BETHLEHEM BAPTIST CHURCH
Pastor White’s Study Answers
2/5/2020
STEWARDSHIP
Define these Terms
Stewardship – Using God-given abilities to manage God-given resources to accomplish God-ordained goals. Every member of Bethlehem is encouraged to adopt a Christ-like lifestyle that will liberate that disciple to give his/her time, talent, or treasure to advance the kingdom of God.
Stewardship – The responsibility given to humans in creation for managing the resources of the earth. (Genesis 1:26)
Christian Stewardship – The responsibility of each disciple to bring into godly care the whole of his or her life so that one’s witness and relationship to God is evident in how he or she participates in the management and resourcing of the human and tangible gifts God makes available to HIS church.
Time – The quality moments, seconds, minutes hours, days, and months in the course of a God-given year that one uses to do the Will of the Giver of time.
Talent – This term in the Bible has at least two meanings. First, it is an item of value and worth. Secondly and more familiar, it is an ability or skill.
Treasure – Wealth (money, jewels, valuable) or anything a person cherishes by storing or saving in a secure place.
TIME
In a 24 hour day how much time could you set aside as a disciple to participate in stewardship activities?
DKW: In the life of a pastor serving a church and representing the faith community, it is hard to really give a number of hours. It might be easier if I look at the question from the backside… how much time in the course of a day do I spend doing something/anything for me that does not include or involve Bethlehem? The question is most easy to answer when I physically leave NOVA and the DMV.
God gives us 168 hours in a week how many hours could you give back to God in stewardship; service; spiritual self-care?
DKW: This question is not difficult to answer, however, the answer will expose my unhealthy self-care habits. J
TALENTS/ABILITIES
Someone has said that “a talent or ability is a gift from God that has not been surrendered to the Holy Spirit in service.”
List your talents and abilities.
Leadership; Visionary; Work with my hands; Cooking; Teach; Serve; Preach; Pastoring.
2. What talent (s) or abilities have you sharpened and become proficient in that undergirds and sustains your life and livelihood? What is it that you are good at with people?
Leading; Teaching; Preaching; Counseling; Spiritual Direction
3. What new or creative ways can your talents or abilities be used to help others?
4. Do a Bible/scripture search of examples of your abilities and list three examples along with bible characters.
VISIONARY Genesis 43 Joseph
TEACHING/ PERSUASION Acts 17 Paul on Mars Hill
MENTORING Acts 16 Paul – Timothy
TREASURE (S)
“Whenever God finds a person He can send a treasure to, he or she become the person God will send His treasures through.” The term treasure is used in various ways in the Bible (cite), in a nutshell, it is any and everything that we value most and feel we feel is too valuable to share or give away.
5. Locate and share five (5) positive and negative lessons or examples referencing treasure (worldly goods) and biblical characters in scripture.
a. Luke 12:16-21 d. 2 Kings 5:20-27 (Gehazi)
b. Matthew 25:24-29 e. Genesis 14:21 Abraham/King of Sodom
c. Genesis 14:20 (Abraham/ Melchizedek)
6. What VISION ventures in Bethlehem have the Holy Spirit be leading you to prayerfully and sacrificially sow a seed into?
DKW: Leaving a Financial Legacy for the Christian men and women; boys and girls who will show up at any season in their lives seeking God in the classroom or sanctuary Bethlehem, as I have, to serve and grow in their relationship to God.
