Read Malachi 3: 6-10. 1. Today’s passage begins with God describing the Israelites as “descendants of Jacob.” What is significant about this reference to Jacob? (Hint: remember last week’s message and Genesis 28: 22) 2. Pastor Mick said the Israelites seemed to have some form of spiritual amnesia. What did he mean by that? How do we sometimes struggle with this same malady today? 3. Pastor Mick shared a Tony Campolo story regarding “lowering the blinds.” Why were the blinds lowered? How does this relate to the Israelites not tithing? How do we sometimes “lower the blinds” in our world, too? 4. God said the Israelites were robbing Him? In what way were they “robbing God”? Is the modern church still guilty of this? How do we know? 5. God knows that tithing can be a hard concept to embrace. What does He say to do in such cases? (Hint: this is the only time we’re allowed to do this) 6. Are you willing to “test God in this”? Why/why not? 7. What do you think would happen if everyone “tested God in this”? What does God say will happen? 8. In verse 10 God says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.” What does “food in my house” look like in modern times? 9. Allow yourself to dream a bit. What would you like to see us do at Grand Lake UMC if God opened the floodgates of blessing? How can we make that happen? Prayer for the Week: Gracious and Loving God, We come before You with grateful hearts, acknowledging all the blessings You have so generously poured into our lives. Forgive us for the times we have failed to respond with an attitude of gratitude. Grant us wisdom to discern Your call on our lives to be generous and give us courage to faithfully live it out. In the midst of our fears and doubts, inspire and empower us to “test you” in this, knowing that if we do, you will bless us beyond measure. Help us, in turn, to use these blessings to bless others. May we never draw the blinds on those in need, but instead see them clearly and do all in our power to help them. Remind us that all we need to do is be faithful to you, and you will be more than faithful to us. For this we give you thanks and praise. We pray all of this in the precious, holy and strong name of Jesus. Amen.