4: Offerings For Jesus – Teaching Plan

Key Thought: While we pray, we are to give our labor and means to fulfill these prayers. If we act out our faith by prayer and plan, we shall not be forgotten.
January 28, 2023

1. Have a volunteer read Deuteronomy 16:17

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
What criterion does God give as a basis for the amount of our offerings?
Personal Application: What do your offerings and your attitude about giving them say about your relationship with God? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your relatives states, “I pay my tithe, but I can’t afford offerings for the church or for the associate ministries that call for help in running their radio and TV programs independently from the conference. Everybody wants and needs money for several ministries. I don’t remember the apostles doing it that way.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read I Chronicles 16:29, Psalm 96:8,9.

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
How do we apply these principles to our own worship experience?
Personal Application: What is your experience with returning tithes and offerings as a part of worship? How does it impact your relationship with God?
Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your friends states, “God never said anything about offerings being required, but only as an expression of thanksgiving based on our increase. God doesn’t need my money. He can finish the work without all the expensive programs the church makes up to increase their income and finances.”
How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Mark 12:41-44. Acts 10:1-4.

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage
What is the message of this story and how can we apply it to our own worship experience?
Personal Application: What action was noted in heaven by the Roman that prompted a visit from heaven? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “So does God want us to give everything we have to feed the poor or to spread the gospel and try to live by faith when we give everything away? I think if people are paying tithes and offerings according to their income or increase after paying their bills, they are doing what God expects and approves.” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Mark 14:3-9.

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
Who were the main characters at Simon’s feast? What was the value of Mary’s gift? Why did she anoint Jesus at this time?
Personal Application: Why is sacrificial giving as important for the givers as for the recipients? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

Amen!