Being Generous

For many young teenagers, generosity can seem like something meant only for adults who have plenty of money or other resources. But Luke 21 reveals the importance of practicing generosity—regardless of our age or resources. This lesson will help teenagers see why Jesus wants us to be generous and how they can pursue this important habit in their lives.

Lesson Objectives

1. WHAT: Generosity is a habit that Jesus wants us to develop in our lives.
2. WHY: Developing the habit of generosity helps teenagers to better see how God meets all of their needs, and it allows them to actively embody God’s love in helping others.
3. HOW: Students will consider how to develop and practice the habit of generosity in practical ways.

Primary Scripture: Luke 21:1-4

Secondary Scriptures: 1 Timothy 6:17-19

1. Start with the right heart and attitude

Tell us about a time you did the right thing but with the wrong attitude. Maybe you did your chores but grumbled the whole time—something like that. How did you feel when it was all over?

Do you think Jesus really cares how much you give? Why or why not?

Why did Jesus value the widow who gave the two small coins?

Basically, Jesus told his disciples that giving a little is sometimes more than giving a lot—how is that a difficult idea for you to grasp?

Based on this Scripture, what is one thing you know for sure about Jesus?

Most of us would remember seeing a wealthy person drop a stack of bills in the offering plate—but we might easily overlook a single mom dropping a couple of dollars into that same plate. This Scripture reminds us that ultimately, generosity comes from the heart. God sees our hearts and knows our true attitude as we give.

2. Practice being generous

Have you ever given money to an outreach or to people in need? If so, why did you give?

Besides giving money, what are other ways to be generous? Give a specific example of how you’ve been generous in one of those ways.

How does being generous help you become more like Jesus?

How does being generous help you trust Jesus more?

The widow made a huge sacrifice by giving her two small coins—when have you given sacrificially? How did that experience impact you?

The practice of weekly giving or monthly tithing is a spiritual habit that helps us develop a generous heart. But generosity isn’t just about money. You can be generous with your time, your skills and abilities, and your encouragement and your smiles and your creativity—seriously, there are endless ways to be generous. And the more we’re generous, the more we trust Jesus and his ability to meet our needs.

3.  Keep giving and giving and giving

Jesus is asking us to “train” our hearts to be generous so we can help meet the needs of people around us. Once we have the right attitude and then start to practice generosity, we can begin leading a lifestyle of generosity that keeps growing and growing for the rest of our lives.

If you had $1 million to help others, how would you use that money, and why?

What do you think a “lifestyle of generosity” might look like?

How can you show generosity to the people has God placed in your life? Be as specific as you can.

BGroup Questions

1. Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19. We may not see ourselves as wealthy or rich, but we live in one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Why is that an important fact to remember when reading these verses?
2. Look at verse 17—when do you find it easier to trust in money than to trust God?
3. Look at verse 19—what kind of “treasure” do you think this verse is talking about?

TAKE ACTION: Memorize this Scripture this week! ““This poor widow has given more than all the rest of them” (Luke 21:3).

**Leaders, leave 3-5 minutes for prayer at the end of your group time.