TO TITHE IS TO LOVE

2004

Lesson 1: “We Depend on God”

OBJECTIVE:

The students will be able to explain John 15:7 as “We can do nothing without God. We must depend on God for all things, and trust God.”

TIME:  10 minutes

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Vine and Branches Handout (provided)

Bible:  Genesis 1:26-27; Luke 10: 7 and John 15:7

Chalkboard and chalk or large paper and markers

 

FOR THE CATECHIST:

Every week the children will be asked to bring in an offering for your class box. Check to see if it is in each lesson plan, and if it isn’t, determine when you will collect the offering and write it in. Likewise, at the conclusion of each lesson, the doorknob hanger reminders are to be given out. Check to see if that is in each lesson plan, and if it isn’t, write it in.

This is the first of four lessons on tithing.  This lesson should be presented after your normal lesson for the day.  For that reason, no opening prayer is given in this guide and the materials listed here are only for this segment of your lesson. Words that appear in italics provide the intent of the writer, as if teaching this lesson. Answers appear in parentheses. Do not read aloud to the children from this lesson plan!

The students will begin by reviewing that we are made in God’s image, which allows us to be connected intimately with God. The focus of this lesson is the Gospel passage that Jesus speaks to the disciples, “I am the vine and you are the branches,” John 15:7. God is our source of life. We depend on Him, and trust Him.

INTRODUCTION:

For a few minutes now, we are going to have a special lesson. We will have three other special lessons in the next three weeks. These special lessons are to help us remember that God has given us everything, and it is only right that we should give back to God in thanksgiving. I have a special box here. I would like you to bring something to give to God each week. How many of you already contribute to the parish each week? We will place your offerings in the box.

CONTENT:

The first book of the Bible, Genesis, tells about the creation of human beings. Who can tell me something about human beings from the creation stories? [Allow responses.] Have a student read aloud Genesis 1:26-27.] Out of all creation, only the human person shares God’s image. Each of us is made in God’s image. God made us for a special reason—to live united with Him now and forever.

So, God has given us so much. What can we give God? Or what does God expect of us.  [Allow responses. Write on board: “God wants us to:”] First, we are to “Realize that we depend on Him, and trust Him for everything.”[Write on board

To remember our dependence on God there is a phrase that Jesus taught us. [Pass out handout and pencils.] Do you see the strong vine at the bottom, and the branches coming out of it? Write your name on two of the branches, and “God” on the vine. Now carefully tear your paper so that one of the branches is no long connected to the vine. Don’t tear it all the way off of the paper. If this were a real branch, would it live much longer? Why not?

Now look at the branch still connected to the vine. Draw several leaves growing from that branch. This activity is a metaphor for our lives. Below the drawing, we’ll write the words of Jesus: “I am the vine, you are the branches .  . . without Me, you can do nothing.” John 15:5 What does the saying mean? (We need to stay close to God because we depend on Him for everything.)

When we remember that we depend on God for everything, we learn to trust Him. We try to stay connected to Him. How do we do that? (Prayer, scripture, church).When and where do you pray? [Allow responses. Encourage class to find a time and place to pray every day.]. 

CLOSING:

Our special program, To Tithe is To Love, begins today. To help you remember to bring an offering to church to place in our box, we have doorknob hangers that tell you about a saint who had one of four qualities that we all try to have so that we give freely and cheerfully to the church. Today’s quality is trust. The Theotokos, the Mother of God, had to trust that God would take care of her. She is a good example, or exemplar of trust. Take this home and put it on your doorknob so that next week you can bring your offering for our special box.

Vine and Branches 

TO TITHE IS TO LOVE
2004

Lesson 2: “We Are Stewards”

OBJECTIVE:

The students will answer when asked, that a steward is a caretaker, and be able to complete a parallel table that shows the details of the story compared with our lives.

TIME:  10 minutes 

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Chalkboard and chalk or large paper and markers

Copies of Psalm 104 excerpts (provided

FOR THE CATECHIST:

The lesson presents the concept of stewardship by way of a story. The students will review the previous lesson concept, that God created all that is, and that everything belongs to God by reading excerpts from Psalm 104.

INTRODUCTION:

Last week we learned about the quality of trust. Trust is one of four qualities that help us bring an offering to God each week. Did anyone remember to bring an offering for our box? For this week’s lesson, we’ll begin with a story. And then read from a psalm.

CONTENT:

Do you know anyone who has a garden? This is a story about a garden, a family, and a steward, or caretaker.

There was a family with three children. They lived in the country on a farm. They grew their own fruits and vegetables. One day they received a phone call. Their grandmother was very sick and would probably die in a few days. It was summer, so the family, children and all, took the train across the

country to be with their grandmother and family. A man named Joe was hired to be the caretaker, or steward, of the garden. Joe would be allowed to take some vegetables for his own use.

About a week after they arrived, the grandmother died. The family stayed for another week, and then headed home.

When they arrived, the father of the family was shocked to see his garden. It had been a dry couple of weeks, and the plants were badly in need of water. A fence had a break in it and rabbits had climbed through and eaten the cabbages and carrots. The tomatoes that had been ready for picking were lying on the ground.

In a few minutes a neighbor came over with a basket of vegetables. He explained the situation. “Joe didn’t seem to care too much about working. He went into town every day and didn’t come home until night. When I tried to speak to him, he told me that he didn’t need the money and was about to leave town anyway. When I told him he was wrong to not care for your garden, he just shrugged and said he didn’t do anything wrong. It wasn’t like he was stealing something.”

The story ends here. In the story, the father left the garden in the care of Joe. What was Joe’s job  called in the story? (Steward or Caretaker) Did the garden belong to Joe? (No.) If you were the father of the family, what might you have said to Joe? [Allow responses.]

The story I told you applies to you and I. Let’s see if you can find the connection, with the help of some verses from Psalm 104. [Pass out Psalm 104 excerpt, have students read aloud.]

[Write on board as to make two columns: “Garden” and “All That Is.” As you discuss the parallels with the students, you will end up with the two columns reading:

GARDEN                    ALL THAT IS

Owner: Farmer Owner: God

Steward: Joe                Stewards: Us

Does anyone see a connection yet? In the story, who owns the garden? (Farmer) [Write “Owner: farmer under Garden.] Now, let’s think about us. Who owns the sky? Who owns the rivers? All that is belongs to God.  Who was the steward for the garden? (Joe)

In the first words of the Bible, God gave the world to Adam, who is a symbol for all humanity. He made Adam, and us, stewards of creation. Everything that is, belongs to God. Everything we have, belongs to God. So, who is the steward of all that is? (All of us.) Just as Joe should have returned to the farmer a well-cared for garden, as well as some of the best produce, we should give back to God from everything he has given us.

We speak of stewardship in the church as the three T’s: time, talent, and treasure. From all of these we are to return a portion to God. I didn’t use the word “give.” What is the difference between “give” and “return”, and why is “return” the right word? (Because “give” makes it seem like we own what we have, when everything we have is God’s.) What is a steward? (A caretaker) What are the three T’s of stewardship? (Time, talent, and treasure.)

CLOSING:

St. Nicholas was a very good steward. He had a lot of money from his family, and he gave it to poor people to help them out. We are good stewards when we use our talents in church. We can open doors for people, or help tidy the church, or even just smile at people. We are also good stewards when we bring an offering of what we have to God. St. Nicholas is on our doorknob reminder for this week. Next week, remember to bring in an offering for our box.

Psalm 104

Excerpted

Verses1-2

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

O Lord my God, You are very great:

You are clothed with honor and majesty,

Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment,

Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain.

 

Verses 10-13

He sends the springs into the valleys;

They flow among the hills.

They give drink to every beast of the field;

The wild donkeys quench their thirst.

By them the birds of the heavens have their home;

They sing among the branches.

He waters the hills from His upper chambers;

The earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works.

O Lord, how manifold are Your works!

In wisdom You have made them all.

The earth is full of Your possessions . . .

 

Verse 35

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Praise the Lord!

 

TO TITHE IS TO LOVE

2004

Lesson 3: “We Obey God”

OBJECTIVE:

The students will answer when asked, that tithing began with Abraham. They will be able to define “tithe” as 1/10 of what they earn and receive.

TIME:  10 minutes

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Bible marked at Genesis 14:17-20, and 28:20-22, and Matthew 23:23

Chalkboard and chalk or large paper and markers

A ten dollar bill; ten one dollar bills; ten dimes; ten pennies

FOR THE CATECHIST:

In this lesson tithing will be explained. Within the lesson are examples from the Old Testament of times when people offered at least one-tenth of their goods to God in thanksgiving for something God did for them. The students will be challenged to tithe in a spirit of thankfulness to God for His blessings.  We tithe not because God forces us to do so, but because love for Him. The students will learn to compute 10%. 

INTRODUCTION:

Last week we learned the word steward. Who remembers what it means? (Caretaker). This week we’ll build on the fact that nothing we have is ours, and learn how we are to return to God a portion of what He has given us. How many of you know how to work with percentages? That will come in handy.

CONTENT:

Let’s think back to Joe and the farmer. Let’s pretend they lived in the Old Testament. This is how the story would have played out. Joe would have taken care of the garden, knowing that he was only the servant of a great master. He would have also prepared a basket of the finest produce from the garden—the “first-fruits,” in thanksgiving for the piece of land that was entrusted to him. He would want show that under his care the land had produced a rich harvest, and therefore, he would be worth keeping as a servant.

Last week I mentioned the three T’s of stewardship. Does anyone recall what they are? (Time, talent, and treasure). We are to help our church with both our time and our talent. We are also to help with our treasure, namely, any money that comes our way, both through work, and through gifts.

How much should we give? Since the time of Abraham in the Old Testament, people gave 1/10, called “a tithe,” of all they had. Here are some passages that tell about tithing. [Have students read the following aloud, making sure the students speak clearly the passage about tithing.]

1) Genesis 14:7-20 (Abram gives thanks for his victory over Chedorlaoner and offered a tithe for all he had. Abram was later called Abraham.)  “...and Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”

 

2) Genesis 28:20-22    Jacob had a vision of many wonderful things God would provide for him. Jacob vowed to tithe from all God would give him:  “I will give the tenth to Thee.”  (Verse 22)

Tithing has been the way to show worship of God, since the time of Abraham. At the time of Jesus, it was understood and practiced. Jesus was scolding the Pharisees who tithed, but did not show justice, mercy, or faith. He told them it was right to tithe, but they should also have the right spiritual attitude. Let’s read Matthew 23:23.

Let’s try doing the math. If I have a dollar, how much should I give when I tithe? [Demonstrate on the board if necessary, and let students do other examples.]

[Use an example of a dollar.  One dollar = 10 dimes.  If you had a dollar, how much should you tithe?  (1/10^th of a dollar or 10 cents) 

Use the example of $10.00.  Suppose you got a birthday gift of $10.00. 

Ten dollars =10 dollar bills.  How much should you tithe? (1/10^th of ten dollars = 1 dollar)

You might say, “So, out of your birthday gift of $10 you give God $1.00 (meaning to the Church).  Is that too much to give to God?  Discuss reactions.]

 

CLOSING:

 Abraham was obedient to God long before the passage on tithing. He was both obedient and trusting. He knew that God was God, and he was man. He knew that it was only right to return to God what God had given him. Abraham is our exemplar of obedience.

 

TO TITHE IS TO LOVE

2004

 

Lesson 4: “We Offer Ourselves as God’s Servants”

OBJECTIVE:

The students will choose a way to help at church as a way of showing that they offer themselves to God through their time and talents.

TIME:  10 Minutes

MATERIALS NEEDED:

Copies of : The Greatest Commandment (provided)

Chalkboard and chalk or large paper and markers

Pencils for each student

 

FOR THE CATECHIST:

Although the children have learned to tithe in the last lesson, tithing is actually only the beginning of how we show our thankfulness to God. What God truly desires is that we submit ourselves as servants to Him, so that we may be His hands and His heart. He desires our time, and our talent as well as our tithe. The Greatest Commandment is an expression of what truly pleases God. Consider having the children memorize the scriptural phrase.

INTRODUCTION:

Was anyone successful in remembering to tithe for their offering today? [Allow sharing.] In lesson one, we learned that God is Creator of all, including us. All of creation belongs to God. That is the starting point for our lesson today.

[Allow responses.] How many of you want to go to heaven? What do you think you need to do to go to heaven?

CONTENT:

One day a man asked Jesus what he had to do to go to heaven. What do you think Jesus said? [Allow responses.]

Here is the answer: [Pass out handout.] “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all  your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

God wants us to tithe, but as you can see from the Greatest Commandment, He also wants us to give our life to Him. What does this mean?

God wants us to be His servants in the world. He wants us to be kind, and to do good deeds. What does God want us to do as His servants? (To be kind and to do good deeds.)  [Allow responses to the following.] If your grandmother is sick, what is something you could do to make her life easier? If

Father has asked for people to help out cleaning the church, what is something you could do? If we have a food drive here at church, what can you do?

God wants us to offer ourselves to Him.by giving of our time and talents. Let’s make a list about all the people at church who offer their talents. [Help the children mention the various roles and people who fill them, for example, choir members, altar servers, people who bake prosphora, treasurer, etc.] Let’s remember what we have learned already. God made everything, including us, and everything belongs to God, including us! When we give ourselves to God, we are giving what belongs to Him already.

To have a church, it is necessary for many people to contribute their time and talent. What can we do? [Allow responses. Consider organizing the food from the food drive, “doorpeople” who open the doors for those coming or going, passing out bulletins, tidying the nave.] I challenge you to find a way to help at church. On the handout that has the Greatest Commandment, I would like you to write down: “I will offer myself to God through ______________________. I want you to choose one way you will offer yourself to God through your time and talent. Take the page home, place it where it will remind you to offer yourself to God. [Permit students to use “love my neighbor” as well, as a touchstone for what they will do.]

CLOSING:

Our exemplar for giving oneself to God is St. Thekla She heard St. Paul speak about Jesus, and decided to travel spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. This was very dangerous work for a woman in those days. She gave her whole life to serving Jesus Christ. She is our exemplar of giving oneself to God.

The Greatest Commandment

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27