STEWARDSHIP (PART 3)

PLEDGING

Watch Explainer Video.

Share the following link with the group: www.citylightchurch.com.au/pledge


READ MATTHEW 28:16-20

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

DISCUSS

1. In your own words - How does Jesus sum up the purpose he has for his disciples?
2. What comfort is there in this passage for those feeling that what he is calling them too is going to be hard, risky or costly?
3. Jesus presence with his people, is in this passage tied to them fulfilling their commission. How could taking risks/ feeling the costs of obeying Jesus actually lead to a greater experience of his presence?

Read the following quote:

J. Campbell White
Nothing can wholly satisfy the life of Christ within His followers except the adoption of Christ’s purpose toward the world He came to redeem. Fame, pleasure, and riches are but husks and ashes in contrast with the boundless and abiding joy of working with God for the fulfilment of His eternal plans.

4. Have you experienced finding ‘satisfaction’ and ‘abiding joy’ as you have ‘worked with God for the fulfillment of his eternal plans’? Give an example of this if so.

5. If joy and satisfaction are linked to living out our true purpose of making disciples, why do we so often prioritise other things?

6. How would truly believing that working alongside God to advance the gospel is the road to Joy affect how we use our money?

APPLY

READ JAMES 1:22-25

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

1. What are some practical steps you will take to steward your finances in a Generous manner, and not go away unchanged from this series? Use the below list for inspiration.

- Setting up direct debit to church/ charities/ missionaries
- Auditing subscriptions and unnecessary expenses and directing money to a purpose that serves the kingdom. - Having regular check in’s with a spouse or friend to assess whether money is being used wisely.
- Creating a sub-account on your internet banking called ‘Give away’ that you transfer money into after receiving your pay.
- Downgrading a recurring or major expense to a cheaper version and giving away the difference.

PRAY: That that we would be people who use our finances to advance the Gospel.