Embracing Kingdom Stewardship: Aligning with God's Purpose

 

Summary

Summary

In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves clinging to our own plans and desires, holding tightly to a self-made list of goals and ambitions. However, true spiritual growth and fulfillment come when we open our hands and hearts to God's guidance. Kingdom stewardship is about managing all that God has entrusted to us—our time, talents, and treasures—in a way that aligns with His divine purpose. This concept challenges us to shift our focus from self-centered ambitions to a God-centered life, where we seek His will above our own.

Dr. Tony Evans' latest release, in partnership with Focus on the Family, offers a profound exploration of this theme. His book, "Kingdom Stewardship," along with a study guide and DVD, provides valuable insights into how we can better align our lives with God's greater plan. Whether you choose to embark on this journey alone or with a small group, these resources are designed to inspire and equip you to live a life of purpose and impact.

By embracing Kingdom stewardship, we learn to trust in God's provision and guidance, recognizing that everything we have is a gift from Him. This perspective not only transforms our relationship with God but also influences how we interact with others and the world around us. As we let go of our self-made lists and open ourselves to God's leading, we discover a deeper sense of peace, joy, and fulfillment in our lives.

Key Takeaways

- Open Hands, Open Heart: Embracing Kingdom stewardship requires us to release our tight grip on personal ambitions and open our hands to God's guidance. This act of surrender allows us to align our lives with His divine purpose, leading to greater spiritual growth and fulfillment. [00:10]

- Managing God's Gifts: Kingdom stewardship involves managing our time, talents, and treasures in a way that honors God. By recognizing that everything we have is a gift from Him, we are called to use these resources to further His kingdom and serve others. [00:10]

- Trust in God's Provision: Letting go of self-made plans and trusting in God's provision can be challenging, but it leads to a deeper sense of peace and security. When we rely on His guidance, we find that He provides for our needs in ways we could never have imagined. [00:10]

- Living with Purpose: By focusing on God's greater plan for our lives, we discover a sense of purpose and direction that transcends our own desires. This shift in perspective allows us to live more intentionally and make a meaningful impact in the world. [00:24]

- Community and Growth: Engaging with resources like Dr. Tony Evans' "Kingdom Stewardship" book and study guide can foster personal and communal growth. Whether studied alone or in a group, these materials encourage us to deepen our understanding of stewardship and apply it in our daily lives. [00:24]

Youtube Chapters

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Kingdom Stewardship
- [00:24] - Dr. Tony Evans' New Release
- [00:36] - Closing Remarks

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Kingdom Stewardship

Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
2. 1 Peter 4:10 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."
3. Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

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Observation Questions:
1. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between our personal ambitions and God's guidance? [00:10]
2. How does Dr. Tony Evans' book "Kingdom Stewardship" aim to help individuals or groups in their spiritual journey? [00:24]
3. According to the sermon, what are the components of Kingdom stewardship that we are called to manage? [00:10]
4. What resources are included in the special bundle offer mentioned in the sermon, and how are they intended to be used? [00:24]

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Interpretation Questions:
1. How might Matthew 6:33 challenge individuals to prioritize their lives differently in the context of Kingdom stewardship?
2. In what ways does 1 Peter 4:10 encourage believers to view their talents and gifts as part of their stewardship responsibilities?
3. How does the sermon suggest that trusting in God's provision can lead to a deeper sense of peace and security? [00:10]
4. What does Proverbs 3:5-6 imply about the importance of surrendering our plans to God's guidance, and how is this reflected in the sermon? [00:10]

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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current list of personal goals. How can you open your hands to allow God's guidance to reshape these ambitions? [00:10]
2. Identify one area of your life where you struggle to trust in God's provision. What steps can you take this week to rely more on His guidance? [00:10]
3. Consider the time, talents, and treasures you have been entrusted with. How can you use these resources to serve others and further God's kingdom this month? [00:10]
4. How can engaging with Dr. Tony Evans' "Kingdom Stewardship" resources help you grow personally and within your community? [00:24]
5. Think of a recent situation where you held tightly to your own plans. How might releasing control to God have changed the outcome or your perspective? [00:10]
6. What practical steps can you take to live more intentionally with a God-centered focus, as suggested by the sermon? [00:24]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group to embrace Kingdom stewardship and support each other in this journey? [00:24]

Devotional

Day 1: Surrendering Personal Ambitions to Divine Guidance
Embracing Kingdom stewardship requires us to release our tight grip on personal ambitions and open our hands to God's guidance. This act of surrender allows us to align our lives with His divine purpose, leading to greater spiritual growth and fulfillment. When we let go of our self-made plans, we create space for God to work in our lives, guiding us toward a path that is more fulfilling and aligned with His will. This surrender is not a one-time event but a daily practice of trusting in God's wisdom and timing. [00:10]

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

Reflection: What is one personal ambition you are holding onto tightly? How can you open your hands to God's guidance in this area today?


Day 2: Honoring God with Our Resources
Kingdom stewardship involves managing our time, talents, and treasures in a way that honors God. By recognizing that everything we have is a gift from Him, we are called to use these resources to further His kingdom and serve others. This perspective shifts our focus from accumulating wealth and achievements for ourselves to using what we have been given to make a positive impact in the world. It challenges us to be intentional about how we allocate our time, develop our talents, and share our treasures. [00:10]

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." - 1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)

Reflection: Consider your current use of time, talents, and treasures. How can you better align these resources with God's purpose today?


Day 3: Trusting in God's Provision
Letting go of self-made plans and trusting in God's provision can be challenging, but it leads to a deeper sense of peace and security. When we rely on His guidance, we find that He provides for our needs in ways we could never have imagined. This trust is built through a relationship with God, where we learn to depend on His faithfulness and goodness. As we release control and trust in His provision, we experience a freedom that comes from knowing that our lives are in His capable hands. [00:10]

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19 (ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's provision? How can you take a step of faith to trust Him more today?


Day 4: Discovering Purpose Through God's Plan
By focusing on God's greater plan for our lives, we discover a sense of purpose and direction that transcends our own desires. This shift in perspective allows us to live more intentionally and make a meaningful impact in the world. When we align our lives with God's plan, we find that our actions and decisions are guided by a higher purpose, leading to a life of significance and fulfillment. This journey requires us to seek God's will and be open to His leading, trusting that His plan is far greater than anything we could imagine. [00:24]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." - Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your current life direction. How can you align your daily actions with God's greater plan for you?


Day 5: Growing in Community Through Stewardship
Engaging with resources like Dr. Tony Evans' "Kingdom Stewardship" book and study guide can foster personal and communal growth. Whether studied alone or in a group, these materials encourage us to deepen our understanding of stewardship and apply it in our daily lives. Community plays a vital role in our spiritual journey, providing support, accountability, and encouragement as we seek to live out our faith. By learning and growing together, we can inspire one another to be faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. [00:24]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

Reflection: How can you engage with your community to grow in your understanding and practice of stewardship? What steps can you take to encourage others in their journey?

Quotes

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Transcript
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