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Discussion Questions
- Do you think that people should be able to build any size and style of
home they want to on the property they own? What if you were the neighbor
and your view of the sunrise or trees were suddenly blocked by someone’s
garage?
- What are the reasons that you would buy a certain home? Location? Age of
the house? Size of the house? Style? Features?
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Scripture Texts (NRSV) for Sunday, August 5, 2007.
(Text links are to
oremus Bible
Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings
for Year C at
Lectionary Readings.)
Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23
Psalm 49:1-12
Colossians 3:1-11
Luke 12:13-21
For lectionary humor and insight, check
the weekly comic
Agnus
Day.
Gospel Reflection
Jesus’ parable in Luke 12 tells us about a rich man whose land produced a
huge amount of food. His harvest was so large that he decided to tear down his
old barns and build new ones that were bigger to hold all of his new “stuff.”
His plan was that then he’d be satisfied and then he could relax, once he had
big enough barns. But God had other ideas: God told the man that his life was
being demanded of him, and that all of his “stuff” could not save him, no matter
how much he had.
This parable serves to remind us that everything we have is a gift from God;
every piece of furniture, every car, every bowl and spoon. Everything is a gift
from God. God has given us these gifts not to hoard and not to put on display in
larger and larger homes. God has blessed us so that we can be a blessing. God
has blessed us and we are supposed to remember that we are still dependent on
God for everything, for every breath we take. We should thank God for each day
and each moment.
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Discussion Questions
- Does having too much “stuff” around keep us from having a good
relationship with God? Why or why not? Does having too much “stuff” get in
the way of having a good relationships with the people around us?
- What are the gifts that God has given you? How can you use them to be a
blessing to others and to God?
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Activity Suggestions
- Spend some time making gift-lists. Have each person make a list
of the gifts God has given them. Include material things, talents, and
personality traits. Use your fellow group members to help you; they may be
able to identify gifts in you that you can’t see. Then ask yourself, how can
these gifts be used for God’s intentions?
- Go to the ELCA
10-10-80
youth stewardship Web site at
http://www.elca.org/stewardship/101080/index.html. You'll find
activities and information for learning about money, stuff, generosity, and
living faithfully.
- Explore the work of Habitat for
Humanity or the Thrivent Builds
(with habitat for Humanity) program. What are the basic needs for an
individual or family to live, survive, and thrive? How can you get involved
or support these efforts, if you're not already doing so? Remember, it's not
always about pounding a nail or painting a house; there are other needs and
ways to help.
Closing Prayer
Generous God, you have blessed us with many gifts. Help us to use those gifts
for the care and redemption of all that you have made. In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen
Contributed by Pastor Seth Moland-Kovash
All Saints Lutheran Church
Palatine, IL
Permission
to reproduce for local use. Copyright © 2007 Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America. ELCA Youth
Ministries. 1-800-638-3522, ext. 2447. To offer your comments or responses to Faith Lens,
e-mail: rod.boriack@elca.org.
Program Resources
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