Generosity Practice Week 4
Be Generous to the Poor
One of the most distinct characteristics of the earliest Christians was their disproportionate concern for the poor. While this may be a more common value in our day, Jesusā teachings about the poor were revolutionary to ancient Roman ears who lived in a world built on ātakersā and ākeepers.ā Jesus flipped the heroās story of that time on its head and raised the disenfranchised into the eye line of society. With hearts that are inclined towards more and mine, radical generosity to the poor is Jesusā way of setting us free to join him in his upside-down Kingdom that belongs to āthe poor in spiritā and the āleast of these.ā
Below you will find steps to help you engage with this practice, as well as resources for further exploration.
Ways to engage with the Generosity Practice
First and foremost, this practice (and all practices) are meant to be done in community. If you haven't yet, find a small group of people that are commited to walking through this practice together.
Download the Generosity Practice Guide. If you can, it is advised to print it out to reduce the distraction of our devices.
Gather with your group once a week to watch the Practicing the Way video found below. This will include questions for discussion, as well as a short teaching on that week's practice.
Step into each practice as much as you are able and feel comfortable to. This invitation is for everyone at all stages of life and faith.
Reflect on your experience of the practice using the reflection questions at the bottom of the guide and be prepared to share them the next time you gather with your group.
Recommended Reading
Giving Is the Good Life by Randy Alcorn (Chapters 13-18)
Rule of Life Podcast
Generosity Practice Guide
Download the practice guide here
Week 4 Practice - Be generous to the poor
Organizations in our community:
Around the world:
Or you can give to someone you know in need in your relational circle.
Week 4 Reflection Questions
Before your next time together with the group, take five minutes to journal out your answers to the following three questions about the practice:
Where did I feel resistance or overwhelm?
Which aspects of this exercise felt natural or unnatural to me?
What did I sense God doing in me as I gave?
