3 GOD S HARVEST LAW Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. JOHN 12:24 44 45
A pastor named Duane Vanderklerk once said, God gave a Son and He reaped a family. God gave us Jesus as the Savior who died for our sins to make us right with God. As a result, all of us who choose to follow God are part of God s family, sisters and brothers with Christ. God made a choice to sow grace and love and generosity, and now He reaps a relationship with us. This principle of sowing and reaping is all through the Bible, and it s foundational in our approach to generosity. God tells us that in every area of life, we will experience the consequences of sin and the blessings of obedience. This is God s Harvest Law, and the focus of our study today. Have you ever tried to start a garden? What did you learn about making things grow? How have you found the principle of sowing and reaping to be true in your own life? GROWING TOGETHER WATCH THE DVD for this session now. Use the Notes space provided on page 48 to record key thoughts, questions, and insights you want to remember. After watching the DVD, have someone read the discussion questions on the next page and direct the discussion among the group. As you go through each of the subsequent sections, ask someone else to read the questions and direct the discussion. When you hold your hand open to God, He can put into it anything He wants, and He can take out anything He wants. 46 47
God s harvest law says that if we trust Him with our money, He will bless us. Why does God require us to step out in faith before giving His blessing? How does God multiply what we sow? God does not promise that our obedience in finances will always result in financial blessings. What are some other ways God might bless you for your generosity? Why does God require us to wait before the harvest? 48 49
LEARN TOGETHER AFTER watching the DVD teaching and discussing the previous questions, spend a few minutes studying this scripture passage that provides more insight into today s topic. Read Matthew 25:14-30 14 For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. 15 And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. 17 And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. 18 But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord s money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. 20 So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them. 21 His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. 22 He also who had received two talents came and said, Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them. 23 His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. 24 Then he who had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours. 26 But his lord answered and said to him, You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. 29 For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 50 51
Why do you think the master gave different amounts of gold to each person? Why did the third servant bury the money instead of investing it? How does verse 19 illustrate one of the principles we studied this week? What is the connection between our faithfulness and God s blessing? SHARING TOGETHER Why do we look for a harvest even though we haven t sown anything for God? Is there an area of your life where you have sown and are now waiting for a harvest? What is this wait teaching you? You can t keep from being blessed when you follow this law. How does giving lead to thanksgiving? How does God s example of giving His Son affect your understanding of generosity? How does it illustrate the law of sowing and reaping? 52 53
FOR ADDITIONAL STUDY If you feel God is nudging you to go deeper, take some time between now and our next meeting to dig into His Word. Explore the Bible passages related to this session s theme on your own, jotting your reflections in a journal or in this study guide. Want to go deeper? Select a few verses and try writing them in your own words. If you like, share them with the group the next time you meet. Read John 12:23-26 PERSONAL REFLECTION The obvious idea to consider this week is where you are sowing and what you are reaping. Certainly this is something to think about when it comes to your finances and your generosity with God. But you can also evaluate how God s harvest law is playing out in other areas: your friendships, your marriage, your parenting, your work, your physical health, and your walk with God. Take some time to think about each of these areas. What are you sowing? Where do you need to be more intentional about sowing good things that will reap a good harvest? What are some ways you can begin to be a better sower this week? What would have happened if Jesus had chosen not to go to the cross? How does the death of one seed produce many more seeds? What does it mean to hate your life? What are the rewards for those who follow God? PRAYING TOGETHER Take time for each member of the group to briefly share one area of life in which he or she wants to begin sowing more intentionally for God. Have one member write down each person s comment and then pray together for each other. During your prayer time next week, invite people to share how they have put this into action. Invite group members to share other prayer requests, as well, and write them on your Prayer and Praise report on page 100. 54 55
Day 1 Read Matthew 17:20 Day 3 Read Luke 6:38 Day 5 Read 2 Corinthians 9:7 DAILY DEVOTIONS Complete the Daily Devotions section. Each day, you ll read just one portion of a passage of Scripture. Give prayerful consideration to what you learn about God, His Spirit, and His place in your life. Take your time! Listen to what God is telling you. Ponder and reflect. Then record your thoughts, insights, or prayer in the Reflect section below the verses you read. On the sixth day record a summary of what you have learned through this study. So Jesus said to them, Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. Even the smallest seed can reap huge things if it s sown for God. Ask God to grow your faith through this study! Day 2 Read Job 4:8 Even as I have seen, Those who plow iniquity And sow trouble reap the same. God s harvest law applies to the negative as well as the positive. Are there areas of life where you are sowing trouble? Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you. God delights in being generous with us! When we sow by giving, our harvest will be more than we can dream. Day 4 Read 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. It s easy to grow discouraged when we don t see quick results for our efforts. Ask God for patience as you wait to see how He will use your efforts for Him. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. Do you give grudgingly or cheerfully? Ask God to help you purpose in your heart to give with joy. Day 6 Use the following space to write any thoughts God has put in your mind and heart during your devotions this week. Summary: Taking Action: What is one thing you will do as a result of what you ve heard from God? 56 57
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. - John 12:24 58 59