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You Shall Not Steal

You shall not steal. Exodus 20:15 NIV

Don’t minimize the sin of theft

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. John 10:10 NLT

Don’t steal a work ethic from the next generation

Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work. Proverbs 21:25 NLT

Making everything easy for your children when they are young will make life impossible for them when they are older.

Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. Proverbs 12:24 NLT

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men. Colossians 3:23 NLT

Don’t steal from others

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Ephesians 4:28 ESV

The way out of stealing is learning to give.

Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? Romans 2:21 NLT

Don’t steal from God

Time

Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Romans 12:11 NLT

Treasure

Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the LORD Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Malachi 3:8-10 NIV

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a few minutes to slow down, inviting Jesus into this time. Ask Him to help you be real with yourself, and Him, during this moment. Consider a time where perhaps something was stolen from you. How did that experience affect you? Now, ask God to reveal any areas where you may have stolen from someone else. Perhaps it was a physical item, or maybe it was simply wasting company time that you were being paid for or lying about your age (or someone’s age in your family) so you could qualify for a discount. Whatever it was, confess that to God now, and ask Him to show you how you can make this right, owning up to the consequences, no matter what they are. Next, ask God to grow your integrity by giving you the courage to make the right choices, consistently. As you practice this, ask God to show you areas in your life where you can use your hands to work hard, serving Him and others, for it is said that the way out of stealing is learning how to give. Sit in that for a moment, and close your time by thanking God for His grace over your life. Write down your reflections in the space below, sharing with your group if you feel comfortable.

Discussion Questions

  1. PERSONAL REFLECTION: Begin by completing the Personal Reflection Guide, (link found on the top of sermon notes). Use this time to examine the ways you experience theft, and how you use your hands to serve God and others. (Tip: playing some soft background music is helpful here!)
  2. REAL WITH SELF: Share of a time in which you experienced the benefits of hard work. When have you been lazy and suffered for it? What did you learn from these experiences?
  3. REAL WITH OTHERS: What are some important things you can tell the younger generation that you have experienced about the value of work and/or service to God?
  4. REAL WITH GOD: How have you experienced God’s faithfulness to provide when you have been generous in giving of your time, talents, or treasure?
  5. REAL WITH OTHERS: Describe a time when you embraced something difficult. How did that shape you? What do you think God’s invitation is for you in this current season of your life?
  6. TAKE ACTION: Read Romans 12:11 NLT. If you are not currently serving, where can you serve God with your time, as well as honor God with your treasure? (Visit sandalschurch.com/realteam to find areas where you can serve. Close your group time by praying as a group for additional volunteers for the church, especially as we prepare for thousands of new people this Easter.