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Pastor Dave Pretlove

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Pastor Dusty Braun

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Pastor Jericho Toilolo

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Reno Campus

Men’s Retreat

Carson Campus

Men’s Retreat

Sparks Campus

Men’s Retreat

Series: The Stories That Read Us
Sermon Title: Shrewd Discipleship: Using Wealth for Eternal Impact
Passage: Luke 16:1-9,13

SERMON POINTS: 

Luke 16:1-9,13
The shrewd manager

1. Urgency: Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures.
   Luke 16:1-3 
2. Intention: It’s Time To Get Strategic.
   Luke 16:4-8 
3. Investment: There Is Only One Way To Turn the Temporary Into the Eternal.
   Luke 16:9 
   I Timothy 6:17-19
4. Allegiance: We All Choose a Master.
   Luke 16:13

 

GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What area of your life do you approach with urgency—and how does that compare to your spiritual urgency?
   Follow-up: What would change if you believed today’s decisions echo in eternity?
   Scripture: Romans 13:11 
2. Where are you most intentional in life—and where do you tend to drift spiritually or relationally?
   Follow-up: What would it look like to live strategically for things that matter forever?
   Scripture: Ephesians 5:15–16 
3. In what ways are you currently investing your time, resources, or energy in things that outlive you?
   Follow-up: How might your life shift if you saw every relationship and responsibility as a chance to sow for eternity?
   Scripture: Galatians 6:8–9 
4. When you’re facing pressure, what tends to win your allegiance—comfort, achievement, approval, or Christ?
   Follow-up: What might full allegiance to Jesus look like in your current season of life?
   Scripture: Luke 14:33 
5. How are you currently measuring a ‘successful life’?
   Follow-up: What would change if the only scoreboard that mattered was the Kingdom of God?
   Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:9–10 
6. When you think about your influence—your time, encouragement, resources—how are you using them to build up others for eternal gain?
   Follow-up: Who might be shaped by your generosity of spirit, not just your finances?
   Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:18–19 
7. Who are the people that might be impacted forever because of how you live now?
   Follow-up: What relationships or opportunities might God be inviting you to invest in for His Kingdom?
   Scripture: Philippians 2:16 
8. What area of your life are you holding tightly to, rather than trusting God with eternal outcomes?
   Follow-up: How might surrender here become a gateway to deeper peace and eternal fruit?
   Scripture: Proverbs 3:5–6 

PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Monday — Urgency: What Matters Most Right Now?

• Reflection Question: What’s getting your attention right now that may not matter in eternity?

• Follow-up: What would it look like to shift your urgency toward what matters most to God?

• Scripture: Romans 13:11 

• Journal Prompt: Write about one area of your life where you feel spiritually passive. What would urgency look like there this week?

Tuesday — Intention: Are You Living on Purpose?

• Reflection Question: What part of your life currently lacks Kingdom-focused intentionality?

• Follow-up: How might God be inviting you to live with greater clarity and purpose?

• Scripture: Ephesians 5:15–16 

• Journal Prompt: List out your top five weekly priorities. Are they aligned with God’s eternal purposes? What might need to change?

Wednesday — Investment: Where Are You Planting Seeds?

• Reflection Question: Where are you currently planting seeds that will produce eternal fruit?

• Follow-up: Who in your life might be affected by the way you love, serve, or encourage today?

• Scripture: Galatians 6:9 

• Journal Prompt: Write about someone you could invest in spiritually this week. What simple step could you take?

Thursday — Allegiance: Who’s Really in Charge?

• Reflection Question: When pressure hits, what do you tend to lean on—God, approval, success, or comfort?

• Follow-up: What’s one area where your allegiance needs to shift back to Jesus?

• Scripture: Luke 16:13 

• Journal Prompt: Describe a recent decision where your motives were mixed. What would full allegiance to Jesus have looked like?

Friday — Identity: How Are You Measuring Your Life?

• Reflection Question: What “scoreboard” are you using to define your success this week?

• Follow-up: What does Jesus care about most in how you live, work, and relate to others?

• Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:9 

• Journal Prompt: Write a new definition of success based on eternity, not achievement. How does that challenge your current mindset?

Saturday — Generosity: What Are You Giving Away That Will Outlive You?

• Reflection Question: What are you giving away—your time, words, resources—that might impact someone forever?

• Follow-up: What area of your life could God multiply through greater generosity?

• Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:18–19
  Journal Prompt: Think of one area where you’re tempted to hold back. What would it look like to give freely there this week?

Sunday — Vision: What Story Is Your Life Telling?

• Reflection Question: What kind of legacy are you building with your daily choices?
  Follow-up: Who might greet you in eternity because of how you lived and loved here?

• Scripture: Philippians 2:16 

• Journal Prompt: Write a short paragraph imagining someone thanking you in heaven for how you lived. What part of your story would they highlight?

 

SCRIPTURES TO MEDITATE ON:

• Galatians 6:8–9

• Ephesians 5:15–16

• Philippians 2:16

• 2 Corinthians 5:9

 

RESOURCES:

• VIDEO | DARRELL BOCK | A NEW TESTAMENT VIEW OF STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCES 
• SERMON | CRAIG GROESCHEL | EVERYDAY CHOICES KEEP YOU STUCK
• BOOK | JOHN MARK COMER | GOD HAS A NAME: WHAT YOU BELIEVE WILL SHAPE WHO YOU BECOME

 

MONTHLY SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE: Meditation

By Rob Hans, Spiritual Formation Pastor, LifeChurch NV

Meditation is not a passive retreat but an active pursuit. It is the internal spiritual discipline of intentionally developing an appetite for God by abstaining from the mental clutter and noise of the world. It’s not about emptying our minds—it’s about filling them with what is true, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). Meditation is an invitation to focus our attention and affection on God—His Word, His presence, His beauty, and His love.

In a culture addicted to distraction, Christian meditation is a counter-formation. It’s a holy withdrawal—not for the sake of escape, but for deeper engagement with the heart of God. It is the practice of turning from thoughts rooted in fear, shame, pride, or hurry, and turning toward the thoughts that originate in the heart of God—truth, grace, peace, and love.

God desires deep union with us—and we desperately need that same union with Him. But we will not drift into a deeply formed spiritual life. It takes intention. Effort. Space. Stillness. Meditation trains our mind and feeds our soul by orienting us toward God with purpose and presence. Over time, our minds begin to quiet, our souls begin to settle, and we actually begin to crave that communion. The restlessness gives way to rest. The noise fades into silence. And in that stillness, we begin to hear the One who has been speaking all along.

Let this week be a beginning, not an ending. Meditation is not a task to accomplish but a table to return to. The more you come, the more your soul will remember: God is near. God is beautiful. God is love. And He delights in meeting with you.

7-Day Meditation Practice: From Noise to Union

A weeklong daily guide to help you rest in God’s presence, delight in His creation, and receive His love.

Day 1 – Be Still and Know

Scripture: Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God.”
Practice:

• Sit in a quiet space.
• Close your eyes. Take 3 slow breaths, exhaling longer than you inhale.
• Simply repeat the phrase “Be still and know that I am God” silently or aloud for 5–10 minutes.
• Let each word land with intention.
• Reflection:
  • What part of you resists stillness? What part longs for it?
• Journal Prompt:
  • Write a short letter to God about your hunger—or hesitation—for stillness.

Day 2 – Feeding on What Is Lovely

Scripture: Philippians 4:8
Practice:

• Choose one “lovely” or “praiseworthy” thing in your life (nature, a relationship, a moment of beauty).
• Set a timer for 10 minutes.
• Simply sit with that image or memory. Invite God into that moment.
• Thank Him for it, slowly, over and over.
• Reflection:
  • How does gratitude shift your internal world?
• Journal Prompt:
  • Where do you most naturally experience beauty? How might God be speaking through that?

Day 3 – Listening for His Voice

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:12 – “…a gentle whisper.”
Practice:

• Sit in silence for 5–10 minutes with no agenda.
• If your mind wanders, gently return by whispering “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”
• Notice any nudges, words, images, or impressions that rise.
• Reflection:
  • What do you sense God might be whispering to you?
• Journal Prompt:
  • Write down what you heard or sensed, even if it feels small or unclear.

Day 4 – Creation Speaks

Scripture: Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God…”
Practice:

• Go outside. Sit under a tree, stare at the sky, or walk slowly through nature.
• For 15 minutes, observe creation without distraction.
• Ask: What does this tree, cloud, breeze, or creature tell me about the Creator?
• Reflection:
  • How does being in creation shift your awareness of God?
• Journal Prompt:
  • What part of creation draws you into wonder today?

Day 5 – Abiding in Love

Scripture: John 15:9 – “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”
Practice:

• Close your eyes and picture Jesus saying that verse directly to you.
• Set a timer for 10 minutes and just rest in that image.
• Each time your mind wanders, return to the phrase: “Remain in my love.”
• Reflection:
  • What makes it hard to remain in God’s love?
• Journal Prompt:
  • Where have you been striving instead of abiding?

Day 6 – Letting Go of Lesser Things

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1 – “…let us throw off everything that hinders…”
Practice:

• Begin in silence. Ask God: “What thoughts, worries, or desires are keeping me from deeper union with You?”
• Picture handing each one to Jesus. One by one.
• Breathe deeply and say, “I release this to You.”
• Reflection:
  • What did you notice as you let go?
• Journal Prompt:
  • What would it look like to live lighter, freer?

Day 7 – The Quiet Joy of Being Known

Scripture: Psalm 139:1 – “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.”
Practice:

• Sit with this verse for 10–15 minutes.
• Repeat the phrase slowly: “You know me.”
• Ask God to make His knowing feel safe, freeing, and personal.
• Reflection:
  • What would change if you truly believed God delights in knowing you?
• Journal Prompt:
  • Write a letter from God to you—what might He say as the One who knows and loves you

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:

It is easy to forget that this world is fleeting. We get caught up in the day in and day out routines of work, school, grocery shopping, financial concerns, and relationships and forget that this life is ‘but a vapor’ (James 4:14). Though we are here for such a short time before heading to our eternal home, what we do here matters. How we spend our time, who we surround ourselves with, what we watch, how we manage our money…it all matters. Why? Because we are created to bear God’s image. We are, as Matthew says, ‘the light of the world’. 

Are you living your life as an image bearing, light of the world kind of believer? Or do you easily forget that there is purpose and a plan in everything you do? We get to partner with the Holy Spirit to carry out God’s divine plan here on Earth. However, we have to be cognizant of the fact that we are easily distracted. The bible says we cannot serve two masters. We cannot want to hustle and grind, foregoing Sabbath rest, and think our souls will be filled. We cannot spend all our free time on social media and think our relationships will be fruitful. 

God wants to use you to do something that only you can do. You, with your unique talents and abilities, intricate social connections, personality and spiritual giftings…but we have to hold space and allow God into it. He will not force His agenda on us. We have to live a life that displays we are fully and wholly His. We often say, ‘our yes is on the table’ as servants of Christ. What needs to go in order for Christ to take up more space in your heart? What in your schedule needs to take a back seat to make room for what He may want to fill it with? 

Do not waste your time and energy trying to juggle serving two masters. Choose today to live wholly for Him. Because even though life is short, every moment lived for Christ has eternal impact.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to remember how brief this life is and how meaningful each moment can be when lived for You. Teach me to say no to distractions and yes to Your will. I want to live as a light in this world, fully surrendered to Your purpose. Amen.

Emma Menesini | Spiritual Formation and Connection Team