Facilitator Answer Guide - compasscatholic.orgcompasscatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/syhio-Facilitators...memorizing the verse as written in the workbook. 3. Let’s Get Practical!

Facilitator Answer Guide

© 2012 COMPASS —finances God’s wayTM

All Rights Reserved Catholic Revisions edited by Jon & Evelyn Bean

Catholic Revisions © 2015 COMPASS Catholic Ministries All Rights Reserved

COMPASS Catholic Ministries

5840 Red Bug Lake Road #590 Winter Springs, Florida 32708

September 2015 edition

- i -

WELCOME

Thank you for facilitating the Set Your House In Order small group study. Before the group meets for the first class, each student should have read Your Money Counts. This book is easy to read and will provide a good overview of the study. We’ve learned that people benefit most when they are faithful to complete the following before each weekly meeting. 1. Homework Questions. The homework questions take about 15 minutes each day to complete. Space is provided in the Workbook to answer the questions. If a married couple takes the study, each will use a separate workbook. 2. Scripture Memory. Each participant and facilitator will memorize an assigned verse from the Bible each week and individually recite the verse at the beginning of class. This will help the participants remember the most important principles. Make sure they are memorizing the verse as written in the workbook.

3. Let’s Get Practical! Along with the Bible study, participants will complete practical exercises, such as gathering all important documents into one single place, creating lists of passwords, listing advisors and other information that will be critical to the family’s ability to continue after the death of a loved one.

4. Prayer. Everyone prays for the other group members each day. Answers to prayers are one of the most encouraging parts of the small group experience. 5. Attendance. Everyone should attend at least four of the five weekly meetings. Please have the participants notify you in advance if they anticipate missing a meeting or arriving late. The meetings are designed to begin and end on time. If someone is unable to complete the Bible study or memory verse for a particular week, ask them to refrain from participating in the class discussion. This accountability helps everyone to be faithful. The more faithful we are, the more beneficial the study.

We are very grateful for your willingness to facilitate the Catholic Edition of Set Your House In Order. We pray the Lord will bless you in every way as you lead this study.

Remember that Compass Catholic MinistriesTM does not recommend any investments and no

one is authorized to use their affiliation with Compass to promote the sale of any investments or financial services. Jon and Evelyn Bean Co-founders, Compass Catholic Ministries

- ii -

STUDY SCHEDULE WEEK CHAPTER PAGE

(Leaders Guide)

LET’S GET PRACTICAL

1 Getting Started 1 Read Your Money Counts Document Organizer Credit Card List

2 The Foundation 6 Investment List Asset List The Deed

3 Taking Inventory 10 Debt List & Snowball ‘em Financial Statement List of Advisors Passwords

4 Providing for Loved Ones 15 Future Income Spending Plan Insurance

5 Leaving a Legacy 20 Share Your Journey Funeral Instructions Guardians for Children Generosity Estate Planning

Worksheet Survey and Suggestions

3

1

GETTING STARTED

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the LORD. For as the heavens are

higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55: 8-9

4

GETTING STARTED

Leader’s Answer Guide for Week 1 Overview: The primary objectives for Week 1 are to begin to develop close relationships among the participants and to review the study requirements. At the beginning of the first meeting tell people that the sharing which occurs in the small group is confidential and no one is to share anything discussed in the small group with anyone else. Ask each person individually for their confidentiality. Also tell them that no one will ever be asked to reveal any personal financial information in the small group setting. Remind them about the Practical Applications: Completing the Practical Applications is critical to the success of taking this Bible study. Make sure that you allow time for any questions that the participants might have and consistently encourage them to work hard to complete each of the forms that apply to them and their families. The final product of this study will be a complete file of documents, located in one place that is known to the spouse and/or any other individual who might be called on to sort out the affairs of the participant at any time due to illness, accident or death. There are many forms to be completed and you can be sure that some of the forms might not be completed in time for the next class. Encourage the participants to create a “To Do” list of the forms that need to be finished at the end of each week. These can be worked on in the weeks immediately following the conclusion of the study.

5

Participants are to have completed the following forms for the Week 1 Meeting: • Document Organizer (page 97 in the book) • Credit Card List (page 99 in the book)

Please refer to the Compass Catholic Ministries website to download the resources you need to facilitate: Compasscatholic.org/facilitators. In this location you can find the Facilitator Training as well as training videos. If you have already taken the Compass study, remember to download Prayer Logs. Care Logs are also available for your use. Note: The blank space following each agenda item number below is for you to fill in the scheduled start time for each agenda item. For example, if your class begins at 7:00, #1 would read 7:00, #2 would read 7:05, and so forth. This is designed to help you monitor the time so that the class will end punctually. WEEK 1 Agenda:

1. (5 minutes) Open in prayer 2. (5 minutes) Each person individually recites from memory: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways—oracle of the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55: 8-9 3. (60 minutes) Ask each person to introduce themselves, and as they introduce themselves the other people should be writing the contact information for that person in a prayer log for that person. This way at the end of introductions each person will have a prayer log in their book for each of the other people in the small group. This allows them to share their contact information and to get in touch with each other. Introductions should begin with the facilitator and remember, the more transparent and open you are, the more open the participants will be. This is the initial and very crucial aspect of beginning the bonding process for the small group. In addition to their contact information for the prayer log, ask them to share where they are in their spiritual walk, what they do for a living, and something about their family.

6

To determine how much time each person is allotted for their introduction, divide 60 minutes by the number of people in the small group and that’s the amount of time allotted to each person. If a participant is too brief, gently ask additional questions to provide an opportunity for them to open up to the group more fully.

4. (25 minutes) Begin the group discussion on the homework questions.

Days One and Two:

1. Answer is based on personal experience. 2. Someday we will all die, and we have the responsibility to honor the Lord and to

love those we leave behind by putting our house in order. 3. Answer is based on personal experience. 4. God’s economy operates on entirely different principles than man’s way. Most

people do not believe God plays a role in finances, but Scripture reveal’s that God has the dominate role.

Days Three and Four:

1. Answer is based on personal experience. 2. Answer is based on personal experience. Days Five and Six:

1. Answer is based on personal experience.

Remaining Agenda:

1. (5 minutes) Review what the participants are to do for the next class:

☐ Complete the Homework on pages 10-20.

7

☐ Complete the following Practical Applications:

List of Investments (pages 101-104) List of Assets (pages 105-117) The Deed (page 119)

☐ Read the “Building the Foundation Notes” on pages 18 - 20.

☐ Remind everyone to memorize Psalm 24:1 and to do the homework daily. ☐ Remind the participants to log on to CompassCatholic.org and click on

“Newsletter sign-up” to receive the Compass Catholic newsletters.

☐ Review the calendar to determine if any regularly scheduled classes fall on a holiday. If there are conflicts, please reschedule that class.

☐ Schedule the social during the 5th week or after completion of the study.

2. (15 minutes) Complete the Prayer Logs. There should be one

Prayer Log for each person or couple.

☐ Take prayer requests and note them in the Prayer Log.

(Remind participants to write their prayer requests before coming to class.) 3. (5 minutes) End in prayer.

Reminder for Facilitators: Contact each participant this week and record it in your Care Log.

8

2

BUILDING THE FOUNDATION

“The earth is the LORD’s and all it holds, the world and those who dwell in it.”

Psalm 24:1

9

BUILDING THE FOUNDATION

Leader’s Answer Guide for Week 2 Overview: The primary objective for Week 2 is to begin developing various aspects of the participant’s financial profile which will allow them to fully complete their Financial Statement during Week 3 and get their financial situation organized. Week 2 Agenda: 1. (5 minutes) Open in prayer. 2. (5 minutes) Each person individually recites from memory: “The earth is the LORD’s and all it holds, the world and those who dwell in it” (Psalm 24:1). 3. (80 minutes) Begin the group discussion. Day One Homework (God’s Ownership) 1. God owns everything and he alone is the source of every good and all love. 2. Answer is based on personal experience. 3. A steward is a manager of another’s property. 4. Answer is based on personal experience.

10

Day Two Homework (List of Investments) 1. Proverbs 21:5—Be a consistent, steady plodder and not hasty in investing as there

may be problems ahead.

Ecclesiastes 11:2—Diversify your investments. 2. Answer is based on personal experience. 3. Answer is based on personal experience. Day Three Homework (List of Assets) 1. Keeping track of our assets is part of our role as a steward. If we don’t know what

we have, how will others find everything if we are incapacitated? 2. Answer is based on personal experience. (Follow up question: If their loved ones

don’t know where to find their important information, what will they do to make this information known to their loved ones?)

Facilitator You should have one hour of class time remaining at this point. Day Four Homework (List of Assets, continued) 1. Answer is based on personal experience. Day Five Homework (The Deed) 1. Answer is based on personal experience. 2. Answer is based on personal experience. Day Six Homework (Building the Foundation Notes) 1. Answer is based on personal experience.

11

2. Answer is based on personal experience. 3. Answer is based on personal experience. Remaining Agenda: 1. (5 minutes) Review what the participants are to do for the next class:

☐ Complete the Homework on pages 22-31

☐ Complete the following Practical Applications:

Debt List (pages 120-123) Financial Statement (pages 124-125) List of Advisors (page 127-128) Password List (pages 129-130)

☐ Read the “Taking Inventory Notes” on pages 32 - 35.

☐ Remind everyone to memorize Proverbs 24:3-4 and to do the homework daily.

☐ Point out the Money Map as a good guideline to follow to define

financial priorities.

☐ Tell them about the Navigating Your Finances God’s Way Bible study if it will be offered at your parish

2. (15 minutes) Complete the Prayer Logs. There should be one





12

3

TAKING INVENTORY

“By wisdom a house is built, by understanding it is established;

And by knowledge its rooms are filled with every precious and pleasing possession.”

Proverbs 24:3-4

13

TAKING INVENTORY HOMEWORK

Leader’s Answer Guide for Week 3 Overview: The primary objectives for Week 3 are to develop a debt list so they fully identify how much debt they have. This will be used in completing the Financial Statement on Day 2 and can be used to begin the process of creating a debt snowball. Days 3 and 4 focus on seeking Godly counsel and then creating a list of all the advisors that a family might use. Day 5 is about creating the Password List. Creating the list might not be too difficult, but there are always internet sites that you will forget. The Password list must be a living document that should be kept up-to-date on a daily basis. It is also best to test the URL for each internet site along with the user name and password to make sure that you are listing the most current information.

Week 3 Agenda: 1. (5 minutes) Open in prayer.

2. (5 minutes) Each person individually recites from memory:

“By wisdom a house is built, by understanding it is established; And by knowledge its rooms are filled with every precious and pleasing possession.” Proverbs 24:3-4

3. (80 minutes) Begin the group discussion.

14

Day One Homework (List Your Debts & Snowball ‘em!) 1. Debt is discouraged in the Bible. The Bible associates debt with slavery. 2. Answer is based on personal experience. 3. Answer is based on personal experience. 4. You should not co-sign for any debt. If you have already co-signed for debt, you

should make provisions in your budget to pay the debt if the debt owner defaults or is late in making payments. Any late or skipped payments will be reported against your credit.

5. If you have co-signed a note you should try to get out of it as quickly as possible. 6. Answer is based on personal experience. Day Two Homework (Financial Statement)

1. Answer is based on personal experience. 2. Answer is based on personal experience. Day Three Homework (Seek Counsel)

1. The Bible and Church teaching should both be a source of counsel. The Bible is the

inspired Word of God; It is living, and provides direction for our lives. Church teaching recognizes that much of who we are as Catholics has been passed on orally and has become part of our Church tradition. Sources such as the Catechism and Vatican documents provide an unending supply of Godly counsel.

3. Answer is based on personal experience. 4. The person who listens to counsel is wise, especially when receiving advice from

many people. 5. Answer is based on personal experience.

Facilitator You should have one hour of class time remaining at this point.

15

Day Four Homework (List of Advisors) 1. We should avoid the counsel of the wicked—those who do not know the Lord. We

should seek advice from godly wise people.

2. Answer is based on personal experience. 3. Answer is based on personal experience.

Day Five Homework (Passwords List)

1. Answer is based on personal experience. Day Six Homework (Taking Inventory Notes)

1. Answer is based on personal experience. 2. Answer is based on personal experience. 3. Answer is based on personal experience. Remaining Agenda:

1. (5 minutes) Review what the participants are to do for the next class:

☐ Complete the Homework on pages 36-51. ☐ Complete the following Practical Applications:

Future Income Lists (pages 131-133) Variable Expenses Worksheet (pages 134) Spending Plan List (page 135-138) Life Insurance Calculation (page 139) Insurance Inventory & Work Related Insurance (pages 140-144) Health Care Decisions (pages 145-151)

☐ Read the “Providing For Your Loved Ones Notes” on pages 51 - 57.

16

☐ Remind everyone to memorize 1 Timothy 5:8 and to do the homework daily. 2. (15 minutes) Complete the Prayer Logs. There should be one





17

4

PROVIDING FOR YOUR LOVED ONES

“And whoever does not provide for relatives and especially family members has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

1 Timothy 5:8

18

PROVIDING FOR YOUR LOVED ONES

Leader’s Answer Guide for Week 4 Overview: The primary objectives for Week 4 are focused on determining future income, both for retirement and after the death of a loved one. Days 1 through 4 will help the participants develop budgets for the future and determine the source(s) of income to fund their budget. Beginning with Day 5 the focus turns to Health Care Decisions. Our Catholic faith focuses on the dignity of life at all ages. It is just as important at birth as it is in death and the information in Days 5 and 6 will help to explain Health Care Decisions from a Catholic faith perspective as opposed to a secular point of view.

Week 4 Agenda: 1. (5 minutes) Open in prayer.

2. (5 minutes) Each person individually recites from memory:

“And whoever does not provide for relatives and especially family members has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” 1 Timothy 5:8.

3. (80 minutes) Begin the group discussion.

19

Day One Homework (Future Income) 1. It is important to know your current financial situation so that you can plan to meet

future needs. 2. As long as I fulfill my responsibilities to work and handle money God’s way, I should

not be afraid that I will not be able to provide for the income needs of my family. The Lord is my helper and will provide for my family’s needs.

3. Answer is based on personal experience. Day Two Homework (Spending Plan)

1. We are to faithfully stay current with our possessions and finances—in this case,

flocks and herds. 2. Answer is based on personal experience. 3. Answer is based on personal experience. Day Three Homework (Life Insurance Calculation)

1. The verse strongly conveys our responsibility to provide for our family. If we don’t,

we have denied our faith and are considered worse than someone who does not know Christ. However, providing comes in many forms and does not necessarily mean leaving a financial windfall. Providing means being sure the family has all of the important information to carry on when we are no longer able to be there.

2. Answer is based on personal experience. 3. The widow’s husband left her in debt. In her culture, her children could be taken as

payment of the debt. Today, life insurance is a common way to provide in the case of the death of a breadwinner.

4. Answer is based on personal experience.


20

Day Four Homework (Insurance Inventory) 1. Answer is based on personal experience. 2. Answer is based on personal experience.

Day Five Homework (Health Care Decisions) 1. Our time on earth is short. 2. Numbering our days helps us to realize the brevity of our lives on earth and helps us

make wise decisions about how we use the time and resources entrusted to us. 3. Answer is based on personal experience. 4. Answer is based on personal experience. Day Six Homework (Providing for Your Loved Ones) 1. Answer is based on personal experience. 2. Answer is based on personal experience. 3. Answer is based on personal experience. Remaining Agenda: 1. (5 minutes) Review what the participants are to do for the next class:

☐ Complete the Homework on pages 60-70.

☐ Complete the following Practical Applications: Legacy Letter, Video or audio (pages 153) Funeral Instructions (pages 155 - 158) Guardians for Children (page 159) Distribution of Personal Property (page 161) Giving List (pages 162) Estate Document Checklist (page 163) Estate Planning Worksheet (pages 164-169) Set Your House In Order Survey (page 171)

21

☐ Read the “Leaving a Legacy Notes” on pages 70-75.

☐ Remind everyone to memorize Sirach 44:10b-11 and do the homework daily. 2. (15 minutes) Complete the Prayer Logs. There should be one



Remind participants to write their Long Term prayer requests before coming to class. 3. (5 minutes) End in prayer.


22

5

LEAVING A LEGACY

“...their virtues have not been forgotten. Their wealth remains in their families, their heritage with their descendants.”

Sirach 44:10b-11

ORDER

23

SET YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER

LEAVING A LEGACY

Leader’s Answer Guide for Week 5 Overview: The focus this week is to help people think about what happens when they die. Death is the last opportunity they’ll have to share their faith with their loved ones.

Day 1 gives them a chance to write a letter, film a video or record an audio to tell their loved ones to know about their life, their faith journey and anything else they would like to share. Day 2 is focused on all of the details that are necessary for a funeral. Preplanning the details will give their loved ones comfort during one of the most stressful times in their lives. Days 3 and 4 provide them with an opportunity to make inheritance decisions. Who will receive their wealth–and will there be a bequest to the Church or other charities? It also outlines what to consider when they establish guardians for minor children. Day 5 is focused on the Estate Plan; the will; a trust and all of the other variables associated with Estate Planning. Week 5 Agenda: 1. (5 minutes) Open in prayer. 2. (5 minutes) Each person individually recites from memory:

24

“...their virtues have not been forgotten. Their wealth remains in their families, their heritage with their descendants.” Sirach 44:10b-11 3. (80 minutes) Begin the group discussion. Day One Homework (Leaving a Legacy) 1. When we tell the next generation about the Lord and his faithfulness, it can bless

many future generations.

2. Answer is based on personal experience. 3. Answer is based on personal experience Day Two Homework (Funeral Instructions) 1. Those who have a relationship with Jesus will be in heaven together forever. This

wonderful hope helps overcome the grief of losing a loved one. 2. Answer is based on personal experience. Day Three Homework (Inheritance) 1. Yes, parents should attempt to leave an inheritance to their children. In fact, they

should try to leave an inheritance to their grandchildren.

2. If heirs are not equipped to manage the inheritance wisely, it may be squandered and harm the character of the heirs.

3. The appointment of a guardian through a will or trust helps ensure a child’s maturity

before receiving an inheritance. 4. Answer is based on personal experience.


25

Day Four Homework (Generosity) 1. Answer is based on personal experience.

2. Answer is based on personal experience. 3. Answer is based on personal experience. Day Five Homework (A God Honoring Will & Estate Planning) 1. The Psalmist is a model of declaring the goodness and power of God to future

generations. Including your testimony of the faithfulness of Christ in your will is an effective way to honor God.

2. Answer is based on personal experience. 3. He gave his family specific burial instructions. 4. Answer is based on personal experience. Day Six Homework (Leaving a Legacy Notes) 1. Answer is based on personal experience. 2. Answer is based on personal experience. 3. Answer is based on personal experience. Remaining Agenda: 1. (15 minutes) Complete the Prayer Logs. There should be one


☐ Take Long Term prayer requests and note them in the Prayer Log.

26

2. (5 minutes) End in prayer.

Reminder for Facilitators: After the small group meetings come to an end, stay in touch with the participants and encourage them to complete any forms they did not have the opportunity to complete during the class. If you haven’t had your class social make sure that you finalize plans for this event.

PRAYER LOG

Documents

Facilitator Answer Guide - compasscatholic.orgcompasscatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/syhio-Facilitators...memorizing the verse as written in the workbook. 3. Let’s Get Practical!