Teaching Stewardship to Students

Assisting Your Parish Mission

You’ve been told you need to help with the parish efforts to implement the Stewardship Way of Life by involving the students, and you’re not sure where to start.  This is actually much easier to do than you may think. I have found over years that children are so much more receptive than adults are to learning about living as good stewards. 

Over 25 years ago our parish took a serious look at stewardship as a way of life for our parishioners and never looked back.  As a second-grade teacher at the time, I took the summer and designed four simple lessons for every grade level, K-8 which the school has used each year since.  The pastor and I have spoken at several International Stewardship Conferences, the NCEA conference and several diocesan stewardship days, about ways to involve and advance stewardship with our students.  I served as the stewardship coordinator for the parish for a few years and then as the school assistant principal for 15 years. Our church and school have remained shining examples of stewardship throughout the country. I’ll be glad to help you with any stewardship needs you have.

But first, let’s understand exactly what stewardship means. Stewardship is the response to our call to discipleship. It is an attitude of gratitude.  When we understand and embrace the stewardship way of life it is because there is a willingness to serve God and a longing to show thankfulness.  It is how we put our faith into action.

Teaching children the basic concepts of stewardship can be easy. The principles follow concepts taught in almost any religion lesson. The following are some examples.

·       We are all stewards of God’s creation. When God created the world he gave it to us to care for and enjoy. Discuss with students how we can be good stewards today by:

• Protecting the environment and appreciating the beauty of nature.

• Respecting all forms of life.

• Working to improve the world.

·       We each have a special place in God’s plan of creation. He calls us individually to use our intended gifts for his work on earth. Talk with students about discovering their unique gifts from God and using those gifts for his work. 

·       Stewardship built and maintains the Body of Christ, the Church. Discuss how our Church has thrived throughout the centuries because good stewards have given of themselves for God’s work. Talk about how Catholics today can support our Church by:

• Praying for the work of the Church.

• Raising families in the faith.

• Sharing our time and talent to build up the Church.

• Sharing our money with the Church to help pay for the costs of doing God’s work. 

Being a good steward is not easy. Everywhere the messages of our society go against the concepts of our faith. But God has blessed us for a reason and with Catholic education on stewardship, we must instill a grateful heart in each student who has received so much. Then, in thankfulness and love, our children and eventually our adults, will truly understand and live the stewardship way of life.

Please check out my store, Go Forth and Lead , Go Forth and Lead | Teachers Pay Teacher

Stewardship Lessons 

Planting the Seeds of Stewardship - Lessons for grades K-8 by Go Forth and Lead (teacherspayteachers.com) and

Stewardship Resources, Stewardship Resources for Church or School by Go Forth and Lead | TpT.

For other resources, please check out my store, Go Forth and Lead.  Go Forth and Lead | Teachers Pay Teacher