Good $ense Ministries, Willow Creek Association
Referenced in: Giving and Financial Stewardship
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
Good $ense Ministries is a highly acclaimed stewardship education program used by Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington (suburban Chicago), Illinois, as well as many churches affiliated with the Willow Creek Association. The bases of the program are curricula on the biblical principles of money management, debt-free living, and generosity. Each curriculum comes with extensive training guides for facilitators and counselors who conduct these efforts in their churches.
Curriculum examples
A few of the more popular Good $ense curricula are described below, followed by the Publisher’s Descriptions.
Matt Bell, Freed-Up From Debt Workshop: How to Get Out and Stay Out
Freed-Up from Debt is an all-inclusive, biblically based, two-session workshop that provides the tools necessary to get out—and stay out—of debt for a lifetime. More than just “how-to’s”, this plug-and-play resource helps you examine your heart and motivations around money and debt, while giving you the steps you need to take to get free from the emotional and spiritual bondage debt produces.
This Participant’s Workbook, used with the companion Freed-Up from Debt Teaching DVD (sold separately), provides two hours of practical video-based material and hands-on activities. Perfect for use by individuals, small groups or large groups, you will walk away with:
- A biblical perspective on debt
- A seven-step strategy for getting out of debt and staying out
- Answers to frequently asked questions about practical debt management
- Actions steps to immediately begin the journey towards freedom from debt
The Good $ense workshops are often used alongside other volumes authored by Matt Bell.
- Matt Bell, Money, Purpose, Joy: The Proven Path to Uncommon Financial Success – Money and things – the more we have, the more we want. Of course, we all know that “More” is a game that can’t be won. No matter how much we get, it’s never enough. But deep down inside, part of us clings to the hope that the next time will be different – with a little bit more we’ll be happier. So we keep up the pursuit. Fortunately, there’s a better way to manage our money and our lives: Turn toward home. Just as the prodigal son wandered from home and squandered his inheritance, so have many of us wandered from the financial home God prepared for us. In this inspiring and instructive book, financial writer and speaker Matt Bell helps you redirect your use of money to meet your deepest longings – to turn toward the life God intends for you. Bell authored two companion volumes, Personal Workbook to Accompany Money, Purpose and Joy Success and Discussion Guide for Money, Purpose and Joy.
- Money Strategies for Tough Times – Matt Bell, Money Strategies for Tough Times is specially prepared to help you handle (and prevent) the tough times. No guilt trips—just practical, proven, sound money strategies, built on the timeless foundation of God’s Word, that you can put in motion today to weather any financial storm and take charge of your financial life. Learn how to: Get out of consumer debt—for good, Free up money through smarter spending, Survive unemployment, Deal with debt collectors and prevent foreclosure, Choose the best options to pay off debts.
Good $ense produces another series emphasizing financial freedom.
Dick Towner, John Tofilon, and Shannon Plate, Freed-Up Financial Living: How to Get There With Biblical Principles, Also, Freed Up Financial Living Ministry Leader’s Kit.
The inclusive six-session curriculum outlines biblical essentials on earning, giving, saving, spending, and reducing debt, while providing practical tips to help participants achieve their own financial, personal, and spiritual goals—whether you’re working with small groups, individuals, or in larger group settings.
With updated participant materials, dramas, and teaching, Freed-Up Financial Living combines encouraging, grace-filled delivery with the right balance of biblical principles and practical application that will revitalize your approach to stewardship.
Inject new life into your entire church ministry as you provide a tested platform from which people’s finances can be radically transformed. Geared for small group settings, the material easily adapts to seminars or individual use. Individual Participant’s Guides can be reordered as needed to introduce solid, biblical stewardship principles to a brand-new audience.
***For additional information on these resources, including reviews, click the bookstore links. Check the reference at page top or the links below for resource guides on related topics.***
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