Professional Documents
Culture Documents
session 8
serving faithfully
2. Our are to be invested: Matt 25:14:30 Master, you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more
comes from the King: Luke 14:12-14 When you give a banquet, invite
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Take a few minutes together and use the My Service Interests form following this
session to indicate where you would like more information.
Partnership Session Eight (Group Guide) Page | 2
Giving Generously
Giving is Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first-fruits of all your crops (Proverbs 3:9) The principle of giving is seen with Gods people throughout the Bible: the Law, believers tithed: Cain & Abel (Genesis 4), Abram (Genesis 14:20), Jacob (Genesis 28:20-22). The in the Old Testament holds a profound promise for those who obey God in giving: Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it (Malachi 3:10). The ministry of Jesus fulfilled the Law so that the tithe is no longer the standard. (The tithe before the Law eventually became the national economy under and during the law. Therefore, when Jesus fulfilled the Law, the tithe was no longer necessary.) There was a new economy under the gospel, and it was raised from 10% to 100%! Read Matthew 13:44 together. What did the man who found the treasure in the field sell to buy the field? Read Matthew 13:45, 46 together. What did the man who found the pearl sell in order to buy the pearl? Read Luke 18:18-23 together. What did Jesus say the rich young ruler must do in order to have riches in heaven? Read Mark 10:28-31 together. What did Peter say he had left behind to follow Jesus? Read Mark 12:41-44 and/or Luke 21:1-4 together. Why did Jesus make a big deal about the widow who came to the temple to give? Read Luke 19:1-10 together. How much did Zacchaeus give back when he decided to follow after Jesus?
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Generous Giving
Here are the biblical measures of grace-filled giving among Christians in the local churchand among local churches. 1. Grace-filled giving is a to the grace God gave to us in the gospel. like the gospel gave to us. , and not just good-intentioned.
4. Grace-filled giving is NOT measured by the that seem to hinder us from giving. It always far the intensity of the circumstances from of which we give. 5. Grace-filled giving is not dependent upon your 6. Grace-filled giving is measured by such an abundance of cant help yourself. or lack thereof. that you just
7. Grace-filled giving is a privilege that is measured by our for opportunities to give, and even begging to be able to do more. Grace-filled giving is a privilege. 8. Grace-filled giving is measured by you give (yourself, first and foremost) and what you give it (the vision and mission of the leadership). 9. Grace-filled giving is measured by a constant striving to 10. Grace-filled giving is always done according to your 11. Grace-filled giving is not measured by 12. Grace-filled giving is cheerfully willing to go 13. Grace-filled giving sows in in abundance. 14. Grace-filled giving sows in 15. Grace-filled giving reaps a in giving. and willingness. , but by genuine .
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What is the difference between giving and offerings? 1. Giving is what we do regularly to provide for the of the ministry (e.g. elders salaries, overhead, etc.). An offering is everything I give above and beyond my regular giving. 2. Over and above his regular giving, Barnabas sold money to the church in Acts 4:36-37. and gave all the
3. The goal for every Christian is a life of : Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their moneytell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of real life (1 Timothy 6:17-19).
3. : From time to time, we will be asked by Newfrontiers leadership (or sense from the Holy Spirit) that we should take an offering for our brothers and sisters in another part of the world that is struggling economically. (An offering was taken up last year for Zimbabwe.) At other times, we may take up an offering just to practice generosity beyond our borders!
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2. Pray and think through your current financial involvement with Church in the Boro. Are you giving at least ten percent of what God has given you? If not, why not?
What needs to change in your life so that you can begin giving generously? If so, what could you change in your life to challenge yourself to give even more generously?
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