Bible study questions for Lesson 3 of my series entitled Christian Fundamentals.
Answer the following questions with Scripture. (Download a PDF version of these questions here.)
Giving
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What was the first gift? Who gave it? When was it given? What did this gift cost? (Careful, this is a bit of a trick question.)
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Beginning in Genesis, what is the first example of a person giving that we find in the Bible? To whom was the gift given? What was the purpose?
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What is the first example of tithing in the Bible? Was the tithe requested or required by GOD? What was the purpose of the tithe in this situation?
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What is the second example of tithing in the Bible? Was the tithe requested or required by GOD? What was the purpose of the tithe in this situation?
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Under the Law of Moses, what were Israelites to tithe? Was the tithe voluntary or required by GOD? What was the purpose of the tithe in this situation?
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Under the Law of Moses, did Israelites give in ways other than the tithe? If yes, list examples.
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List what Jesus taught about giving and the Scripture references (hint: it’s a lot more than just dying for us)?
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Why did Jesus cleanse the temple? What were the people doing wrong, and what impact does this have upon giving?
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How much of our money and possessions does GOD own?
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What does the subject of giving teach us about the heart of GOD?
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What is the relationship between giving and sacrifice?
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What impact does giving have upon us individually?
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List any NT examples of Christians giving. In each situation, was the gift requested or required by GOD? What was the purpose of the gift in each situation?
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What sin did Ananias and Sapphira commit in regard to giving? What lessons can we learn from their account about GOD's view of our giving?
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Is there an example of a church treasury in the NT?
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Read 1 Cor. 16; 2 Cor. 8:1-9:15; Acts 20:1-3; 21:15-18. Who initiated the giving that is referenced in 1 Cor. 16:1-2?
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Is there a NT example of or instruction for a church:
– Owning property or a meeting place?
– Financially supporting an evangelist?
– Financially supporting an elder/shepherd/overseer?
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What impact does the following have upon individual Christians (families) and the collective congregation:
– A regularly-funded treasury?
– A church-owned building or meeting place?
– A paid evangelist, pulpit preacher or other “staff”?
– Not having a treasury?
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In light of the previous question, what vital lesson should we Christians learn about subjects where there is significant disagreement, such as spending “the Lord’s money?"
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Does the study of giving impact your views of the Command, Example, Necessary Inference (CENI) and Silence of the Scriptures (SoS) doctrines? If yes, explain.
