1. What was the role of a steward during biblical times? What has stewardship come to mean in the modern era? Create a modern “dictionary entry” for the term.
2. Is biblical stewardship about the management of all of God’s creation? How does Psalm 50:10-12 affect your understanding of biblical stewardship? Brainstorm a list of ways that stewardship is part of daily life and not just financial gifts.
3. With regard to biblical principles, briefly describe the concept of stewardship based on the list below. What real life example can be applied to each? Use biblical references to support your answer.
l Mind and Body
l Environment
l Talent
l Time
l Possessions
STEWARDSHIP OF MIND AND BODY:
4. In the Pathfinder pledge, we promise to be pure, kind, and true. How does following that pledge relate to the stewardship of our mind? Discuss or write your thoughts.
5. Discuss how the text found in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 relates to the stewardship of your body.
STEWARDSHIP OF ENVIRONMENT:
6. Using Genesis 2:15 as reference, choose from the list below one way that you could help to care for God’s earth.
l Pick up trash
l Use regular dishes instead of paper whenever possible
l Recycle paper, plastic, and bottles
l Use reusable bags
l Use a reusable water bottle
l Use paper, bamboo, or stainless
steel straws instead of plastic
l Turn off lights and appliances when you’re not using them
STEWARDSHIP OF TALENT
7. Do the following:
a. Read the Bible story about the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) or 1 Corinthians 12.
b. How does God reward the proper usage of talents? How can we know that all of us are given talents/giftedness? Why does it seem God appreciates variety in talents?
c. List three talents or skills that you feel you may have or want to possess. Sketch symbols that illustrate each talent and how it could be used for God’s glory (Ephesians 4:12).
d. Choose one of the talents from the previous list and list or sketch three things you want to do to be a good steward and improve that specific talent.
e. Spend at least four hours planning and executing a community activity that uses your talents. Prepare and present the results of your project to a group. The project is to be a benefit or outreach to others and a new endeavor not previously accomplished.
STEWARDSHIP OF TIME
8. Create a list of six items you do on a nearly-daily basis. Estimate how much time you believe you spend on each item and make a list. Then, for five days, measure how much time you actually spend on those six items. Some items that can be included:
l Personal devotions (reading the Bible and prayer)
l Family worship (videos, shows, gaming, and other media you use)
l Entertainment
l Rest
l Personal time
l Classwork time and home study
l Fitness activities
l Home chores
STEWARDSHIP OF POSSESSIONS
9. Briefly describe the fundamental differencebetweenreturningthetithesandgiving offerings. Include biblical references to support your answer. Bible references may include: Genesis 28:22, Leviticus 27:30, Malachi 3:8, 1 Corinthians 16:2, 2 Corinthians 9:7.
10. Discuss Malachi 3:10 and complete the following questions: a. What is the storehouse? b. How does the storehouse function with reference to the church at large?
c. What blessings are promised?
11. Interview an individual (church treasurer, stewardship coordinator, etc.) within your church that is familiar with the church budget. Include in your interview a discussion of at least the following:
a. How is the tithe dispersed and utilized from the local church to the local confer- ence, union conference, division, and the General Conference?
b. What are some of the financial obligations that your church must meet?
c. How are individual funds placed in a tithe envelope allocated?
