A GOD-LIVED LIFE STEWARDSHIP CHALLENGE
This month, the particular focus of the God-lived life is that of being a disciple, a learner, one who grows in Godās Word. May Godās Word cause us to crave that pure spiritual milk so that by it we grow up in our salvation.
Our challenge card this month will focus on growing and learning in Godās Word. Whatās your biggest motivation for spending time in Godās Word? Whatās your biggest obstacle to spending time in Godās Word? What can help you overcome that obstacle? How can you build Bible study and prayer time into your regular routine?
Your challenge this quarter can be shared by the entire household or print a card for each member of your family.Ā Ā Select one of the options given or write in your own challenge (thereās ideas from the list below).Ā Ā If you need materials or direction starting one of these challenges, please reach out to Pastor HornĀ loginlafayette@gmail.com |
Click below for the resources for each quarter’s challenge.
Quarter 1
A GOD-LIVED LIFE: A life of being a disciple
This quarter, the particular focus of the God-lived life is that of being a disciple, a learner, one who grows in Godās Word. May Godās Word cause us to crave that pure spiritual milk so that by it we grow up in our salvation.
Our challenge card this quarter will focus on growing and learning in Godās Word. Whatās your biggest motivation for spending time in Godās Word? Whatās your biggest obstacle to spending time in Godās Word? What can help you overcome that obstacle? How can you build Bible study and prayer time into your regular routine?
Your challenge this quarter can be shared by the entire household or print a card for each member of your family.Ā Select one of the options given or write in your own challenge (thereās ideas from the list below).Ā If you need materials or direction starting one of these challenges, please reach out to Pastor Horn loginlafayette@gmail.com 765.414.5227Ā Ā
May God bless the coming weeks as we commit to living a God-lived life of discipleship!
Download the first quarter 19-Minute Bible Study
Challenge card ideas:
- Attend four Bible studies in the next four weeks (in person or via Zoom)
- Set aside time to pray daily (morning/night)
- Do daily Bible reading (at least 5 minutes per day)
- Do a nightly devotion with spouse (4x per week) https://wels.net/dev-daily/
- Read a family devotion at dinner (3x per week) https://wels.net/family-devotion/
- Pray before meals and at bedtime
- Start a prayer journal
- Complete Bible Basics Class series https://lambofgodlafayette.com/ministry/bible-basics/
- Memorize one Bible passage each week
- Start a Bible reading plan (https://wels.net/serving-you/bible/)
- Subscribe to a WELS devotion e-mail for individuals, families, couples, or teens
(https://wels.net/serving-you/devotions/) - Use the WELS Marriage Moments weekly devotions for couples
(https://welscongregationalservices.net/ministry-resources/marriagemoments/)
- Take child(ren) to Sunday school each Sunday this month
- Attend Sunday school each Sunday this month
- Set aside 15 minutes each week to talk about the sermon/Sunday school topic with family/friends
Download the first quarter challenge cards
Quarter 2
A GOD-LIVED LIFE:Ā A life lived for others
This quarter, the particular focus of the God-lived life is aĀ life lived for others, a life of generosity. God allows us the opportunity to serve and love one another, especially those who are part of our communities.
Our challenge card this quarter will focus on being a good neighbor. What makes someone a good neighbor? How can you show Godās love to others by being a good neighbor? How can our church be a good neighbor to our community? How can we be present for others?
Your challenge this quarter can be shared by the entire household or print a card for each member of your family.Ā Ā Select one of the options given or write in your own challenge (thereās ideas from the list below).Ā Ā If you need materials or direction starting one of these challenges, please reach out to Pastor HornĀ loginlafayette@gmail.com |
May God bless the coming weeks as we commit to living a God-lived life for others!
Download the second quarter 19-Minute Bible Study
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Challenge card ideas:
- Participate in a congregation outreach effort (blood drive; Music and Art Camp;
Mornings with Mommy; Jesus Cares – worship for people with special needs;
canvassing; campus ministry etc.) - Volunteer at a local non-profit once a month this quarter
- Resources for non-profit volunteer opportunities:
- https://uwlafayette.org/volunteer/
- https://lafayettevolunteerexpo.org
- Volunteer to work with Pastor to identify non-profits our congregation might partner with each quarter
- Participate in the WELS āLetās Goā outreach Bible study (https://
welscongregationalservices.net/lets-go/) - Organize a meal train for a family in the neighborhood that is struggling or who just had a baby
- Send a monetary gift or gift cards to a struggling individual or family
- Send an encouraging card, e-mail, or text to a struggling individual or family
- Make cookies for a neighbor and deliver them in person
- Volunteer to read a devotion to a homebound member
- Sign up to give someone a ride to church once per month
- Sign up for a volunteer activity at church (yard work, remodeling projects,
livestream, ushering, etc.) - Help teach Sunday school once per month
- Talk to a friend about Jesus (or co-worker, family member, neighbor, acquaintance)
- Offer to pray for a hurting neighbor or co-worker
- Pray for a missionary, his family, and the people they minister to with the gospel https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/
- Participate in a congregation outreach effort (blood drive; Music and Art Camp;
Download the second quarter challenge cards
Quarter 3
A GOD-LIVED LIFE: A life of hospitality
This quarter, the particular focus of the God-lived life is aĀ life lived for others, a life of generosity. God allows us the opportunity to serve and love one another, especially those who are part of our communities.
Our challenge card this quarter will focus on being a good neighbor. What makes someone a good neighbor? How can you show Godās love to others by being a good neighbor? How can our church be a good neighbor to our community? How can we be present for others?
Your challenge this quarter can be shared by the entire household or print a card for each member of your family.Ā Ā Select one of the options given or write in your own challenge (thereās ideas from the list below).Ā Ā If you need materials or direction starting one of these challenges, please reach out to Pastor HornĀ loginlafayette@gmail.comĀ
Download the third quarter 19-Minute Bible Study
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Challenge card ideas:
Below is a list of ways that we might love strangers. On your own, pick out two that would be comfortable for you to do and one that you are not comfortable with. Be ready to explain why you picked the ones you picked. Are there any you would add to the list?
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- Invite a guest at church out for lunch after worship
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- Invite a church member who has never been to your home to your home for a meal
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- Invite a friend to come with you to church and lunch afterwards
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- Have a 60-second conversation with five people you donāt regularly talk to at church
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- Talk to someone you donāt know well and introduce them to someone you do know well
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- Find someone at church who seems to be involved in everything and ask how you can help them
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- Visit homebound members with a devotion or simply for a visit
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- Find a way to introduce yourself to your neighbors
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- Make cookies for neighbors and deliver them in person
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- Host a block party at your house
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- Arrive to church 15minutes early on Sunday to greet people
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- Sit next to a new member/one you donāt know every Sunday
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- Assist with coffee/treats for a Sunday
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Download the third quarter challenge cards
Quarter 4
A GOD-LIVED LIFE: A life lived shrewdly
While stewardship of our finances isnāt the only part of stewardship, it is a part of it. Godās Word encourages us to use all of the financial gifts God has given us with an eye on our purpose.
Our challenge card this quarter will focus on living shrewdly with the blessings and treasures that God has given us. But what did Jesus mean when he encouraged us to be shrewd? Who is someone you know that is a positive example of shrewdness? In what ways are you already shrewd? In what ways are you not shrewd? How can you honor God by managing with intention the gifts he has given you?
Your challenge this quarter can be shared by the entire household or print a card for each member of your family.Ā Ā Select one of the options given or write in your own challenge (thereās ideas from the list below). If you need materials or direction starting one of these challenges, please reach out to Pastor Horn loginlafayette@gmail.comĀ
Download the fourth quarter 19-Minute Bible Study
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Challenge card ideas:
Below is a list of ways that we might live life a bit more shrewdly. Be ready to explain why you picked the ones you picked. Are there any you would add to the list?
- Evaluate my percentage of giving and increase if motivated (try 10 for 10… 10% for 10 weeks)
- Give a gift for special outreach work at church
- Create or update my will to include the support of Godās work (**information below)
- Host a rummage sale and give the proceeds to church or to charity
- Set aside personal funds to take a friend, relative or neighbor out for lunch/coffee (outreach = connecting with the lost in order to connect them to Christ)Ā
- Enroll in Financial Peace University (ramseysolutions.com) or ask your church to host a Financial Peace University course
- Read the book āThe Total Money Makeoverā by Dave Ramsey
- Create a budget for your personal income/expenses (ramseysolutions.com look for the EveryDollar app and the Free Tools menu)
- Give a special gift to WELS World Missions or Home Missions (wels.net/missions and click GIVING in the upper right corner)
- Consider using your required minimum distribution from your IRA to give a direct gift to church (tax-free in most cases)
- Give a special gift to a WELS worker training school:
- Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, MI mlsem.org
- Luther Prep School, Watertown, WI lps.wels.net
- Martin Luther College, New Ulm, MN mlc-wels.edu
- Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, WI wls.wels.net
**For updating your will, setting up trust funds, deferred giving, required minimum distributions from IRA and special tax-friendly gifts to WELS or your church, contact our WELS Christian Giving Counselors:
- Rick Kneser 262-305-7688
- Paul Lindhorst 605-880-1583
Download the fourth quarter challenge cards