Four complete 75-minute sessions for Gospel-centered financial education.
Facilitation standard. Participation and disclosure must be voluntary. Do not present financial hardship as moral or spiritual failure, prescribe a universal giving percentage, or provide individualized professional advice unless appropriately qualified.
Week 1
The Gospel, Identity, and Stewardship
Leader preparation
Review the passages in context.
Do not ask participants to disclose income, debt, giving, credit scores, or account information.
Prepare referral information for nonprofit credit counseling, licensed professionals, and local assistance when appropriate.
Objectives
Distinguish the Gospel from financial success.
Discuss stewardship without equating wealth with spiritual maturity.
Suggested 75-minute agenda
Time
Activity
10 min
Welcome, confidentiality reminder, and opening prayer
15 min
Read and discuss Genesis 1:26–28, Romans 3:23, Ephesians 2:8–10, and Psalm 24:1
20 min
Teaching and examples
20 min
Private exercise and optional discussion
10 min
Questions, resources, and closing prayer
Discussion prompts
Where have Christian communities unintentionally connected financial success with God’s favor?
How does identity in Christ change the way money is discussed?
Private practice
Write a household stewardship statement that begins with responsibilities and values rather than percentages.
Week 2
Budgeting, Needs, and Financial Stress
Leader preparation
Review the passages in context.
Do not ask participants to disclose income, debt, giving, credit scores, or account information.
Prepare referral information for nonprofit credit counseling, licensed professionals, and local assistance when appropriate.
Objectives
Build a flexible zero-based plan from actual household responsibilities.
Use hardship-sensitive language when discussing spending.
Suggested 75-minute agenda
Time
Activity
10 min
Welcome, confidentiality reminder, and opening prayer
15 min
Read and discuss Luke 14:28, 1 Timothy 5:8, and Proverbs 27:23
20 min
Teaching and examples
20 min
Private exercise and optional discussion
10 min
Questions, resources, and closing prayer
Discussion prompts
Which expenses are essential in your context?
How can a group support participants without requiring disclosure of private details?
Private practice
Complete the formula-driven budget workbook privately and note one assumption to revisit.
Week 3
Debt, Credit, and Seeking Help
Leader preparation
Review the passages in context.
Do not ask participants to disclose income, debt, giving, credit scores, or account information.
Prepare referral information for nonprofit credit counseling, licensed professionals, and local assistance when appropriate.
Objectives
Explain snowball and avalanche methods accurately.
Identify signs that professional credit or legal assistance may be appropriate.
Suggested 75-minute agenda
Time
Activity
10 min
Welcome, confidentiality reminder, and opening prayer
15 min
Read and discuss Proverbs 22:7, Romans 13:8, and Proverbs 15:22
20 min
Teaching and examples
20 min
Private exercise and optional discussion
10 min
Questions, resources, and closing prayer
Discussion prompts
What are the emotional strengths and weaknesses of each payoff method?
How should a leader respond when required payments are unaffordable?
Private practice
List balances, rates, minimums, and due dates; do not share personal figures with the group unless you freely choose to.
Week 4
Generosity, Savings, and Long-Term Stewardship
Leader preparation
Review the passages in context.
Do not ask participants to disclose income, debt, giving, credit scores, or account information.
Prepare referral information for nonprofit credit counseling, licensed professionals, and local assistance when appropriate.
Objectives
Discuss voluntary giving without pressure.
Integrate generosity with essential needs, reserves, and long-term planning.
Suggested 75-minute agenda
Time
Activity
10 min
Welcome, confidentiality reminder, and opening prayer
15 min
Read and discuss 2 Corinthians 9:7, 1 Timothy 6:17–19, and Proverbs 21:20
20 min
Teaching and examples
20 min
Private exercise and optional discussion
10 min
Questions, resources, and closing prayer
Discussion prompts
What practices protect generosity from manipulation?
How can saving and giving both serve responsible stewardship?
Private practice
Choose one sustainable action involving giving, saving, or service and schedule a review date.
Leader follow-up and evaluation
Invite anonymous feedback on clarity, safety, accessibility, and usefulness.
Document any statements that require correction before the next session.
Provide alternative formats when requested.
Review all local referral information at least annually.