0% found this document useful (0 votes)
40 views48 pages

FirstStep Booklet

Uploaded by

kenn rey cadavoz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
0% found this document useful (0 votes)
40 views48 pages

FirstStep Booklet

Uploaded by

kenn rey cadavoz
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 48

FIRSTSTEP

Copyright 2017 by Manna Imprint.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Published by Manna Imprint.

Copyright and use of the curriculum and template are retained by


Manna Church.

Scripture quotes marked ESV are taken from The ESV® Bible (The Holy
Bible, English Standard Version®). ESV® Permanent Text Edition®
(2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good
News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation
with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized
reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotes marked NIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW
INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica,
Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotes marked NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN
STANDARD BIBLE®. Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973,
1975, 1977, and 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Printed in the United States of America.

Edition: August 2018


CONTENTS

PAGE 5 My New Life


PAGE 17 A Life of Devotion
PAGE 27 It’s All About Relationships
PAGE 35 Catching God’s Heart for the Lost
MY NEW LIFE:
WELCOME TO FIRSTSTEP
MY NEW LIFE

You are probably in FirstStep for at least one of three


reasons: you are new to the faith, you’re re-establishing your
relationship with God, or you simply want to strengthen the
basics in your walk with God.

Whatever your reason, it’s great that you’re a part of this


FirstStep Small Group. We know your participation will bring
significant blessings to your life. That’s why we encourage you
to make it a point to attend all four sessions.

FirstStep is the first of three Small Groups which together


constitute our Growth Track. We encourage you to participate
in all the Steps in our Growth Track. These other Steps are:

NextStep helps you discover how Manna “does church”, why


we exist, what we are passionate about, where we are going,
and how you can be part of this adventure. NextStep is also
a four-week Small Group.

LeaderStep helps you be more fully equipped to bring


Kingdom leadership and influence in your family, in your
workplace, in your community, and at Manna Church.
LeaderStep is an eight-week Small Group.

Our goal for the next four weeks is to discover what a balanced,
integrated, and healthy life of a disciple of Jesus looks like,
specifically within the context of Manna Church.

7
FIRSTSTEP

In particular, we’re going to discuss three values that define


our walk with God, explore six specific applications that
express those values, and examine nine healthy habits which,
as we develop them, will form a sound spiritual foundation
throughout the rest of our lives.

The two people most responsible for your growth as a


Christian are Jesus and you!

8
MY NEW LIFE

3 VALUES
1. Love God (Luke 10:27)
2. Love Each Other (Luke 10:27)
3. Love the World (Matthew 28:19–20)
6 APPLICATIONS
LOVE GOD: Inspiring Worship Experiences
1. Attend one
2. Serve at one
LOVE EACH OTHER: Life-Giving Small Groups
3. Attend one
4. Lead one
LOVE THE WORLD: World-Changing Outreach
5. Bring others in
6. Go out
9 HEALTHY HABITS
LOVE GOD: A Life of Devotion
1. Bible reading
2. Prayer
3. Worship (including tithing)
LOVE EACH OTHER: It’s All About Relationships
4. Fellowship
5. Accountability
6. Forgiveness
LOVE THE WORLD: Catching God’s Heart for the Lost
7. Evangelism (witnessing/sharing your story)
8. Serving the needy
9. Generosity

9
FIRSTSTEP

OUR 3 BASIC VALUES


Jesus Himself instructed us to embrace three
fundamental values through the Great Commandment
and the Great Commission.

T H E G R E AT C O M M A N D M E N T
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus.
“Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read
it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your
heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and
with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Luke 10:25–27 (NIV)

T H E G R E AT C O M M I S S I O N
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven
and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching
them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I
am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18–20 (NIV)

10
MY NEW LIFE

These basic values


are ref lected in a triangle:

Love God
(UP)

Love the World Love Each Other


(OUT) (IN)

11
FIRSTSTEP

YOUR STORY

Each of us has a story. Each of us has lived a unique life with


a wide variety of experiences, joys, heartaches, successes,
failures, challenges, plans, hopes, and dreams. All of these
are important aspects of your journey here on earth.
Understanding your story within the framework of your
relationship with Jesus provides your story with incredible
meaning and purpose.

You have a story: who you were, who you are, and who you are
becoming.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which
you used to live when you followed the ways of this world… But
now in Christ Jesus...you have been brought near through the blood
of Christ. Ephesians 2:1–2, 13 (NIV)

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has


passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,
and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God
and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.
Revelation 1:5–6 (NIV)

We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do


good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

12
MY NEW LIFE

...You show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by


us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living
God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
2 Corinthians 3:3 (ESV)

...I press on to lay ahold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of
me. Philippians 3:12 (NIV)

In light of these Scriptures, how might you answer the following


questions? Your answers may give you remarkable and perhaps
surprising insights into the unique nature, purpose, and
direction of your journey with God.

1. What were you like before you became a Christian? What


was your life like?

2. How did you come to receive Jesus Christ as your


Lord and Savior?

3. What changes has God brought to your life as you have


yielded to and followed Him?

4. What passions, purposes, goals, and plans has God


brought into your life?

5. What is God currently doing in your life?

6. What blessings and breakthroughs are you


experiencing?

13
FIRSTSTEP

7. What challenges are you currently facing?

8. How is God leading you to face and overcome these


challenges?

YOU CAN SHARE YOUR STORY

Sharing your story can build your faith and strengthen your
relationship with Jesus. But, your story is not just for you. Your
story can also be a source of inspiration and hope to others. Your
story can be an inspiring example of the love and power of Jesus.

Share to Grow:

I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you
will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in
Christ. Philemon 1:6 (NIV)

Share to Win:

And they overcame him (the enemy) by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives
even unto death. Revelation 12:11 (NIV 84)

Share to Bless:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,


the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who
comforts us in all our troubles, so we can comfort those in
any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3–4 (NIV 84)

14
MY NEW LIFE

GOING DEEPER

Take some time to think about and write down how you would
answer the following questions:

1. What were you like before you became a Christian? What


was your life like?

2. How did you come to receive Jesus Christ as your Lord


and Savior?

3. What changes has God brought to your life as you have


yielded to and followed Him?

4. What passions, purposes, goals, and plans has God brought


into your life?

5. What is God currently doing in your life?

6. What blessings and breakthroughs are you experiencing?

7. What challenges are you facing?

8. How is God leading you to face and overcome these


challenges?

Resources:
https://billygraham.org/grow-your-faith/how-to-share-your-faith/tools

https://billygraham.org/story/sharing-your-faith-101

15
FIRSTSTEP

MY STORY

16
MY NEW LIFE

17
2
LOVE GOD:
A LIFE OF DEVOTION
2
A LIFE OF DEVOTION

Remember: our overall goal in FirstStep is to discover what


a balanced, integrated, and healthy life of a disciple of Jesus
looks like, specifically within the context of Manna Church. We
believe that, over time, as you incorporate Manna’s 3 Values, 6
Applications, and 9 Healthy Habits into your life, your life will
be transformed. As you put them into practice, they will form
sure foundations from which you can effectively follow and
glorify Jesus throughout your life.

Each week, we’ll look at 1 Value, 2 Applications, and 3 Healthy Habits.

VALUE 1
Love God: A Life of Devotion

...love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your strength and with all your mind…
Luke 10:27 (ESV)

APPLICATIONS 1 & 2
Inspiring Worship Experiences

1. Attend one: Find the site and service time that fit best for you,
and commit to attend as often as you possibly can. Don’t let
the weather, your feelings, fatigue, or other distractions keep
you from coming. We believe that when we gather together
during Manna’s Worship Experiences, we are not just having a
group meeting. We are gathering in the Presence of the Lord.
Once in the proximity of His Presence, anything can happen.
It is in the Presence of God that our lives can be transformed.

19
FIRSTSTEP

2. Serve at one: In addition to attending a Worship Experience,


we encourage everyone to serve in some way during a Worship
Experience. Join our SERVE Team, which is comprised of a
number of different teams: the VIP Team, Worship Team,
Children’s Ministry, Production—just to name a few. This is
a great opportunity to get more connected, to explore and
develop your particular talents and gifts, and to contribute to
our overall goal of helping people experience all that God has
for them during our Worship Experiences.

HEALTHY HABITS 1–3

“We first make our habits, and then our habits make
us.”eAnonymous

1. BIBLE READING: ENGAGING GOD’S WORD

Eternal truth, healthy food for our souls, and trustworthy


direction for how to live are all to be found in the
Bible. You want your marriage to change, it’s here; you
want your nation to change, it’s here. Economics, war,
government, morals, joy, parenting, education, truth—it’s
all in the Bible. God will teach you, equip you, speak to
you, and transform you as you engage with His Word on
a regular basis.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass
away. Matthew 24:35 (NIV)

20
A LIFE OF DEVOTION

Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes
from the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching,


rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the
servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NIV)

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.


Psalm 119:105 (ESV)

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.


Do what it says. J am e s 1: 2 2 (N I V )

Helpful ways to develop a healthy habit of engaging


with God’s word:

• Learn from the Bible (from teachers/preachers, discussion


in Small Groups)

• Listen to the Bible (online, audio Bibles, Bible apps)

• Read the Bible on your own (personal devotions,


reading plans)

• Read the Bible with others (Small Groups, family)

• Memorize verses from the Bible

• Meditate on verses from the Bible

• Obey what is written in the Bible

21
FIRSTSTEP

2 . P R AY E R : C O M M U N I CAT I N G WI T H G O D

The quality of our relationships often depends on the quality


of our communication. Communicating is a fundamental part
of our everyday lives. We communicate with many different
people for many different reasons. We make requests, exchange
ideas, and listen to what others are saying. It’s very natural to
us. God wants communication with Him to also be natural to
us. It is His desire that we develop a life-giving prayer life. At its
core, prayer is communication and conversation with God. God
wants us to cultivate our ability to communicate and converse
with Him. He wants us to learn to hear what He is saying to
us. Growing in our prayer life will enhance the quality of our
relationship with Him.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left
the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Mark 1:35 (NIV)

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and
unsearchable things you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.


John 10:27 (NIV)

...Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer


and supplication with thanksgiving (“thank you” are the two
greatest words of faith) let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4:6 (ESV)

22
A LIFE OF DEVOTION

Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be


your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth
as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and
forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Matthew 6:9–13 (ESV)

When you pray:

P—Praise God: Choose to focus on God, and establish right


positioning. He is God; you are not.
R—Repent: Turn from or surrender anything the Lord brings to
mind, especially any areas of unforgiveness.
A—Ask
Y—Yield: “Your will, not mine.”
E—Expect: Expect to hear from Him and for Him to
move in your life.
R—Respond: When He prompts you, respond to Him;
do what He tells you.

3 . WO R S H I P : E N J OY I N G G O D

“Worship is our response, both personal and


corporate, to God for Who He is, and what He has done,
expressed in and by the things we say and the way we
live.” Louie Giglio

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Psalm 150:6 (ESV)

23
FIRSTSTEP

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of
your heart. Psalm 37:4 (ESV)

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to


present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to
God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 (ESV)

Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, “How
have we robbed you?” In your tithes and offerings.
Malachi 3:8 (NIV)

“Devotion to Christ is where the human heart is most


satisfied.” Michael Fletcher (Manna Church LeaderStep,
Week 2)

Crucial to our growth in the above disciplines is our


relationship with the Holy Spirit! We are all encouraged to “be
filled with the Holy Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18 NIV). For believers, this
simply means that we are to be continually and increasingly
surrendered to and dependent on the Person and ministries of
the Holy Spirit. We can ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit any
time. We can surrender to Him and His ministries any time,
especially as we read our Bibles, develop our prayer lives, and
cultivate a lifestyle of worship. Consider asking the Holy Spirit
to fill you when you wake up each morning or in important
circumstances. See what He will do!

24
A LIFE OF DEVOTION

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my
name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything
I have said to you. John 14:26 (NIV)

...When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the
truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he
hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory
to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you.
John 16:13–14 (NIV)

If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to
your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the
Holy Spirit to those who ask him! Luke 11:13 (NIV)

[For more on the Holy Spirit’s ministries, see Ephesians 6:18,


Romans 8:26, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1–4, Acts 2:38–39, Acts 4:31, Acts 8:14–17,
Acts 19:1–7, 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Corinthians 14

25
FIRSTSTEP

GOING DEEPER

• What weak spots or obstacles do you see in you establishing


and strengthening a strong foundation in personal Bible
reading, prayer, and worship?

• What simple, practical steps is God leading you to take to


overcome those obstacles?

Bible:

Prayer:

Worship:

• As you study Scriptures concerning the Holy Spirit, what do


you learn about Who He is and His various ministries.

26
A LIFE OF DEVOTION

27
LOVE EACH OTHER:
IT’S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS
IT’S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS

Our overall goal in FirstStep is to discover what a balanced,


integrated, and healthy life of a disciple of Jesus looks like,
specifically within the context of Manna Church.

In the last session, we talked about Bible reading, prayer, and


worship. In this session, we will explore important aspects of
living a life in which we learn to genuinely love each other.

VALUE #2
Love Each Other

This is a core value for us. It is to be a core value for all


Christians.

...You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:39 (ESV)

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have
love for one another. John 13:35 (ESV)

29
FIRSTSTEP

APPLICATIONS 3 & 4
Small Groups

We believe Small Groups are the environments in which we


learn to live out the next three Healthy Habits. Small Groups
are where we grow as Christians.

3. Attend one: Find a Small Group that interests you and fits
your season of life.

4. Lead one: Use what God has put in your life and lead one
yourself… Attend and complete LeaderStep! (Note: completing
NextStep and becoming a member of Manna Church are
prerequisites for participating in LeaderStep.)

HEALTHY HABITS 4 –6

4. FELLOWSHIP: Quality Time with Other Christians

The Acts 2 Model


They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone
was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed
by the apostles. All the believers were together and had
everything in common. They sold property and possessions
to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued
to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in
their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the
Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42–47 (NIV)

30
IT’S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward


love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as
some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one
another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24–25 (NIV)

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”


1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)

5. ACCOUNTABILITY: Learning to be Open and Real


with Other Christians

It takes effort and ongoing fellowship to develop genuine


accountability. Though sometimes challenging, developing
accountability relationships has incredible benefits.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.


Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one
another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous
person has great power as it is working. James 5:16 (ESV)

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward
for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not
another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep
warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though

31
FIRSTSTEP

a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will


withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (ESV)

We need trusted friends who know us, love us, and help us deal
well with our secrets, our weaknesses, and our life challenges.

6. FORGIVENESS:

All of us, at one time or another, have been significantly


wounded, offended, inconvenienced, betrayed, abandoned,
rejected, mistreated, and disappointed. The consequences of
others’ hurtful behavior and words often have far-reaching and
ongoing impacts on our lives. Nevertheless, as Christians, we
are commanded to forgive.

Forgiving people for what they have done is often very difficult.
Forgiveness involves turning over to God the person who hurt
us and what they did (or didn’t do). It involves handing over to
God the “cases” we have built against other people. It involves
trusting God with our pain.

Learning to forgive is necessary for us to grow in our


relationship with Jesus and to develop healthy relationships
with other people. A healthy habit of forgiving people is perhaps
the most difficult of healthy habits to cultivate. But, the freedom
it produces is well worth it.

Someone once said, “When we refuse to forgive someone, it’s

32
IT’S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS

like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.”

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander,
along with every form of malice. Be kind to one another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave
you. Ephesians 4:31–32 (ESV)

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and
you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Luke 6:37 (NIV)

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall
I forgive someone who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus
answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Matthew 18:21–22 (NIV 84)

...Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Luke 6:28 (NIV)

“A refusal to forgive means that God stands back and lets


you cope with your problems in your own strength.” R.T.
Kendall (Total Forgiveness)

33
FIRSTSTEP

How to Go About Forgiving: It’s not always easy, but it is simple.

Ask God: “Who do I need to forgive?”

Ask God to give you strength to choose to forgive them for what
they have done (or failed to do).

Then, choose to forgive and release them for what they have
done. Just do it!

GOING DEEPER

• In what areas of my life do I need accountability?

• What people in my life can hold me genuinely accountable?

• Ask the Lord to show you who you need to forgive. Make a
list of the people, what they did (or didn’t do) that hurt or
offended you, and how their behavior impacted you.

• Choose to forgive each person for what they did and how it
impacted you.

• Ask God to forgive you for harboring unforgiveness toward


that person.

• Ask God to bring strength, healing, and restoration to the


areas in which you were hurt.

34
IT’S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS

35
LOVE THE WORLD:
CATCHING GOD’S HEART FOR THE LOST
CATCHING GOD’S HEART FOR THE LOST

Our overall goal in FirstStep is to discover what a balanced,


integrated, and healthy life of a disciple of Jesus looks like,
specifically within the context of Manna Church.

In this session, we will discuss Loving the World. We will


explore important aspects of living a life that catches and
reveals God’s heart for the lost.

VALUE #3
Love the World:
Catching God’s Heart for the Lost

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal
life. John 3:16 (NIV)

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…


Matthew 28:19a (NIV)

37
FIRSTSTEP

APPLICATIONS 5 & 6
World-Changing Outreach

5. Bring Others In: Learn to be an “inviter.” Invite people


to Worship Experiences, Small Groups, your home and
other activities.

6. Go Out: Be “outward-focused.” You bring the Kingdom with


you wherever you go. Pray for and look for opportunities to
tell your story. Be involved in outreaches.

HEALTHY HABITS 7–9

7. Evangelism: Being a Witness by Telling Others about Jesus

Be willing to tell your story. There will be times when the Holy
Spirit prompts you to tell others about Jesus—to share your
story. Your story is a unique, powerful expression of the love
of God. There is someone in your sphere of influence who is
looking for your story.

...Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole
creation. Mark 16:15 (ESV)

...but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always


being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks
you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with
gentleness and respect… 1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

38
CATCHING GOD’S HEART FOR THE LOST

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be


saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not
believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they
have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone
preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?
Romans 10:13–15a (ESV)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon
you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea
and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 (ESV)

8. Serve the Needy: Be a Witness by Showing Others the


Love of Jesus

Sometimes, people need to hear the Message; but, sometimes,


people need to see the Message. (Evangelism = telling, serving
= showing.)

We are called to be visible expressions of the love and kindness


of God. We are called to be a source of help for the needy.

We are also called to bring help in areas of social injustice. Our


voices need to be heard where people are oppressed. And, our
words need to be backed by practical deeds.

Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (NASB)

39
FIRSTSTEP

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was


thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger
and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me,
I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you
came to visit me… Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of
the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Matthew 25:35–36, 40 (NIV)

...learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice


to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. Isaiah 1:17 (ESV)

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:
to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep
oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27 (NIV)

Connect with your Manna Church site leaders to learn how you
can serve those in need.

9. Generosity: The Way to Get is to Give

We are to love the world by reaching the lost and serving those
in need. Naturally, when you think about loving the world,
these two come to mind. But, if we want to accomplish these
things well, it will often involve financial resources.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,


and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of
you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not
reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things

40
CATCHING GOD’S HEART FOR THE LOST

at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every
good work. As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts
to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” Now he who
supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and
increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your
righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be
generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will
result in thanksgiving to God. 2 Corinthians 9:6–11 (NIV)

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people,
eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced
themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV)

...give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed


down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.
For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.
Luke 6:38 (ESV)

The tithe is returning to God what is already His.

“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How are
we robbing you?’ In tithes and offerings. Bring the whole tithe into
the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,”
says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates
of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room
enough to store it.” Malachi 3:8,10 (NIV)

Giving offerings displays our generosity, as well as


our commitment to advancing God’s Kingdom.

41
FIRSTSTEP

GOING DEEPER

• In what ways are you prepared to share your story with


others?

• In what ways are you prepared to be involved in reaching


out to people who don’t have a relationship with Jesus?

• Is your attitude more focused on giving or on getting? How


can you strengthen your giving attitude?

• Are you satisfied with your current financial situation? Do


you believe that God has a plan to improve your financial
situation? Do you have a working budget? Are you in debt?
What are your strategies and plans to develop financial
stability in your life?

• What and where are you “sowing”?

• How is God leading you to become more generous?

42
CATCHING GOD’S HEART FOR THE LOST

43
FIRSTSTEP

NEXT STEPS AFTER FIRSTSTEP

Consider:

• Becoming a member of the Manna Church family.

• Attending and participating in NextStep.

• Getting involved in a Manna Small Group.

• Joining a Manna SERVE Team.

• Signing up to be water-baptized (if you haven’t been


baptized already).

44
FIRSTSTEP

46
MANNA.CHURCH

You might also like