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God has an amazing plan for the totality of our lives.

He doesn’t promise to bless our spiritual lives and then leave the other

areas untouched. He doesn’t say, “I will forgive you, but you’re on your

own in your relationships”. His desire is that all the things that are im-

portant, and that add strength, joy and purpose to our lives, are flour-

ishing. One of the areas that people struggle with most is their finances

you might be surprised at just how passionate God is for this part of our

world - to be blessed with His wisdom and provision. In the Heart for

The House series, we will be discovering the incredible plan God has to

bring peace, security, and significance to this very common concern. We

will answer the most pressing questions concerning our finances, so we

can experience the fullness of this amazing life that God gave us.

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Small Group VisionUnveiling God’s Love by connecting people to God and each other. Goal:

Develop and empower leaders to host a small group in every neighborhood.

Small group Guidelines1. We begin and end on time.

2. We share the conversation space.

3. We are committed to confidentiality. Whatever is shared in the group

stays in the group.

4. We hold the experiences of others with care, being quick to listen and

slow to speak as we empathize with each other’s feelings.

5. We challenge ourselves with the truth of God’s Word.

About the Small Group GuideThe guide’s easy-to-follow format encourages discussion, practical applica-

tion of God’s Word and prayer support.

Staying ConnectedEach week the Connect Online section reminds you where to share online. If you

spend time online, take a few minutes each week to encourage others and be

encouraged. Please follow online etiquette and safety guidelines. Remember to

respect the privacy of others when posting things online.

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the Session 1

Icebreaker: Who in your life has had the most influence in teaching you about finances?

(How to use, manage, or get them)?

Please review: Small Group Vision and Small Group Guidelines on page 3 of this Study Guide

Discussion Questions: 1. Read 3 John 2, Jeremiah 29:11 and Ephesians 3:20. What do these verses say about God’s will for us?

What are some barriers for people to believe God desires to bless us? What

can we do to partner with God in cultivating the truth that He desires for us

to have a blessed mindset?

2. We are not “owners”, but “stewards” of our finances, health, talent, time,

etc. The definition of ownership is to have power or majesty over something.

The definition of stewardship is to care and be a responsible manager over

something. Read Ephesians 5:15, 1 Peter 4:10, James 1:5 and Luke 12:34. Share an area in your life where you feel you’ve been a good steward. Share

any area you would like to have the opportunity to improve in.

3. Pastor Rob highlighted three common mistakes people make when deal-

ing with money: becoming consumed by a desire for more, worrying over

it, and money becoming a god. Would anyone like to share any common

mistake you may lean toward? What are some ways we can avoid these

mistakes?

4. Read Proverbs 3:9 and Malachi 3:10. What is God saying we should do

with our income? Why is it so important to God that we give?

Our Response:1. Meditate on Jeremiah 29:11 and/or Malachi 3:10 this week. Let God’s word

transform your heart and share your experience with the group next week.

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2. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of your finances that do not line up

with God’s Word and take active steps toward change.

3. If you are interested in learning more about the kingdom principles of

managing your finances, consider registering for a Financial Peace Univer-

sity group through Shoreline.

4. Our annual Shoreline East Thanksgiving Outreach is right around the

corner. This is a great opportunity to practice those God-given stewardship

skills. Please consider donating sleeping bags, student backpacks or socks

to bless the life of another. Bins are available in the foyer at the north and

south campuses for item drop-off.

Group Prayer Focus:1. If you struggle with tithing, (giving God 10% of your income) bring your

concern, worry or fear to God in prayer and if you feel comfortable, ask the

group to pray over you to trust God in this area throughout the week.

2. Pray that group members will know the truth that God wants to bless

them to be a blessing. This is the blessed mindset.

3. Pray that God will bless the hearts of all Shoreline members to be great

stewards of their resources.

Connect Online:Make full use of social media this week to connect with your group, family

and friends on Facebook or Twitter to share how God is transforming your

life through this sesson. Use hashtag #H4TH and @shorelineatx.

We always love to hear about what our Shoreline family is up to, so be sure

to “Like” and post on the Shoreline Small Groups page at www.Facebook.

com/ShorelineSmallGroups and tell everyone the creative and practical

ways you are becoming a better steward of your resources.

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the Session 2

Icebreaker:

Please share a special gift that you received and why it meant so much to you.

Please review: Small Group Vision and Small Group Guidelines on page 3 of this Study Guide

Discussion Questions:1. Please read Matthew 6:31-33. According to this passage, what does God

want us to do instead of worrying or running after things (striving)? What

does it practically mean to you to seek Him first?

2. The tithe is the first 10% of your income. Please read Genesis 14:20, 2 Chron-icles 31:5 and Leviticus 27:30. What does “Holy to the Lord” mean to you?

3. Please read Malachi 3:10-12. After reading the scripture, what impacts

you the most and explain why?

4. Please read 2 Corinthians 9:10-11 and Luke 6:38. Why do you think God

wants to bless you in every way, including financially? If you have more than

enough, what do you do, or would like to do, with your extra resources?

Our Response:1. Sometimes tithing during a difficult financial season can be hard. Read

Proverbs 3:5-6 and Proverbs 3:9-10. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you de-

velop a deeper trust in God for His provision and that you are able to see His

heart for you.

2. Please share a “God Provision” story with the group. We want to hear

from all of you, please write your “God Provision” story in 100 words or less

and email to Kelly.Mata@shoreline.net.

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3. Help another in need this holiday season by supplying socks, sleeping

bags or student backpacks to our Shoreline East Thanksgiving outreach. If

you are unable to donate an item, please take an hour or two the Saturday

before Thanksgiving to donate your time and help to serve our east Austin

family with great food and your warm smile!

Group Prayer Focus:1. Pray and memorize Luke 6:38 this week by writing it on a sticky note or

a card and placing it on your bathroom mirror, in your car, or even on your

debit card.

2. Let’s join together and pray for our Shoreline family - that we would all

align our finances with God’s Word. Be expectant for Proverbs 3:9-10 to

become our reality.

3. Please read Philippians 4:19 and Romans 8:32. Thank God that He gave

us His best, His Son, to forgive us of our sins. Pray that He will heal us from

disease and provide all our needs. Thank God that we have our permanent

home with Him in heaven.

Connect Online:Use your Internet and social media skills to Tweet or Facebook about how

God has radically changed your life through this series. Share it with the

Shoreline Small Groups family at www.facebook.com/ShorelineSmallGroups

or use @ShorelineATX and/or #H4TH on Twitter. You can also visit www.

shoreline.net for the latest updates on what is going on here at Shoreline

and for ways to grow deeper in your walk with God through Small Groups –

on campus, off campus or Serving Groups.

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the Session 3

Icebreaker:

What is the best suggestion or advice you’ve ever given or received?

Please review: Small Group Vision and Small Group Guidelines on page 3 of this Study Guide

Discussion Questions: 1. The Shoreline vision is “Unveiling God’s Love.” Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, Romans 5:8 and 1 John 3:1. How has someone unveiled God’s love to

you lately, or how have you unveiled God’s love to another person?

2. It is because of grace that we can receive the gift of the forgiveness of

our sins and be called children of God. Read Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 2:13. What do these scriptures mean for your life and for the lives of those in

your world?

3. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Ephesians 2:8-9. How do these passages

help you see yourself and others as a work in progress? Please share how

God’s grace has made you brand new. Is there a specific area in your life that

you can see a change?

4. “Righteousness” means perfect right standing with God. All those who

have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior are made righteous.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:21, John 15:16 and Psalm 5:12. What are some of

God’s promises to you as His child? How does knowing that make you feel?

Our Response:1. Write out your personal story of how your encounter with the love of

God has changed your life. Make sure it contains an explanation of your life

before knowing Christ, how you met Christ and your life now. Thank God for

the experience, and please share your story with someone else. Read Acts 1:8 and ask the Holy Spirit for His boldness. Please send your story and a

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picture to Kelly.mata@shoreline.net. We’d love to hear how God is working

in your life.

2. Read Psalm 139:13-18 and Ephesians 2:10 and journal what these scrip-

tures mean to you today.

3. Invite someone in your world to donate a sleeping bag, student backpack

or socks to our Shoreline East Thanksgiving Outreach. Use this opportunity

to invite the person to a Shoreline service to drop off their item, or to serve

alongside you at the outreach on the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

Group Prayer Focus:1. Read 1 Peter 4:10-11. What gifts has God given you to serve others?

Thank Him for these gifts and pray for more opportunities to use them to

serve people this week.

2. Pray together with the group that God will give you opportunities to

share your story to encourage someone. Encourage yourself with Acts 1:8.

3. Pray that God will reveal the needs of those around you and ask Him for

creative ways to meet those needs.

Connect Online:Visit shoreline.net and browse through the website to learn a little about all

the ministries and opportunities at Shoreline to connect with others and to

serve. This will give you the information you will need in the future to help

direct someone to the right place if they have a need or a desire to serve.

You may even see a serving group that you didn’t know existed that you

would enjoy!

Send out a Tweet or Facebook post this week with a scripture from this week’s

session that has impacted your heart the most. Use #H4TH and post on Shore-

line’s Small Groups page at www.facebook.com/ShorelineSmallGroups. Send an

email to Pastor Kelly with your story to Kelly.Mata@shoreline.net.

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the Available Resources

Counseling Recommendations:Although Shoreline is not a counseling center, we have counselors that we

trust and recommend in our city. Some of the best counseling and prayer

happens through relationships, so please continue to be involved in a Shore-

line Small Group on campus, off campus or through serving groups.

Anastacia LeeClear Intentions, Inc.

Marriage and Family

Counselor, Grief, Divorce, Adolescents

(512) 299-4523

www.clear-intentions.net

info@clear-intentions.net

Rick Reynolds, LCSWAffair Recovery Center

(512) 346-9299

www.affairrecovery.com

Center for Relational Care(512) 492-6085

www.relationalcare.org

Brian Matthews, L.M.F.T.Phone: (512)314-5551

www.christiancounselingofaustin.com

John S. Marek, LPC(512) 258-3421

Pete Daniels, III MSREE LSCW CSAT512-470-3243

www.therapyworksaustin.org

Ashley Salazar - teens512-769-7414

aksalazar_28@yahoo.com

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Recommended ReadingMarriage and Money God’s WayBy Howard Dayton

Your Money CountsBy Howard Dayton

The Legend of the Monk and the Merchant by Terry Felber

Thou Shall Prosper: Ten Commandments for Making Money by Rabbi Daniel Lapin

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

Power of a Praying Wife / Husband / Parentby Stormie Omartian

Recommended Study:Financial Peace University – 9 week studyWe provide Biblically-based, common-sense education and empowerment

which gives HOPE to everyone from the financially secure to the financially

distressed. Imagine what the people of God could do for the Kingdom of

God if they were debt free! “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is

slave to the lender,” Proverbs 22:7.

For more information please contact Lee and J.J. Haley at thehaleys3@

yahoo.com.

LocationsShoreline East Outreach

“ND” 501 North IH-35 Frontage Rd.

Austin, TX 78702 –

@ the corner of East 5th and Brushy,

one block East of IH-35 on E. 5th

512-983-1048

Shoreline North Campus

15201 Burnet Rd.

Austin, TX 78728

512-210-2244

Shoreline South Campus

2008 Brandt Rd.

Austin, TX 78744-8006

512-310-2244

ConnectFacebook.com/ShorelineSmallGroups

Facebook.com/ShorelineTexas

Twitter@ShorelineATX

@RobKoke

@LauraKoke

@PSamMata

@KellyMata