FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY BY DAVE RAMSEY Starting Monday, February 15 6:30pm-8:30pm Financial Peace University (FPU) is a program that will revolutionize your life and change the way you think about money. This program will teach you to eliminate debt, plan for emergencies, plan for the future, and prepare you to weather today’s economic storms. You’ll learn to debunk popular financial myths and God’s plan for your finances.  For more information, go to DaveRamsey.com. at Graham Community Church 8920 W. Britton Road Near Laingsburg, Perry, Shaftsburg (Click here for directions)

What is Financial Peace University?

FPU is the most important step to changing your financial future. It is your Total Money Makeover Program. It takes the knowledge from God and turns it into real action in our lives through a step-by-step process taught by best-selling author and financial counselor Dave Ramsey.

FPU is a 13-week life-changing program that empowers and teaches you how to make the right money decisions to achieve your financial goals and God's plan for your life. The course includes practical lessons on eliminating debt, building wealth, giving like never before, and much, much more!

Who is Financial Peace University for?

It's for EVERYONE!...from the financially secure to the financially distressed. Over 650,000 families and individuals have attended Financial Peace University.

Applying God's Word radically changes your life. On average, FPU graduates have paid off over $5,300 in debt and saved $2,700 during the 91-day program!

What Will I Learn?

In this life-changing program you will learn:

1. Step-by-Step Cash Flow Planning

Luke 14:28: "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it."

2. Debt Snowball Plan Technique to Eliminating Debt

Proverbs 22:7: "The borrower is slave to the lender."

3. How to Invest Wisely

Ecclesiastes 11:2: "Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land."

What Does The Bible Say About Money?

Almost everyone agrees that the Bible contains great advice about life, from improving your marriage to getting along with your boss at work. But does the Bible really say much about money? Does it really give us advice that we can apply to our own life in today's world?

The Good News is Yes! Absolutely! We believe the Bible is as relevant and helpful today as when it was written, and God has a lot to say about money. Did you know money is mentioned in the Bible over 800 times? God must be pretty serious about this subject to talk about it that much.

In fact, Jesus says in Luke 16:11, "So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?" It appears from this verse that God uses money as a test of our management and stewardship skills before entrusting us with spiritual things. See more below.

Money in the Bible

1. Proverbs 13:22 "A good man leaves an inheritance to his childrens' children" indicating that God wants us to make a difference, financially, in our family tree.

2. Proverbs 21:20 "In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has." This gives us an idea of how God wants us to save for a rainy day, to set something back for safekeeping.

3. Proverbs 22:7 states that "The rich rule over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender." Really? The Bible discourages debt? Does God really want me to pay my debts off and avoid debt?

4. Luke 14:28 "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it." Does Jesus really want me to save up and pay for the things I buy?

5. Matt. 6:24 "You cannot serve both God and money".

If money is this important to God, why are there so few Sunday school classes on this topic? Why don't we see lots of small group studies on "Managing Your Finances" or "Getting Out of Debt"? Why aren't there more sermons in this area?

There are many reasons, but the top reason is that most people don't realize how much of a problem managing money is for the average family. Look at the statistics below:

Financial Statistics

1. Marital Problems - 37 percent (the highest rate) of marital problems derive from financial situations

2. Cash Flow - 70 percent of all consumers live paycheck to paycheck, meaning they run out of money before the end of the month

3. Savings - The average family would have to use a credit card to pay a $1,500 unexpected expense (ex: home or car repair).

4. Retirement - Nearly half of all Americans (46%) have less than $10,000 saved for their retirement.

It is a problem that affects everyone, inside and outside of the church. In fact George Barna says that the fastest growing churches are teaching about marriage, child rearing, finances, and careers. Money is a serious subject, and God is serious about money, which is why we should study closely what he has to tell us.

Finally, there is something to guide us! A study to take God's wisdom about money and help us apply it to our own lives.