"Stop the Steal" - Sermon

Read Exodus 20: 1-17 (today’s focus is v. 15).

1. What do you think of when you hear the word “steal?” What does

“stealing” mean to you?

2. What are some obvious ways people steal? What are some less

obvious ways people steal? Have you ever done any of these?

3. Pastor Mick talked about integrity. What does integrity mean?

How is integrity related to Commandment #8 (and all the other

commandments as well)?

4. Read Malachi 3: 6-10. How does this passage relate to

Commandment #8?

5. What does it mean to “rob God”? How can we rob God? Have you

ever been guilty of this?

6. Pastor Mick shared some statistics about tithing. Were you

surprised by how many born again Christians don’t tithe? Do you

think they understand this as “robbing God”? How do you

understand it?

7. What does God promise to do if his people stop robbing him? Do

you believe God? If so, are there things you should do differently?

8. Do you “steal away” to spend time with Jesus on a regular basis? If

not, what’s stopping you? If so, how is life better when you do this?

9. What did you think about the lyrics from the Crowder song, “Grave

Robber”? Can you relate to it? How does it make you feel? Does it

make you want to do a better job of keeping the commandments?

Why/why not?

Prayer for the Week:

Almighty God, thank you for all of the gifts and blessings you bestow

upon us each and every day. Forgive us for the times we have been

selfish and withheld these gifts solely for ourselves. Forgive us for the

times we have robbed you, God, thus diminishing the ministry and

witness of your church. Help us to do better. Convict us without

condemning us. Transform our lives from the inside out through the

power of your Holy Spirit. Help us to truly be your good and faithful

servants, who go out into the world to make new disciples, thereby

transforming the world in your name and through your power. We pray

all of this in the name of our Risen Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, who

lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever.

Amen.