NAVIGATING YOUR FINANCES GOD S WAY

Transcription

1 Facilitator s Answer Guide For use with the Catholic Edition of NAVIGATING YOUR FINANCES GOD S WAY Updated:

2 SMALL GROUP STUDY SCHEDULE Week Chapter Page Let s Get Practical 1 Introduction 1 Read Your Money Counts 2 God s Part & Our Part 9 Deed, List of Assets, Begin 30-Day Tracking Income and Spending 3 Debt 41 Debt List & Snowball em!, Compass Map TM, Continue 30-Day Tracking Income and Spending 4 Honesty and Counsel 71 Life Insurance Needs, Filing, Continue 30-Day Tracking Income and Spending 5 Generosity 99 Journey of Generosity, Continue 30- Day Tracking Income and Spending 6 Work 119 Estimated Spending Plan, Start Tracking and Tweaking, 7 Saving & Investing 145 Begin Tracking Spending Plan, Tweak Spending Plan, Net Worth Calculation 8 Crisis and Perspective 173 Estate Preparation, Continue Tracking & Tweaking Spending Plan 9 Eternity 213 Life Goals, Continue Tracking & Tweaking Spending Plan 2

3 WELCOME! We are so thankful that you have decided to facilitate the Catholic Edition of Navigating Your Finances God s Way small group study. The Lord has used the principles your participants are about to learn in the lives of millions of people around the world. Before the group meets for the first class, each student should have read Your Money Counts. This book is easy to read and will provide a good overview of the study. We ve learned that people benefit most when they are faithful to complete the following before each weekly meeting. 1. Homework Questions. The homework questions will only take about 15 minutes each day to complete. Space is provided in the Workbook to answer the questions. If a married couple takes the study, each will use a separate workbook. 2. Scripture Memory. Each participant (including the facilitator) will memorize an assigned verse from the Bible each week and individually recite the verse at the beginning of class. This will help the participants remember the most important principles. Make sure they are using the verse as given in the workbook for each week s lesson. 3. Let s Get Practical! Along with the Bible study, there are practical financial exercises, such as beginning a spending plan or designing a debt repayment plan. 4. Prayer. Everyone prays for the other group members each day. Answers to prayers are one of the most encouraging parts of the small group experience. 5. Attendance. Everyone should attend at least seven of the nine weekly meetings. Please have the participants notify you in advance if they anticipate missing a meeting or arriving late. The meetings are designed to begin and end on time. If someone is unable to complete the requirements for a particular week, you should ask them not to participate in the class discussion. This accountability helps everyone to be faithful. The more faithful we are, the more beneficial the study. Again, we are very grateful for your willingness to facilitate the Catholic Edition of Navigating Your Finances God s Way study. We pray the Lord will bless you in every way as you lead this study. Jon & Evelyn Bean Cofounders, COMPASS Catholic Ministries 3

4 INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION Facilitator s Guide for Week 1 Overview: The primary objectives for week 1 are to begin to develop close relationships among the participants and to review the study requirements. Note: The blank space following each agenda number is for the facilitator to fill in the scheduled start time for each agenda item. For example, if your class begins at 7:00, #1 would read 7:00, #2 would read 7:05, and so forth. This is designed to help you monitor the time so that the class will end punctually. Please refer to the Compass Catholic Ministries website to download the resources you need to facilitate: In this location you can find the Facilitator Training Packet as well as training videos. If you have already taken the Compass study, remember to download Prayer Logs. Care Logs are also available for your use. Agenda 1. (5 minutes) Open in prayer. 2. (5 minutes) Each person individually recites from memory: If then, you have not been faithful in handling worldly wealth, how can you be trusted with true wealth? (Luke 16:11, GNT) 3. (60 minutes) Ask each person to introduce themselves, beginning with a facilitator. Remember, the more transparent and open you are, the more open the participants will be. This is the initial and very crucial aspect of beginning the bonding process for the small group. Ask them to share where they are in their spiritual walk, what they do for a living, and something about their family. To determine how much time each person is allotted, divide the number of people into 60 minutes. If a participant is too brief, gently ask additional questions to provide an opportunity for them to express themself more fully. 4. (25 minutes) Begin the group discussion. 5

5 NAVIGATING YOUR FINANCES Homework Questions 3. ISAIAH - [God s economy operates on totally different principles. The biggest difference is most people don t believe the Lord plays a role in finances, but the Bible reveals He has the dominant role.] 5. Answer is based on personal experience. 6. Answer is based on personal experience. 7. Answer is based on personal experience. Remaining Agenda 1. (5 minutes) Review what the participants are to do for the next class. Complete the Homework on pages Complete List Your Assets on page Complete the Deed on pages Read Budgeting Options on page 32 and select the type of budget you prefer to use. Compass Pencil & Paper Compass Electronic Spreadsheets Begin recording your 30 day Tracking Income & Spending on pages or electronically from the Compass Catholic Ministries website Remind everyone to begin memorizing 1 Chronicles 29:11-12 now because of its length, and remind them to do the homework daily. Review the calendar to determine if any regularly scheduled classes fall on a holiday. If there are conflicts, please reschedule that class. Schedule the social. 2. (15 minutes) Complete the Prayer Logs. There should be one Prayer Log for each person or couple. Take prayer requests and note them in the Prayer Log. Remind participants to write their prayer requests in their prayer log before coming to class. 3. (5 minutes) End in prayer. Reminder for Facilitators: Contact each participant this week and record it in your Care Log. 6

6 NAVIGATING YOUR FINANCES GOD S PART & OUR PART Facilitator s Guide for Week 2 Overview: This week is the most important section because the remainder of the study builds on understanding God s ownership of everything. Let s Get Practical! Complete List Your Assets on pages Complete the Deed on pages Agenda Read Budgeting Options on page 32 and select the type of budget you prefer to use. Begin recording your 30 day Tracking Income & Spending on pages or electronically. 1. (5 minutes) Open in prayer. 2. (5 minutes) Each person individually recites from memory: Everything in heaven and earth is yours, and you are king, supreme ruler over all. All riches and wealth come from you; you rule everything by your strength and power; and you are able to make anyone great and strong. (1 Chronicles 29:11-12, GNT) 3. (90 minutes) Begin the group discussion. Reminder: The discussion for each day s homework proceeds as follows: (1) Assign one passage of Scripture from that day s homework to each person to read (as far as the verses will go); (2) Proceed in a circle, asking each person to answer all the questions for that day s homework. If the answer to a question is obvious, it s unnecessary for more than one person to answer the question. If you re running out of time, ask the responses to be brief. 6

7 GOD S PART & OUR PART Day One (God s ownership) 3. DEUTERONOMY, PSALM, 1 CORINTHIANS - [The Lord owns everything in the world.] 4. LEVITICUS - [God owns all the land.] PSALM - [God owns all the animals.] HAGGAI - [God owns all the gold and silver.] 5. [Consider altering your vocabulary by dropping the possessive pronouns ( my, mine, and ours ) and substituting His or the instead. For thirty days, each morning and night, meditate and prayerfully recite 1 Chronicles 29:11-12.] Day Two (God s Control) 1. 1 CHRONICLES, PSALM - [The Lord is in control of all circumstances.] 2. SIRACH - [God is sovereign over both earth and man.] ISAIAH - [The Lord completely controls all people.] ACTS - [The Lord controls the boundaries and duration of every nation.] Day Three (Challenging circumstances) 1. GENESIS, BARUCH, ROMANS - [God uses all circumstances for good in the lives of those who love and obey Him. Joseph suffered difficulties, but God orchestrated them for ultimate good and joy.] * Facilitator, you should have about one hour of class time remaining. 7

8 NAVIGATING YOUR FINANCES Day Four (God s Provision) 1. PSALM, SIRACH, MATTHEW, PHILIPPIANS - [God promises to meet our needs if we fear him, put him first in our lives and seek His righteousness.] 3. [Several of the many examples of God s provision: the Lord provided manna to the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16:4-35), Jesus feeding the five thousand (Matthew 14:15-21) and the four thousand (Matthew 15:32-38), and the Lord sending ravens to feed Elijah (1 Kings 17:4-6).] Day Five (Our Role) 1. 1 CORINTHIANS - [We are responsible to be faithful stewards. A steward is a manager of another s property.] 2. LUKE - [The steward was removed because he squandered his master s possessions. If we squander the possessions the Lord entrusts to us, we can expect the same.] 3. LUKE - [If a person is unfaithful in a little matter, he or she will be unfaithful with much. The reverse is also true. It is important to be faithful in small matters.] Day Six (the Notes) Remaining Agenda 1. (5 minutes) Review what the participants are to do for the next class. Complete the Homework on pages Begin working with the Compass Map TM on pages Complete the List Your Debts & Snowball em! on pages Continue 30 day Tracking Income & Spending on pages or electronically. 2. (10 minutes) Complete the Prayer Logs prayer requests and answers to prayer. Remind participants to write their prayer requests in their prayer log before coming to class. 3. (5 minutes) End in prayer. Reminder for Facilitators: Contact each participant this week and record it in your Care Log. 8

9 DEBT DEBT Facilitator s Guide for Week 3 Overview: This week we discuss debt, which is a struggle for many and is discouraged in the Bible. Let s Get Practical! Begin working with the Compass Map TM on pages Complete the List Your Debts & Snowball em! on pages Continue 30 day Tracking Income & Spending on pages or electronically. Agenda 1. (5 minutes) Open in prayer. 2. (5 minutes) Each person individually recites from memory: The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender. (Proverbs 22:7 RSV CE) 3. (90 minutes) Begin the group discussion. Day One (Debt) 3. DEUTERONOMY - [Debt was considered a curse. Being free from debt (being a lender) was a blessing. Disobedience led to debt and obedience led to getting out of debt.] 9

10 NAVIGATING YOUR FINANCES Day Two (Debt) 1. ROMANS - [We are encouraged to stay out of debt.] 1 CORINTHIANS - [Christ died for us on the cross, don t become slaves of men through debt.] PROVERBS - [We are encouraged to stay out of debt.] Day Three (Debt Repayment) 1. PSALM - [A person who borrows but does not repay debts is called wicked. ] PROVERBS - [Pay debts promptly if you have the resources. Many delay repayment as long as possible, but this is not biblical.] * Facilitator, you should have about one hour of class time remaining. Day Four (Getting out of debt) 1. 2 KINGS - [Seek the counsel of godly people, as well as the Lord s help and direction. His supernatural intervention is required whether he answers quickly, as in the case of the widow, or more slowly over time. We should use whatever resources are available however small in an effort to get out of debt. Involve the entire family in your effort to get out of debt.] Day Five (Cosigning) 1. PROVERBS - [Do not cosign. It may cause you to lose assets you need.] SIRACH - [Don t cosign if you do cosign, you must consider it as your debt to pay.] 2. PROVERBS - [If we have cosigned, we are to humbly and diligently seek the release of our obligation.] 10

11 Remaining Agenda DEBT Day Six (the Notes) 1. (5 minutes) Review what the participants are to do for the next class. Complete the Homework on pages Complete Determining Your Life Insurance Needs on pages Begin to use the Filing System on page 95. Continue 30 day Tracking Income & Spending on pages or electronically. In order to more consistently recognize God s ownership encourage your participants to continue meditating on 1 Chronicles 29: Remind participants to visit the Compass web site at: and click on Calculators for assistance in getting out of debt. Remind participants how to find the online version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (USCCB.org) 2. (10 minutes) Complete the Prayer Logs prayer requests and answers to prayer. Remind participants to write their prayer requests in their prayer log before coming to class. 3. (5 minutes) End in prayer. Reminder for Facilitators: Contact each participant this week and record it in your Care Log. 11

12 NAVIGATING YOUR FINANCES HONESTY & COUNSEL Facilitator s Guide for Week 4 Overview: The focus of week four os learning that the Lord requires us to be totally honest. Everyone should seek counsel when they make a major financial decision. In our culture people are discouraged from seeking counsel. Let s Get Practical! Complete Determining Your Life Insurance Needs on pages Begin to use the Filing System on page 95. Continue 30 day Tracking Income & Spending on pages or electronically. Agenda 1. (5 minutes) Open in prayer. 2. (5 minutes) Each person individually recites from memory: "You shall not steal. You shall not lie or speak falsely to one another. (Leviticus 19:11) 3. (90 minutes) Begin the group discussion. Day One (Honesty) (Remember you can read the Catechism of the Catholic Church online at or 12

13 HONESTY & COUNSEL 3. LEVITICUS - [The Lord commands us to be honest.] DEUTERONOMY - [The Lord demands honesty in our business dealings.] EPHESIANS - [We are not to lie to one another.] CCC - [The 8th Commandment don t bear false witness against your neighbor. God is the source of all truth and since he is true all his people are called to live in truth.] 5. Answer is based on personal experience. 6. PROVERBS - [No, those who practice dishonesty hate the Lord. When people are dishonest, they are acting as if God is not able to provide exactly what they need, is incapable of discovering their dishonesty, and is powerless to discipline them. In other words, dishonest people live as if he doesn t exist.] 7. PROVERBS, SIRACH, ROMANS - [No, because dishonest people hate those they hurt. Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Because dishonesty always harms people, we cannot love and be dishonest at the same time.] Day Two (Honesty) 1. PSALM - [More intimate fellowship with the Lord.] PROVERBS - [The children of an honest person are blessed.] PROVERBS - [Those who are truthful are God s delight.] ISAIAH - [The Lord will protect and provide for the needs of the honest.] 2. PROVERBS - [A dishonest person is an abomination to the Lord.] SIRACH - [It never results in good.] PROVERBS - [Obtaining wealth by lying produces only temporary gains and eventually leads to death.] Day Three (Restitution & Bribes) 1. EXODUS, NUMBERS, LUKE, CCC - [Restitution (reparation) was required under Old Testament law. Zaccheus is an example of fulfilling this obligation. Restitution involved the return of the item acquired dishonestly, plus a penalty.] 2. [Ask forgiveness from the Lord through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, confess your dishonesty to the person harmed, and make restitution. Sometimes restitution is a delicate and complex issue. The question of how to fulfill the principle of restitution should be prayerfully addressed.] 3. EXODUS, PROVERBS - [Never take a bribe because it will influence your judgment. The person not involved with bribes will live, but a leader who takes bribes will be overthrown.] * Facilitator, you should have about one hour of class time remaining. 13

14 NAVIGATING YOUR FINANCES Day Four (Counsel) 1. PROVERBS - [The person who listens to counsel is wise.] PROVERBS - [If you don t seek counsel your plans will fail but with will succeed with many counselors.] SIRACH - [You will have no regrets if you seek counsel.] 3. PSALM - [The Lord counsels us primarily through prayer, the Bible, the Church and Godly people.] Day Five (Counsel) 1. PSALM, 2 TIMOTHY, HEBREWS, CCC - [Yes, the Bible is the inspired Word of God, it is living, and provides direction for our lives. The Catechism provides the essential and fundamental contents of Catholic doctrine.] 3. [The husband and wife are each other s most important human counselors. Seeking counsel from your spouse both honors them and helps to prepare them for the future. Constant communication keeps both spouses up to date and on the same page.] 4. PSALM, PROVERBS - [Avoid the wicked as your counselor.] 5. [In our opinion, it s permissible to seek input from those who don t know Christ when you are gathering facts. After collecting facts, solicit counsel from godly people before arriving at your decision.] Remaining Agenda Day Six (the Notes) 1. (5 minutes) Review what the participants are to do for the next class. Complete the Homework on pages Continue 30 day Tracking Income & Spending on pages or electronically. Complete your Journey to Generosity on pages (10 minutes) Complete the Prayer Logs prayer requests and answers to prayer. Remind participants to write their prayer requests in their prayer log before coming to class. 3. (5 minutes) End in prayer. Reminder for Facilitators: Contact each participant this week and record it in your Care Log. 14

15 GENEROSITY GENEROSITY Facilitator s Guide for Week 5 Overview: In week five, we emphasize the importance of giving with the proper attitude. Let s Get Practical! Continue 30 day Tracking Income & Spending on pages or electronically. Complete your Journey to Generosity on pages Agenda 1. (5 minutes) Open in prayer. 2. (5 minutes) Each individual recites from memory: Keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus who himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35) 3. (90 minutes) Begin the group discussion. Day One (Giving Attitudes) 3. SIRACH - [With a spirit of joy give as the Most High has given to you.] MATTHEW - [The Pharisees gave exactly the correct amount even a tithe of their mint leaves. However, because they gave with the wrong attitude, the Lord rebuked them.] 1 CORINTHIANS - [Giving without love is of no value to the giver.] 15

16 NAVIGATING YOUR FINANCES 2 CORINTHIANS - [The proper attitude is the key issue in giving. The only way to give out of a heart of love is to consciously give each gift to Jesus Christ as an act of worship.] Day Two (Benefits of Generosity) 1. ACTS, SIRACH - [In God s economic system it is more blessed to give than to receive. Most people believe the opposite. Their hand is clenched tightly when it s time to give, but open wide when it s time to receive.] 2. PROVERBS - [Giving results in blessings in the Lord s time and way to the giver.] MATTHEW - [We can lay up treasures in heaven that we will be able to enjoy throughout all eternity.] TOBIT - [Give alms and God s face will not turn from you. You will store up Godly treasure. Giving frees one from death and going to the dark side.] LUKE - [The heart of the giver is drawn to Christ as treasures are given to him.] 1 TIMOTHY - [We can store treasures in heaven and while on earth we can take hold of that which is life indeed.] Day Three (Amount to Give) 1. MALACHI, TOBIT [The tithe was required under the law, and it was considered robbing God not to give these required gifts.] 2. 2 CORINTHIANS - [This passage focuses on the churches of Macedonia, which experienced difficult circumstances ( a severe test of affliction and profound poverty ) but gave generously ( beyond their means ) and cheerfully ( abundance of joy ).] [They first gave themselves to the Lord, asking Him to direct their giving. In a similar way, we should yield ourselves to God when determining how much to give.] [They were so submitted to the Lord that despite terrible circumstances they begged to give.] They experienced joy as a result of their sacrificial giving.] Day Four (Where to Give) 1. NUMBERS - [God s people have always been required to fund ministry. The Old Testament believer was required to care for the place of worship and the Levites who served in the ministry.] GALATIANS - [Those who are taught the Bible should financially support their teachers.] 1 TIMOTHY - [God s New Testament instrument is the Church, and we are to adequately support those who serve as pastors and teachers.] 16

17 GENEROSITY Day Five (Giving to the Poor and Needy) 1. SIRACH - [Giving alms is worth more than the gold it costs; don t make the poor wait for your alms and don t send them away empty handed.] ISAIAH - [When we give to the poor, the Lord will protect us, answer our prayers, and bless us with his joy.] EZEKIEL - [The primary sins of Sodom were pride and not caring for the poor, even though they had an abundance of material goods.] 2. MATTHEW - [Jesus identifies personally with the poor. When we give to the poor, we are giving to Christ Himself. When we do not give to the poor, we are not giving to Christ, and he is left hungry and naked.] 3. GALATIANS - [The disciples had a deep concern for the poor. After Paul s confirmation to minister to the Gentiles, the only counsel the disciples gave him was not to forget the poor. Think of the many issues they could have discussed. Yet, they only asked Paul to remember the poor.] Day Six (the Notes) Remaining Agenda 1. (5 minutes) Review what the participants are to do for the next class. Complete the Homework on pages Continue 30 day Tracking Income & Spending on pages or electronically. Complete the Estimated Spending Plan (Budget) on pages (10 minutes) Complete the Prayer Logs prayer requests and answers to prayer. Remind participants to write their prayer requests in their prayer log before coming to class. 3. (5 minutes) End in prayer. Reminder for Facilitators: Contact each participant this week and record it in your Care Log. 17

18 NAVIGATING YOUR FINANCES WORK Facilitator s Guide for Week 6 Overview: IN week six, we discuss work, which can be fulfilling or frustrating. Our satisfaction depends on understanding the Lord s perspective of work. Let s Get Practical! Complete the Estimated Spending Plan (Budget) on pages NOTE: Please give your Facilitator the name of anyone who would be interested in participating in a future Compass Catholic Ministries small group. Agenda 1. (5 minutes) Open in prayer. 2. (5 minutes) Everyone individually recites from memory: Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 RSV CE) 3. (90 minutes) Begin the group discussion. Day One (Work) 3. GENESIS - [Work was initiated before sin entered the world. And in the perfect, sinless environment of the Garden of Eden, God created work for our benefit. It was not a result of sin and the curse.] 4. GENESIS - [Work became difficult because of sin.] 18

19 WORK 5. CCC - [Work is a duty that honors our Creator and it can be redemptive EXODUS - [Old Testament believers were required to work six days a week. THESSALONIANS - [Work is also required in the New Testament. This verse does not recommend hunger for those who can t work because of physical or mental limitations only those who are capable but choose not to work.] 1. GENESIS - [The Lord controls success.] Day Two (God s role in work) EXODUS - [The Lord gives us job skills and the ability to teach.] PSALM - [The Lord controls promotion and demotion.] Day Three (Employers & Employees) 1. EPHESIANS, COLOSSIANS, 1 PETER: Employee responsibilities: [Genuine obedience to employer; even one who is not good and gentle. Work hard as unto the Lord.] Employer responsibilities: [An employer should serve and not threaten employees.] 2. [We work for the Lord. This perspective will allow us to make a sincere effort even in challenging situations to serve those who are our superiors or our subordinates.] * Facilitator, you should have about one hour of class time remaining. Day Four (Working hard & resting) 1. PROVERBS - [Ants are honored for hard work and those who are lazy are warned of poverty.] PROVERBS - [A lazy person is compared to someone who destroys.] THESSALONIANS - [Paul modeled hard work.] 3. EXODUS, CCC - [Hard work should be balanced with adequate rest and other biblical priorities. Even during busy times, one day of rest a week was required.] 19

20 NAVIGATING YOUR FINANCES Day Five (Women working, partnerships & retirement) 1. PROVERBS - [The excellent wife was diligent, worked with her hands, acquired and prepared food; invested, provided clothes for the family, and sold merchandise. She worked outside the home, but always with a focus toward the home.] TITUS - [Young wives were encouraged to be workers at home.] 3. 2 CORINTHIANS - [The principle of yoking applies to business partnerships. It is permissible for an employee to work for an employer who does not know Christ, but partnership with an unbeliever is discouraged.] 4. [The Bible gives no examples of people retiring and provides only one direct reference to it, which is found in Numbers 8: This instruction applied only to the Levites who worked on the tabernacle.] 5. Answer is based on personal experience. Day Six (the Notes) Remaining Agenda 1. (5 minutes) Review what the participants are to do for the next class. Complete Your Net Worth Calculation on page 164. Complete Track & Tweak your Spending Plan on pages Check out Tools and Resources for Increasing your Savings on compasscatholic.org by clicking on Financial Bible Study/Participants at the bottom of the page. Collect the name of anyone who would be interested in participating in a future group. 2. (10 minutes) Complete the Prayer Logs prayer requests and answers to prayer. Remind participants to write their prayer requests in their prayer log before coming to class. 3. (5 minutes) End in prayer. Reminder for Facilitators: Contact each participant this week and record it in your Care Log. 20

21 SAVING AND INVESTING SAVING & INVESTING Facilitator s Guide for Week 7 Overview: This week s objectives are to learn the Biblical attitudes toward saving and investing and the Scriptural framework for savings and investing. Compass Catholic Ministries does not recommend any investments. No one is authorized to use affiliation with Compass to promote the sale of any investments or financial services. Let s Get Practical! Complete Your Net Worth Calculation on page 164. Complete Track & Tweak your Spending Plan on pages Check out Tools and Resources for Increasing your Savings on compasscatholic.org by clicking on Financial Bible Study/Participants at the bottom of the page. Agenda 1. (5 minutes) Open in prayer. 2. (5 minutes) Everyone individually recites from memory: Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise, but the fool consumes it. (Proverbs 21:20) The plans of the diligent are sure of profit, but all rash haste leads certainly to poverty. (Proverbs 21:5) 3. (90 minutes) Begin the group discussion. 21

22 NAVIGATING YOUR FINANCES Day One (Saving) 3. GENESIS - [Joseph saved during a time of plenty to prepare for a coming famine.] PROVERBS - [The wise save, but foolish only spend.] PROVERBS - [Ants are commended as wise because they save.] SIRACH - [If you don t save early in life, how will you catch up later on?] 5. LUKE - [The rich man was foolish because he stored up all his goods and was not rich toward God by giving generously.] 6. [If we only save and do not give, our hearts will be drawn away from Christ and to our possessions.] Day Two (Saving goals) 1. 1 TIMOTHY - [It s permissible to save to meet family needs.] 2. 1 TIMOTHY - [The desire to become rich is unacceptable. However, it s not wrong to become rich if it s a by-product of being a faithful steward.] 3. 1 TIMOTHY - [When we want to become rich we are actually loving money. The desire to get rich is common and can destroy our relationship with the Lord.] 4. 1 TIMOTHY - [Flee from the desire to get rich and pursue Godly living.] Day Three (Investing) 1. PROVERBS - [Be a faithful, steady plodder and not hasty in investing.] PROVERBS - [Develop your means of producing an income before acquiring a house.] PROVERBS - [Know the status of your assets at all times.] ECCLESTIASTES - [Timing is important when making investment decisions.] ECCLESTIASTES - [Diversify your investments because you don t know what will happen.] * Facilitator, you should have about one hour of class time remaining. Day Four (Inheritance) 1. GENESIS, PROVERBS, CORINTHIANS - [Yes, parents should attempt to leave an inheritance to their children.] 22

23 SAVING AND INVESTING 2. PROVERBS - [An inheritance should not be given into a child s care until the child is wise enough to manage it.] GALATIANS - [The appointment of a guardian through a will or trust helps ensure a child s maturity before receiving an inheritance.] Day Five (Gambling) 1. [People are motivated to gamble by the desire to get rich quick, greed, and by the prospect of getting something for nothing. Many want to become wealthy so they can quit working. These motives do not please the Lord because they are contrary to his principles found in the Bible.] 2. PROVERBS - [A person who hastens after wealth is identified as evil and will experience poverty. Please encourage your class never to bet one penny. State lotteries are particularly enticing because they have been legalized by the government and glamorized by the media.] Day Six (the Notes) Remaining Agenda 1. (5 minutes) Review what the participants are to do for the next class. Complete Organizing Your Estate on pages Complete the Crisis Budget on pages Continue Track & Tweak your Spending Plan on pages Secure a current will if you do not yet have one. Remind everyone to visit and click on Financial Bible Study/Participants for more practical information on investing. 2. (10 minutes) Complete the Prayer Logs prayer requests and answers to prayer. Remind participants to write their prayer requests in their prayer log before coming to class. 3. (5 minutes) End in prayer. Reminder for Facilitators: Contact each participant this week and record it in your Care Log. Recommend the participants who are qualified to be future facilitators to your Church Coordinator. 23

24 NAVIGATING YOUR FINANCES CRISIS & PERSPECTIVE Facilitator s Guide for Week 8 Overview: This week s objective is to understand how to deal with a crisis with a sense of peace and calmness. If we have our mindset based not on Madison Avenue, but on God and what he says in Scripture, we will have a proper perspective. Let s Get Practical! Complete Organizing Your Estate on pages Complete the Crisis Budget on pages Continue Track & Tweak your Spending Plan on pages Agenda Secure a current will if you do not yet have one. 1. (5 minutes) Open in prayer. 2. (5 minutes) Everyone individually recites from memory: For I have learned to be content in any and all circumstances. I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want. I can do all things in Him who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13, GNT) 3. (90 minutes) Begin the group discussion. Day One (Crisis) 24

25 CRISIS & PERSPECTIVE 3. ROMANS, DANIEL, JEREMIAH - [A crisis can be frightening and discouraging. So, it s crucial to recognize that the Lord loves and cares deeply for you. He is powerful and ultimately controls all the difficult events.] Day Two (Our response during a crisis) 1. ROMANS - [God s objective during a crisis is to use it to conform us to Christ.] 3. SIRACH - [Have complete trust and faith in the Lord and he will reward your trust and faith.] JAMES - [We are to consider difficulties joyfully because they will help us mature in our relationship with Christ.] THESSALONIANS - [We are to give thanks in all circumstances, because the difficulties are God s will and intended for our benefit.] Day Three (Crisis preparation & Prosperity) 1. MATTHEW - [We are to learn and apply God s financial principles so that when the storms of life strike, we will have built our finances on the rock solid truth of God s word.] 3. DEUTERONOMY - [One of the blessings of obedience was prosperity.] JOSHUA - [Knowing and obeying all God s commands resulted in prosperity.] HEBREWS - [Even godly people experience poverty and difficulties while exercising faith.] 4. GENESIS, CORINTHIANS - [Yes, they experienced times of abundance and times of want.] 5. [Joseph s and Paul s poverty was not because of lack of faith or sin. Once a person has been a faithful steward in every area, he or she is in a position for the Lord to prosper them. However, God may not because (1) He is building our character (Romans 5:3-4); or (2) He disciplines us in order to encourage us to forsake sin (Hebrews 12:6, 10); or (3) God s sovereignty (Hebrews 11:36-40).] 6. PSALM [The psalmist was envious and questioned why the wicked prospered. Godliness didn t seem to pay off. Then the Lord revealed the wicked person s end sudden, eternal punishment.] * Facilitator, you should have about one hour of class time remaining. Day Four (Children & Taxes) 1. DEUTERONOMY, PROVERBS, EPHESIANS [Parents are responsible for teaching their children God s ways of living, including how to handle money.] 25

26 NAVIGATING YOUR FINANCES 4. MATTHEW, ROMANS [God requires us to pay taxes because He instituted government to serve people. The consequence of tax evasion is punishment.] Day Five (Contentment & Lifestyle) 1. SIRACH [Be content with whatever you have whether it be a little or a lot.] PHILIPPIANS [Contentment is not something that occurs naturally; it is learned. We can learn to be content in any circumstance.] 1 TIMOTHY [Godliness with contentment is a means of great gain. We can t take anything with us when we die, and we should be content when our basic needs are satisfied.] 3. ACTS - [An equality of needs being met within the body of Christ led to revival.] THESALONIANS - [We are encouraged to live quiet, industrious lives.] 5. Answer is based on personal experience. Remaining Agenda Day Six (the Notes) 1. (5 minutes) Review what the participants are to do for the next class. Continue Track & Tweak your Spending Plan on pages Complete your Lifestyle & Financial Goals on pages Share your Compass experience and give us advice on how to improve the Navigating course by logging on to and clicking on Contact Compass 2. (10 minutes) Complete the Prayer Logs prayer requests and answers to prayer. Remind participants to write their Long Term prayer request in their prayer log before coming to class. 3. (5 minutes) End in prayer. Reminder for Facilitators: Contact each participant this week and record it in your Care Log. 26

27 ETERNITY ETERNITY Facilitator s Guide for Week 9 Overview: This week s objective is to understand that no matter where we are in our spiritual walk, we can and must work hard to deepen our relationship with Jesus. Let s Get Practical! Continue Track & Tweak your Spending Plan on pages Complete your Lifestyle & Financial Goals on pages Share your Compass experience and give us advice on how to improve the Navigating course by logging on to and clicking on Contact Compass Agenda 1. (5 minutes) Open in prayer. 2. (5 minutes) Everyone individually recites from memory: What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? (Mark 8:36) 3. (90 minutes) Begin the group discussion. Day One (Financial goals) 27

28 NAVIGATING YOUR FINANCES 1. PSALM - [Life on earth is very short.] Day Two (Life is short) 2. PSALM - [Numbering our remaining days on earth helps us realize the brevity of our lives, so we are better able to make wise decisions on how to use our time and money.] Day Three (My identity) 1. 1 CHRONICLES - [We are aliens, strangers, and sojourners on earth.] PHILIPPIANS - [We are citizens of heaven, which is our real home.] 1 PETER - [We are strangers on this earth.] 2. 2 PETER - [The earth and everything on it will be completely destroyed.] * Facilitator, you should have about one hour of class time remaining. Day Four (Judgment) 1. ECCLESIASTES - [The Lord will judge all of our actions, even those we think are hidden.] 2 CORINTHIANS - [All of us will stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give an account of our deeds.] 2. 1 CORINTHIANS - [Any action done out of what the Bible calls the flesh anything done apart from submission to Christ as Lord will be burned. This would include anything done out of pride or with improper motives.] 3. [The smallest deed, when done to glorify Christ, will be rewarded. In Matthew 10:42 the Lord tells us that even giving someone a cup of water will be rewarded.] Day Five (Eternity) 1. 2 CORINTHIANS - [What we see will last only a relatively short time. The things we cannot see will last forever and should be of primary importance to us.] 28

29 ETERNITY Day Six (the Notes) Remaining Agenda 1. (10 minutes) Take long-term prayer requests and note them In the Prayer Logs. 2. (10 minutes) Facilitators, pray for each participant individually. Reminder: Encourage everyone to complete their Navigating story and share suggestions to improve the study by logging on to and clicking on Contact Compass Reminder: Facilitators, we suggest you write each class member (or couple) an encouraging letter, , card or text message summarizing what you appreciate most about them. May the Lord richly bless you in every way for serving others through this ministry. 29