Campus Missionary: Give

Giving is the third of the 5 disciplines of a Campus Missionary that we have discussed during our Summer Contest 2024.

Giving is a crucial aspect of Christian life. While receiving money is enjoyable, giving it away can be challenging. The Bible emphasizes the importance of excelling in giving as a key discipline. Reflecting God's nature, as demonstrated in John 3:16 where God gave His son, true giving must stem from love to have real value. Handling money can test and strengthen faith, as illustrated by personal anecdotes, and supports God's work and missionaries. Giving aligns with God's purposes and brings blessings, offering spiritual contentment and joy rather than just material wealth. Christians are encouraged to adopt attitudes of giving that are sacrificial, cheerful, generous, and purposeful. Practical steps for giving include participating in fundraisers and finding creative ways to contribute to missions. Additionally, prayer is emphasized as a powerful complement to giving, focusing on various needs such as upcoming events, human trafficking victims, the country, and missionaries.

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• Dinner Table Discussion Guide

  Dinner Table Discussion Guide 1: The Importance of Giving

  Topic: Why is giving important in our faith?

  Questions:

  1. Why do you think the Bible emphasizes the importance of giving?

  2. How does giving reflect God's nature, according to John 3:16?

  3. Can you share a time when giving something made you feel happy or fulfilled?

  4. What are some non-monetary ways we can give to others?

  5. How can we as a family practice giving in our daily lives?

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  Dinner Table Discussion Guide 2: Reflecting God's Nature

  Topic: How can our giving reflect God's love?

  Questions:

  1. What does it mean that giving is part of God's nature?

  2. Why do you think God wants us to give willingly and cheerfully?

  3. How can we show love through our giving, not just to God but to others?

  4. Can you think of a Bible story where someone gave generously? What can we learn from it?

  5. How can our family be an example of God's love through giving?

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  Dinner Table Discussion Guide 3: Prioritizing Our Resources

  Topic: How do our spending habits reflect our priorities?

  Questions:

  1. What does Matthew 6:21 mean when it says, "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"?

  2. How can we evaluate whether our spending habits align with our faith?

  3. In what ways can we ensure that we are not "enslaved to money" but using it for God's purposes?

  4. How can we set aside a portion of our resources specifically for giving?

  5. What are some practical steps we can take to prioritize giving in our budget?

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  Dinner Table Discussion Guide 4: Participating in God's Work

  Topic: How does giving allow us to participate in God's mission?

  Questions:

  1. Why is it important to support missionaries and other ministries financially?

  2. How does our giving contribute to spreading the gospel and helping those in need?

  3. Can you think of any missionaries or organizations we can support as a family?

  4. How does participating in God's work through giving make you feel connected to a larger purpose?

  5. What are some ways we can stay informed about the impact of our giving?

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  Dinner Table Discussion Guide 5: Developing a Generous Heart

  Topic: How can we develop a heart for giving?

  Questions:

  1. Why is it important to give sacrificially, cheerfully, generously, and purposefully?

  2. How can we cultivate a cheerful attitude towards giving, even when it's difficult?

  3. What are some opportunities for giving that we might not have considered before?

  4. How can we involve everyone in the family in the practice of giving?

  5. What are some ways we can pray together for guidance and opportunities to give?

• Sermon Outline

  Starter

  • Introduction to the topic of money and giving.

  • Acknowledgment of the common difficulty and discomfort in discussing money, especially in church.

  • Engaging the audience with questions about their feelings toward money and giving.

  Message

  • Importance of giving in the Christian faith.

  • Biblical foundation: 2 Corinthians 8:7 and John 3:16.

  • Explanation of giving as a reflection of God's nature.

  • Emphasis on giving as an act of love, citing 1 Corinthians 13:3.

  Dig Deeper

  • Exploration of Jesus' teachings on money and possessions.

  • Matthew 6:21 and its significance in prioritizing spiritual over material wealth.

  • Personal anecdotes illustrating the challenges and rewards of trusting God over financial security.

  • Examination of how giving supports God's work and aligns with His purposes.

  • Discussion of the impact of giving on missionaries and global missions.

  Application

  • Practical steps for incorporating giving into daily life.

  • Encouragement to participate in fundraisers and other giving opportunities.

  • Tips for adopting the right attitudes: sacrificial, cheerful, generous, and purposeful giving.

  • Suggestions for creative ways to raise money for missions.

  Conclusion

  • Summary of the key points on the importance of giving.

  • Encouragement to trust in God's provision and blessings.

  • Call to prayer for guidance in giving and support for various causes.

  • Final motivational appeal to embrace a lifestyle of generous and purposeful giving.