Supporting and Being Supported

Matt. 10:9-11 (Mk. 6:10, 11; Lk. 9:4) What did Jesus tell His Disciples both not to and to do, as He sent them out on a mission?

And why?

Would you be willing to do this? Why?

Would a temporal traveling ministry of this type that Jesus gave His disciples influence the kind of instructions He gave as opposed to people who have long term ministries in one place? Why?

Lk. 8:1-3 Who contributed to the support of Jesus and His disciples?

How?

Would you be willing to help support people who were/are following Christ today?

Or, if following Christ in a full-time discipling and evangelizing ministry yourself, would you accept being supported by others? Why?

1 Cor. 9:9-11 What Old Testament illustration does Paul use to show that the Christian worker is worthy to be supported?

What question does Paul ask that teaches who should support the spiritual laborer?

Have you ever materially supported those who spiritually taught and ministered to you? Why?

1 Cor. 9:13, 14 What did the Lord direct those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from?

Did you know that this was in the Bible before you read this passage?

Would you feel ashamed of being supported this way? Why?

1 Cor. 16:1-4 Because of persecution in Jerusalem the Christians were having a hard time financially. What did Paul instruct these Christians at Corinth to do?

Have you ever helped Christians out financially who were having it rough because of their faith in Christ?

Why?

1 Tim. 5:17, 18 Who should receive “double honor” (honor as an elder and extra honor for ruling excellently)?

Why?

Has this been your attitude toward spiritual leaders who rule well, especially those who work hard at preaching?

Why?

3 Jn. 1:5-7 What should we do for people who go out for the Name (Jesus’) and do not accept anything from the gentiles (non-Christians)?

Why?

Phil. 4:15-17 What had the Philippians done for Paul on more than one occasion?

What did Paul seek for them?

If you have never been supported, or if you ever do get supported in the future because you go into full-time Christian work, what is or will be your attitude and motives toward those who support you?

Is it like that of Paul’s (vs. 17)? Why?

2 Cor. 11:7, 9 Why did Paul rob (use finances from) other churches?

Why did Paul do this (vss. 9, 12, 13, 20)?

What would you have done if you were Paul? Why?

2 Thes. 3:7-11 Why didn’t Paul accept things from these believers without paying for them?

Though Paul had the right to be supported by them, why did he refuse to be?

Would you have? Why?

1 Cor. 9:12, 15 Though Paul and his fellow workers had a right to be supported by these saints, what did he say?

How might accepting money from these Christians have hindered the gospel?

Would this have been or is this a concern of yours? Why?

Summarize the biblical teaching on being supported and supporting full-time Christian workers.

What changes will you make in your life as a result of knowing what God has to say on this subject?