Week 2: Become a Cheerful Giver
Dear parents,
We’re continuing
our series on stewardship, and this week our students examined 2 Corinthians
9:1-9.
In this passage, the Apostle Paul is writing to Christians in the Greek
city of Corinth, and he encourages them to have the right attitude as they give
toward an offering to help believers in Jerusalem. He says generosity is more
important than the actual amount they give. God will provide all we need, Paul
writes, and as we are blessed, we can then use those resources to bless others.
That’s really the heart of stewardship. We are called to manage what God
has given us. By giving and sharing what we have—whether it’s money, time,
skills, creativity, energy, or other resources—we get to experience the
generosity of God in a whole new way.
God wants us to
have a joyful, cheerful, excited attitude when we give—even though many people
think of giving as a religious requirement or something to dread. God wants our
lives to reflect his love and joy so deeply that we can’t wait to give—whether
it’s money or time or assistance to someone in need.
I’d encourage you
to find time this week to talk with your teenager about our lesson. Here are
some questions you might want to ask:
- What kind of impact can we have on other people if we give cheerfully? What does it say about our faith and our friendship with God?
- What if you don’t have much money to give? What are other ways of “giving” that can still honor God and help people?
- What’s the connection between having the right attitude and seeking God’s direction on how much to give?
Have an awesome
week!
FOR KEEPS [MEMORY
VERSE]
For God loves a
person who gives cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7).