S T U DY G U I D E TO DV D S E R I E S
Christ Church OF OAK BROOK
2
Stewardship is managing the time, talent, and treasures entrusted to you by God. It’s about giving back to God the first fruits in a spirit of gratitude and joy. In this special DVD series provided by Christ Church of Oak Brook, you will find four short videos on stewardship. Each video is its own story and reflection on what it means to give back to God what is his. This study guide is a companion to the video series. We encourage you to watch the videos, use the study guide to enhance your learning experience, and even share this DVD and study guide with your small group or others who would like to learn more about Christian stewardship.
Christ Church of Oak Brook Š2010
3
Table of Contents The Benefits and Blessings of Trusting God with our Tithe ............4 with Joe Morgan
Trusting God with our Resources in the Midst of Life’s Traumas ..........8 with David and Amy Phipps
Finding God’s Peace in the Perfect Storm .......................12 with Russ and Karen Jones
Legacy Giving ..................................14 Investments that last past our lifetime
This Study Guide is available in a larger, print-ready format at: http://my.cc-ob.org/stewardship Please print these larger pages to use as a workbook as you work though the questions and exercises.
4
The Benefits and Blessings of Trusting God with our Tithe Video Storyline: Joe Morgan came to the point of realizing that he professed to trust God with his life, but had not trusted God with his most tangible asset-his material resources. Even though he had been a “follower of Christ” for over 20 years, he had continuously made excuses as to why he couldn’t consistently give a specific, perhaps even meaningful, percentage of his income to the church, ultimately a tithe. It was always sometime in the future that he would address this issue when his financial obligation would be less stringent. One day, as he was listening to the radio, God convicted that these excuses were no longer appropriate and now was the time he must trust the Lord by moving toward a tithe of his resources. By putting his financial house in order he has seen a realignment of his relationship with the Lord, his wife, his children and other significant relationships as side benefits to his convictions.
Watch the Video The Benefits and Blessings of Trusting God with Our Tithe with Joe and Sue Morgan 1. Joe was a professed follower of Christ for over 20 years, yet confessed that he had trusted Christ on some level, but had not fully been “converted” in the pocketbook. Where can you identify with Joe’s journey regarding your own finances?
5
2. The radio preacher spoke directly to Joe’s heart saying, “God doesn’t want to know what you are going to do with your money when your kids are out of college, when you grow your mortgage, or when you get your car paid off, but what you are going to do with that $20 in your pocket right now?” A. Joe recognized these reasons for not fully giving as the very excuses he had been using. Do you have excuses that you have made as to why you are not able to tithe? What might they be? B. Joe knew in that moment things had to change. The Lord pierced his heart with the truth and “now” was the time for action. What was the action he took and what did it take to make this step in a new direction? How was this action consistent with II Corinthians 9:7? 3. What do you sense were benefits to Joe and Sue Morgan’s life as a result of this reordering of their finances around meaningful giving and tithing? How does the advice of Paul in II Corinthians 9:6-7 relate to Joe’s and Sue’s experience?
6
The Biblical Concept of the Tithe Though giving a tithe to the Lord is largely an Old Testament practice, mentioned only sparingly by Jesus in the NewTestament (Matthew 23:23-24), it is still the foundational starting point to guide our obedience in giving. The tithe has never been set aside and, in fact, Jesus supports its continued practice, as long as the more important matters of justice, mercy and faithfulness take precedence. Therefore, this Bible study will introduce us to the meaning and importance of the tithe in three key Old Testament passages. Read Leviticus 27:30-33: To what does the tithe apply and to whom does it belong? 1. What is the process for the selection of the animals to be tithed? Why do you suppose the Lord chose such a “mechanical” approach? 2. How might we fall into the practice of not giving our best to the Lord? Read Deuteronomy 14:22-29: What are the various uses for the tithe identified in these instructions of Moses? 1. Who are the Levites and why are they singled out for special provision? 2. Why might the “aliens, fatherless and widows” be selected as beneficiaries of the tithe?
7
Read Malachi 3:7-12: The Lord through Malachi calls upon the people to return to Him. In what way does the Lord require the people to “return?” 1. The Lord asked to be “tested.” What does the Lord promise for those who tithe? 2. Find yourself in this text. Place a check in the box(es) that applies and explain. J Robbed God: must honestly admit that I have withheld my giving J Ready to trust God: I am ready to tithe and in faith, watch God provide J Am trusting God: living on the stretch in trust and have watched God come through 3. Stewardship can be defined as “using the gifts, time, talents, and resources entrusted to us by God in our lifetimes in ways that will be pleasing to Him and a blessing to others.” In light of Malachi 3:8 and Deuteronomy 14:28-29, how would this definition of stewardship impact the way you think and live?
8
Trusting God With Our Resources in the Midst of Life’s Traumas Video Storyline: It is a common human experience that it often takes a “qualityof-life threatening” challenge for God to become central in our lives. This was certainly true for David and Amy Phipps. When their three-and-a-half-year-old Kendall was diagnosed with cancer, their world was turned upside down. If the physical illness of their beloved daughter was not enough to bear, then came the avalanche of expenses, even as Amy needed to reduce her work hours to take care of the home front. As this experience drew them further into the faith community, they realized that they had not been consulting God on their life choices, and in particular, their finances. Even as they were starting to put God first with their time and talent, their treasure lagged behind until they took the Crown Ministry course. It was here in a non-judgmental environment that they realized how much the Bible spoke about money, and the need to place tithing as a first priority. God called them to give their first fruits, even when it was not obvious how they could afford to with all their financial obligations.
Play the Video Trusting God With Our Resources in the Midst of Life’s Traumas with David and Amy Phipps 1. It took the diagnosis of cancer for David and Amy’s daughter Kendall to get their attention. They needed to put God at the center of their decision making. Have you ever had a similar experience, when you knew that your priorities needed to be reordered because of something
9
bigger than you could handle on your own? What was it? How did that experience change you? 2. Neither David nor Amy had modeled for them the practice of putting God first, and in particular, with their finances. What would you say were the influences that have shaped your understanding of the way you use the material resources that are under your care? 3. David and Amy learned to trust God with their finances in the midst of very trying financial obligations. They began to tithe before their financial house was in order as a way to put their financial house in order. Do you think God “expects” us to trust him with a tithe when the bills seem to be overwhelming? Yes or No. Why or why not? What change inside of you would it take for you to give the Lord His “first fruits” each month? 4. David and Amy committed themselves to learn about the biblical principles of stewardship through the educational and relational resources of Crown Ministries. What were the lessons they learned and practiced as a result of participating in this study? 5. Good stewardship requires a solid understanding of the Bible’s view of money and the practice of the disciplines that flow out of it. What benefit could you see from joining a study such as that offered by Crown Ministries?
Giving in the Face of Hardship In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he wrote to them in order to urge their follow-through on a relief offering for the saints in Jerusalem. One of the ways he motivates them is to hold up an example of sacrifice and generosity
10
of the neighboring churches of Macedonia. The Macedonian situation has some parallels to the circumstances that David and Amy Phipps found themselves in. Read of the phenomenal response of the Macedonians in the face of hardship. Read II Corinthians 8:1-7 1. What were the economic circumstances of the Macedonian churches? 2. Paul seems sincerely surprised by the Macedonians response to the offering for the saints in Jerusalem. What was it that surprised Paul about the Macedonian churches? 3. Put in your own words this amazing statement of Paul about the Macedonians: “They urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.” (II Corinthians 8:4) 4. What was the secret to the Macedonians’ generosity in the face of their own hardship according to II Corinthians 8:5? How does this compare to King Solomon’s advice in Proverbs 3:9? 5. Paul did not require the Macedonians to give out of their poverty. This came as a spontaneous voluntary response. Yet how did Paul hope the Corinthians would be provoked by their example?
11
6. What evidence is in the text that the Macedonians adopted the following priorities: (1) “Pay God” (first fruits): (2) ”Pay ourselves” (save): (3) and “Pay our bills?”
Giving Out of Our Poverty C. S. Lewis has written, “I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditures on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc. is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things that we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditures exclude them.” (Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis) In this light, read about Jesus’ commendation of the poor widow. Read Mark 12:41-44 1. How does Jesus turn the value system of our world upside down in His commendation of the widow in contrast to the wealthy who give out of their surplus? 2. What does Jesus’ commendation of the widow tell us about what it is that pleases God? 3. What prompted the widow’s gift? What does this tell us about proper motivation for giving?
12
Finding God’s Peace in the Perfect Storm Video Storyline: At times our life circumstances conspire to create a perfect storm. For Russ and Karen Jones, in a very short period of time financial set-backs, family turmoil, business downturns, and IRS obligations all came together in an overwhelming fashion. For the Jones, the earth shook and they momentarily lost their balance. It appeared as if God had abandoned them. For a short time panic set in, thinking that they might have to sell their house just to survive.Yet as consistent followers of Christ, they quickly saw their ship righted as they reaffirmed God’s faithfulness and searched the Scriptures together reminding themselves that the Lord was their immovable foundation.
Watch the Video Finding God’s Peace in the Perfect Storm with Russ and Karen Jones Read James 1:1-8, 12. Why were these passages of special comfort to the Jones?
Facing the Anxiety of our Material Need Faith and worry are opposite sides of the coin. Yet Russ and Karen Jones seemed to have discovered how to move from fear to faith. In order to exercise faith or trust, we often have to address the anxiety and worry over whether we will have enough if we truly commit ourselves to tithing and sacrificial giving. Jesus understood clearly the human condition so he addressed it squarely.
13
Read Matthew 6:25-34 1. Follow Jesus’ line of thought in v. 25-32. Upon what does Jesus base his assertion to “not worry about your life…” (v. 25)? Does Jesus’ argument here address the anxiety or worry you might have about having enough? 2. What is the promise that is contained in Matthew 6:33? 3. Matthew 6:34 is such a realistic statement about life. What is Jesus’ very practical advice about how we should handle life’s potential worries? In Matthew 6:11 and Luke 11:3, what is Jesus’ time parameter for this specific prayer request? 4. Mark Twain seemed to comprehend what Jesus was saying here, when he wrote, “I have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.” How is Twain’s observation a good commentary on what Jesus is saying? 5. What is the relationship between faith and fear? How can we conquer fear through faith? 6. What step do you need to have happen to place your trust in the Lord as a result of Jesus’ teaching? 7. In the context of Christian stewardship, how would you define the concept of “faith promise?”
14
Legacy Giving Video Storyline: All of us are beneficiaries of someone else’s farsighted vision. We walk into buildings such as hospitals and universities that exist because there were people who wanted to use their resources for an enduring impact. As important as these institutions are, there is no greater contribution that we can make than to give to the church of Jesus Christ. The church is not just another human organization, as important as these are. The church is the creation of Christ Himself. When Jesus ascended to His Father, He sent His Spirit to dwell in a people called the body of Christ. The church is His chosen instrument to make known the good news and nurture people in the context of community in the most important relationship of all—a relationship with God. When we make provision for the church through a legacy gift for a specific purpose or a gift to one of Christ Church’s endowment funds, we are investing in something truly worthwhile.
Play the Video Legacy Giving 1. The challenge of this video is to give in a way that will have a lasting impact long beyond our short life here on earth.The video highlighted a number of ways that gifts have extended the ministry of Christ Church: J Children’s Discovery Center J Media Broadcast: Love Changes Life J Camp Benevolence Fund J Christ Church Scholarship Fund for the education of future Christian Leaders
15
A. Did you find yourself being tugged by one of the items on this list? If so, which one and why? B. Is there something else that comes to mind where you would see that the resources God has entrusted to you could make a lasting impact? 2. What does the thought of leaving a legacy beyond your tenure here on earth evoke in you? Do you find this motivating you to see how your resources might provide the maximum benefit to not only your family, or a favored institution, but also the church? Explain.
The Importance of the Church in God’s Plan Followers of Christ want to see God’s kingdom expand throughout the world. Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come,Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Where might we see the presence of the Kingdom on earth? Though the Kingdom is not to be fully equated with the church, the church is a critical visible outpost of God’s living presence. In our study we are reminded that the church is the only supernatural organism to whom Jesus has given his life. Read Ephesians 1:15-23 1. The Apostle Paul prays for the church in v. 17-19. What are the requests in each of these three verses: a. v. 17: b. v. 18: c. v. 19:
16
2. What position of authority does Christ hold following his resurrection from the dead? (v. 20-21) 3. How does Jesus exercise this authority? What is Jesus relationship with the church? (v. 22-23) 4. Put in your own words the role that the church of Jesus Christ has in God’s plan.
Leaving a Legacy Leaving a legacy is having the faith to see beyond your own life. Hebrews 11 has been called the “Hall of Fame of the Faithful.” One of the themes that unites all the different characters in the chapter is that they received a call from God that outlived their ability to see it fully complete. But by faith they could see that God would bring to fruition what he started. Hebrews 11:1, 8-16, 39-40 1. Hebrews 11:1 gives us a definition of faith. How does faith allow us to see beyond the present moment? 2. Hebrews 11:8-16: As you look at God’s promises to both Abraham and Sarah, what was fulfilled in their lifetime? 3. At the same time, Hebrews says that they “were still living in faith when they died” (Hebrews 11:13). They saw something by faith that would only be fulfilled long after their lives ended. What was that? What does this say about their identity here on earth? (see Heb. 11:13)
17
4. Hebrews 11 concludes with this great summary: “Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours. (Hebrews 11:39-40) 5. How can our legacy gift provide the kind of partnership that is envisioned in these connections across the generation?
Leaving a Legacy That Keeps on Giving Legacy is defined as “anything received from or passed on by an ancestor.� Legacy giving is meant to outlast our lifetime because it is handed down from generation to generation. 1. Is legacy giving part of your stewardship planning? 2. Did you know you are able to make your legacy gifts to Christ Church of Oak Brook through contributions to one or more of the endowment funds that are maintained by the church?
An endowment for an institution, such as a church, is a fund whose assets earn dividend and interest income and capital gains that can be used to bless the ministries of the church year after year, and even far into the future. 1. Do you know of any organizations that use endowment funds? 2. Are you part of an organization that helps underwrite its mission with endowment funds?
18
3. Is the idea of leaving a legacy through contributions to an endowment fund of interest to you and your family?
Bequeathing your legacy to a Christ Church endowment fund will, over time, provide more blessings to the ministries of the church than the actual dollar amount of your contributions. If maximizing your stewardship to the church in this manner interests you, representatives of Christ Church would welcome the opportunity to work with you, and if necessary, also with your attorney and other financial advisors to make such a legacy gift to the church.
Please share this special video series and study guide with others.
Additional Resources: Individual videos available online at www.cc-ob.tv under the Special Media section. Visit my.cc-ob.org/stewardship for more information on stewardship, as well as the full-sized version of this Study Guide to use as a workbook. Contribute Your Gifts and The Legacy Fund brochures available in the Narthex of Christ Church of Oak Brook.
Contact: Rev. David L. Melvin Executive Director of Ministry Services dmelvin@cc-ob.org 630.321.6785
Christ Church of Oak Brook 630.654.1882 www.cc-ob.org THIRTY-FIRST & YORK ROAD • OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS 60523
12.10