Generosity is at the heart of our faith because we follow and serve a generous God. No matter who we are, if we believe, we will have eternal life and that’s God’s generosity right there; an inclusive message of hope for all. How we share the time, skills, money and other resources we have been given, is fundamentally an issue of discipleship and something that should be taught and preached regularly in our church communities. There is certainly no shortage of biblical material. Over 2,300 verses relate to money, wealth and possessions and one third of Jesus parables relate to these topics too!
The Generous Giving Team have developed and are also able to recommend a range of resources to help parishes nurture this spirit of generosity in our church communities. We are willing to visit churches where invited, top speak at appropriate events, meetings or services. More details of the support and resources we offer are detailed below, but please contact us should your requirements be slightly different as we are keen to tailor our support to suit individual circumstances.
Sermon Starters and Pre-Recorded Sermons
These are available for those Sundays in 2024 where one of the Lectionary readings is particularly suited to exploring the theme of Generosity. The recordings may be particularly useful for churches in vacancy or on occasions where it would be helpful to have an alternative speaker from outside the church. MP4 recordings are also available upon request. Additional material will be added as we go through the year so please keep checking back, or email Giving Ministry Adviser, Dennis Fancett on 07467 563 311 or at d.fancett@newcastle.anglican.org.
2024
| Date | Reading | Downloadable Sermon Starter (word) | YouTube |
| Sun 21st Jan | Genesis 14:17-20 | Why Did Abraham Tithe? | View here |
| Sun 3rd March | John 2:13-22 | Zeal for your House Will Consume Me | View here |
| Sun 17th March | John 12:20-33 | How to Avoid Losing Your Life | View here |
| Sun 12th May | John 17: 6-19 | Not Belonging to the World | View here |
| Sun 30th June | 2 Corinthians 8: 7-15 [NIV] | Excel in the Grace of Giving | View here |
| Sun 15th Sep | Mark 8: 27-38 | What's the Point? | View here |
| Sun 6th Oct (GW) | Job 1: 1, 2: 1-10 | He Gives and Takes Away | View here |
| Sun 6th Oct (GW) | Psalm 8 | A Little Lower Than the Angels | View here |
| Sun 13th Oct | Mark 10: 17-31 | The Man Who Jesus Loved | View here |
Other
| Date | Reading | You Tube |
| Any | 1 Timothy 6: 6-19 | Walk the Other Way |
| Any | N/A | Because God's Been Generous to Me |
| Any | Luke 12: 13-21 | The Rich Fool (Stockton Parish Church: Generosity Week 23) |
2023
| Date | Reading | Downloadable Sermon Starter (word) | YouTube |
| Sun 22nd Jan | Psalm 27: 1, 4-12 | Sacrifice with Shouts of Joy | |
| Sun 29th Jan | 1 Kings 17: 8-16 | The Widow Who Gave Her Last Meal | |
| Sun 30th Apr | Acts 2: 42-47 | Giving as a Response to the Gospel Message | View here |
| Sun 18th Jun | Matthew 9: 35 | Freely You Have Received, Freely Give | View here |
| Sun 25th Jun | Matthew 10: 24-39 | The Value of Life | View here |
| Sun 3rd Sep (a) | Matthew 16:21-28 | Getting Priorities Right | View here |
| Sun 3rd Sep (b) | Romans 12: 9-21 | Never Be Lacking in Zeal | View here |
| Sun 24th Sep | Matthew 20: 1-16 | Unfair or What? – Workers in the Vineyard | View here |
| Sun 19th Nov | Matthew 25: 14-30 | What Did the Wicked Servant Get Wrong? | View here |
Stories and Reflections - 'Where Your Heart Is' (Film Version)
Originally created for Generosity Week 2022, this collection of eight short films (6-7 minutes each) are an informal way to explore the theme of generosity and help us understand more deeply the link between personal financial generosity and growing in our faith as children and disciples of God. The series can be used in a variety of settings including church away days, PCC meetings, deanery synods or as an introduction to a giving or stewardship review.
- A Penny For The Car
- “Owt For Nowt”
- Chip Off The Old Block
- What Makes A Friend?
- The Fair-Weather Christian
- The 50p Giver
- A Word In Season
- The Short Walk to Talk
Please contact d.fancett@newcastle.anglican.org if you would like an MP4 copy of any of these films.
Stories and Reflections - 'Where Your Heart Is' (Short Booklet Form)
The above films are also available in booklet format. Click on the image below to download this resource.
'Exploring Generosity' Course
'Exploring Generosity' is an interactive four session course to help small groups explore the theme of generosity from a Biblical perspective. Originally developed for Generosity Week 2023, we recommend running this short course as part of Giving Review preparations. The course can be run at any time of year.
'Surprised By Generosity' Lent Course
'Surprised by Generosity' is a seven week Lent course that looks at God’s generosity to us and our call to live generously in return. It is based on the Gospel of Luke and features a series of videos and a small group study guide along with notes and instructions for the Course Leader. It is ideally suited for small or midweek groups, could be clergy or lay led, and run either in-person or online. Originally developed for Lent 2022, by the Diocese of Exeter, the course has now been adapted (with permission) to make it relevant and topical for any year. Click on the image to download the course.
Workshops and Seminars
Giving Ministry Adviser, Dennis Fancett is available to lead workshops or seminars tailored to individual requirements. Suitable for deanery synods, PCC meetings, church away days, or as an introduction to a giving or stewardship review. Contact Dennis on 07467 563 311 or at d.fancett@newcastle.anglican.org.
Sunday Services
Dennis is also available to speak on generosity from a Biblical perspective at Sunday Services. Please email d.fancett@newcastle.anglican.org to check his availability.
Recommended Reading
Here are some books we’ve come across that can help deepen our understanding of generosity. All of these books are available from the North East Religious Resource Centre. If you have also read one of these books and would be willing to write a short review, please contact d.fancett@newcastle.anglican.org.
| Title and Link to Purchase | Author | Read the Review By |
| Simply Generous | Stewardship | Dennis Fancett |
| The Generosity Ladder | Searcy Nelson | Leanne Conway-Wilcox |
| Contagious Generosity | Chris Williard | Jonathan de Bernhardt Wood |
| Divine Mathematics | Selwyn Hughes | Phil McBride |
| A Spirituality of Fundraising | Henri Nouwen | Dennis Fancett |
| The Art of Giving | Matthew Porter | Joanne Christie |
| The Legacy Journey | Dave Ramsey | Why not write us a review? |
| Open Hands Open Heart | Ifor Williams | Why not write us a review? |
| More or Less | Jeff Shinabarger | Why not write us a review? |
| Overflow: A Life Refreshed by Generosity | Generous Church | Why not write us a review? |
| On Generosity | Richard S Briggs | Dennis Fancett |
| The Porcupine Principle | Jonathan de Bernhardt Wood | Why not write us a review? |
Additional Resources
- Generosity Learning Hub - Various excellent resources and courses. Users will need to set up an account, but this is free (National Church)
- Generosity Fika - A half day programme for small groups to explore God's generosity to us, Biblical generosity and generosity around the world. Through short films, reflections and discussion we can be inspired and encouraged to live more generous lives. (National Church)
- Preaching Generosity - Join the mailing list to receive weekly emails with sermon plans based around the theme of generosity for each Sunday’s standard lectionary reading. (Diocese of Rochester)
- Giving in Grace (Preaching) - Extensive preaching notes that are part of a wider programme developed to increase giving to the local church. (Diocese of Liverpool originally)
- Generosity Path - A network offering retreats and conferences offering particuipants self-discovery and self-reflection on generosity. (Global non-profit educational organisation)