Going a Step Farther

A Devotional Series on Stewardship

Lesson 3

God’s World,

Our Wealth

Sunday, November 26

“Stewardship Dos and Don’ts”

Paul gives some very specific guidelines in the use of our wealth.  To be good stewards of all our wealth, our hearts and lives must seek first the Kingdom of God.

• What insights into Paul’s guidelines did you gain from Sunday evening’s service?

·        What changes would you like to make in your life as a result of your reflections on Paul’s instructions?

Day 1 – Genesis 1:26-31 and Genesis 2:15-24

First step…

• How would you describe what it means to be “made in the image of God”?
• What is God’s blessing on his human creation?
• What are people to do in the Garden of Eden?  How does this relate to being made in the image of God?
• How does Adam’s naming of the animals relate to being made in God’s image?
• Why does God create two people?
• How does the knowledge that people are made in God’s image make a difference in your life?

Stepping out…

1.      Visit one of the local zoos with your family.  Learn about ways in which people can be good caretakers of today’s animal life.

2.        Analyze the resources that your home and/or workplace are using.  Include financial, energy, time, product and space issues in your audit.  Evaluate the results based on good stewardship practices.

Prayer: 

When you reflect on ways in which you have used your resources, pray for the Spirit’s power to move you to Godly stewardship.

Song: 

Choose one of the songs below as your devotional theme song for the week.  Include it as your closing.

• “Give Thanks” (#216, Sing! Hymnal)
• “Creation Sings!” (#36, Sing! Hymnal)
• “All Things Bright and Beautiful” (#428, Psalter Hymnal)
• “Sing to the Lord of Harvest” (#458, Psalter Hymnal)

Day 2 – Genesis 11:1-9

First step…

• How would you characterize the world at this time?
• What two things do the people decide to do? How would you evaluate these two decisions?
• What makes it possible for the people to build a city?  Why can’t they finish the project? 
• What are the ways that the people in this story show their disobedience to God?
• Why does God want the people scattered?  Why is this good for people?
• How does this story about the use of cultural development for human fame make a difference in your life?

Stepping out…

1.      Find a children’s story Bible or picture book illustrating this story and share it with your family.

2.      Reflect on a specific cultural development that impacts your life today (such as media, medicine, cars, vacation homes).  Explore the positive ways in which this can be used for Kingdom good.  Also think about how it can be exploited for human “fame.”

Prayer: 

Pray for healing in a part of your life where you struggle in preferring your own fame to that of the Lord.

Day 3 – Luke 19:11-27

First step…

• What is the situation of the noble man in the parable?
• How do the subjects view his ambitions?
• What kind of responsibilities does the man give his servants?  How do the servants respond to their master’s trust?
• In what ways are the servants rewarded?  What happens to the subjects?
• What is the point of the parable?
• How does this parable about responsible use of the Lord’s gifts make a difference in your life?

Stepping out…

1.      If you’ve not yet started the family “Thank You” giving project, give this week’s version a new slant.  As parents double each child’s contribution and place the results in the evening offering.

2.      Create a drama of this story by assigning various speaking roles to different family members.  Depending on time and talent perform the result as either a reader’s group or an acting project.

Prayer: 

As you reflect on your responsibility to be a good steward, ask for the Spirit-filled ability to see your failings and the power to change your lifestyle.

Day 4 – John 3:1-21

First step…

• How would you describe Nicodemus?  According to this passage, who is Jesus?
• Why must one be born again?
• How much does God love his world?  How does he save it?
• How do people fit in to God’s cosmic salvation plan?
• What does Jesus mean by “light” and “truth”?  What are the results of living by the “truth”?
• How does God’s love for his world make a difference in your life?

Stepping out…

1.      Turn this story into an art project on the various ideas expressed in verses 16-21.  Such projects might include creating a banner, assembling a “quilt” of individual projects, or working on a paper scroll or mural.  Have each artist describe the thinking behind the visual results.

2.      Do an activity to illustrate the difference between light and dark.  After turning off all lights, have each person draw the scene that you verbally describe.  Repeat with the lights on.  Find out when your participants recognize what they are drawing.   Which effort is the best representation of what you described?

Prayer: 

After reflecting on Jesus description of God’s salvation, pray for specific attitudes of heart and lifestyles that can be examined by the “light.”