GROWING AS DISCIPLES AND STEWARD
Living In and Living Out God's Grace
This is the second year of our Stewardship Program developed by Pastor Kurt Nordby.
Last year we focused on the faith/discipleship practices of - PRAY, STUDY, and WORSHIP.
This year we will focus on - INVITE, SERVE, and GIVE.
We will have a special Stewardship Sunday each third weekend -
September 19-20 (INVITE) / October 17-18 (SERVE) / November 14-15 (GIVE).
Below is a description of each faith/discipleship practice, a Faith Talk presentation, and a Bible Study.
STEWARDSHIP 4 - INVITE -
September 19-20, 2020
The faith/discipleship practice of invitation is a vital part of a growing disciple and steward's faith journey. All along the way, we encounter people for whom invitation and hospitality would be welcomed with an open heart. For the disciple, invitation is a response of excitement and joy to God's grace in Christ and a desire to share this good news with others. It is a vital way the disciple lives out God's grace in relationships.
STEWARDSHIP FAITH TALK - INVITE
with Merianne Morris, Kate, Kylie, and Karsyn
STEWARDSHIP BIBLE STUDY - INVITE
with Doug and Pauline Murray
"INVITE" BIBLE STUDY
September 19-20, 2020
Read 2 Corinthians 5:20-21.
So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
– 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 (NRSV)
Questions to consider –
In this text Paul tells the Corinthians and us that we are ambassadors for Christ.
What do you think Paul means here?
How do you think this pertains to the discipleship practice of invitation and hospitality?
In your journey of faith, how are you an ambassador for Christ?
What do you think this means for your discipleship?
Now read John 1:45-53
Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth." Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, "Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!" Nathanael asked him, "Where did you get to know me?" Jesus answered, "I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you." Nathanael replied, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered, "Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these." And he said to him, "Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man." – John 1:45-53 (NRSV)
Questions to consider –
John’s Gospel tells the story of Jesus calling his first disciples Specific to the story are two instances where John uses the phrase, “Come and see.”
Why is this phrase important in a conversation about invitation and hospitality?
How do you think the invitation impacted the life of Nathanael?
(Read also John 21:1-8)
How do you think the faith/discipleship practice of invitation and hospitality relates to growing as disciples?
STEWARDSHIP 5 -SERVE -
October 17-18, 2020
In serving, the disciple makes a profound difference in a world of need. Every act of serving no matter how large or small, brings a measure of God's love into a life. To serve means to live in and live out God's grace in Christ is to serve in grace.
STEWARDSHIP BIBLE STUDY - SERVE
with Gene and Ed Davis
"SERVE" BIBLE STUDY
October 17-18, 2020
Read 1 Peter 4:8-11
Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 4:8-11(NRSV)
Questions to consider –
How would you define what it means to “serve”?
1 Peter sets out some basic principles of serving. What do you think are dome defining characteristics of our serving the needs of others?
Now read John 13:31-35
When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.' I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." – John 13:31-35 (NRSV)
Questions to consider –
In John’s gospel Jesus says, I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.” He explains the why of this commandment by saying, “Just as I have loved you, you should love one another.” How do you think of God’s love and grace informs our serving?
How do you understand serving God through our words, thoughts, attitudes, and relationships toward others?
In what way would a heart of serving help on grow as a disciple and steward?
In what ways have you engaged in the faith/discipleship practice “serve” this past week?
STEWARDSHIP 6 - GIVE -
November 14-15, 2020
The faith/discipleship practice, "give" is a matter of the heart. The practice of giving is our response to God's rich and abundant grace in Jesus Christ. It is the giving of ourselves in delight and duty. The joy of giving is experiencing the delight of God's generosity and is the desire to share gifts that the ministries of our congregation and that of the wider Church can be strong and bold in the proclamation of God's grace in Christ and the caring for our neighbor.
"GIVE" BIBLE STUDY
November 14-15, 2020
Read 2 Corinthians 9:7-9
Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work. As it is written, "He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." – 2 Corinthians 9:7-9 (NRSV)
Questions to consider –
How would you define giving? What characteristics do you apply to the faith/discipleship practice of giving?
How do you describe the joy of giving and the act of “cheerful giving”?
Now read Luke 10:25-37
Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?" He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."
But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and aw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
– Luke 10:25-37 (NRSV)
Questions to consider –
How do you describe the duty of giving?
What, in your opinion are the characteristics of the duty of giving?
What is your “why” in giving?
In what ways does a heart of giving and generosity help one grow as a disciple and steward?
In what ways have you experienced giving this week, either in yourself or that of another?