GIFT Spiritual Material
The Bible and Church Teachings provide insights to build faith fervency. GIFT selects and renders compelling messages.
A SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION PATH What Can We Learn From The Parable Of The Sower?
Just as farmers all around the world have to test and treat their soil so their seed will produce a fruitful harvest, so, too, should we check and manage the Spiritual condition of our hearts. Ideally, we'll live with humility -- realizing everything and everyone are gifts from God; revering Him; and seeking to know and do His will. Continually preparing our hearts to receive and live out God's Word -- and the example of Jesus' life, which is described in the Bible -- will be key to living a humble and fruitful life.
Click here to review GIFT's Parable of the Sower Bible Study.
Interestingly, the root word for humility is humus -- meaning "of the earth" or the rich "organic components of soil.' Good soil produces fruit when it receives good seed.
The Parable of the Sower illuminates this lesson. Making sure our hearts are full of humility can help us live fruitful lives. Lives seeking to know and live like God, based on receiving the seed of His Word; reciprocating back to God for all His incredible gifts to us; and doing this by "re-gifting" (or sharing) the many gifts He's given us -- to show others love. Now, that's fruitful living.
This Bible study was developed at the encouragement of Father Leo Walsh, Associate Director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, D.C.
As Applicable, In Our Work Supporting Faith-based Organizations And Their Missions Globally, GIFT Integrates Material & Spiritual Encouragement To Enable Human Flourishing And Impacts -- Including Encouraging Giving Back
For example, in addition to supporting the Daughters of Wisdom with farming support including soil testing, GIFT was asked by the USCCB office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs to develop a Bible Study on the Parable of the Sower. What we learned and share in GIFT's Spiritual Transformation Path Study is that, for us to to produce much fruit as we're called to do, the soil needs to include HUMUS -- which means Earthy, good organic composition.
Importantly, HUMUS is also the root word of Humility. For us to lead a fruitful, transformed and transformative life, we too, need humility, especially appreciating that all we are and everything we have is a GIFT from God.
From this rich sense of humility, people are encouraged to reciprocate to God for all the gifts He's given us, and to regift the gifts we've received to support others.
Scripture Art
GIFT has rendered key Scripture verses in moving and memorable artwork. GIFT artwork can be used in a personal reflection to help us live and love more like Christ, or it can support a Bible study. GIFT artwork has been used by a variety of Churches and Ministries. One Catholic Church used GIFT Scripture art to reinforce a Sunday Mass reading and bring that reading into the community via GIFT yard signs, bulletin board posters and notecards, The artwork is available as individual Scripture messages or as a book.
Click here or on the visual to be directed to the relevant pages.
Children's Ministry
GIFT has developed some fun-filled resources to help teach our children about God. This includes our Sheep & Goat Go To The Ice Cream Parlor book based on the Parable of the Sheep & Goats and our call to minister to others in need, n Matthew 25; and Celebrate Our Creator, a curriculum to help build reverence for God as our loving Creator, Provider, Counselor and Savior.
Click here to be directed to the Sheep & Goat book.
Click here to be directed to GIFT's Celebrate Our Creator ministry.
Adult Faith Formation
GIFT has developed an array of Scripture-based resources to help us live truly transformed lives, so we can live and love more like Christ. This includes a Spiritual Transformation Guide, a Spiritual Transformation Path, and a ministry resource termed G.L.O.W. (Godliness, Love, Obedience & Witness)
Click here or on the visual to be directed to the relevant pages.
REFLECTIONS ON TWO PILLARS OF OUR FAITH -- GIFT AND TRANSFORMATION
Click here to read multiple Church teachings explain how fully appreciating God’s “GIFTs” can lead to “TRANSFORMATIONs”
Click here to read a GIFT document published by the Vatican Pontifical Council For The Promotion Of Integral Human Development's Laudato Si Action Platform related to "Averting the post-Christmas letdown via GIFT and TRANSFORMATION all year round".
Multiple Church teachings advocate our need to fully appreciate all the wonderous GIFTs God has blessed us with (life itself, all we need to survive, love, joy, family, our faith, our Church, Christ’s real presence in our lives); and then in humble appreciation of all God’s loving provisions, to allow ourselves to be TRANSFORMED to conform to God’s self-less and loving character, perfect plan and will for our lives; and then to go forth to TRANSFORM the world in holy, humble, Christ-like charity.
Please consider these two foundational faith pillars:
1) Everything's A GIFT -- from our awesome Creator, Father, Provider and Savior
2) We should acknowledge and live appreciative of all the GIFTs we have received from our God, seek His will for our lives, allow Him to TRANSFORM our lives so we live in accordance to HIs will, and work to TRANSFORM the world as an instrument of His love.
This linked document covers many of the references to GIFT and TRANSFORMATION as two foundational and interrelated faith pillars which are repeatedly expressed throughout Church Teaching. The recurring nature of these messages affirms their combined merit as concise, fundamental guidance for our lives. The recurring references to GIFT and TRANSFORMATION would also suggest that more direct conveyance of these two interrelated, foundational and faith-enriching concepts might be beneficial and warranted.
Consider that all we have, need to live and enjoy has been provided to us by God. Given all these amazing GIFTs, should we not seek to reciprocate to God, to seek to know Him more fully, and to consider allowing Him to TRANSFORM our lives so we will live and love like Him, and even to be willing to be used by Him to TRANSFORM the world.
Testimonies
GIFT leadership has experienced God's mighty hand working in our lives and the lives of others. We describe these in testimonies to encourage our faith in God. If you have a testimony to share, please send it to us and we'll consider posting it to this site as well.
Click here or on the visual to be directed to the relevant pages.
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