DISCIPLESHIP: Small Group Bible Study

With the Rich and

Famous
(1 Timothy 6:10 KJV)

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some

coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Lesson Eight

Sharing Studying Praying Witnessing

Intro...
1. 2.

Welcome God's presence. Share the BEST and WORST thing that happened to you this week. If a need for prayer is expressed take time to pray for that individual and need on the spot.

Key text...

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (1 Timothy 6:10 KJV)

Scripture Passages...
Deuteronomy 8:17-18; Psalm 20:7; Proverbs 30:8-9; Daniel 4:28-33; Matthew 6:24; 19:16-26; Luke 5:27-32; 19:1-10; 1 Corinthians 10:11-12; Philippians 4:6-7, 10-13, 19; 1 Timothy 6:6-11; Hebrews 13:5-6.

Todays World...

The poet and songwriter Rhea Miller had a father who was a drunk and wanted nothing to do with religion. Yet eventually he was saved and became a minister. In 1922, she was reflecting on his testimony of how he would rather have Jesus than all the gold and silver in the world, and all the houses and land that money could buy. Thus, these words were born in her mind:

Id rather have Jesus than silver or gold; Id rather be His than have riches untold. Id rather have Jesus than houses or lands; Id rather be led by His nail-pierced hand. While some story lines also say that Miller wrote the music to this song, there is another account that maintains that her

words were picked up by a mother who was concerned about her son George. She left the words on the piano, hoping he would find them. When he did, he was so struck by them that he sat down at the piano and composed a tune to go with them. That song changed his life. Because of his powerful singing voice, George Beverly Shea had been offered a contract to sing for the National Broadcasting Company in the United States. Instead, he chose to become the singing evangelist for Billy Graham and was thus able to sing this hymn around the world.

I'd Rather Have Jesus...

Read carefully Deuteronomy 8:17-18, Daniel 4:28-33, Matthew 6:24, and 1 Timothy 6:10. The problems with being rich and famous are many, but how do these Bible passages help us to over come those problems? Prayerfully read Matthew 19:16-26, Luke 19:1-10, and 1 Corinthians 10:11-12. What can we learn from these stories? And how can these lessons help us to better manager the resources God has given us?

The ruler was quick to discern all that Christs words involved, and he became sad. . . . He was a member of the honoured council of the Jews, and Satan was tempting him with flattering prospects of the future. He wanted the heavenly treasure, but he wanted also the temporal advantages his riches would bring him. He was sorry that such conditions existed; he desired eternal life, but he was not willing to make the sacrifice. The cost of eternal life seemed too great, and he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. His claim that he had kept the law of God was a deception. He showed that riches were his idol. He could not keep the commandments of God while the world was first in his

affections. He loved the gifts of God more than he loved the Giver. Christ had offered the young man fellowship with Himself. Follow Me, He said. But the Saviour was not so much to him as his own name among men or his possessions. To give up his earthly treasure, that was seen, for the heavenly treasure, that was unseen, was too great a risk. He refused the offer of eternal life, and went away, and ever after the world was to receive his worship. Thousands are passing through this ordeal, weighing Christ against the world; and many choose the world. . . . Christs dealing with the young man is presented as an object lesson. God has given us the rule of conduct which every one of His servants must follow. It is obedience to His law, not merely a legal obedience, but an obedience which enters into the life, and is exemplified in the character. God has set His own standard of character for all who would become subjects of His kingdom. Only those who will become co-workers with Christ, only those who will say, Lord, all I have and all I am is Thine, will be acknowledged as sons and daughters of God. . . . Think of what it means to say No to Christ. . . . The Saviour offers to share with us the work God has given us to do. He offers to use the means God has given us, to carry forward His work in the world.
Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 520523.

Jesus was often berated for spending time with the rich and the infamous. Read Luke 5:27-32 and 19:7. What impact did Jesus have on the lives on these people?

In God We Trust...

Security is an inherent human need. The world offers money, wealth, and power to make one feel secure. Satan, who offered these gifts to Jesus while tempting Him in the wilderness, has not forgotten how to use his enticing strategies. Jesus

successfully resisted him, reflecting the fact that He trusted in God more than in anything the world offers. Yes, trust is the underlying element. God provides for our needs as we trust in Him and do our part. Instead of being enticed by what the world offers, let us relinquish control of our lives to God, whom we can trust to take care of our needs in this world and in the next. Prayerfully reflect on what God is saying to you in these passages: 1 Timothy 6:6-11, Psalm 20:7, Proverbs 30:8-9, Philippians 4:6-7, 10-13, 19, and Hebrews 13:5-6. Share with the group what God is saying to you through these verses.

Recommended Reading...

The Ministry of Healing, pp.209-216, Ellen G. White. https://egwwritings.org/

Break into twos or threes and pray for one anothers needs, as well as for your friends and family...