Week 6- Honoring God With Your Resources

MONDAY — Read the passage with your team.

   14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 15 We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.    16 O Lord our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. 18 O Lord, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Israel, keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever, and keep their hearts loyal to you. 19 And give my son Solomon the wholehearted devotion to keep your commands, requirements and decrees and to do everything to build the palatial structure for which I have provided.

1 Chronicles 29:14-19

   6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 

What does this passage have to say about honor?

Why is that important?

TUESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

1) Why should you give generously (1 Chronicles 29:14)?  From where do your material resources come (v. 16)?  How does your giving honor God?  What recognition do you make, when you give?

2) What attitudes of your heart does God desire, in conjunction with your giving (v. 17)?  Can you rightly understand your athletic abilities as     resources that you should give to God?  How can an athlete compete   willingly?  How can an athlete compete honestly?  How can an athlete compete intentionally?  How can an athlete compete joyfully?  Which of these is most difficult for you?

WEDNESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

3) What does King David ask God to do (v. 17-18)?  From where does the desire to give joyfully come?  Can you generate loyalty and “wholehearted devotion” (v. 19) from your own heart?  Can you, in your own effort, simply choose to honor God?  If God actually produces the honor that is given to Him, why does He care about honor?  Why is it meaningful to Him?  About what (whom) must he care deeply, if he has created this way for you to have a relationship with Him?

4) Have you considered what you’re able to give, even though you probably have limited resources at this point in your life?  Are you tempted to think that these commands about giving are intended for working adults?  When have you given to others (money, possessions, time, work) and found the experience to be really joyful?  Discuss together ways that your team might be able to give.

THURSDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.

5) What are you doing if you “sow” or “reap” (2 Corinthians 9:6)?  If you give “sparingly,” what will you receive?  If you give “generously,” what will you receive?  Is what you receive really intended only for your own good?  What is your motivation in your giving?  With whom are you sharing the blessings that are received?

6) What is indicated about your heart if you give sparingly?  If you develop a greedy attitude, what does that indicate about your trust in God?  Does God desire to make you feel guilty and, thus, compel you to give (v. 7)?  For what reason can you give generously without any worry for your own provision or well-being (v. 8)?

7) As an athlete, are you a cheerful giver?  What do you give?  Do you give only as much as is absolutely necessary?  Do you give reluctantly?  What will be the result of your work, if you give generously (v. 8)?

FRIDAY — Discuss sport applications of honor, and pray together.

· Ask your athletes to briefly reflect on what they’ve learned about honor this week, and to repeat some of those things.  (Remind them of some of the Biblical truths about honor you’ve discussed, if necessary.)

· Ask your team, “Based on what we learned about honor this week...What does an honorable athlete do?”  Do not settle for vague answers; challenge your athletes to go beyond general qualities of an honorable athlete, and to determine what those qualities look like in action.

· Add the results to your team’s list of descriptions of the “honorable athlete”, and be sure the list is displayed somewhere that is constantly visible, as a reminder to the team.

· Pray together as a team.  Encourage your athletes to pray for your team’s growth in regard to the discipline of honor — especially in relation to some of the issues and challenges that you discussed together this week.  Challenge them to also ask for forgiveness, when applicable.  Give time for athletes to request prayer (regarding honor or anything else), and pray together.