Aims:
To help each parishioner to fulfil their role in God’s Church
To encourage everyone to see and discover their gifts
To help us to move beyond obstacles and failures of the past
Introduction
Thanks be to God for another year to observe STEWARSHIP SUNDAY in our Diocese. Over the years, it has been a time to seek, to discover our God’s giving abilities and skills and talents so that we can use them to serve the Lord in His Church, in the context of Lokoja Diocese. Every true Child of God has a special gift. It is not God’s will that our gifts should be dormant and inactive. At the end of time, we all (both Clergy and Laity) will give account to God for our stewardship of His gifts. We thank God for those who have discovered their gifts and skills and are using them faithfully.
Our focus for this year’s stewardship Sunday is on John 9:4, “We must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.” (ESV). If the Lord Jesus made it His priority to live a purpose driven life, we can do no less.
Please, back this exercise up with prayer.
Study Guide
Why was this man born blind? John 9:1-3; 11:4
2. From verse 4, consider the following questions:
a. What does Jesus teaches here about purposeful living?
b. What can we see about divine assignment and how we must prioritize it?
c. How long do we have to accomplish our God’s given task?
d. What do you understand by, “While it is day?”
e. “The night is coming, when no one can work.” What does this mean?
3. How can we know what God has assign us to do? Ex. 31:1-6; Eph. 4:11-13; 1Cor. 12:7-11.
4. What is our responsibility once we know our gifts? Rom. 12:6-8.
5. What are the hindrances preventing you from:
a. Discovering your gifts
b. Using your gift in your Parish/Diocese
6. Some people are playing roles that God has not assigned them or that do not glorify God in His Church. How do you see this from the following passages? Jude vs 4&19; 3John vs 9-11
7. What could God be counting on you to do on the basis of what He has given you as a special ability? Are you burying your talents? Ex. 4:2-5; 36:1-7; 1Peter 4:10.
Conclusion:
God has blessed us with people who are variously gifted to serve Him. Ask yourself sincerely this questions: i. Have I made myself available for God’s use according to the needs in my Parish/Diocese? Or do I have my idea of how I want to serve Him? ii. Am I prepared to overcome obstacles preventing me from using my gift? iii. Is there something you can initiate or introduce which can bring about growth in the Diocese? iv. Could it be that certain blessings are being withheld from you or from the Diocese because of your failures/unwillingness to serve? v. Do you require some training (Capacity building) in the areas you believe God wants to use you?
Memory Verse (Rev. 22:12): “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.”
MINISTRY AREAS
While some gifts are mentioned in the Bible, there are many other gifts needed today that are not necessarily in the Bible.
Here are a few of the Ministry Areas you can be involved in:
Mission and Evangelism
Teaching Adult Sunday School (Bible Study)
Teaching Children Sunday School (Requires training)
Guild of Steward
Choir/Band/Worship Leader
Counselling
Musicians – playing instruments (might require training)
Media (Handling P.A. System, Video/Photography/Projection of Service or Liturgy, Recording (Audio/Video)
Sanitation (Ensuring tidy environment)
Security
Brigade
Medical
Visitation
Caring for those in need (Welfare)
Lay reader/Evangelist (Training required and may be posted to lead smaller Churches under Clergy supervision)
The list is not exhaustive.
Suggested Hymns:
CH 714: COME, Labour on.
CH 584, WC 238: TAKE my life, and let it be
Readings:
1ST Lesson: Exodus 36:1-7
2nd Lesson: John 9:1-12
Most Rev. Emmanuel A. S. Egbunu, Ph.D
Diocesan