Today’s Bulletin
Preaching today is George Boomer, the Senior Pastor of Grace PCA in Lawrence.
Exodus 35:4-29
Exodus 35:4–29, “4 Moses said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “This is the thing that the LORD has commanded. 5 Take from among you a contribution to the LORD. Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the LORD’S contribution: gold, silver, and bronze; 6 blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen; goats’ hair, 7 tanned rams’ skins, and goatskins; acacia wood, 8 oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense, 9 and onyx stones and stones for setting, for the ephod and for the breastpiece.
10 “Let every skillful craftsman among you come and make all that the LORD has commanded: 11 the tabernacle, its tent and its covering, its hooks and its frames, its bars, its pillars, and its bases; 12 the ark with its poles, the mercy seat, and the veil of the screen; 13 the table with its poles and all its utensils, and the bread of the Presence; 14 the lampstand also for the light, with its utensils and its lamps, and the oil for the light; 15 and the altar of incense, with its poles, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the screen for the door, at the door of the tabernacle; 16 the altar of burnt offering, with its grating of bronze, its poles, and all its utensils, the basin and its stand; 17 the hangings of the court, its pillars and its bases, and the screen for the gate of the court; 18 the pegs of the tabernacle and the pegs of the court, and their cords; 19 the finely worked garments for ministering in the Holy Place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, for their service as priests.”
20 Then all the congregation of the people of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. 21 And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the LORD’S contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments. 22 So they came, both men and women. All who were of a willing heart brought brooches and earrings and signet rings and armlets, all sorts of gold objects, every man dedicating an offering of gold to the LORD. 23 And every one who possessed blue or purple or scarlet yarns or fine linen or goats’ hair or tanned rams’ skins or goatskins brought them. 24 Everyone who could make a contribution of silver or bronze brought it as the LORD’S contribution. And every one who possessed acacia wood of any use in the work brought it. 25 And every skillful woman spun with her hands, and they all brought what they had spun in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. 26 All the women whose hearts stirred them to use their skill spun the goats’ hair. 27 And the leaders brought onyx stones and stones to be set, for the ephod and for the breastpiece, 28 and spices and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense. 29 All the men and women, the people of Israel, whose heart moved them to bring anything for the work that the LORD had commanded by Moses to be done brought it as a freewill offering to the LORD.”
Sermon Discussion questions
for such a time as this: exodus 35:4-29
Ice Breaker: What family tradition do you look forward to most, and why?
This Week Specific
Boomer shared a story about his grandfather being generous with candy and his own selfish response as a child. What are some ways you've experienced either giving or receiving generosity that shaped your view of money and possessions? How did those experiences affect you?
The sermon emphasized that everything we have is "a gracious gift from God." How might viewing your possessions, skills, and resources as gifts from God (rather than things you've earned) change how you use them? Be specific about areas like your home, career abilities, or education. 1st Chronicles 29:11-12, 14, Haggai 2:8, 1st Corinthians 10:26.
Pastor Boomer mentioned that the Israelites gave out of their poverty, having just been slaves. What holds you back from being more generous - is it actually a lack of resources, or something else like fear, desire for control, or concerns about the future? How can the gospel address those hesitations?
The sermon highlighted how children led the way in joyful giving through lemonade stands and garage sales. What creative ways could you and your family work together to be more generous? How might you teach and model generous giving to the next generation?
Tim Keller was quoted saying "money itself isn't usually an idol, but what you put your money towards does show you where your idols are." Looking at your spending over the last month, what patterns do you see? What might those patterns reveal about what you truly value or trust in?
The speaker suggested praying this prayer for 21 days: "Lord, what would you do through me to accomplish your vision for our church? Help me discern a sacrifice for our campaign that is meaningful and joyful." Beyond church giving, how could this prayer mindset reshape your approach to generosity in all areas of life - work, neighborhood, family needs, etc.?
Weekly Questions
What stood out to you/challenged you most in this sermon?
What’s one area you feel the Lord wants to grow you into more Christ likeness?
How can this group pray for you this week?