Practicing Generosity with a Group

When you’re intentionally engaging a faith practice, doing that with a group can be a rich experience. The members of your group can support and encourage each other, share reactions and thoughts, and work side by side. Practicing generosity in an intergenerational group can lead to unforgettable stories that will stick with kids, teens, and adults for years to come. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Generosity Challenge

Take our week-long Generosity Challenge on your own. Then meet as a group to talk about what you experienced and learned.

Share Stories of Generosity

Spend a small group meeting talking about the impact of generosity on your lives. Here are some storytelling prompts:

  • How have you experienced God’s generosity at different points in your life?
  • Tell about a time when someone was generous to you. What did they do? What was their motive? How did that affect you?
  • What Bible passage speaks to you of God’s generosity? Share it with the group.

Take an Inventory of “Shareables”

Any small group—like a church small group, a book group, or a group of family or friends—can share what they own for the benefit of all. Make a list of things each of you can share in your group, with other church members, or with your broader community. Some ideas of things you might share:

  • books, games, and puzzles
  • craft and hobby supplies
  • decorations for special occasions
  • kitchen implements
  • sports equipment
  • tools
  • carpentry skills or other specialized knowledge

Start a Giving Circle

Giving circles are groups of people who pool their funds for the purpose of charitable giving to a cause they care about. These groups can be large or small, short-term or long-term, intergenerational—-or anything you want! Try starting one in your church, or open the group to your community as well. For help, check out Ten Basic Steps to Starting a Giving Circle. Your circle’s funds can be used in a variety of ways like these:

  • Donate to a nonprofit organization.
  • Provide ongoing funding for a missionary./li>
  • Meet specific needs in your neighborhood or city./li>
  • Support a refugee family.