Zion Travelers Missionary Baptist Church



april STUDY GUIDE



STWEARDS OF GOD'S RESOURCES





I PETER 4:10-11 (CEV)

Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gifts to be used in the services of others, so use your gift well. If you have a gift of speaking, preach God's message. If you have the gift of helping others, do it with the strength that God supplies. Everything should be done in a way that will bring honor to God because of Jesus Christ who is glorious and powerful forever. Amen.





REFERENCESBibles - King James Version, New Living Translation, Contemporary English Version
BOOKS* Alcorn, R - Managing God's Money* Evans, T. - Kingdom Stewardship* MacArthur, J. - Giving: God's Way* Otabil, M. - Tithes, Offerings and First Fruits* Samples, J. - Kingdom Stewardships Principles

GENERAL INFORMATIONWe are stewards of God's resouces. The two words that must be understood are stewards and resources. The lesson above lessons is that God is the source and we are the resources. As stewards we are managers and not owners. Stewards, according to the Greek word "oikonomos", means we are household managers. Think in terms of your home and all that it takes to survive. God trusts us to take care of what He has givine us to acknowledge Him, glorify Him, and love Him. We are His resources in which His blessings flow through us. These blessings can be tangible such as money, clothing, and food. These blessings can be intangible such as time, gifts, and abilities. This is why we need the Holy Ghost to impart to us wisdom, compassion, and discernment to name a few. There is no room for selfishness. As His blessings flow through us, others are blessed and God is honored, praised, and glorified. Remember: God is the source we are the resources.
GOALS1. To Articulate the Principles of Stewardship as they Relate to the Bible2. To Acquire Verses that Illustrate the Teachings of Jesus on Stewardship3. To Examine the Source and Resources of the Feeding of the 5,000 in the Four Gospels4. To Generalize the Efforts of Stewards as they Relate to Profitable or Unprofitable


I. APRIL 1ST - 10TH
PRINCIPES



There are many principles as they relate to stewardship in the Bible. Seven are given here. Your task is to find verses, events, parables or anything in the Bible to support them. Example: House Management - I Timothy 3:5, 5:8



Giving Accountability Industrious Sharing Saving Responsibility Household Management



II. APRIL 11TH - 17TH
THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS ON STEWARDSHIP
Jesus taught many things in so many ways. Among them was stewardship of God's resources. Select verses the BEST illustrate some of His teachings below. You may also use other verses in the Bible not found below.



I Peter 4:10-11 Acts 20:35 Matthew 21:13 Matthew 25:21
I Corinthians 4:2 Proverbs 6:6-8 Colossians 3:23-24 Luke 14:28 Deuteronomy 8:18 Luke 16:10 Luke 12:42-46 Matthew 6:24
II Corinthians 9:6-7 I Timothy 6:17-19 Matthew 6:33
Proverbs 16:3 I Timothy 6:7-8 Proverbs 30:27 Jeremiah 7:11
Proverbs 3:9 I Chronicles 29:14 Proverbs 30:27 Proverbs 30:25



TEACHINGS

Unselfishiness Use your God given abilities

Working Together Make the most of your time

Serve the needs of others Keeping God's House Holy

A leader is a servant Faithfulness



III. APRIL 18TH - 24TH
THE FEEDING OF THE 5,000
The feeding of the 5,000 combines stewardship, resources, and source. It is unique in that it appears in all four gospels. Please read all four accounts before answering the questions. Carefully examine each account



Matthew 14:13-41 Luke 9:12-17
Mark 14:13-21 John 6:1-13



QUESTIONS

1. Contrast the thinking of Jesus and the disciples when it comes to resources.

2. Why do we find ourselves thinking like the disciples?

3. How important is compassion to stewardship?

4. What is the meaning of John 6:12?

5. What is the sginificance of 12 baskets full?



IV. APRIL 25TH - 30TH
PROFITABLE OR UNPROFITABLE
Stewards generally are placed in two categories, profitable or unprofitable. First, agree upon a working definition for generalizing. Next, come up with the main ideas from the following readings.



Matthew 25:14-30 Luke 16:1-8 Luke 16:9-13



V. READING ASSIGNMENTS





BOOK



Genesis

Genesis

Exodus

I Samuel

I Kings

II Kings

Nehemiah

Malachi

Matthew

Mark

Luke

Luke

II Corinthians



CHAPTER



1-4

41

35-40

25

17

4

1-6

1-4

15

8

6

21

9



VERSES







1-16

1-7



32-39

1-9

27-38

1-4



TOPIC



Creation

Joseph

Temple

Abigail

Elijah

Widow's Oil

Building Walls

Giving

4000

4000

Blessings

Poor Widow

Giving





Zion Travelers Missionary Baptist Church



925 West Pearl Street
Jackson, Mississippi 39203
601-355-5545
ziontravelers@comcast.org
Dr. Daniel Watkins Pastor