Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 7
Craig says you can extend the M&M activity by sending the “seven” out of the room to mirror how “we look around and we only see people with hands full of M&Ms”; what does this expose about selective visibility (who we notice, who we don’t), and what concrete changes would help your church stop doing stewardship only among people “in the room”?
Another way to ask: What does it show when we only notice the people “in the room” with full hands and ignore those we don’t see? What practical steps could help your church include people who are usually left out of stewardship discussions?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript suggests the extension exposes how easily we ignore the less-resourced because they are not present in our circles, so we assume everyone has “hands full” like we do. The implied remedy is to move stewardship beyond internal conversations and intentionally build relationships and invitations with those outside the room.
- Craig says you can “send the seven people out of the room” and adds, “that’s how it typically is.”
- He observes, “We look around and we only see people with hands full of M&Ms,” highlighting a distorted view formed by who is present.
- Brian connects the whole course to “relationship all across” the tracks—neighbors, coworkers, employees, church members, youth.
- He stresses participation is by “invitation,” not being “forced… or coerced,” and people join because “they trust you” and “have a relationship with you.”
- Brian cites the earlier point that the course is a “tool,” but “we are the salt… we are the light,” implying action beyond study.