Prompts if no response: Money, a tenth of what you have, a portion of what you have earned that is to be set aside for God’s purpose, etc.
Supporting Scripture
Under the Old Covenant, the law commanded the sons of Levi who become priests to collect from the people a tenth that was set aside for God’s purpose
Hebrews 7:5
.
Discussion Question 1:
What do you know about first tithe, second tithe and third tithe?
Prompts if no response: First tithe is for God; we send it to the Church to support the work of the Church. Second tithe is for us to save up so we can keep the holy days and rejoice during the holy days—especially the Feast of Tabernacles. Third tithe is either sent to the Church or taken out of our taxes to help brethren.
Supporting Scriptures
In the Old Testament God’s people were commanded to give Him the tithe (tenth) to support religious functions
Leviticus 27:30
;
Numbers 18:21
. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ upheld the importance of tithing
Matthew 23:23
.
Discussion Question 2:
What are some things you think the Church does with the first tithe?
Prompts if no response: The Church rents meeting halls, pays ministers so they don’t have to get a different job while being a minister, pays for church activities, pays for what we need to preach the gospel to others. It may be helpful to briefly point out that not everything the Church does is fully paid for with tithes. Things like activities may be sponsored with additional money that people give apart from tithes.
What are some things we can use our second tithe on that would probably be pleasing to God? What are some things that would probably not be pleasing? Why?
Prompts if no response: Things that would be pleasing to God could include taking people out to eat at the Feast, buying your friends Feast gifts, eating and drinking things you don’t usually get to enjoy, etc. Things that are not pleasing could include spending all your second tithe on yourself, buying things that aren’t connected to enjoying the Feasts, using it for other things, etc.
Supporting Scripture
The second tithe (also called the Festival tithe) is talked about in
Deuteronomy 14:22-27
. Verse 23 says, “And you shall eat before the LORD your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.”
Hypothetical 1:
What would you think or say back if you heard this: “If you tithe, your family won’t have enough money left for what you need.”
Prompts if no response: God blesses those who faithfully tithe; it is all God’s money anyway, and He is the One who protects and provides for us, whether our bank accounts have much or little; failing to tithe is robbing God; etc.
Supporting Scripture
God challenged His people to prove His eagerness to bless those who tithe
Malachi 3:8-10
.
Hypothetical 2:
What would you say back if asked: “Why do you tithe?”
Prompts if no response: God commands it; it helps the Church; it helps others; it helps me; etc.
Supporting Scriptures
One way we show God that we love Him is by tithing
Proverbs 3:9
. In addition, tithing helps us to remember that God is the One who provides for us
Deuteronomy 8:18
.
CLOSER
What are some ways people set apart their tithes? What way have you chosen?
Prompts if no response: Different bank accounts, separate jars with cash, different envelopes, etc.
