4RStudents | Commitment Guide

Hi Family:

This year is shaping up to be an exciting one because of our emphasis on improving ministry to students. Many have voiced their support for the 4RStudents movement and eagerly await an opportunity to demonstrate that by giving a generous gift over the next twelve months.

I’ve come to realize that making a financial commitment should be the result of a meaningful, spiritual journey. This personal commitment guide will help you to take your first steps. Use this guide to discover How God wants you to financially participate in the 4RStudents Movement.

Your gift will help give students a God legacy.

Our King Cometh!

Pastor David

A Personal Commitment Guide

Since the giving phase of the 4RStudents movement is for one year (April 2018—March 2019), we recommend taking the same six-step process Paul taught the Corinthian church to take prior to making a financial commitment. Paul said,

Although they were going through hard times and were very poor, they were glad to give generously. They gave as much as they could afford and even more, simply because they wanted to. They even asked and begged us to let them have the joy of giving their money for God’s people.
2 Corinthians 8:2-4

STEP 1 — DELIBERATE with God

Prayerfully seek God’s leadership. Ask God to shape your decisions. Walk through the doors God opens for you!

Step 2 — DISCOVER God’s purpose for our church and God’s will for you

What is God calling this church to do and to be? How is God working through your church to affect people’s lives? How would God work through you to make a difference in ministry?

Step 3 — DISCUSS what you are learning with others

Include your family in the discovery and decision-making process. Talk with others and learn from their experiences and examples.

Step 4 — DEFINE a sense of sacrifice in your life

What decisions and priorities could you make in your life to further invest yourself in your church? How can you give in ways that make a difference to you?

Step 5 — DETERMINE your potential for giving

Think outside the income-stream box. Special giving may include new strategies for giving. Do an inventory on your blessings and your potential for increased giving.

Step 6 — DECIDE on a personal giving plan

There are multiple methods for giving in the 4RStudents Movement. Special giving might include any combination of weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually, one-time, and/or asset-transfer gifts. Put together your own personal giving plan for the next one year to help you follow through with your commitment.

Discovering Opportunities for Giving

A one-year, over-and-above financial commitment to the 4RStudents Movement requires proper motive and motivation. The following study will help you to discern both your heart and God’s heart for giving generously.

Income & Sacrifice

Income-Stream Giving: Giving as you receive income — from your regular income, bonuses, and/or through your personal business.
Sacrifice: Changing your lifestyle/priorities can create additional resources for giving.
Delaying Expenditures: Postponing anticipated purchases can free resources for giving.
Freedom from Debt: After a debt is retired, the resources that were applied to that debt are now available for giving.
Income-Producing Assets: Interest earned, income from rental properties, or monies from other income-producing assets can be given.

Giving Assets

Giving Appreciated Assets: Consider transferring appreciated assets (stocks, real estate, etc.) as a way to increase giving.
Sale of Assets: Money resulting from the sale of personal assets, or from personally owned business assets, could be given.
Savings & Investments: You may be able to give some portion of accumulated assets without significantly affecting your future security. The “returns” from investing in ministry may be more significant to you than simply accumulating more market returns.

Time & Talent

Additional Income: Using your skills and talents, taking on additional work, or delaying retirement could produce additional income to use as a gift.
Gifts in Kind: Donating specific services and/or materials, either personally or through your business, provides a unique opportunity for increased giving.

Experiencing Joy

There is no formula, no quick accounting, and no percentage target for a financial commitment to 4RStudents. As always, the truest measure of stewardship is equal sacrifice, not equal gifts. Not everyone has the resources to make a million dollar gift, but every person can meaningfully invest in what God is doing at Christ Church in proportion to their blessings.

If there is no formula for what one might give, then how does anyone gauge how “right” their commitment decision might be? Try the questions below to discover your own internal measures.

In a personal way, will this commitment make a difference in me? Will this commitment affect my life, allowing me to invest myself in the mission and ministry of my church?
Am I willing to take time to pray about this decision? Genuinely seek God’s guidance in how He might work through me?
Am I thinking creatively about a comprehensive giving plan that represents what I am capable of giving? What assets and resources could I use as a gift?
Will this giving decision involve a sense of sacrifice in my life? Do my priorities reflect my commitment to my church?
Am I discovering a new joy in giving? There is something freeing and deeper about the life of grace that we never experience until we learn to give as freely and deeply as God gives to us.

First, they gave themselves to God; and then, by the will of God to us…so that we might complete this generous undertaking among you.
2 Corinthians 8:5-6

Discovering Your Potential for Giving – Worksheet

Use this worksheet to discover what you have available to give.