DIGGING DEEPER

Overflow: Here, There, Everywhere

Intentional Generosity (2 Corinthians 9:1-5)

What God is saying:

• I am doing a new thing…rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:19-21)
• Go deeper into my life-giving waters (Ezekiel 47:1-12)
• In order to be satisfied and overflowing, pour yourself out for the afflicted (Isaiah 58:10-11)

Principles of Jesus’ overflowing generosity:

• Generosity is God’s idea (2 Cor. 8:1)
• Joy, not wealth, unlocks generosity (2 Cor. 8:2)
• The first step = surrender to God (2 Cor. 8:5)
• Generosity is a skill we can grow in (2 Cor. 8:7)
• Every opportunity to give is an invitation to love (2 Cor. 8:8)
• Jesus’ example inspires us (2 Cor. 8:9)
• It’s about the heart, not the amount (2 Cor. 8:12)
• Others’ needs should move us to action (2 Cor. 8:13-14)

Big idea: overflowing generosity has a powerful ripple effect, but it doesn’t just happen.

• Willing generosity motivates others (2 Cor. 9:2)
• It doesn’t just happen – generosity calls for thoughtful planning and readiness (2 Cor. 9:3-5)

Reflection question: how much thought and planning do I put into generosity?

Challenge: invest the effort to prepare your overflow.

Read Isaiah 43:19-21. What is a new thing you want God to do in your life, our church, and/or our world?

Ezekiel 47:1-12 describes a river of life flowing from the temple, starting as a trickle and growing deeper as it moves outward, bringing life everywhere it runs. How has Jesus been a river of life to you or others you know?

How can we move from just "ankle-deep" faith to fully immersing ourselves in God’s presence?

What are some of the most important things you believe about and practice with generosity?

React to this statement: overflowing generosity has a powerful ripple effect, but it doesn’t just happen – it takes planning and preparation.

Read 2 Corinthians 9:1-5. Describe, as best you can, what you think is going on for them, and what the Apostle Paul was trying to explain.

How have others’ generosity been inspiring to you?

How much thought, planning, and preparation do you usually put into being generous, and now, how willing are you to invest the effort to prepare your overflow?

Looking for questions based on a past sermon?