GIVE THE MISSION SIX-WEEK TEACHING PLAN March 2-April 6, 2014
First Baptist Church of Norfolk exists to glorify God by winning and leading all the people within our reach to become fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. Life Groups at First Baptist Norfolk exist to REACH people for Christ, TEACH them the Word of God, CARE for them in the name of Jesus, and SEND them out to serve where God leads them to use their gifts.
GIVE THE MISSION SIX-WEEK TEACHING PLAN March 2-April 6, 2014
Contents Introduction...i WEEK 1 - March 2 GIVING STARTS WITH GOD... 1 WEEK 2 - March 9 GIVING REFLECTS THE GOSPEL...16 WEEK 3 - March 16 GIVING FOR GOD S PRIORITIES... 29 WEEK 4 - March 23 GIVING BY GOD S DESIGN PART 1...41 WEEK 5 - March 30 GIVING BY GOD S DESIGN PART 2... 56 WEEK 6 - April 6 GIVING TO GLORIFY GOD... 70
Life Groups at First Baptist Norfolk exist to REACH people for Christ, TEACH them the Word of God, CARE for them in the name of Jesus, and SEND them out to serve where God leads them to use their gifts! With that thought in mind, it is imperative that we are diligent in teaching the entirety of the Bible, not just selected texts where we are comfortable. For the teacher of God s Word, this is one of the reasons we choose to utilize a curriculum a prescribed plan for our teaching. With each of us being gifted in various ways, having differing personalities and preferences, it would be the habit of most teachers, without direction from the church, to teach in the area of the Bible where we feel we had the most Bible knowledge and are comfortable. We might even avoid difficult passages of scripture that requires greater study to feel prepared to teach or possibly there are places in our lives where we struggle with obedience and have no desire to teach on issues that confront and challenge how we are living. Such is the curriculum you hold in your hands today. After reviewing what we have been teaching over the past several years, it became clear to me that we were shortchanging our Life Group members by not having addressed this issue of money, possessions, and giving. There are more than 2000 verses of scripture in the Bible that address such subjects. Let me be clear on this one point It is not because God needs our stuff. He is God and does not NEED anything from us. The truth is that He desires something for us. He recognized that handling our money, possessions and stuff would be a great challenge for us and that we would need much direction and help to navigate this area of our lives. Jesus said that we were to love God first; then love others as we love ourselves. His plan is that we use the stuff He has entrusted to us for His kingdom purposes. So, we should LOVE God, LOVE others, and USE stuff. While that is God s design, He also knew we would be greatly tempted to LOVE stuff and use God and people to get more. As Life Group leaders, we need to help our group members explore the depths of God s Word and learn from Him about how to use the stuff He has entrusted to our care. One final word I pray that this study changes you- the teacher, as well as the group members in your Life Group. The very best teaching that ever happens is teaching that has first gripped the heart of the teacher then teaching comes with great passion. As with every curriculum, it must be tailor fitted to the user. There will be supplemental resources available online at www.firstnorfolk.org as we begin this study. Remember, God s Word is true. Challenge your groups to grow this quarter to become more like Jesus as they grow in their generosity. Expecting God to change lives, Phillip Herring Associate Pastor of Education i
FIRST NORFOLK 1 CHRONICLES 20:10-20 GIVING STARTS WITH GOD TEACHING PLAN PREPARATION > Spend the week reading through and studying 1 Chronicles 29:10-20. Consult the commentary provided and any additional study tools (such as a concordance or Bible dictionary) to enhance your preparation. > Determine which discussion points and questions will work best with your LIFEgroup. > Pray for the upcoming LIFEgroup meeting, your teaching, your LIFEgroup members, and their receptivity to the lesson. HIGHLIGHTS BIBLICAL EMPHASIS: As he approached the end of his life, David held his possessions in proper focus and used them to bless God and the people of Israel. TEACHING AIM: We must recognize God s ownership of everything we have. We are accountable to be good stewards of our possessions and wealth, using them to bless God and others. 1 Give the Mission First Norfolk
TEACHING PLAN WEEK 1 INTRODUCTION As your LIFEgroup time begins, use this section to help get the conversation going. If you ve ever spent time serving in our church s preschool, you ve inevitably heard the word Mine! screeched by a small child or two going after the same toy. Maybe you ve even witnessed a similar battle among your own children or grandchildren. Even as adults, we still want to cling tightly to our possessions and money. 1 Do you recall uttering Mine! as a child? What were the circumstances? QUICK FINANCIAL FACTS ABOUT NORFOLK 2 Of all the things you own, which have you had the longest? Which of your material possessions would it hurt the most to lose? Why? ESTIMATED MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN 2011: $43,108 Estimated per capita income in 2011: $22,760 3 In what ways do you find it difficult to share your possessions today? What problems can this selfcentered thinking lead to? Estimated median house or condo value in 2011: $195,300 Source: city-data.com and census. gov. A right perspective on our possessions begins with recognizing that everything we have comes from God and belongs to Him. We are accountable to Him for how we use whatever He entrusts to us. This concept stands in sharp contrast to the world s prideful illusion of self- sufficiency. This lesson helps us put our possessions in perspective by recognizing that God is the owner and giver of everything we have. UNDERSTANDING Unpack the biblical text to discover what Scripture says or means about this topic. The events in these verses took place at the end of King David s reign. David gathered all the leaders of Israel (1 Chron. 28:1) and laid out God s plan for the temple in Jerusalem. God gave the plan to 2 Give the Mission First Norfolk
TEACHING PLAN WEEK 1 David, but it would be David s son Solomon who would oversee the construction of the temple. Even though David wouldn t build the temple, he led the capital campaign for its construction. When all the money had been raised and all the materials gathered, David led the assembly in praise and worship of God. > Have a volunteer read 1 Chronicles 29:10-11 Why do you think David began his prayer by praising God? How does praise bring us into God s presence? Why might some people find it hard to give God the glory He is due? Which of God s attributes did David acknowledge in these verses? How would you explain to a child what they mean? In verse 11, David acknowledged the Lord s glory, splendor and majesty. These are not easily defined words. Glory in this case is not the more familiar Hebrew word meaning weighty importance and shining aspect. With these three words, David was describing God s essential beauty, strength and eternal nature. Why do you think David chose to express his praise for the lord publicly, in the sight of all the assembly? What does David s prayer reveal about his understanding of ownership and personal possessions? My is one of the most misused words in our vocabulary. We are quick to declare my job, my money, my talents, my possessions, my family, and even my life. Biblically speaking, God owns it all. We are just managers of what He has entrusted to us during for our brief stay on earth. 3 Give the Mission First Norfolk
TEACHING PLAN WEEK 1 If we acknowledge that God owns everything, is it still valid to refer to things as mine and yours? Why or why not? What things do you consider rightfully yours (such as jobs, home, titles, possessions, family, savings, etc.)? What would you find the most difficult to freely hand to God without further claim to it? How can you acknowledge that God owns it? As managers of God s belongings, we are to please Him with our stewardship. This is a huge responsibility. Though we do not have the same amount of material wealth, we are all accountable for using well what He has entrusted to us. > Have a volunteer read 1 Chronicles 29:12-16. Verses 12-16 form the heart of David s prayer as he expresses thanksgiving and joy. After David acknowledged that God owns everything, he then provided four manifestations of God s ownership: (1) He is Creator, (v. 11b); (2) He is the King (v. 12b); (3) from Him comes all human wealth (v. 12a); and (4) He is the Source of humanity s power (v. 12c). David and the people had only given back what had come from God s hand. Like a child purchasing a birthday gift for a parent with money obtained from the parent, we need to realize that we cannot give to God anything that is not already His. David expressed his thanks to God in verse 13. What do you think he was most thankful for? 4 Give the Mission First Norfolk
TEACHING PLAN WEEK 1 How would you answer David s question in verse 14, But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? What might we say or do that indicates we have forgotten (for the moment) that all power and wealth come from God? When you give... What are the consequences of forgetting that everything we have comes from God? You help support Local Ministries Like Union Mission and Outreach for Christ. How can we acknowledge God as the source of these things? In verse 15, David said, Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. How does that relate to giving generously? Job expressed a similar thought when he said, My days pass more swiftly than a weaver s shuttle... my life is but a breath (Job 7:6-7). If God gave us only the possessions we enjoy today, we would indeed be blessed; yet our earthly existence would be brief and without hope. But we have an eternal hope: The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in Him (Lam. 3:24; see Ps. 73:26). If you thought of yourself as a temporary resident here on earth, what would you do differently? 5 Give the Mission First Norfolk
TEACHING PLAN WEEK 1 Have you ever given your children money to buy you a birthday card or Christmas present? How did you feel when you received the gift? Is that an accurate illustration of what it means to present our gifts and offerings to God? Why or why not? What is the connection between being grateful for what God has given us and being generous with our finances and material possessions? We cannot give to God anything that is not already His, or anything that did not come to us from Him. When we realize that our earthly stay is brief, we will value our hope in the Lord and embrace the privilege of giving what we have to Him. Since our very lives are gifts from God, how can we effectively give ourselves back to God in an act of worship? > Have a volunteer read 1 Chronicles 29:17-20. David planned for the temple (1 Chron. 28), provided for the construction (29:1-9), praised God (vv. 10-16), and then petitioned God (vv. 17-20). Notice, how often the word heart is employed in this section. David knew God tests or examines the heart and is pleased with what is right and an upright heart, one filled or controlled by integrity and sincerity. David knew that giving was not about money. It was (and is) never about money. It was not about the temple. It was (and is) always about the heart and faith and relationship with God. The outer reality of proper giving always follows the inner workings of the heart. 6 Give the Mission First Norfolk
TEACHING PLAN WEEK 1 What are some reasons you think David prayed what he did for Solomon? Why do you think an upright heart pleases God? Who is watching you and following your example? Of generosity? How does this affect your giving? What do others see from your example? Foremost in David s mind was the inner reality of devotion. David asked God to give Solomon a perfect heart so his son would be faithful in following God s commandments, completing the daunting task of building the temple, and leading the nation of Israel. David also requested that his people might always maintain the present generosity, gratitude, and joy of their hearts and that God might always confirm their hearts toward Him. Consequently, David led the way by willingly offering his fortune to the construction of the temple. Wholehearted giving means without reservation. The people also gave willingly. Their hearts were right and their giving reflected it. They not only had the ability to give; they had the willingness to give. When you give... You help children come to know Christ through ministries like Vacation Bible School. APPLICATION Help your LIFEgroup identify how the truths from the Scripture passage apply directly to their lives. The same two signs joyfulness and willingness are found in our giving when our hearts are right. Our attitudes toward money and use of material possessions always reveal the true nature of our hearts. When our hearts are in sync with God we give freely and are not pressured, enticed, manipulated, or intimidated. And, we give without reservation to God s work and His kingdom cause, the true response of a loyal follower and wholehearted devotion. 7 Give the Mission First Norfolk
TEACHING PLAN WEEK 1 1 How do our attitudes toward money and giving reveal the true nature of our hearts? 2 How might generous giving help us accomplish First Norfolk s mission to love God, love others, and live the mission? 3 If you were to give your very best to God, what would that include? 4 In what ways does your giving need to change to be a proper response to God? How will your actions lead those around you to praise God for His blessings? P R A Y Close by reminding your group that all we have from God, we are to give back to Him. Ask God to show your group areas of their lives where they may be clinging to things too tightly. Also pray that they would use all they have been given for Him and His glory and to bless others. 8 Give the Mission First Norfolk
TEACHING PLAN WEEK 1 FOLLOW UP Midway through this week, send a follow-up email to your LIFEgroup with some or all of the following information: > Questions to consider as they continue to reflect on what they learned this week: Do you tend to think of yourself as the owner or the manager of your possessions? What can you do this week to please God with your stewardship of what is His? Have you felt the Lord prompting you to give Him a greater share of your time or possessions? What might keep you from acting on this prompting? Will you ask the lord to do a check of your heart and to give you an upright heart to serve Him and do His will? > A note of encouragement, following up on any specific prayer requests mentioned during your LIFEgroup gathering. > The challenge to memorize 1 Chronicles 29:11. > The text for next week s study, so LIFEgroup members can read it in anticipation of next weekend: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15. 9 Give the Mission First Norfolk
COMMENTARY WEEK 1 1 CHRONICLES 29:10-20 29:10-11 My is one of the most misused words in our vocabulary, when, biblically speaking, God owns it all. We are managers of what He has entrusted to us during for our brief stay on earth. Notes: King David understood this principle and communicated it clearly in 1 Chronicles 29. Here we see David as a visionary, a steward who wanted to leave a great legacy. He assembled the leaders of his kingdom and presented his vision of building a palace (temple) for the King of kings. This holy place would be recognized as God s dwelling place among His people. David shared his feelings and how God had worked in his heart. He knew the kingdom, this soon-to-be- built temple, and the wealth in his possession were not his, but God s. David was an old man. This was his final chapter of a well-lived life. He knew his reign would soon end and his son Solomon would succeed him. To Solomon, David presented a great vision of building a magnificent temple and its furnishings for the worship of Almighty God. It would be the grandest building ever constructed. His fondest aspiration was to honor his God by building this palatial structure. To accomplish this feat, David spoke words of encouragement to his son, provided the workforce to complete the building project, and bestowed his wealth (along with the gifts of others) to pay for the construction. The vast extent or current worth of David s wealth are not the point. Like David, we need to understand the source of our wealth and to use it to accomplish God-given dreams. David acknowledged that Solomon, his heir, was young and inexperienced (1 Chron. 29:1). God had chosen Solomon over David for the task of building the temple. David was a man of war with blood on his hands (28:2-3), whereas Solomon was a man of peace. It was as if David were the architect and Solomon the general contractor. The task before Solomon was immense. David had another role in the building project. He was the main benefactor, giving his personal fortune, amounting to 100 tons of gold... and 250 tons of refined silver, toward the completion 10 Give the Mission First Norfolk
COMMENTARY WEEK 1 of this project. Like a great leader, he gave first (29:2), then the leaders of Israel gave (v. 6), and finally the people gave (vv. 9,17). David planned, then he prayed. His magnificent prayer in verses 10-19 is probably the best known passage in the Books of Chronicles. David praised God for His greatness and recognized that the Lord owned everything. The word praised, used twice in verse 10, is related to the verb that means to bless. Usually we think of God s blessing us rather than our blessing God, but David reminds us that God deserves and desires to be blessed or praised. The invocation of May You be praised, Lord God called for heartfelt worship and praise in both deed and speech. This word praised can also mean to kneel down. As David prayed, he stood no longer. He knelt, expressing his adoration to God. He knew that God had blessed him richly. His words were a short course in theology. He blessed the Lord God of our father Israel, admitting His greatness, power, glory, splendor, and majesty. David s mind raced for terms to express God s sovereign grandeur and might. The phrase Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory has found its way into contemporary Christian usage as the close to the Model Prayer (Matt. 6:13). Notes: In our own prayers, we can follow David s example of praising God for His eternal greatness and power. Try the A.C.T.S. acronym as an outline for prayer. The letters stand for adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. David s prayer began as our prayers are to begin, by recognizing the greatness and the power of God. It is the praise of God that opens the door into His presence (Ps. 100:4). Note the word everything in this text: Everything belongs to God (v. 11,14); God is the ruler of everything (v. 12); everything comes from God (v. 14). These statements summarize the basic principle of biblical stewardship: God owns it all. God owns everything we have, and we are responsible to manage well (and for His purposes) all He has entrusted to us. These resources include our time, talents, and material possessions. This is the essence of stewardship. The late Bishop Edwin Hughes once delivered a rousing sermon on God s Ownership that upset a rich parishioner. The wealthy man took the bishop home for lunch, then took him on a stroll 11 Give the Mission First Norfolk
COMMENTARY WEEK 1 through his extravagant estate. Now are you going to tell me, he demanded when the tour was complete, that all this land does not belong to me? Bishop Hughes smiled and replied, Ask me that same question a hundred years from now. 1 Notes: In actuality, we don t own anything. All we possess comes from God. He is the Source of all things. 29:12-16 After acknowledging that God owns everything and is the source of all wealth, David provided four manifestations of God s ownership: (1) He is Creator, He brought everything into existence (v. 11b); (2) He is the King (v. 11c) and exalted, the only ruler over the world (v. 12b); (3) from Him comes all human wealth (v. 12a); and (4) He is the Source of humanity s power and might (v. 12c). It is in His hand (an idiom referring to His ultimate power and authority) to make great and to give strength (v. 12d). Verses 12-16 form the heart of David s prayer as he expresses thanksgiving and joy. David and the people had given back only what had come from God s hand. The fundamental question David asked is But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? David understood that he and the people could give generously only because everything they had came from God. In a sense, they were only giving back to God what He had given to them in the first place. God gives us everything we have. Understanding this truth, we realize that we can t take pride in being self-made men or women. All that we are and all that we have comes from God. Nothing is earned, everything is given. When we experience prosperity, it is from God. We cannot take credit for our accomplishments. Without God, we have nothing. Before the eternal God, David declared that he and his people were like all other human beings foreigners and temporary residents. The patriarchs were often described with these terms, since the land really belonged to the Lord. Their position in the promised land is like our position on earth today foreigners and temporary residents, just passing through. Our time on 1 Ben Patterson, God s Prayer Book (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2008), 88. 12 Give the Mission First Norfolk
COMMENTARY WEEK 1 earth is brief, like a shadow. As David revealed, we are without hope, which carries a dual meaning without God there is no hope in this life or the next. Not even David s wealth and the security it brought him deliver him from death. Life is the ultimate gift from God. We eventually give it back to God. Notes: Since all things come from God and life is short, the wisest thing we can do is give back to God what He gives to us. When we give away our resources by investing in those things that will last for eternity, we make a legacy in much the same way David, who left a remarkable legacy by planning and providing for the temple. We can t take our money and our possessions with us when we die, but we can give them away while we re still living so that after we are gone, our gifts will still be advancing God s kingdom. David built a temple for the glory of God. We can build churches and Christian ministries for the glory of God. Great things can be accomplished when all of us together and each one of us individually give generously for the common good and God s glory. 29:17-20 David planned for the temple (1 Chron. 28) and provided for its construction (29:1-9). David praised God (vv. 10-16). Then he petitioned God (vv. 17-20). Notice how often the word heart is employed in these verses. David knew God tests or examines the heart. God is pleased with what is right and with an upright heart, one filled or controlled by integrity and sincerity. David asked that God would keep this desire or willingness to give in the thoughts of the hearts of the people and confirm their hearts toward Him. Then David implored God, Give my son Solomon a whole heart or perfect heart, (the word carries a sense of covenant loyalty as well) in order that he would be faithful in following God s commandments, completing the daunting task of building the temple, and leading the nation of Israel. Foremost in David s mind was the inner reality of devotion. David knew that giving was not about money. It was not (and never is) about money. It was not about the temple. It was (and is) always about the heart and faith and relationship with God. The outer reality of proper giving always follows the inner workings of the heart. David connected the keeping of God s commands, decrees, and statutes with building the temple. He knew that a temple without heart-felt obedience was empty. David requested that his people might always maintain 13 Give the Mission First Norfolk
COMMENTARY WEEK 1 the present generosity, gratitude, and joy of their hearts, and that God might always confirm their hearts toward Him. Consequently, David led the way by willingly offering his fortune to the construction of the temple. As a result, the people gave joyfully and willingly to God. The people followed the model and example of their king, David, for they had given to the Lord with a whole heart (v. 9). Their hearts were right and their giving reflected it. The people gave willingly, without reservation. Notes: The same two signs joyfulness and willingness characterize our giving when our hearts are right. Our attitudes toward money and material possessions always reveal the true nature of our hearts. When our hearts are in sync with God, we give freely and are not pressured, enticed, manipulated, or intimidated. And we give without reservation to God s work and His kingdom cause, the true response of a loyal follower and wholehearted devotion. Everything we have is on loan from God. He gives it to us for a little while and says, Take care of it, until either He wants it back or we die. If we are not careful, the longer we hold on to things, the greater the danger that we think things are ours, so we grasp them tightly, afraid of losing them. But sooner or later, God pries our possessions and our money out of our hands. In the end He takes back that which belongs to Him in the first place, which is everything. When we acknowledge God s rightful ownership of everything, we willingly loosen the grip on material things and use them in ways that please and honor God. As David concluded his prayer, he invited the whole assembly of people to Praise the Lord your God. The congregation did just that as they bowed down and paid homage to the Lord and the king and presented their sacrificial gifts. Praise is the best way to not only begin our prayers but to end our prayers. Worship and praise are always the right responses to God. When we understand the sovereignty of God, graciousness of God, and the love of God, all we want to do is worship God. David began this prayer in adoration. The prayer ended with the people bowing down to worship God. 14 Give the Mission First Norfolk
COMMENTARY WEEK 1 Once we recognize God as the Owner and Giver of all we possess, let us acknowledge Him as God, giving Him the honor due His name. As His children, we should thank our Heavenly Father who is the Source of all we have. We determine with our giving the priority of our lives. Since God is God, He deserves all of our lives including our time and our money. In the end, every use of our money is a reflection of our stewardship. Giving is never just about money; it is about our relationship with God. Notes: So in the end, we literally possess much but own nothing. Our possessions house, car, retirement account, stocks may have our names on the title or the deed, but in reality it is all God s. He alone is the Owner and the Provider. We are the managers. 15 Give the Mission First Norfolk
FIRST NORFOLK 2 CORINTHIANS 8:1-15 GIVING REFLECTS THE GOSPEL TEACHING PLAN PREPARATION > Spend the week reading through and studying 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 and Exodus 25:1-8. Consult the commentary provided and any additional study tools (such as a concordance or Bible dictionary) to enhance your preparation. > Determine which discussion points and questions will work best with your LIFEgroup. > Pray for the upcoming LIFEgroup meeting, your teaching, your LIFEgroup members, and their receptivity to the lesson. HIGHLIGHTS BIBLICAL EMPHASIS: Our generosity is not based on how much we have but on how much we have been given. TEACHING AIM: Once we understand the generosity God has shown us in sending Christ to die for our sins, we will not be able to be selfish with our resources, but instead will give generously toward His kingdom purposes. 16 Give the Mission First Norfolk
TEACHING PLAN WEEK 2 INTRODUCTION As your LIFEgroup time begins, use this section to help get the conversation going. 1. During what time in your life were you most in need of help from other people? Who helped you out during that situation? What was your relationship with that person/people like? 2. When have you been most helpful to a friend in need? What motivated you to lend a hand? When you give... You help our church expand local ministries like Gosnold Apartments, Bobbit Apartments, Cloverleaf Apartments, and the Dental Clinic in Park Place. 3. What are you most likely to sacrifice for the sake of others time or money? Why? As we grow in our relationship with God, our tithes and offerings can also grow. That means we are increasingly willing to sacrifice more of our time, money, and talents for the sake of others around us. Living generously in community requires sacrifice on our part, but it is a natural result of God s generosity in our lives. In fact, if we are listening to God, we will hear Him calling us more and more to grow in what we are willing to give of ourselves. This growing generosity was modeled for us by the Macedonian Christians Paul wrote about in 2 Corinthians 8. UNDERSTANDING Unpack the biblical text to discover what Scripture says or means about this topic. Sacrificial generosity was a practice of the church established at its very conception, and in these verses from 2 Corinthians, we read Paul s reminder to the Corinthian church that generosity is fundamental in their ministry to one another. Paul told the Corinthians about the generosity of the Macedonian churches who despite their own poverty had raised money for the poor Christians in Jerusalem. As these Christians had grown in their faith, they heard 17 Give the Mission First Norfolk
TEACHING PLAN WEEK 2 the voice of God telling them to give more and more of themselves. > Have a volunteer read 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 What do you learn about the Macedonians from their giving? What amazed Paul about their giving? What grace had God given to the Macedonian Christians? The giving discussed in 2 Corinthians 8 was a special offering, not the regular church offering, and it was collected to meet a special need. Paul had hoped the Christians in Macedonia would support the offering, but because of their own deprived circumstances, he evidently did not expect they would give very much. Their giving was spontaneous and voluntary, fueled by grace, not by pressure. In other words, they treated the tithe as a minimum and continued to grow in their willingness to give. What four principles about giving do you observe in this passage? (Out of devotion to Jesus, love for fellow believers, the joy of helping those in need, and the good and right thing to do.) Why is it significant that the Macedonians gave both according to and beyond their ability? The Macedonians knew what it was to be in need, because they had experienced poverty yet they gave most generously. Anyone can be generous. But for Christians, we have no choice the love of Christ compels us to take care of each other. 18 Give the Mission First Norfolk
TEACHING PLAN WEEK 2 In what ways does taking care of each other strengthen community? What do we communicate to people at First Norfolk or in our LIFEgroup when we sacrifice our time, money, or other resources to meet their needs? Why is it important for you to grow in your generosity? Why is it important for the church, as a collective body, to be increasingly generous? Generous giving is a ministry, and ministry requires faithful and generous giving. It was this ministry that the Macedonians shared. They saw their giving as a partnership with other believers to help with the needs of the saints, a preferred description of Paul s for followers of Christ. Does God care about the motives with which we give? Why or why not? "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ : Though He was rich, for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty How is the gospel a demonstration of God s generosity to us (v. 9)? you might become rich." -2 Corinthians 8:9 How might giving to those who can t repay us provide opportunities to share the gospel? Read 2 Corinthians 8:9 again. This verse reveals what motivates all believers to willingly sacrifice of themselves for the sake of others in the community Jesus sacrifice for us. When we give joyfully and willingly, we glorify God and point others to Christ. Jesus practiced and taught sacrificial giving. Gratitude for what Jesus has done for us motivates us to demonstrate responsible stewardship of our lives and our possessions. 19 Give the Mission First Norfolk
TEACHING PLAN WEEK 2 > Have a volunteer read Exodus 25:1-8. Who did God tell Moses to take an offering from? Why is it important to see that he was only to take from those whose heart prompted them to give? What does that teach us about the kind of giving God desires? God is not looking for stingy, half-hearted givers. Instead, He wants those who have a growing awareness of His grace and goodness, and are therefore constantly growing in their desire to give more of themselves. Why might it be important to see all the different ways God told His people they could give? What might be the implication for us? While tithing is primarily done financially, we can also be growing in the other offerings we bring to God. We can grow in our willingness to serve along with our willingness to give financially. Doing so demonstrates that we are truly encountering God in a growing way. Our growth in giving is evidence of our growth in relationship with Him. 20 Give the Mission First Norfolk
TEACHING PLAN WEEK 2 APPLICATION Help your LIFEgroup identify how the truths from the Scripture passage apply directly to their lives. People see God for who He is in and through their giving. They see that God is generous and caring. They see that God meets people s needs. To let others see God for who He is in our attitudes and actions is important. Paul concluded his exhortation to the Corinthian church with a doxology Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift (9:15). What is the indescribable gift to which Paul referred? That gift most likely is described in 8:9 our Lord Jesus Christ. Without the ultimate gift of God s grace, Jesus Christ, salvation would be impossible. Words are inadequate to describe that gift. How does God s ultimate gift to us compel us to give? What can you do to keep this truth in your thoughts this week? How do you know if your giving is truly generous? How has your relationship with God been impacted by using your finances to help the kingdom? How can our LIFEgroup hold each other accountable to being truly joyful and generous in our giving to the work of God? PRAY Pray that God would make us generous with the resources He has given us, not so that we would look good to others, but because we want to glorify God with our lives. Pray that our generosity would help strengthen our church. Pray that God would use our generous giving to demonstrate the gospel to those who don t know Christ. 21 Give the Mission First Norfolk
TEACHING PLAN WEEK 2 FOLLOW UP Midway through this week, send a follow-up email to your LIFEgroup with some or all of the following information: > Questions to consider as they continue to reflect on what they learned this week: What monetary or physical needs have you noticed in others this week? How do you plan to respond to them? When you give... You help give life ot the unborn through the Crisis Pregnancy Center of Tidewater. What do people in your LIFEgroup need that you can help provide? What does the church need now that you can help provide? Do you think that you are blessed? How can you show God your thankfulness for the way He has blessed you? > A note of encouragement, following up on any specific prayer requests mentioned during your LIFEgroup gathering. > The challenge to memorize 2 Corinthians 8:9. > The text for next week s study, so LIFEgroup members can read it in anticipation of next weekend: Luke 12:15-31. 22 Give the Mission First Norfolk
COMMENTARY WEEK 2 2 CORINTHIANS 8:1-15 8:1-5. When Paul wrote the Letter to the Romans, he indicated that the churches of Macedonia and Achaia had been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem and that he would take the contribution to Jerusalem (Rom. 15:25-27). Paul mentioned the offering also in Acts 24:17. Paul had assigned Titus the task of collecting the offering in Corinth. The problems in the church there had delayed the process. Paul, however, wanted Titus to complete the task (2 Cor. 8:6). Notes: Why were the Jerusalem Christians in such dire straits at this time? Perhaps the primary reason was that the unbelieving Jews persecuted Jewish Christians. These Christians must have been socially and economically ostracized. Their businesses in many cases were ruined. Moreover, when large numbers of Jewish pilgrims were converted at Pentecost, many of them apparently chose to remain in Jerusalem, thus worsening the economic crisis. Some interpreters believe the early Christian communal life was a failure, thus adding to the crisis (Acts 4:34-37). Luke, however, made no statement of disapproval regarding the community of goods. Instead, he recorded that abundant grace was upon them all (Acts 4:33). Why did Paul remind the Corinthian church of a monetary offering in view of the church s problems with which he earlier had dealt? Perhaps Paul felt that Christians who are right with God in stewardship matters also will be right with one another in other matters. You may recall that the Corinthian church already had begun to collect the offering a year earlier (8:10). The Greek word for grace occurs five times in 8:1-9 where it is variously translated grace (vv. 1,9), favor (v. 4), and gracious work (vv. 6,7). When used of God, the term refers to His unmerited favor. When used of Christians, the word may refer to our expressions of kindness to others in response to God s grace toward us. Paul used the churches of Macedonia (located at Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea) as a great model of generous and joyful giving. In contrast to the wealthier Corinthian church, the Macedonians experienced deep poverty (v. 2). They also suffered 23 Give the Mission First Norfolk
COMMENTARY WEEK 2 persecution. Yet the Macedonian Christians gave sacrificially, generously, and voluntarily. By the phrase beyond their ability (v. 3), Paul perhaps meant that the Macedonians gave sacrificially from their meager supplies. They even begged to give (v. 4)! Having gone beyond Paul s expectations, the Macedonians first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God (v. 5). The term first may refer to first in time or in importance. If it means first in time, the point is that giving oneself precedes other kinds of giving. If it means first in importance, the point is that their total giving of themselves to the Lord and to Paul was their most important act of giving. In application, the meanings are similar. They were willing to give themselves in service in any way needed. Notes: 8:6-9. Titus, a Gentile convert, apparently accompanied Paul to the Jerusalem Council with reference to requiring Gentile converts to be circumcised and to obey certain Jewish laws (Acts 15:2; Gal. 2:1) although others distinguish between the events recorded in Acts 15 and those in Galatians 2. Paul did not have Titus circumcised because circumcision had no part in salvation (Gal. 2:3). Titus was Paul s capable coworker in Corinth. Second Corinthians 8:6 indicates that Titus had begun the task of collecting the offering in Corinth, and Paul wanted him to complete it. In 8:16-23 Paul expressed thanks to God that Titus shared Paul s deep concern for the Corinthians (v. 16). In verse 23 Paul indicated his high regard for Titus as Paul s partner and fellow worker. Although giving has little significance to some who profess to be Christians, the expression gracious work (v. 7) shows that Paul considered giving an act of grace. Paul urged the Corinthians to grow in the grace of giving. Instead of exercising his authority as an apostle, Paul chose to soften his appeal by stating that he did not intend his words as a command (v. 8). He wanted the Corinthians to give voluntarily. He also wanted to prove, or test, the sincerity of (their) love. The Greek word translated love in this phrase is agape, a self-giving love that results from God s action toward us in Christ. Since love by nature is active, it demonstrates itself in helpful deeds (Jas. 2:14-17). In the expression earnestness of others, Paul referred to the Macedonians generous and inspiring example of giving. Paul 24 Give the Mission First Norfolk
COMMENTARY WEEK 2 focused on the great generosity of the Macedonians in spite of their poverty (2 Cor. 8:1) to inspire the Corinthians to give. Paul also appealed to the example of Christ to motivate the Corinthians (v. 9). Jesus is the supreme example of generous giving. Verse 9 may remind us of Philippians 2:5-11. Christ became poor in the sense of humbling Himself, taking the role of a servant, and experiencing suffering and death. He freely gave up the glory of heaven in order to make all who trust Him spiritually rich. Furthermore, Christ s emptying of Himself is to be understood in a personal way. He gave up everything for you and me. We may conclude that if Christ s supreme example of giving did not inspire the Corinthians to give, nothing else would. Notes: 8:10-11. In these verses Paul challenged the Corinthians to put their earlier good intentions into practice by completing what they had started. Paul suggested that the completion of their offering was to their advantage, or profitable for them. They had begun the project a year ago. Paul had suggested a plan of weekly offerings to reach their goal (1 Cor. 16:1-2). Presumably, their failure to complete the project either had stemmed from lack of concern or from preoccupation with other matters. Nevertheless, Paul urged the Corinthians to complete the project. He wanted them to act now (v. 11). What they needed to do was, not to renew their promise to give, but to actually give. The eager spirit they had demonstrated by their willingness to begin the task of collecting the offering needed at this point to be matched by action in completing the project. No matter how strong and good our intentions and desires may be, they are fruitless if we do not carry them through to completion of the action. Our failure to act on our intentions can harm our reputations. We need to put good intentions into practice. Although the Macedonians had given beyond their ability (v. 3), Paul challenged the Corinthians to give according to their ability (v. 11). Paul did not intend the collection to be a burden to the Corinthians. 25 Give the Mission First Norfolk
COMMENTARY WEEK 2 8:12. Verse 12 builds on verse 11. The word translated readiness also means willingness. Since the Corinthians previously had expressed a willingness to give, Paul currently was concerned with their present willingness, as well as with their performance. The motive was important. Moreover, the amount they gave was to be based on what the people possessed, not on what they did not have. Notes: 8:13-14. Paul did not expect the Corinthians to burden themselves so that others might live in ease at their expense. Paul did not want the Corinthians to cause themselves hardship by giving. In verses 13-14 Paul stressed equality. Paul viewed all believers as comprising one spiritual body of Christ, the church. When any part of the body of believers hurts, the other parts have a responsibility to help the ailing part (see 1 Cor. 12:12-27). In particular, the wealthier Corinthian church ought to help the suffering Judean Christians. God uses Christian giving to meet human needs. We have a special responsibility to assist those of the household of faith (Gal. 6:10). On the other hand, Paul did not teach that a wealthier Christian should support an idle church member (2 Thess. 3:10). All Christians are interdependent and our mutual sharing can benefit one another. Thus in 2 Corinthians 8:12-14 Paul presented the principles of proportionate and reciprocal giving. In 2 Corinthians 8:15 he strengthened his argument by referring to the equal distribution of manna in Exodus 16:18. EXODUS 25:1-8 25:1 2. The LORD said to Moses is a standard statement that will be repeated, with minor variations, at other points in this section of the book (e.g., 30:11, 17, 22, 24; 31:1). It is not a new statement but one that has been encountered many times already (starting with 4:21; see also 6:1, 10; 7:1, 8, 14, 19). Most people who formed the audience for Exodus, until modern times, were listeners rather than readers, and such an introduction reminded the listener that Moses dutifully repeated what he was told rather than composing anything on his own authority. The offering was invited from everyone but required only from those who were willing to give (from each man whose heart 26 Give the Mission First Norfolk
COMMENTARY WEEK 2 prompts him to give). Like many later provisions in the law that invite but do not require some sort of gift or service, this one sought contributions from those who willingly made them available for the tabernacle and the worship that would take place therein. In the new covenant this principle was reaffirmed by Paul in 2 Cor 9:7. Note that the offering is for me, that is, for God, and not merely for a thing, that is, the tabernacle. The tabernacle was symbolically God s house, intrinsically his property, and not merely a place he and the Israelites would conveniently use. 25:3 7. God gave Moses an overview of the construction/fabrication materials. The materials required for the tabernacle and worship therein will be described further as they appear in the subsequent instructions, that is, chaps. 25 30. They are grouped here according to type. First come the metals (v. 3), then the fabrics (v. 4), then the skins and the wood (v. 5), followed by the lamp oil, the fragrant anointing oil ingredients and the incense ingredients (v. 6), and finally by the gemstones to be used on the high priest s special breastpiece (v. 7). The metals would be needed for covering the wooden framework of the tabernacle structure and for covering the various altars, the table, and the ark. Some would be used purely, without forming overlays over wood, as in the case of the solid gold rings that held the ark poles (v. 12), the sold gold plates, dishes, bowls, and pitchers (v. 29), the solid gold lampstand (vv. 31ff.), and most notably the ark s atonement cover/mercy seat (vv. 17 22). The fabrics were for various sorts of tabernacle curtains (26:1) as well as for the priestly garments (28:2). The skins were for the tabernacle outer weather shields (26:14). The wood provided the framework of anything that needed to have strong spans from tabernacle rafters to table and altar surfaces and legs (e.g., the ark, 25:10; the table, 25:23; and the altar, 27:1). The oil fueled the oil lamps of the tabernacle lampstand (25:3; see esp. 27:20 21) and as well was the base and main ingredient of the anointing oil (to which fragrances were added) for use regularly by the priests (30:22). The incense was compounded into a formula especially for tabernacle use only (30:34) from the ingredients donated. The gemstones adorned part of the ephod (28:6) but were especially needed for the high priest s breastpiece (28:15) to represent the tribes of Israel as they were 27 Give the Mission First Norfolk
COMMENTARY WEEK 2 symbolically brought into the presence of the Lord regularly by the high priest, over his heart. 25:8. Just five words comprise the Hebrew of this verse, which could be translated, They will make me a holy place and I will locate among them ; or They must make me a holy place so that I can dwell among them ; or If they build me a holy place, I will locate in their midst or the like. This verse is the simplest and perhaps also the strongest statement in Exodus a book often described as specially reflecting the theme of the presence of God of God s concern to center Himself among His people and to have them organize themselves around Him. Almost surely a measure of contingency is present here: God would not dwell among His people unless they invited Him by properly preparing a house for Him to inhabit/dwell in/locate in. It was not that God required a building with a courtyard in order to dwell somewhere; it was that He desired that the people make a home for Him and then locate their houses/tents around His house/tent and join Him regularly at His courtyard for covenant meals, confirming their ongoing relationship and receiving the blessings inherent therein. 28 Give the Mission First Norfolk
FIRST NORFOLK LUKE 12:15-31 GIVING FOR GOD S PRIORITIES TEACHING PLAN PREPARATION > Pray for the upcoming group meeting, your teaching, your group members, and their receptivity to the lesson. > Spend the week reading through and studying Luke 12:15-31. Consult the commentary provided and any additional study tools (such as a concordance or Bible dictionary) to enhance your preparation. > Determine which discussion points and questions will work best with your group. HIGHLIGHTS BIBLICAL EMPHASIS: Jesus taught His followers kingdom principles that reject materialistic priorities and trust in God s provision. TEACHING AIM: The kingdom of God, not possessions, is to have priority in our lives. 29 Give the Mission First Norfolk
TEACHING PLAN WEEK 3 INTRODUCTION As your group time begins, use this section to help get the conversation going. 1. Name a modern-day royal. Why is his/her royal status so intriguing? How do his/her subjects follow his/her rule? 2. How is God s kingdom the same as this royal s? How is it different? 3. How are we the same as the subjects of royalty? How are we different? As God rules the lives of His people, He has the right to first place in their hearts. Unfortunately, some people refuse the rule of God and view money as security, success as significance, and substance as satisfaction. Desiring self s way, they will not sacrifice temporal desires for eternal, spiritual benefits. UNDERSTANDING Unpack the biblical text to discover what Scripture says or means about this topic. People give priority to whatever they think is most important. Often their priorities are unselfish and include a variety of good causes. Other people are so selfish that they give priority to what will best serve them, such as possessions or personal pleasure. The only true unselfish priority is doing as Jesus taught. God wants people to give priority to His kingdom. Beginning with a warning against being too concerned about temporal matters, Luke 12 centers on the basic issue of the kingdom of God commitment to the lordship of Jesus Christ. 30 Give the Mission First Norfolk