Series Overview
Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35, NIrV) However, sometimes generosity doesn’t come naturally to us. We want the newest and best things, or we want everyone to notice what we have. When we really enjoy the things we have, sometimes that makes it harder for us to be willing to share with others. However, with the help of God’s Spirit, we can learn that HOW we give is more important than even WHAT we give. It’s about our hearts. God showed us the ultimate example of generosity by sending Jesus. This month, we’ll take a look at how we can respond by being generous to others.
Memory Verse
“Every good + perfect gift is from God” – James 1:17a, NIRV
Week One (November 3)
Every Good + Perfect Gift
Bible Story: James 1:17a
Bottom Line: God gives us good things.
Virtue: Generosity – Making someone’s day by giving something away.
We start the month with an insight from James 1:17a: “Every good and perfect gift is from God.” (NIrV) Every good thing in our lives comes from God, starting with the gift of Jesus. When we take the time to reflect on all that God has given us, we can respond by being generous to others.
Some of the best gifts in life don’t come with wrapping paper. Sometimes the best gifts in life are free because they were thought out and made especially for us. We have all received good things because of God’s generosity. From the air we breathe to the things we enjoy in our everyday lives, everything good comes from God.
Week Two (November 10)
Widow of Zarephath
Bible Story: 1 Kings 17:7-16
Bottom Line: You always have something to give
Virtue: Generosity – Making someone’s day by giving something away
In Week 2, we read about a miracle found in 1 Kings 17:7-16. During a time of drought, the prophet Elijah visited a widow in Zarephath. This woman barely had anything left
for her family, let alone for him. Yet, she trusted God and gave everything she had to Elijah . . . and God provided for them above and beyond what they expected.
Can you think of a time when someone gave something to you or shared with you, even when they didn’t have much to give? Just the fact that they thought of you made their gift so much more meaningful. When we trust God with what we have, God is able to do more than we can think or imagine
Week Three (November 17)
God Loves A Cheerful Giver
Bible Story: 2 Corinthians 9:7
Bottom Line: Give with a good attitude
Virtue: Generosity – Making someone’s day by giving something away
In Week 3, we take a look at Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 9:7. Paul was writing to the church in Corinth, encouraging them to give. When we give, it pleases God—not just because of what we give, but because of the way we give it. When we give with a good attitude, we can help others see what God is like.
Have you ever shared something really nice with someone, but you didn’t do it with the best intentions? Maybe, if you were honest, you really didn’t want to share what you had in the first
place. Our attitude makes a big difference when we give. It doesn’t matter what kind of gift you give if your heart isn’t in the right place. As Paul explained, God loves it when we give cheerfully!
Week Four (November 24)
Love In Action
Bible Story: 1 John 3:16-18
Bottom Line: Jesus showed us how to give
Virtue: Generosity – Making someone’s day by giving something away
We close out the month in 1 John 3:16-18. John was writing to a group of believers to encourage them and remind them about Jesus’ love for them. John described how Jesus gave the greatest example of love when He gave His life for us. To love IS to give. Whether we give our time, our talent, or our things, we can show the love of Jesus when we give to those in need.
Giving can be difficult sometimes. Maybe we want to give the very best gift . . . or maybe we feel like we don’t have the right resources to be able to give. But, when we look to Jesus, we can learn what generosity is all about. Because of Jesus’ example, we can learn how to give and invite others to experience the love of Jesus for themselves.