Sunday School Lesson #3: Money
by Josh Hunt www.joshhunt.com

Notes to the teacher:

• Questions are ready-to-use, out-of-the box lessons. Footnotes are explanations to you as to what I am getting at. They are NOT to be read to class, unless you think I say something brilliant. This is not likely to happen.
• Verses with the * * * OPEN * * * designation are group-life building/ get-to-know-you type questions.
• Verse with * * * DIG * * * deal with the passage itself.
• Verses with * * * Apply * * * apply the passage to life. Push for application. We are not out to make smarter sinners; we are commanded to make disciples.
• Questions in bold are to be read just before you read the passage. It is always a good idea to give the group something to look for as you read.
  
  

Introduction

1. By way of introduction, I'd like to ask you to open the book of Proverbs to the chapter that corresponds to the day of the month your spouse was born. Look for any verses that speak to money. Share with the group what you find.⁽¹⁾
   
   

Be Honest

Proverbs 20:23; 21:6; 23:10-11

1. As we read these three passages, look for three reasons why honesty is the best policy.
2. The opposite has some truth to it, doesn't it? What are some benefits of being dishonest?
3. Do you think the really successful people in this world tend to be generally honest, or generally dishonest? Is there any relationship between success and honesty?
4. What are some ways people regularly practice dishonesty? Quickly, give me a list of twenty ways.
5. Let's get honest with each other. Could anyone tell about some kind of financial transaction you have had in which you were less than totally honest? How did it turn out?
6. Do bad things always happen to the dishonest?⁽²⁾
   
   

Work Hard/ Save

Proverbs 6:6 - 8

* * * O P E N * * *

1. These next verses talk about work. I'd like to ask each of you to share briefly where you work and what you do.
2. What comes more naturally for you, to be a driven, type-A, workaholic, or to be some what lazy?

* * * D I G * * *

1. As we read this passage, look for lessons we can learn from the ant.
2. Is this passage commending the ant for lack of leadership?⁽³⁾
3. Do you find saving during the summer--like the ant--easy or difficult?

* * * A P P L Y * * *

1. Someone share a success story. Who has a good plan for saving they could share as an example?
   
   

Use Good Judgement

Proverbs 11:15; 21:5; 24:27

1. Here is how I want us to look at these next three verses. I want one of you to read the verse, while another interprets the verse. Pretend you are talking to a 7^th grader and explaining each verse.
2. What is so awful about offering security for a neighbor--cosigning a note as we would call it?⁽⁴⁾
3. How would you react to someone who said, "I don't believe in planning, I just trust the Holy Spirit?" Refer to verse 21:5.
4. How does verse 24:27 relate to everyday life? What is one way this could relate to YOUR life?
   
   

Establish Priorities

Proverbs 22:1; 24:4 - 5

* * * O P E N * * *

1. Be honest, would you rather be rich or poor, or somewhere in between?

* * * D I G * * *

1. As we read these verses, formulate some summary statements about what the Bible teaches about wealth.
2. Why is a good reputation more valuable than money?
3. Something to think about: (don't answer this one out loud) what do people think of you? Do others see you as an honest, hard-working person?
4. Does this passage teach that we should avoid wealth?⁽⁵⁾
5. How important should money be to us? Should we not think about it at all?
6. Suppose someone said, "I have three goals: be spiritually fit, enjoy a great family life, and make as much money as I can." Does this represent balance or disobedience?

* * * A P P L Y * * *

1. How do responsibly care for money without making it our god?
2. What adjustments do you need to make in your attitude toward money?

1. You might follow up from last week by asking if anyone has read the Proverb of the week. This lite accountability is important to the disciplemaking process. People have good intentions. We serve them well by reminding them that there are thirty one chapters of Proverbs. This makes a nice daily reading plan to read one chapter a day that corresponds to the day of the month.

2. Not in this life. God does not always pay on Fridays. Eventually, God will settle the score. We do people a disservice if we give them the idea that there are not some benefits in this life to being dishonest. We need to present the truth that sin has its advantages in the short run. Sin has its pleasure for a season. If the reason people have for being honest is mere financial reward in this life, they will not stay honest. We must do right because right is right.

3. No. The writer is commending the ant for diligence in spite of the fact that they have no leader.

4. Credit is pretty easy to come by these days. If people cannot get credit on their own, there is probably a reason. If the note goes bad, it will ruin your friendship.

5. I think the church tends to downplay the importance of money. The Bible is not anti-money. It pro-God and is against making money a god. As long as we keep God first, the more money we make the better. The poor do not help the poor as much as those with some means can do. It is easier to be happy with money than without. Still, we must be cautious. Money can be an addicting drug.