Susanne Korevar (Service Adventure) sorts items at Etcetera Thrift Shop in Oregon. Photo: Mark Wassar

Vol. 1, No. 1 — January 2007
Materialism Matters
A Bible study and reflection guide

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-34

Goal: To begin exploring materialism by reflecting on why we buy things, the difference between greed and need, and how to put God before possessions. Use this Bible study and related resources to help youth and young adults discuss these issues. Some sections or suggestions may not apply to your situation; feel free to modify to fit the needs of your group.

Materials needed
Bible
Pen or pencil
A copy of the materialism quiz (PDF) for each person
A copy of discussion questions or somewhere to post the questions.

Materislism quiz: Explain that the purpose of the quiz is not to make people feel bad about themselves. Tell them that if one of the questions or answers doesn't apply to them, they should still try to answer it without thinking too much about it. Give them a few minutes to complete the quiz and when they are done, they should total up their score, but not share it with anyone. Then they should put it on the floor face down.

Discuss the quiz: Find out who scored the highest, and who scored the lowest. One way of doing this is by starting at a relatively low number and having everyone raise their hands who had more than that number, then continue to go up until you only have one person with their hand up. You can do the same thing to find the person who scored the lowest. Once again, remind them that this is not intended to make people feel bad and if they don't want to share what they got, they don't have to – it all depends on the level of openness in your group.

Give a prize to the person with the highest score and explain that that is how society tells us it should be. The person with the most "stuff" wins. Ask the group how they feel about that.

Define materialism:

What would Jesus say: Read Matthew 6:19-34, focusing on the first three verses.

Explain the context of the verse:

Personal story: Share an example of when material possessions were more important than spiritual or even ethical values. This could be a story about a time when you stole something, or used your money selfishly. Feel free to share this kind of story with your youth. Many will be able to relate and remember times in their life that something like that happened. If you can't think of any personal stories, ask another adult in your congregation to share one.

Discussion questions: Hand out a sheet of paper, or write on a board the following questions and give them a few minutes to answer each one.

1. What would be your least favorite material possession to give up? Why?
2. Do you have to have "nice" stuff to be materialistic?  (Could someone who always buys used clothes, drives a junky car, and doesn't "have" much compared to everyone else still be materialistic?)
3. How much does being materialistic have to do with the amount of things a person has, versus the attitude of the person who has the items?
4. You are in the city on public transportation by yourself. There are two seats open, one is by a "nicely" dressed woman who is listening to her iPod and looking out the window, and the other is by a man who looks like he has spent the last few days in the garbage and invites you to sit by him. Who do you sit by? Why do you sit by that person? (Assume no standing is allowed.)

Report back: Call the group back together and give everyone the chance to report on their discussion.

Closing prayer: Pray specifically that we will continue to try to put God before items — which can become idols — and for courage to apply it to their own lives.

Neil Richer is a recruiter for Mennonite Mission Network’s Christian Service programs. Contact him at about service opportunities for youth and young adults.