Knowing Jesus Series
Beginning Your New Life Series
Follow-Up 7: Beginning Your New Life of Stewardship
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When you received Jesus into your heart, you accepted Him as your Savior and Lord. He is now at the center of your life as your Lord (Revelations 3:20; Romans 10:9). This means that you have surrendered the control of your life allowing Him to direct your life. Surrendering to Jesus as Lord of your life is a continuing journey.
In this lesson, you will learn how you can grow in allowing Jesus to be Lord of your life.
Revelations 3:20
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
Romans 10:9
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
GOD'S OWNERSHIP OVERALL
Growth in allowing Jesus to be Lord of your life begins with understanding that God is our Maker and Savior.
God owns __________________.
(Psalm 24:1)Jesus Christ __________________ us.
(Colossians 1:16)Jesus Christ bought us with His __________________.
(1 Peter 1:18-19)God appointed Jesus to be our __________________.
(Ephesians 1:20-23)
Psalm 24:1
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it
Colossians 1:16
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
1 Peter 1:18-19
18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
Ephesians 1:20-23
20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
God is the maker and owner of all things. Thus, the whole of your life is God’s! Your time, influence, material possessions, abilities, everything, even your successes are His. He has graciously placed into your hands the administration of all these. You are simply God’s steward.
What is a steward?
Read Matthew 25:19-23.
What are the characteristics of a good steward?
Matthew 25:19-23
19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’
21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’
23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
RESPONSE TO GOD'S OWNERSHIP OVERALL
The following verses instruct us what our response should be to God’s ownership overall.
Romans 12:1
Offer our life as a __________________ to God.1 Corinthians 6:19
Remember that our life is not our __________________.1 Corinthians 4:2
We must be __________________ stewards.1 Corinthians 10:31
We __________________ God in all things.
Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
1 Corinthians 6:19
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own
1 Corinthians 4:2
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
1 Corinthians 10:31
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
As God’s stewards, we should give God our utmost in life – our time, talents, and treasure for His highest glory.
A wise man said, “Your life is God’s gift to you; what you do with your life is your gift to Him”.
STEWARDSHIP OF OUR TIME
God gave every person twenty-four hours each day.
Read Psalm 90:10 and 12.
What is the right attitude about time?
How can you use your time wisely (not waste it) as commanded in Ephesians 5:15-17? (e.g. manage time by using a weekly schedule)
Psalm 90:10, 12
10 Our days may come to seventy years,
or eighty, if our strength endures;
yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.
12 Teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Ephesians 5:15-17
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
STEWARDSHIP OF OUR TALENTS
God created every person with abilities and gifts. Furthermore, He gave specific spiritual gifts to every Christian.
Read Romans 12:3-8.
What are some of your abilities and gifts?
How have you been able to use these abilities and gifts to glorify God?
(e.g. teach in Sunday School, coordinate a fund drive)
Romans 12:3-8
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
STEWARDSHIP OF OUR TREASURE
Our material possessions including our finances belong to God. He is the source of all these blessings.
Read Malachi 3:8-10 at 2 Corinthians 8:2-5.
What do these passages teach about giving to the Lord?
How does this relate to God being the owner of everything?
What are ways you can give to the Lord and therefore be good stewards of your money and other possessions?
Malachi 3:8-10
8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.
“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’
“In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
2 Corinthians 8:2-5
2 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.
PRACTICAL TIPS TO BE GOOD STEWARDS
Time: Make and follow a weekly schedule to manage your time.
Talent: Volunteer for your church according to your abilities and gifts.
Treasure: Set aside a portion (e.g. 10%) of your income or allowance and give to the Lord’s work (local church or mission organization).
“All that we have, we enjoy because of God’s grace and goodness. He has put into our hands the administration of all that He owns. As your preeminent Master, He holds you accountable for how well you manage what He has entrusted to your care." – Bill Bright
For Further Enrichment
Transferable Concept #10, Experiencing the Adventure of Giving.
Accomplish a “Spiritual Gifts Inventory”. You may visit some websites such as:
Spiritual Gifts Survey
Online Spiritual Gifts Test Inventory Assessment
Answers
GOD’S OWNERSHIP OVERALL
everything
created
precious blood
Lord
RESPONSE TO GOD’S OWNERSHIP OVERALL
living sacrifice
own
good, faithful
glorify