![Key Quotes
Luke 12:48b [Jesus said,] “Everyone to whom
much was given, of him much will be
required, and from him to whom they
entrusted much, they will demand the more.”
“We owe something to someone outside of
ourselves with regard to how creative we are.”
~ Rev. Robert Sirico
Session
One
10](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/effectivestewardship-session1-181009160216/85/Effective-Stewardship-Session-1-10-320.jpg)
Effective Stewardship - Session 1
- 1. Biblical Stewardship Oh no! What are we getting ourselves into now?
- 2. A New Class on Biblical Stewardship • Challenges • Do not offend. “Oh brother. Can’t the church stop asking for my money!” • Do not limit. “Stewardship = Responsible Finances”. That’s all, right? • Do not lie. “God wants me to be rich? Yes, I knew it!” or “God loves the poor so I don’t have to think about money!” • Do not bore. “Yawn! My finances are OK. I’m not interested in a lecture on saving to give more.” • A three-step approach • Breadth: Biblical Stewardship is a worldview topic. • Depth: Finances & Giving are foundationally important. • Motivation: Principles and information alone will not change our lives, so stewardship must be preached.
- 3. Biblical Stewardship: video studies Breadth 5 sessions Depth 4 sessions Motivation 5 sessions 21 3
- 4. EFFECTIVE STEWARDSHIP Five Sessions DOING WHAT MATTERS MOST ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL 2018
- 5. Curriculum Produced by The Acton Institute A leading non- denominational research and education organization connecting good intentions with sound economics worldwide The same organization that produced the series “For the Life of the World” Class outline and discussion questions derived from Effective Stewardship: Participant’s Guide, by Jonathan & Amanda Witt Session One 5
- 6. Class Description & Outline Christian Stewardship is about more than the money we drop into the collection plate— stewardship is everything we do after we say we believe. In Effective Stewardship, you will learn how to think critically and biblically about the areas of responsibility that have been entrusted to you by God. 1. Session One: Our Talents and Skills 2. Session Two: The Environment 3. Session Three: Loving Our Neighbor 4. Session Four: Church and Family 5. Session Five: Finances and Giving Session One 6
- 7. Our Video Host Session One 7 Dave Stotts, host and editor Well-known for his popular video show and curriculum “Drive Thru History Adventures” Let’s get started!
- 8. Our Talents and Skills How to use our God-given talents to serve God in our daily vocation Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Matthew 25:14-15 "For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. 15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Session One 8
- 9. Key Issue Effective stewardship extends to our daily vocation, using our God-given talents to serve God in the work we have been given. Being made in God’s image means we have been made to be creative by transforming the world in good ways You are called to creatively transform that space that is your sphere of influence (home, business, industry, service sector, education, or some other profession) to make the world a better place You are responsible for actively and creatively using your talents and resources in your sphere of influence to good effect Session One 9
- 10. Key Quotes Luke 12:48b [Jesus said,] “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.” “We owe something to someone outside of ourselves with regard to how creative we are.” ~ Rev. Robert Sirico Session One 10
- 11. Video Highlights We are all stewards Made in the image of a creative God Gnosticism and the incarnation Christianity helped the West leap forward Good works by the grace of God Session One 11
- 12. Video: Our Talents and Skills Session One 12
- 13. Video Discussion 1. What images or thoughts come to mind when you hear the word stewardship? In your own words, what does it mean to be a “steward”? 2. How would you describe your vocation or calling? List some of the different roles where you are called to be a steward of God’s gifts and resources. 3. Gnosticism separated the physical world from the spiritual world and taught that our spirituality has nothing to do with our day to day, physical existence. Where do you see examples of this way of thinking today? How might this influence lead us to downplay our responsibility to steward God’s resources? Session One 13
- 14. Bible Exploration Read together the parable of the talents (Mt 25:14-30) 1. How did the owner distribute his wealth among the servants? Why were some given more than others? 2. How did each of the servants respond to the wealth he was given? What is the difference between the first two servants and the last servant? 3. This parable condemns “playing it safe” with our God-given assets and celebrates certain types of risk- taking. What are some ways we can take “risks” that honor God? What is the difference between a foolish and a responsible risk? 4. Why do you think Jesus tells this parable? How would you apply its lesson to your own life? Session One 14
- 15. Living the Truth There may be times in your life when you don’t feel you’re using your talents much: Artist/musician. Take a salaried job to provide stability for your family? Mother. Given up or limited your career to stay home with your children? Laid off or forced early retirement. Working odd jobs to fill time or pay bills? Uninspiring job. No better on the horizon? 1. Do you believe it is possible to serve God through such work? If so, how? 2. How might you make better use of your talents and other resources if you deeply believed that no real, lasting harm could ever come to you because your Father promised he will never leave or forsake you? Session One 15
- 16. Final Thought “Work derives from and represents the sovereign God, who expresses his sovereignty as a worker: kingwork. Sovereigns work to bring order out of chaos; guard and fight for the sanctity of things and people; deliver victims from injustice and misfortune and wretchedness; grant pardon to the condemned and the damned; heal sickness; by their very presence bring dignity and honor to people and land. God’s sovereignty isn’t abstract—it’s a working sovereignty and is expressed in work. All of our work is intended as an extension of and participation in that sovereignty.” ~ Eugene Peterson Session One 16