{"id":441,"date":"2016-06-07T23:45:42","date_gmt":"2016-06-07T22:45:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pbthomas.com\/blog\/?p=441"},"modified":"2016-06-07T23:45:42","modified_gmt":"2016-06-07T22:45:42","slug":"whose-money-is-it-anyway-leaders-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/pbthomas.com\/blog\/?p=441","title":{"rendered":"Whose money is it anyway? Leader’s Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

AIM: To consider our attitudes to and use of money and possessions.<\/p>\n

OBJECTIVES: By the end of this unit participants will have
\n\treflected on their own use of money and possessions;
\n\tdiscussed the question of Christian giving from a Biblical perspective.<\/p>\n

SESSION OUTLINE:
\n\tIntroduction\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t5 min
\n\tHow we spend our money – discussion of analysis (page 6)\t\t\t15 – 20 min
\n\tChristian Giving (page 7)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t5 – 10 min
\n\tRecap “The Christian Mind” from page 4\t\t\t\t\t5 min
\n\tBible Basis (passages below)\t\t\t\t\t\t\t5 min
\n\tOur use of Possessions (page 7)\t\t\t\t\t\t10 – 20 min
\n\tConclusion and intro unit 5 (Hand out page 8 this week!)\t\t\t5 min<\/p>\n

KEY ISSUES:
\nWe are responsible to God for the way in which we use money and possessions. Richard Foster in “Money Sex and Power” warns that wealth and money is not neutral, but can be an idol and indeed can be manipulated by the evil powers. Jesus repeatedly warned of the dangers of wealth, the false god Mammon. We can so easily be trapped by the materialism which grips society around us. God’s antidote to greed is joyful and generous giving.<\/p>\n

CONTROVERSIAL AREAS AND PITFALLS:
\nWe need to be very sensitive to the differing circumstances of members of the group. One person’s luxury may be another person’s necessity.<\/p>\n

POSSIBLE ANSWERS TO SUGGESTED QUESTIONS:
\nSee Key Issues above, and Foster’s book. A few practical ideas worth exploring might be:
\n*\tSuggest that Christians with substantial savings may feel able to offer interest free loans or even gifts to other members in need.
\n*\tRemember we can give in kind by sharing and lending our goods, or giving or selling items cheaply to other Christians rather than seeking “the best price” (even houses and cars!).
\n*\tShowing hospitality is both commanded and neglected.
\n*\tIt might be hoped that “two-car families” could be especially generous in making one available to “no-car families” for holidays, outings, etc.<\/p>\n

EXTRA QUESTIONS: Ask the participants for the advice they would give the minister as to how he should dispense the church Communion fund. (Then ask them to suggest ways THEY could meet those needs themselves).<\/p>\n

BIBLE PASSAGES:
\nDeut 14:22-29; 2 Cor 8; 9:6-8; James 2:1-17; Matt 6:19-24; Luke 18:18-27.<\/p>\n

READING FOR PARTICIPANTS AND LEADERS:
\n\tMoney Sex and Power, by Richard Foster<\/p>\n

WORK TO DO BETWEEN SESSIONS: Prepare for unit 5 (page 8 \u2013 hand out this week!)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

AIM: To consider our attitudes to and use of money and possessions. OBJECTIVES: By the end of this unit participants will have reflected on…<\/span><\/p>\n

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