The Ten Basic Steps: Lesson 2-Examples of Perfect Giving
Objective: To follow biblical examples of stewardship.
Read: Luke
23-24 , Colossians
1-2
Memorize: John
8:28
2. Stewardship of God the Son
3. Stewardship of God the Holy Spirit
4. Life Application
Giving began with God. His supernatural expression of giving was in the sacrifice of his only begotten Son that we might receive forgiveness for our sins, become children of God, and enjoy eternal life.
God continues to give of Himself today in love, forgiveness, peace, power, and purpose. By this He enables us to live full, meaningful lives.
Giving
was the lifestyle of our Lord Jesus. A concise description of his lifestyle
appears in the Book of Acts, which records, "He went around doing
good" (Acts 10:38). Jesus gave in feeding the multitudes. He gave
in healing the sick. He gave in teaching His disciples. He gave in empowering
His disciples for evangelism. He gave in compassion for the poor. He gave
in offering rest to the weary. He gave in dying on the cross for our sins.
He gave in sending His Holy Spirit.
Giving is also an attribute of the Holy Spirit. He strengthens and encourages us (Acts 9:31), renews us (Titus 3:5), reveals things to us (Luke 2:26), and helps us (John 14:6, NASB). He leads and guides us (Luke 4:1; Acts 13:2,4; John 16:13), brings the love of God to us (Romans 5:5), teaches us (Luke 12:12; John 14:26), and empowers us (Acts 1:8; 4:31).
Nowhere can we find more perfect models of stewardship than in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As you study this lesson, prayerfully consider how you can apply their examples to your life.
Stewardship of God the Father
Read John
3:16. What was God's greatest gift to mankind?
What else does
God give us? (Romans
2:4,7 & I John 5:11)
Read John
3:34, 10:10, and 14:16. What has the Father given us to enable us
to live abundantly?
List some characteristics of God's nature that make giving a priority with Him.
Stewardship of God the Son
List the acts of
Christ that indicate perfection in His stewardship. (Philippians
2:5-8)
What was Christ's
supreme purpose in life? John
6:38 & Hebrews 10:7
Read John
12:23-33. As part of God's will for Jesus, what was involved? In
verse 24, Jesus used the example of a grain of wheat that is planted
in the Earth. In what sense does a grain of wheat have to "die"
to bring forth fruit? How does this apply to us? (Compare verse 25.)
If as a Christian,
you are unwilling to make any sacrifice to reach
others for Christ, to suffer any hardship, to face any self-denial,
to suffer any persecution, but instead want everything to be comfortable,
easy, and effortless, how will this affect your fruit-bearing?
List some characteristics of Christ's nature that make giving a priority to Him.
Stewardship of God the Holy Spirit
What are some duties
the Holy Spirit performs as God's steward, as revealed in the following
verses? John
16:7-11. In what way does this convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit
help us in evangelism?
John 16:13. Note: In a general way, the Holy Spirit guides the believer into spiritual truth. In a specific way, He guided the Apostles and early Christians in proclaiming the truth of the Gospel and in writing the New Testament Scriptures.
Also Romans
5:5, 8:14, 16, 26.
When the Holy Spirit
controls a person, who is glorified? John
16:14
List characteristics of the Holy Spirit's nature that make giving a priority with Him.
Life Application
How does the giving
nature of God the Father inspire you to give?
How can you best
apply to your life the example that Jesus set? Be specific.
What does the Holy
Spirit want to do in your life at this time?
List ways you can cooperate as suggested in Acts 4:31, Ephesians 5:18-20 & Romans 12:1-2.
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