OVERFLOW:A LIFE REFRESHED BY GENEROSITY

O V E R F L O W : A L i f e R e f r e s h e d b y G e n e r o s i t y

© 2017 by GenerousChurch IncAll rights reserved.

Published by GenerousChurch

ISBN: 978-0-9981210-0-0

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been repro-duced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Pub-lishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NET) are from the NET Bible® copy-right ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Cover Design: Michael Sean AllenEditor and Interior Design: James Armstrong

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Printed in the U.S.A.

17 18 19 20 – 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 11st Printing

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I N T R O D U C T I O N

INTRODUCTION“A GENEROUS MAN WILL PROSPER; HE WHO REFRESHES OTHERS WILL HIMSELF BE REFRESHED” (PROVERBS 11:25 NIV).

O V E R F L O W : A L i f e R e f r e s h e d b y G e n e r o s i t y

i• Walking in crisp mountain air.

• Sitting by the ocean with white foam at your feet.

• Taking a cool shower after a long run.

• Waking from a nap.

We’ve all experienced moments of refreshment, fleet-ing experiences that give new strength and energy. After the moments fade, we’re back to the daily grind.

But a life refreshed? That’s a different story. What if we could enter each day reinvigorated by life’s adventure? God gives us the secret to energy, strength and joy. It’s life to the full, receiving the blessings and gifts of God and pouring them into others. It’s overflow—a life refreshed by generosity.

FORMAT

Overflow is intentionally designed to be a versatile study that can be used in variety of formats. Here are just a few ways to use it:

• Personal Study

• Couples study

• Family study with older children

• Small group study at work or church

• Churchwide study for the entire congregation

INTRODUCTION

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I N T R O D U C T I O N

Each of the six sessions will include the following elements:

Watching Stories

Video clips are provided to be watched with each ses-sion in this guide. You may view them online at www.GenerousChurch.com/OverflowVideo or purchase the DVD at www.GenerousChurch.com.

Watching and then dialoging about the stories is a key part of this group study experience. Note-taking space is provided for each story in this guide.

Scripture Reading & Discussion

Discussion questions are italicized and usually fall under a “discuss” heading.

Prayer

Each session will end with a suggested prayer to focus in on the key principles from that session.

Homework

Each session will wrap up with a homework assign-ment to help apply the principles discussed.

LEADER APPENDIX

If you’re a leader or facilitator for an Overflow study, we’ve provided some guiding suggestions to inspire insight and discussion in the group. Please refer to this section in the guide for optional support.

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O V E R F L O W : A L i f e R e f r e s h e d b y G e n e r o s i t y

SESSION 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

The Source of Whole-Life Generosity: A Life Lived in Relationship with God.

SESSION 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

God’s Plan for Generosity: Not what He wants from us, but what He wants for us.

SESSION 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Inspiration for Whole-Life Generosity: All we have is received with gratitude from God.

SESSION 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

A Freeing Faith: Overcoming the fear of living generously.

SESSION 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Openhanded: All we are is released to God for the blessing of others.

SESSION 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Better Together: Generosity thrives in community.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS & GRATITUDE . . . . . 59

LEADER APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

c CONTENTS

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S E S S I O N 1

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SESSIONTHE SOURCE OF WHOLE-LIFE GENEROSITY: A LIFE LIVED IN RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

1

“Generosity is the reflection of what we have personally come to know about Jesus.”

– Louie Giglio

GenerousChurch equips leaders in churches to unleash whole-life generous disciples. Generosity in Scripture has a much more robust meaning than simply giving money. It is much richer and deeper than we often think and an important key to spiritual formation. Through leadership development, gener-osity resources, coaching events and other innovative tools, we help church leaders dig deep into the value of whole-life generosity. And through our process, we help these leaders bring new vitality to the church by unleashing generous disciples.

Whole-life generosity is an overflowing way of being and living rooted in a vibrant relationship with God that gratefully releases all in love to bless others. It’s what God does and it’s how we want to live.

Learn more at www.GenerousChurch.com