Heart Connex Parents Page - December 14-17, 2011 - Giving ...
Truth Flowing from One Generation to the Next—Through Strong Heart Connections
PA R ENTS PAGE December 14-17, 2011 Giving Money to God—Richard Ross, Ph.D. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a teenager goes first): When it’s your turn, say: If I had a million dollars, three things I would do to help those in poverty would be . . . Doing these things would be important to me because . . . 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read Genesis 14:14-20. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of these passages. Truth • God expects all believers to give a generous portion of what they earn back to Him. Untruths • Pay yourself first. Pay your bills next. Anything given to God can come from what’s left. • My religion and my wallet have nothing to do with each other. • Churches just want more of my money, so they talk a lot about giving. 3. Explore Scripture: Reread the verses and say: Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been taken prisoner, so he took more than 300 servants and rescued him and his possessions. Kings came out to meet Abram out of respect for his accomplishments, and a priest praised God for His favor on Abram. The priest also honored Abram for his faithfulness to God. Point out that Abram was aware of God’s favor, so he displayed his faithfulness, gratitude, and love by giving God a tenth of all the possessions he had acquired. Tell your family that believers are called to give to God with that same sense of gratitude and with an understanding that He provides all we have received. 4. Think It Through: A teenager will lead this step. 5. Nail It Down: Ask: Does giving God a part of all you receive sound like too much? Discuss responses. Encourage family members to keep in mind that God is the provider of all we have. Say: Actually, it all belongs to Him. He just lets us use His gifts and gives us the opportunity to return a portion to Him. Emphasize that giving to God blesses us more than it blesses Him. Say: God doesn’t need our money as much as we need to honor Him with it. He will help us to live off what we keep. We bless God and ourselves when we give offerings to Him. 6. Pray: A teenager will lead this prayer. 7. Blessing: Say: May God bless you every time you give an offering to Him. Parent Tip: Giving to God is a biblical command, but it’s also something teens learn by observing their parents. Evaluate the kinds of messages you are sending your teen about handling money. Commit to being a faithful giver and a wise steward of the portion you keep.
Copyright © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
PA R ENTS PAGE December 14-17, 2011 Giving Money to God—Richard Ross, Ph.D. 1. Heart Surprise (Today a teenager goes first): When it’s your turn, say: If I had a million dollars, three things I would do to help those in poverty would be . . . Doing these things would be important to me because . . . 2. Read Scripture: Invite a family member to pray. Ask family members to read Genesis 14:14-20. Discuss the Truth and Untruths in light of these passages. Truth • God expects all believers to give a generous portion of what they earn back to Him. Untruths • Pay yourself first. Pay your bills next. Anything given to God can come from what’s left. • My religion and my wallet have nothing to do with each other. • Churches just want more of my money, so they talk a lot about giving. 3. Explore Scripture: Reread the verses and say: Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been taken prisoner, so he took more than 300 servants and rescued him and his possessions. Kings came out to meet Abram out of respect for his accomplishments, and a priest praised God for His favor on Abram. The priest also honored Abram for his faithfulness to God. Point out that Abram was aware of God’s favor, so he displayed his faithfulness, gratitude, and love by giving God a tenth of all the possessions he had acquired. Tell your family that believers are called to give to God with that same sense of gratitude and with an understanding that He provides all we have received. 4. Think It Through: A teenager will lead this step. 5. Nail It Down: Ask: Does giving God a part of all you receive sound like too much? Discuss responses. Encourage family members to keep in mind that God is the provider of all we have. Say: Actually, it all belongs to Him. He just lets us use His gifts and gives us the opportunity to return a portion to Him. Emphasize that giving to God blesses us more than it blesses Him. Say: God doesn’t need our money as much as we need to honor Him with it. He will help us to live off what we keep. We bless God and ourselves when we give offerings to Him. 6. Pray: A teenager will lead this prayer. 7. Blessing: Say: May God bless you every time you give an offering to Him. Parent Tip: Giving to God is a biblical command, but it’s also something teens learn by observing their parents. Evaluate the kinds of messages you are sending your teen about handling money. Commit to being a faithful giver and a wise steward of the portion you keep.
Copyright © 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention
