Debt – A Daily Decision – Teaching Plan
Key Thought: The believer who lives debt-free is both financially and emotionally free. Wise management of financial and material resources includes saving and investing.
1. Have a volunteer read Deuteronomy 28:44,45.
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a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. What are the spiritual dangers for a person who gets too caught up in debt?
c. Personal Application : How can we discern between what we need and what we want and whether we can afford it or not? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your relatives states: “The biggest cause of debt is credit cards. People can buy what they want without taking a dime out of their pockets, purse, or wallet to evaluate whether they can afford it or not. When the bill comes, they have spent more than they can pay.” Do you tend to agree or disagree with your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read Luke 14:28-30.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. What does this teach us about getting into too much debt?
c. Personal Application: What choices have you made or could make now to help you avoid any unnecessary debt? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your friends states, “I know people who do things without having the money to pay for it, but they say since it’s God’s work, I don’t have to worry about the cost because God will provide. Is that faith or presumption?” How would you respond to your friend?
3. Have a volunteer read Deuteronomy 28:12.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What is the biggest problem in borrowing money: either from a lending institution or another person, whether friend or relative?
c. Personal Application: Have you ever loaned money to someone who never paid you back? What lesson did you learn? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “You can’t help but borrow money these days. Everything costs more than what a person makes in a short time. A house, car, furniture, appliances all are expensive. So how can we not borrow money?” How would you respond to your neighbor?
4. Have a volunteer read Proverbs 13:11.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What is wealth gained by vanity? Why will it be diminished?
c. Personal Application: How does saving and investing build a barrier against debt? Are there psychological and emotional benefits from being debt free? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.
(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).
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