GBS Week 8: Extreme Makeover

This week the show we studied was Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. The reality series features a family who needs new hope because of an illness, death in family, or a disaster that’s left them destitute. Their house is completely remodeled while the family goes off on a vacation. A local home builder and community volunteers build the structure while the design team works on the creative aspects of the house. Ty Pennington, the host, selects a room and dubs it his “secret room”, which no one can view prior to the final reveal. At the end of the week, the family returns to their home to find it surrounded by cheering crowds and blocked by a huge bus. When the family gives the bus driver the cue, “Bus driver, move that bus!”, the bus is moved and the family sees their new home.

Which of the following members of the Extreme Makeover team would you most enjoy being and why?

-The Team Leader (Ty): He inspires the team and volunteers to meet big goals, and shows his artistic flair by working the entire week by himself on a secret room for one family member.

-The Carpenter (Paige): In her pink hardhat and pink tool belt, she has the carpentry skills to build beautiful kitchen cabinets and specialty furniture for children’s rooms.

-The Designer (Paul): He has an amazing imagination, and his job is to design extravagantly themed rooms around each family member’s hobbies.

-The Shopper (Tracy): Her role on the team is to go shopping! She acquires all the furniture and décor, and the useable items that fill the cupboards, closets, drawers, and walls.

There are three different types of generosity to get the job done:

-Generosity with Talents: We see all kinds of gifted people on the show, donating what they do best—decorating, hammering, planting, painting, organizing, even doing a musical performance.

-Generosity with Time: Hundreds of volunteers show up to help build a house in seven days. The people on the show are generous with their time, often working through the night to finish the job on time.

-Generosity with Things: Whenever you see the family given a special surprise gift—such as a new car, money to pay off a mortgage, or prepaid college education for the children—you know that behind it are generous people who are good at giving away their money and their things.

What are you most generous with: your talents, your time, or your things?

If you need to become more generous in some way, follow these steps to an Extreme Generosity Makeover:

Step 1: Figure out the problem

Are you proud, selfish, anxious, or insecure? Why do these problems make it hard for us to be generous?

If you are proud, read Deut. 8:8-10.

If you are selfish, read 1 Kings 21:2-4

If you are anxious, read Eccl. 5:10

If you are insecure, read Luke 12:15

Step 2: Follow the plan

Read 2 Corinthians 8:2-5

Part A: Don’t be held back by what you lack

The Macedonians were tested by great troubles and were very poor. However, they did not let this stand in the way of giving joyfully. They had little to spare, yet they did not let that rob them of the joy of giving. Instead, by giving, they gained great joy.

Part B: Find the need that tugs on your heart

The Macedonians gave more than they could afford, and even begged and pleaded for the opportunity to share. They weren’t just faking interest—they were passionately concerned about people.

Is there a cause or ministry that you feel passionate about?

Part C: Money is fine…but give talents and time

The Macedonians surprised Paul by giving in a way that he didn’t expect: they not only gave of their resources, but of themselves. Sometimes, generosity can be faked. Being real in a fake world means being a truly generous, others-centered person.

Step 3: Enjoy the results

The big reveal at the end of the show is exciting because you see the joy on the faces of the family. That’s the great thing about giving! You don’t lose when you give; your joy multiplies.

“If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over.” –Luke 6:38

What does this verse mean to you, and how does it encourage you to be more generous?

What have you learned this week about being generous? If you struggle with being generous, ask God to give you peace about it.  

~Emilee