My friends over at the SBC Executive Committee are releasing a new resource and you can have a copy! The resources are based on a message series I did at my church earlier this year. I hope they can help you and your church people be better financial stewards with God's money.

If you are a church that loves the Word and wants to help people deal with their finances, they will send you a free copy (a gift from us to the Body of Christ). Go to the It's a New Day website and click on "contact us" to request one. (Please order only one per church, preferably from the pastor or someone who helps the church with stewardship issues.)

Thanks go to Ashley Clayton (whose blog and twitter is always interesting on issues of stewardship) and the folks at the Executive Committee (particularly Bob Rodgers and Morris Chapman) for making this available to those who need it in this difficult financial time. And, if you are at the SBC meeting, go by the Executive Committee booth and you can pick one up in person.

Here is the info:

Sermon and Curriculum Kit

Getting Started:

Clearly, there has never been a better time for churches, than now, to have a conversation about money and give leadership in financial matters. The Bible is our greatest resource, containing over 2350 verses about money. In discovering what God has to say about money, we find instruction and practical guidelines on how to make money, save money, spend money, invest money and give money. The Executive Committee, Southern Baptist Convention, is pleased to offer this stewardship resource to you to use in your church.

It's a New Day for Financial Freedom, Sermon and Curriculum Kit, contains the following resources:

Sermon Video
Four week sermon series by Dr. Ed Stetzer, preached at FBC, Hendersonville, TN

Sermon Notes (complete sermon notes and preaching outline, by Dr Ed Stetzer)

• Week One: God's Ownership
• Week Two: Debt's Dangers
• Week Three: Greed's Antidote
• Week Four: God's Purpose - Money & Work

Sermon Listening Notes (handouts for congregation - fill in the blanks)

Power Point slides (Scripture references for use in preaching)

Bible Study Lessons (Teacher Guide for Adult, Youth, & Children)

• Week One: God's Ownership
• Week Two: Debt's Dangers
• Week Three: Greed's Antidote
• Week Four: God's Purpose - Money & Work

The Bible Study lessons for each age group all have a Purpose Statement or Objective, Key Scriptures, Lesson Plan and Discussion Questions. The Youth and Children lessons have handouts as well. You are permitted to print these lessons and handouts for Teachers and participants for use in your church.

Please feel free to use as much or as little of this material as needed in your lesson preparation. You might use these lessons as a guideline and offer your class some original content of your own.

Pastor Guideline:
Pastor, these sermons are perhaps a little different from traditional sermons on money. You will notice this series is not about getting more money from your people, rather, it is about giving something of value to your people. The average American spends $1.26 for every $1.00 they earn, and consequently most Americans, inside the church as well as outside the church, are struggling! This sermon and curriculum kit will help you present a healthy and focused approach to money. The Bible Study lessons are designed to promote healthy discussion in your Sunday School, and small groups.