Youth Group Discussion: Tithing

Bible Verse 1: Leviticus 27: 30-34 (consider also reading Malachi 3:8-12?)

         

Video:  Skit Guys: The Skinny on Tithing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQRQY3R_Ty4

Bible Verse 2:  Luke 21: 1-4

Five Questions:

1.     Money is hard for people to talk about.  Does your family ever talk money?  How does the subject come up?  (as a parental beating “We can’t afford that!” or honest discussions)

2.     Can anyone give me a good definition of tithing?  You just read a couple of Bible passages and saw a video, what did they say?

3.     Why is God so worried about what we do with “our” money?

4.     Do any of you have a regular job or get paid for doing chores?  Do you have a lot of money?

5.     If you have little or no money, how can you tithe?  What other ways could you give to the church?

Leaders please mention the flyers for the trip to the Alpha Family Center this Sunday.

Giving is a tough subject to tackle. We live in a stuff-oriented culture. Wherever we turn, we’re reminded of more “things” we can accumulate. Everything in our culture says to gather and hoard, and the accumulation of possessions becomes a mad pursuit. God wants us to be generous, because it's a direct reflection of our priorities. Giving can be the elephant in the room, but developing this discipline is critical for spiritual health.

The tithing  is not just about giving what we owe God. It was a reminder that we owe everything to God.  Sharing is always an easier concept to grasp when you’re on the receiving end and not the one giving. With God, we are the ones who receive. Ultimately, God is the one who gives us everything. In Psalm 24:1, the Psalmist wrote that the earth and everything in it belong to God. That covers it all. Everything belongs to God because he is the creator of everything!

God wants us to give joyfully.  Tithing is one important way to worship God, even though many Christians may not think of it in those terms. We give our tithe and offerings because of our love for God, not because we are required to give.

You may be thinking, well I don’t have anything I can give to God, I have no income. Giving to God is more than giving money. All of us have twenty-four hours in a day. We can give God a tenth of our day in studying and meditating in the Word and praying. We can give a tenth of our time to pray for the needs of others.  We also give our talents to God, finding ways to serve God and others with our skills. 

Close in prayer and ask for prayer requests.