon raises the question of whether God would find faithfulness or selfishness if He asked you today to give an account of your stewardship -- how would you honestly answer that question, and what would need to change?
- The minister reminds us that God is aware of what happens behind the scenes, even when we think no one is watching -- how does the reality of divine accountability shape the everyday decisions you make with your time, money, and influence?
- The sermon draws a parallel between spending time with a spouse to build a relationship and spending time with God in prayer and study -- how intentional are you about cultivating your relationship with God, and what barriers prevent you from going deeper?
- The minister notes that David, Joseph, and the disciples were all faithful in small things before being entrusted with greater responsibility -- what small act of faithfulness is God calling you to right now that you may be overlooking because it seems insignificant?
- Jesus uses the parable of the dishonest manager to teach about using resources for eternal impact rather than temporary comfort -- how are your financial decisions currently reflecting an eternal perspective, and where might God be calling you to realign your priorities?
- The sermon emphasizes that delayed obedience is still disobedience -- is there something God has clearly instructed you to do, such as forgiving someone, beginning to serve, or sharing your faith, that you have been putting off, and what is truly holding you back?
- The minister closes by reminding us that Jesus gave everything, including his life, on our behalf -- how does meditating on that sacrifice change the way you view the cost of faithful stewardship in your own life?
Discussion Questions
Section 1: Recognize That We Are Stewards, Not Owners
- The sermon pointed out that we often say "my money, my house, my career" and leave God out of it entirely. Where in your own life do you find it hardest to remember that what you have belongs to God?
- The manager in the parable had been given great access and great responsibility, but he was not faithful with it. In what areas of your life has God given you access or responsibility that you may not be managing as faithfully as you should?
- The sermon asked: "If God were to ask you today, what is this I hear about you, would your life reflect faithfulness or selfishness?" How would you honestly answer that question right now?
- Romans 14:12 tells us that every one of us will give an account of himself to God. How does that reality change the way you think about your daily decisions?
Section 2: Respond Before Accountability Arrives
- The sermon said, "Delayed obedience is still disobedience." Is there something God has been prompting you to do that you have been putting off? What is holding you back?
- The dishonest manager acted quickly once he understood that his time was running out. What would it look like for you to respond to God with that same sense of urgency, not out of fear, but out of wisdom and preparation?
- The sermon mentioned that we often only call on God when we sense something is wrong, even when we have not been spending consistent time with him. How does your prayer life and time in God's word reflect your priorities? What is one practical step you can take this week to grow in that area?
Section 3: Use Temporary Resources for Eternal Impact
- Jesus said in Luke 16:9 that we should use what we have to make an eternal difference. What are some specific ways your group, your family, or your church can use its resources, whether money, time, or gifts, to invest in eternity rather than only in temporary things?
- The sermon reminded us that David was faithful before becoming king, Joseph was faithful before becoming governor, and the disciples were faithful before changing the world. Where in your life is God calling you to be faithful in something small before he entrusts you with something greater?
- The sermon asked: "Are my finances, my gifts, my time, and my conversations making an eternal difference?" Take a moment to reflect on each of those four areas. Which one feels most out of alignment for you right now, and what would faithfulness look like in that area?
Practical Applications
Choose at least one of the following to practice this week and report back to your group next time you meet.
- Conduct a personal stewardship audit. Set aside 20 to 30 minutes this week to honestly evaluate how you are using your time, your money, your gifts, and your influence. Ask yourself whether your habits reflect someone who knows they are a steward accountable to God.
- Act on delayed obedience. Identify one specific thing God has been asking you to do that you have postponed. Take one concrete step toward doing it this week, no matter how small.
- Give with intentionality. Look for one opportunity this week to use a resource you have, whether money, time, or a skill, to bless someone else or support a kingdom purpose. Do it with the awareness that you are investing in eternity.
- Spend time with God. The sermon compared our relationship with God to a marriage, noting that you cannot truly know someone without spending time with them. Commit to a specific time each day this week for prayer and reading scripture. Be consistent, not perfect.
- Have an eternal conversation. Identify one person in your life who does not know Jesus or who has drifted away from their faith. Pray for them daily this week and look for a natural opportunity to encourage or reach out to them.
Closing Reflection
The sermon closed with a powerful reminder: God gave his only Son, knowing we would continue to fall short, and Jesus went to the cross, was buried, and rose again with all power. We have access to that same power. We are not managing God's resources in our own strength. We are doing it as people who have been redeemed, empowered, and trusted by a God who believes in us enough to entrust us with his kingdom work.
Close your group time in prayer. Ask God to reveal any areas where you have been acting like an owner rather than a steward. Ask him for the courage to respond quickly, the wisdom to use what you have been given for eternal purposes, and the faithfulness to be found trustworthy when the day of accountability comes.
Memory Verse for the Week
Colossians 3:2 calls us to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. Write this verse down and place it somewhere you will see it throughout the week as a reminder of where your true investment belongs.