Bible Reading:

Leviticus 25:8-23 and Luke 12:13-34

Simplicity is living simply. Christian author Richard Foster (in Celebration of Discipline) said, “Simplicity is freedom. It brings joy and balance.”

The Christian habit of simplicity is an outward lifestyle that reflects an inward reality. We err into legalism if we attempt the outward lifestyle without the inward reality.

The inward reality of simplicity is our whole person, our whole life focussed or centred on Jesus Christ. When our hearts are focussed on Jesus, we do not make decisions based on fear or anxiety. Instead, we act from a position of peace guided by our desire to live for and glorify Jesus and to care for His people and creation.

A life centred on Jesus is a life characterised by simplicity of heart, speech, possessions, and pleasure.

Home Group Questions:

1. After WW2, Paul Mazur of Lehman Brothers said, “We must shift America from a needs to a desire culture…People must be trained to desire, to want new things, even before the old have been entirely consumed. We must shape a new mentality. Man’s desire must overshadow his needs.”

Discuss this statement.

1. Ideas such as Mazur’s have shaped and formed the Western consumerism culture we live in today. To what extent are your desires shaped by Jesus or shaped by our consumerism culture?

Consider your desire for how you spend your time and money.

Consider your desire for possessions/travel/experiences/pleasure.

1. In Luke 12:15 it says, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

We all struggle with greed in some way, share with the group the ways in which you struggle.

How can you support one another and hold one another accountable to not building your life on the accumulation of possessions?

1. In Luke 12:16-21 the rich young man did not trust God to provide for his needs but instead hoarded his wealth. To what extent do fear, anxiety, and the desire for security underlie your decisions regarding money and possessions rather than a deep trust in God?

2. Simplicity is removing those habits that distract us from what is truly important, our relationship with God, His people, and His creation. How do you feel about simplifying your life based on asking yourself the following two questions?

a. Will buying this/doing this add to value to my life and help me to enjoy God and His creation or will it distract me from it?

b. By buying this/doing this am I oppressing the poor or harming the earth?

Action for the coming week:

· This week, before buying something or participating in a pleasure activity prayerfully ask yourself the questions above (5a and 5b).

· At the end of the week prayerfully reflect on what you have discovered about yourself and share with you homegroup at the next session.