A Disciple's Generous Response

Growing a Grateful, Generous Heart
Community of Christ Supplemental Study Guide for Parents/Family

Stewardship Resources for Children and Their Families
 

Most of the information in the Growing a Grateful, Generous Heart Parent/Family Resource fits the theology, philosophy, and principles of the Community of Christ. The following is a list of adaptations and additions to consider:

The scripture quotations used in the Parent/Family Resource are from Today’s English Version (TEV)—Second Edition, ©1992 by the American Bible Society. Today’s English Version originally appeared in the late 1970s as the Good News Bible. Because translators wanted this Bible to use standard, everyday English, many of its passages are paraphrases rather than strict renderings of the ancient texts. This very simple, readable version has a limited vocabulary at seventh-grade reading level. Consider using a New Revised Standard Version or The Youth Bible—New Century Version by Word Publishing.
 

The following suggestions are referenced by session and page number.

Introduction

p. 6 — For more information about children’s offering envelopes visit www.CofChrist.org/bishop/kids-envelopes.asp. They are available from your congregational financial officer (CFO). Also, see the following note for page 11.

Key Words for Kids

1. Be generous

2. Be dependable

3. Manage your money

4. Share joyfully

5. Save wisely

6. Spend carefully

Six Principles for Kids

1. Because you follow Jesus, be generous by loving others the way God loves you.

2. Because you follow Jesus, be dependable by helping others.

3. Because you follow Jesus, manage the money you have to help God, neighbors, yourself, and the world.

4. Because you follow Jesus, share joyfully some of what God has given you.

5. Because you follow Jesus, save wisely part of what you have for when it will be needed for yourself and others.

6. Because you follow Jesus, spend carefully what you have to live a healthy, happy life together with God and others.

Session 1: The Good Shepherd

“Good stewardship is good shepherding—providing for the needs of others and protecting the vulnerable from harm.”—Growing a Grateful, Generous Heart Leader Guide, p. 22

A Disciples’ Generous Response principles emphasized (kid’s version):

1 – Be Generous by loving others the way God loves you.
2 – Be Dependable by helping others.
3 – Manage the money you have to help God, neighbors, yourself, and the world.
4 – Share joyfully some of what God has given you.

p. 11 — For information about Tithing in the Community of Christ, visit http://www.cofchrist.org/generosity/.

p. 21 — Using the “Giving Box” (also on pp. 30, 39, 49, and 55) is not a tradition in the Community of Christ, but it could be used. An alternative idea would be introducing offering envelopes to the children. For more information about children’s offering envelopes visit www.CofChrist.org/bishop/kids-envelopes.asp. They are available from your congregational financial officer (CFO).

p. 26 — Prayer Options (also on pp. 34, 44, and 54) The Book of Common Prayer is available at http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bcp/. It is not a resource commonly used for prayers, sacraments, and ordinances in the Community of Christ.

Session 2: Creation

God is the creator of gifts. God’s gifts to us become our gifts to share with others.

A Disciples’ Generous Response principles emphasized (kid’s version):

1 – Be Generous by loving others the way God loves you.
2 – Be Dependable by helping others.
4 – Share joyfully some of what God has given you.

p. 28 — Reflection and Response
For contemporary stories of generosity and sharing in the Community of Christ, visit http://www.CofChrist.org/offertory/default.asp.

p. 34 — The following suggested hymns can be found in Hymns of the Saints: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee,” 20, and “For the Beauty of the Earth,” 75.

Session 3: The Widow’s Offering

Jesus was touched by the widow’s generous response.

A Disciples’ Generous Response principles emphasized (kid’s version):

1 – Be generous by loving others the way God loves you.
2 – Be dependable by helping others.
3 – Manage the money you have to help God, neighbors, yourself, and the world.
4 – Share joyfully some of what God has given you.
5 – Save wisely part of what you have for when it will be needed for yourself and others.
6 – Spend carefully what you have to live a healthy, happy life together with God and others.

p. 44 — The suggested hymn “Take My Life, That I May Be,” cannot be found in Hymns of the Saints with that title. “Take My Life and Let It Be” from Hymns of the Saints, 408, could be used as a substitute.

Session 4: Jesus Calls His Disciples

God’s generosity and love are compelling invitations for us to live differently in the world.—Growing a Grateful, Generous Heart Leader Guide, p. 81

A Disciples’ Generous Response principles emphasized (kid’s version):

1 – Be generous by loving others the way God loves you.
2 – Be dependable by helping others.
3 – Manage the money you have to help God, neighbors, yourself, and the world.
4 – Share joyfully some of what God has given you.
5 – Save wisely part of what you have for when it will be needed for yourself and others.
6 – Spend carefully what you have to live a healthy, happy life together with God and others.

p. 51 — When setting up the “Tithing Circle” activity, be sure to acknowledge the concept of tithing within Community of Christ. More information is available in Chapter 4 of Becoming a Generous Disciple—Six Principles to Live By or at http://www.CofChrist.org/generosity/.

p. 54 — The suggested hymn “O Jesus, I Have Promised” can be found in Hymns of the Saints, 463.