New Members Orientation Booklet 2016 · This booklet will provide an introduction to the many...

NEWMEMBERSORIENTATIONBOOKLET

2016EDITION

TableofContent

Bishop’sWelcome ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3

TheImportanceofChurchMembership ………………………………………………………. 4

OurGoalforYou ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5

Lesson1:AboutNHCI ……………………………………………………………………………….. 6

Lesson2:Emphasis&StyleofWorship ……………………………………………………….. 13

Lesson3:Creed,Bylaws&Tour ……………………………………………………………………. 16

Lesson4:Salvation …………………………………………………………………………………………… 17

Lesson5:Prayer …………………………………………………………………………………………… 21

Lesson6:EveryChristianaProclaimer&HowtoWriteyourTestimony ………….. 27

Lesson7:TheChristianLife ………………………………………………………………………………… 36

Lesson8:SpiritualGiftsDiscovery&PersonalAssessment…………………………………. 44

RecommendedBooksforSpiritualGrowth ………………………………………………………… 54

Bishop’sWelcomeWelcome,NewMember!GodblessyouandthankyouforchoosingNewHorizonChurchInternationalasyourcenterofworship,fellowship,spiritualgrowth,andChristianservice.WeareacongregationofbelieverswhoaretrulyblessedeachtimethattheHolySpiritpromptsindividualsandfamiliestouniteinfellowshipwithus.AsSeniorPastor,Iextendmyhandandheartinfellowshiptoyouandoffermyservicetoyou.Ipraythatyouwilltakeadvantageoftheopportunitiesforworship,growth,andservicethatareavailabletoyouasmembersofNewHorizon.Toeaseyourtransitionintoourcongregation,wehavecreatedthisorientationclasswhichisdesignedtoinformandacquaintyouwiththepoliciesandpeoplethatmakeNewHorizonthedynamicchurchthatitis.ThisbookletwillprovideanintroductiontothemanyopportunitiesforChristianservicethatareavailabletoyou.IamthankfulforyourpresenceandbelievethatGodsentyoutousforourmutualbenefitandforHisglory.Iprayyouwillinvolveyourselfinsomeaspectofourcomprehensiveministryandcometobelieve,asIdo,thatourLordisusingNewHorizonChurchInternationaltoachievemarvelousthingsforHisgloryandforthegoodofourselvesandothers.Iwelcomeyouaswejourneytothe“newhorizon”thatourLordhassetbeforeus.CountItAllJoy!

BishopRonnieCrudup,Sr.

TheImportanceofChurchMembershipTheBible’sView–Acts2:46-47

Socontinuingdailywithoneaccordinthetemple,andbreakingbreadfromhousetohousetheyatetheirfoodwithgladnessandsimplicityofheart,praisingGodandhavingfavorwithallthepeople.AndtheLordaddedtothechurchdailythosewhowerebeingsaved.

Therewasaspecificgroupofpeopleineachcitythatwasthe“church.”TheGreektermfromwhichtheword“church”isderivedisEkklesia. Theliteralmeaningofthiswordis“acalledoutassembly”ofGod’speoplejoinedtogetherasawholecommunity.InNewTestamenttimes,thechurchwasviewedasagroupthatcouldbenumbered,addedto,andidentified. Itwasaveryidentifiablegroupofpeoplewhowerecalledouttobedifferentfromtherestoftheirculture.Fellowship–Acts2:42

Andtheycontinuedsteadfastlyintheapostles’doctrineandfellowship,inthebreakingofbreadandinprayers.

Wearecalledintothechurchtoexperiencerelationshipswithoneanother.Thatisawordthatmeanscaringforoneanotherinamultitudeofways–frompraying,tobearingburdens,toencouraging,toloving.

“Andletusconsideroneanotherinordertostiruploveandgoodworks,notforsakingtheassemblingofourselvestogether,asisthemannerofsome,butexhortingoneanother,andsomuchthemoreasyouseetheDayapproaching.”(Hebrews10:24-25)

AccountabilityandAuthority–Hebrews13:17

Obeythosewhoruleoveryou,andbesubmissive,fortheywatchoutforyoursouls,asthosewhomustgiveaccount.Letthemdosowithjoyandnotgrief,forthatwouldbeunprofitableforyou.

WhenwebecomeChristians,weneedtobeconnectedforthepurposeofbeingresponsible.Thisisaconceptthathassufferedgreatlyinourculture.ThewriterofHebrewsadvancestheideaofbeinginabodyofbelieversandbeingunderthecareandauthorityoftheleadership.Together,wewilladvanceGod’skingdom,buildJesus’church,blessHispeople,andhelpourselves.

Welcomeintomembership!

OurGoalsforYouOnceagain,thankyouforjoiningNewHorizonChurchInternational(NHCI).Thefollowingsevenpointsdefinetheexperiencesthattheleadershipteamdesiresforeachofyouoverthenext12months.Theyalsoserveasgoalswhichwehopeyouwillaccomplish.

1. WehopethatyouwilldevelopanumberofnewanddeeperrelationshipsinthechurchthatwillenhanceyourexperienceinChristandNHCI.

2. WehopethatyouwillfeelexcitednowandinthefutureaboutyourchoicetojoinNHCIasyouallowustoguideyouinbeingabetter,moreconsistentandmaturediscipleofJesusChrist.

3. Wehopethatyouwillmakethecommitmenttoactivelyengagewithusoverthenext

4. WehopethatyouwillstayinvolvedwithyourCare/DiscipleshipGroup.ADeaconCoupleleadsthisgroup.

5. Wehopethatyouwillgetinvolvedinaministryworkhereatthechurch,onethat

relatestoyourpassion.

6. WehopethatyouwillgrowandeventuallyprovideleadershipinsomeareaofNHCI.

7. Wehopethatyouwillworkhardyearlytobringsomeoneelseintoourchurchmembership.

PraytheFollowing:

Lord,helpmeandgivemethestrengthtocompleteandfulfillthesegoalsformysakeandforthechurch’ssake!

Lesson1:AboutNHCIQuestion1:WhenandbywhomwasNewHorizonChurchInternationalfounded?

NewHorizonBaptistChurchwasfoundedinSeptember1987byBishopRonnieC.Crudup,Sr.,whowasinstructedbytheHolySpiritto,“goestablishachurchthatwouldbeonanewhorizon.”

• Thecongregationstartedwith56chartermembersandwasblessedofGodtoexperiencesteadygrowth.

• Duringthefirstthreeyearsofitsexistence,thecongregationmetinavarietyofrentedfacilities.

• InSeptember1990,thecongregationpurchasedandworshippedinitsfirstbuildinglocatedonBelvedereDriveinSouthJackson.

• InJanuary1998,themembershipvotedtodeletethetermBaptistfromthechurch’snameandwasknownasNewHorizonChurch.

• InJanuary2003,thecongregationvotedtobecomeaffiliatedwithTheFellowshipofInternationalChurches(F.O.I.C.)andtobecomeknownasNewHorizonChurchInternational.

• InNovember2009,thecongregationpurchasedandmovedintoitspresentlocationonEllisAvenueinJackson.

CountItAllJoy!

Question2:WhatisthevisionandmissionofNHCI?

WeareaLovingChurchThat’sLovingonGodandLovingonPeopleCompassionate–Worshiping–Discipling

1John4:11:Dearfriends,sinceGodsolovedus,wealsooughttoloveoneanother.Question3:WhatisthepurposeofNewHorizonChurchInternational?

• ThepurposeofNHCIistobealovingassemblywhomakesstrongdisciplesforJesusChristandwhohelpsmakeJesus’Kingdomcome.

• Itisourpurposetocorporatelyandpubliclyworship,praise,glorify,andgivethankstotheTriuneGod–Father,SonandHolySpirit,toministertheWordofGodtobelievers,topromotefellowshipinthebodyofChrist,andtoencourageevangelismathomeandabroad.

• ItisourpurposetodrawfromtheScripturestheprinciplesthatdetermineourbeliefsandpractices.Themessagewedeclaretoallisbasedonaliteral,grammatical,andhistoricalinterpretationoftheentireBible.WeproclaimthetruthsoftheBible,beingconfidentthatGodisglorifiedandtheneedsofmanaremetwhenHistruthsare

presentedandobeyed.ItistheWordofGod,ratherthanthewordofman,thatultimatelydirectsourchurch.

• Itisourpurposetomeetfrequentlyforworship,prayer,instruction,fellowship,andoutreach.

• ItisourpurposetorepresentJesuswellandtofulfillHispurposesontheearth.Question4:WhataretheobjectivesofNHCI?

1. Tocreateacongregationwheresinglesandfamiliesaregrowing,excited,andfaithfultoJesusandoneanother.

2. Toencourageanaggressivefellowshipofprayeramongourmembers.3. Topromoteasupernaturalexperienceforeverymemberthatissometimescalledthe

filling(Baptism)oftheHolySpirit.4. Tomotivateeachofourchildrentoeducationalexcellence.5. Toequipeachofouryouthandyoungadultstobetheleaders,entrepreneurs,and

managersofthestateandthenation.6. TodevelopouradultsintotheleadersthatGodhascalledthemtobespiritually,

emotionally,relationally,financially,aswellasintheirsecularemploymentandcommunity,therebycreatingpersonalprosperityandaffectingtheworld.

7. TobringchangetothecommunityaroundthechurchthroughourKingdompresence.Question5:WhatkindofchurchisNHCI?

NHCIisacharismaticChurch.NHCIisaSupernaturalChurchwherethepowerofGodisemphasizedandwhereyouareencouragedtobecomesupernaturaltoo.WeencourageyoutoletGodworkinandthroughyoutoaccomplishworld-classresults.

NHCIisamemberofadenominationcalledtheFellowshipofInternationalChurches(FOIC).TheFOICismadeupofformerlyindependentchurcheswhohavejoinedtogethertofellowship,supporteachother,andaccomplishagreaterworkofChrist.TheFOICemphasizesconsecratedliving,astrongcommitmenttotheBibleastheWordofGod,supernaturaloperations,andmissionsoutreachtotheworld.

Question6:Howaremembersreceivedintothechurch?

NHCIreceivespersonsintomembershipwhopubliclyprofesstheirfaithinJesusChristasLordandSavior,and/orwhotransferfromanotherChristiancongregationthatpracticesthesame.Personsseekingmembershipmustagreetobegovernedasisstatedinthechurch’sBy-LawsandConstitution.

Question7:HowisthemembershipofNHCIorganized?

NHCIisaCellChurch:

ACellChurchisonethathasdivideditsentirecongregationintosmallgroups(cells).WecallthemDiscipleshipGroups.

EachDiscipleshipGroupconsistsofalimitednumberoffamilyunitsandisoverseenbyadeaconoratrainedleaderwhoisamemberofthechurch’slaity.

TheDiscipleshipGroup’smainpurposeistoassureeachmemberreceivesdiscipleshipthatresultsinspiritualgrowth,maturity,andpastoralcare.

AllNHCImembersarerequiredtobeactiveintheDiscipleshipGroupministry.

Question8:HowisNHCIgoverned?

NHCIisgovernedbyaBoardofElders.TheBoardiscomprisedoftheSeniorPastorandatleastsixothers.

• TheSeniorLeadershipofNHCIiscomposedoftheElders,Mothers,AssociateMinisters,Deacons,DeaconessesandStaff.

o Elders,otherthantheSeniorPastor,areelectedfromamongtheAssociateMinistersandDeaconsofthechurchtoserveatermofthreeyearsandareaffirmedbythecongregation.Eldersgivespiritualoversight,makepolicy,andsupporttheSeniorPastorinfulfillinghisoffice.

o Mothersareselectedladies,oversixty-fiveyearsofage,whoassistingivingcaretotheelderly.

o PastorsareordainedministerofNHCIwhooverseeanareaofministry.o AssociateMinistersaredisciplesoftheSeniorPastorandassistthe

PastoralStaffincarryingouttheirduties.o DeaconsandDeaconessesareservantsofthechurchwhooverseethe

careofthemembershipandassistinotherfunctionsasassigned.• TheStaffofthechurchiscomposedoffulltimeandparttimeemployees.This

includespaidstaffaswellasvolunteers,Pastors,Directors,LeadersandSupportWorkers,whoconductthebusinessaffairsandactivitiesofthechurchandNewHorizonMinistries,Inc.

• TheSeniorPastor(CEO)isthechiefoverseerofthechurch.Itishisresponsibilitytogivevision,trainleaders,shepherdtheflock,andbetheprimarypreacherofthechurch.

• TheExecutivePastor(COO)isamemberofthepaidstaffwhoservesastheChiefOperatingOfficerofthechurchandministries.He/shereportstotheSeniorPastorandtheBoardofElders.

• TheChiefAdministratorOfficer(CAO)isamemberofthepaidstaffwhooverseesalltheadministrativesideofthechurchandministries.He/shereportstotheSeniorPastorandtheBoardofElders.

NHCILeadershipChart

Movement&InvolvementChart

TrackingYourGrowth/GettingYouInvolved

Question9:WhatshouldbemysummarizedunderstandingofNHCI?

1. NHCIiscompassionateaboutandcommittedtofouractivities:a. Worshipb. Prayerc. Discipleshipd. Missions

2. Ifyou,asaNewMember,willfollowthisvisionandleadership,thenwemakeyouthese

fourpromises:a. YouwillgetSavedb. YouwillbecomemoreProsperousc. YouwillcausechangeontheEarthd. YouwillgetsomeEternalRewards

Lesson2:EmphasisandStyleofWorshipQuestion1:Whatisthemostimportantactivityofabeliever’slife?

LovingonGod,whichisworship,isthesinglemostimportantactivityofabeliever’slife.Todosorevealsthedepthofone’sunderstandingofwhoGodisandwhatHerequiresofHispeople.IndividualWorshipistheactivitythroughwhichabelieverseeks,bythepoweroftheHolySpirit,torendertoGodtheglory,honor,submissionandpraisethatisdueHim.CorporateWorshipistheactivityofacongregationofbelieversinwhichtheyseekbythepoweroftheHolySpirit,torendertoGodtheadoration,praise,confession,intercession,thanksgivingandobediencetowhichHeisentitledto.

Question2:WhataretheCoreValuesofNHCI?

CoreValuesareactivitiesandpracticesthatgivedirectiontoourworshipofGod.

1. Weareaworshippingchurch.WearecommittedtoreverencingGodbasedonaTrinitarianunderstanding.

a. Biblehelps:(Genesis4:4)(John4:21-24)(John14:6)2. Weareabibliocentricchurch.WearecommittedtotheBibleashavingbeen

writtenunderdivineinspirationandrecognizingthatitistheauthorityandguideforlife.

a. Biblehelps:(Deuteronomy4)(2Timothy3:16)3. Weareaprayingchurch.WebelieveGod’sauthorityandpowerarerevealedto

usandthroughuswhenwecommunicatewithHim.a. Biblehelps:(Proverbs15:8)(Mark11:23-25)(James5:16-18)

4. Weareacompassionatechurch.WearecommittedtodevelopingandmaintainingaproperrelationshipwithGodandtoreachingouttoothersinamannerthatismindfulofHisloveforus.

a. Biblehelps:(Luke10:25-27)(James1:27)(IJohn5:12)5. Weareaservingchurch.WearecommittedtoshowingChrist-likebehavior

towardothersthroughunselfishandsacrificialservice.a. Biblehelps:(Luke10:25-27)(James5:19-20)

6. Weareagivingchurch.Wearecommittedtotheproperuseofourtime,resourcesandspiritualgiftstothegloryofGod.

a. Biblehelps:(Malachi3:10)(Luke6:38)(2Corinthians9:6)7. Weareachurchofexcellence.Wearecommittedtothepracticeofdoingour

verybestinallthingsatalltimes.

Question3:WhatisBible-orientedpreaching?Bibleorientedpreachingisexpositoryinnature.Itisbasedonpresentingspecifictextpassagesasthewriterswereinspiredtowritethem,ratherthanpresentingthemasameansofsupportingthepreacher’sinterpretationofthetext.BibleorientedpreachingfocusesonbasicBibletruths.ThecenterisJesusChristanditprovidespracticalguidanceforlife.

Question4:WhatisSpirit-ledpraying?

Spirit-ledprayingiscommunicationwithGodtheFather,throughGodtheSonandguidedbyGodtheHolySpirit.

Question5:Whatisthesignificanceofgiving?

TheBibleclearlyteachesthatcheerfulgivingisanactofworship.GivingisanexpressionoffaiththatshowstrustinGodandfollowstheexampleofJesusChrist.

Question6:WhatisthefocusofNHCI’sMusicandArtsMinistry?

OurmusicandartsministryfocusesonwhoGodisandwhatHehasdone.Weusevoices,instrumentsandmovementtopraiseGod!Thetypeofmusicweemphasizeisintendedtoencouragecongregationalparticipation!

Question7:Whatismeantby“FreedomintheSpirit?”

WeencourageeveryonetosurrendermoreofthemselvestoGod.SurrenderingfullytoGodallowstheHolySpirittoleadusintovariousexpressionsofworshipasHeseesfit.

Question8:WhatisthereasonforeverySundaycommunion?

TheScriptureteachesthatwemeetGodincommunionandgraceisimpartedeachtimeonetakesitreverently.Communionhelpsustodealwithoursinfulnessandismoreeffectivewhendoneoften.

Question9:Whatisatitheandwhydoweemphasizeit?

Atitheisatenthofone’sgrossincome.ScriptureteachesusthatGodinstructshowmuchwearetogivetoHim.TithingisasignofouracceptanceofGod’sstandardsandourwillingnesstotrustHimwithourbest.TithingalsoconnectsthegiverintoGod’seconomyofsowingandreapingwhichequalsprosperity.AnofferingisalovegifttoGodthatthegiverdecidestheamount.

Question10:WhatmembershiprequirementsamIaskedtofulfill?• Eachmemberistodesiretogrowbysubmittingthemselvestoleadershipand

participatinginregularactivitiesandevents.• Eachmemberistogivetheirtitheandofferingsregularly.

• Eachmemberistoreachoutandbringatleastonepersonayearintothechurchmembership.

• Eachmemberistoserveinsomeministryinthechurchregularly.Question11:WhatisthepurposeoftheNHCIcreed?

TheCreedisaconfessionofwhoweareinChristJesus.Initweconfesswhatisoccurringandwhatsurelyshalltakeplaceinourlives.Confessionconnectsintothepowerofagreementforeachbelieverandbuildsupthefaithofallpresent.ConfessionalsocreatesanatmosphereintheChurchwhichisconduciveformiraculousoccurrences.

Lesson3:Creed,Bylaws&TourTheNewHorizonCreed

HavingreceivedJesusChristasSaviorandLordofmylifeandhavingbeenfilledbythe

powerandthepresenceoftheHolyGhost,Ibelievethefollowingtobetrueabout

myself,othermembersofthischurch,andthoseinthebodyofChrist.

1. IamthebelovedoftheLordandhighlyfavored!

2. Iamsavedforalleternity,coveredbytheBlood,andcleanbeforetheFather!

3. IamacitizenofheavenandanheirtothepromisesofGod!

4. IamGod’ssuperman/superwoman:astrongman/womanovermyfamilyand

homeandinalltheareasGodhasallowedmetotreadupon!

5. Iamasin-buster,anenemyofthedevilanddemons,alivingweapon,divinely

powerful–destroyingtheworksandstrongholdsoftheenemy!

6. IamasaintofGod,afaithfulbrother/sister,aproclaimerofGod’sWordanda

modelofholyliving!

7. Iammorethanaconqueror,amemberoftheroyalfamilyandroyalpriesthood!

8. IamtheredeemedoftheLord,anewcreation,aministerofreconciliation,and

anambassadorofthekingdom!

9. IamsomebodyintheLord!Iamspecial,talented,brilliant,beautiful,

courageous,andcompetent–Iamstrong!

10. IamGod’sman/woman!

WrittenbyBishopRonnieC.CrudupSeeMembershipAgreementForm&Bylaws

ImportantQuestionsInlightofwhatyouhaveheard,doyouwanttogoforward?

DoyoustillwanttojoinNHCI?

Lesson4:SalvationSalvationisthefreegiftofGodtomanbygracethroughfaith,completelyasidefromhumanworks.Worksinthelifeofabelieveraretremendouslyimportant,buttheyaretobetheresultofreceivingandappropriatingGod’sgraceinthesalvationtheyreceive.Astheprophetdeclares,“SalvationisoftheLord.”(Jonah2:9)“Therefore,ineveryaspectitisaworkofGodinbehalfofmanandisinnosenseaworkofmaninbehalfofGod.”

TheHolmanBibleDictionarydefinessalvationas:

Theacutelydynamicactofsnatchingothersbyforcefromseriousperil.Initsmostbasicsense,salvationisthesavingofalifefromdeathorharm.Scripture,particularlytheNewTestament,extendssalvationtoincludedeliverancefromthepenaltyandpowerofsin.

Nodoctrineofthefaithismorefundamentalthanthatofsalvation.Misconceptionshereresultineternaldestruction,becausefaiththatisplacedinthewrongobjectcannotsave.LetmeaskyouthequestionIoftenaskthosewhocometomyoffice:IfyouweretodietodayandstandbeforeGod,whatreasonwouldyougiveHimforadmittingyouintoHisheaven?Areyourelyingonyoureffortstoliveagoodlife,keeptheTenCommandments,dogood,helpothers,gotochurch,orevenputtingsomethingintheofferingplate?Areyoutrustinginthefactthatinthepastyouraisedyourhand,walkedanaisle,orsignedacard?Doyoubelievethatjoiningachurch,beingconfirmed,orbeingbaptizedwillsaveyou?NoneofthesereasonsareacceptabletoGod.Noneofthesethingswillsaveanyone.TheMeaningandScopeofSalvation

Evenacasuallookattheworldquicklyrevealsman’sconditioninsinandtheawfulplightinwhichthisfallenconditionhaslefthim.Furthermore,itisaconditionagainstwhichmankindiscompletelyhelplesswhenlefttohisownhumanresources.Inspiteofallman’sexpectationsofanewsocietyinwhichmanisabletobringaboutpeaceandprosperity,theworldremainsshatteredandtornbytheravagesofsinlocally,nationally,andinternationally.TheBiblespeaks,however,ofGod’sgraciousplantoprovideasolutiontoman’sproblem.Wecallitsalvation.

AccordingtothebroadestmeaningasusedinScripture,thetermsalvationencompassesthetotalworkofGodbywhichHeseekstorescuemanfromtheruin,doom,andpowerofsinandbestowsuponhimthewealthofHisgraceencompassingeternallife,provisionforabundantlifenow,andeternalglory(Eph.1:3-8;2:4-10;1Pet.1:3-5;John3:16,36;10:10).

Theword“salvation”isthetranslationoftheGreekwordsoteriawhichisderivedfromthewordsotermeaning“savior.”Theword“salvation”communicatesthethoughtofdeliverance,safety,preservation,soundness,restoration,andhealing.Intheology,however,itsmajoruseistodenoteaworkofGodonbehalfofmen,andassuchitisamajordoctrineoftheBiblewhichincludesredemption,reconciliation,propitiation,conviction,repentance,faith,regeneration,forgiveness,justification,sanctification,preservation,andglorification.Ontheonehand,salvationisdescribedastheworkofGodrescuingmanfromhislostestate.Ontheotherhandsalvationdescribestheestateofamanwhohasbeensavedandwhoisvitallyrenewedandmadeapartakeroftheinheritanceofthesaints.

TheEssenceofChristianityTheessenceofthegospelmessageisthatGodhasachievedeternalsalvationforallwhowillbelieve,throughtheworkofthesinlessSonofGod,theLordJesusChrist,WhodiedonthecrossofCalvaryasthesinbeareroftheworld.Inaword,salvationwasaccomplishedformenbythesubstitutionaryatonementofJesusChrist.WeshallattempttobrieflypointoutthemostimportantfeaturesofthedeathofChristasindicatedinvariousbiblicalpassages.

(1)WhilethelifeandteachingsofourLordJesusareofgreatvalueandimporttotheChristian,itisHisdeathonthecrosswhichsavesusRomans5:6-11.

ThuswemustseethecrossofCalvarynotjustasapartofthegospel;itistheheartofit.

(2)ThedeathofChristwasnotanaccidentoranafter-thought,butapartoftheplanofGodfrometernitypast.

SomehaveattemptedtoteachthatJesusdiedatragicmartyr,misunderstoodandkilledbyanunfortunateturnofevents.TheBibletellsusthatourLord’sdeathwasapartofGod’seternaldecree,determinedbeforecreation:

…knowingthatyouwerenotredeemedwithperishablethingslikesilverorgoldfromyourfutilewayoflifeinheritedfromyourforefathers,butwithpreciousblood,asofaLambunblemishedandspotless,thebloodofChrist.ForHewasforeknownbeforethefoundationoftheworld,buthasappearedintheselast

timesforthesakeofyou…(1Peter1:18-20).

(3)ThedeathofChristwassubstitutionary.

JesusdidnotdieforHisownsins,becauseHewasguiltless:

…whocommittednosin,norwasanydeceitfoundinHismouth;andwhilebeingreviled,Hedidnotrevileinreturn;whilesuffering,Heutterednothreats,butkeptentrustingHimselftoHimwhojudgesrighteously;andHeHimselfboreoursinsinHisbodyonthecross,thatwemightdietosinandlivetorighteousness;forbyHiswoundsyouwerehealed(1Peter2:22)

(4)InHisdeathourLorddiedinourplace,bearingthepenaltyforoursins.

TheprophetofoldannouncedthatthecomingMessiahwouldbeasinbearer:

SurelyourgriefsHeHimselfbore,AndoursorrowsHecarried;YetweesteemedHimstricken,SmittenofGod,andafflicted.ButHewaspiercedthroughforourtransgressions,Hewascrushedforouriniquities;Thechasteningforourwell-beingfelluponHim,AndbyHisscourgingwearehealed.Allofuslikesheephavegoneastray,Eachofushasturnedtohisownway;ButtheLordhascausedtheiniquityofusallTofallonHim(Isaiah53:4-6).

(5)ThedeathofChristwasafinal,once-for-all,paymentforsins.

IntheOldTestamentGodmerelypassedoverthesinsofthenation(cf.Romans3:25-26).Thebloodofthesacrificialanimalsdidnotforgivesins.Thesebloodysacrificesdidnotbringpardon,butmerelyareprieve.Byofferingthesacrifice,theOldTestamentsaintexpressedthefaithofonewholookedforwardtothecomingofthe“LambofGod.”

…andnotthroughthebloodofgoatsandcalves,butthroughHisownblood,Heenteredtheholyplaceonceforall,havingobtainedeternalredemption(Hebrews9:12).

(6)Inlargemeasure,theworkofthecrosscanbesummarizedinfourwords:redemption,propitiation,justification,andreconciliation.

RedemptionreferstoGod’spurchaseofapeopleforHimself.ThepricepaidisthebloodofChrist.Attimestheemphasisisontheideaofbuyingback,withtheimagerybeingthatoftheslavemarket.WehavebeenpurchasedoutofbondagetosinbytheworkofChristonthecross(cf.Exodus6:6;15:13;Leviticus25:25-27;Ruth4:1-12;Romans3:24;Colossians1:14;1Peter1:18-19).PropitiationdescribestheappeasementoftherighteousindignationofGod,whichisarousedbyoursin.God’sstandardshavebeenviolated,Hiswordignoredorrejected.ThewrathofGodistherebyincurredbyfallenman.ThedeathofChristsatisfiesthedemandsofjustice,andGodisnowabletodealwithusinmercyandgrace(cf.Romans3:21-26;Hebrews2:17;1John2:1;4:8-10).

Justificationhasatwo-foldreference.Inthefirstplace,justificationreferstoourinnocenceundertheLawandourresultingimmunityfromcondemnationundertheLaw’srequirements.OursinshavebeenbornebyChristonthecross.Ourpenaltyhasbeenpaid,andsotheLawhasnoclaimonus.Godthereforedeclaresusinnocent,justified.Beyondthis,justificationdeclaresustobepositivelyrighteousinGod’ssight.WhileoursinswereimputedtoChrist,HisrighteousnesswasimputedtousandsoGod,asjudgeoftheearth,declaresustobebothfreefromguiltanddeservingoftherightsandprivilegesofrighteousness(cf.Acts13:39;Romans4:6ff.;8:14ff.;Galatians4:4-7).Reconciliationistheresultofallthese.WewhowereoncealienatedfromGodbyoursin(Ephesians2:11ff.),arenowbroughtnearthroughthebloodofChrist(Ephesians2:16ff).

Lesson4Questions:1. HaveyouaskedJesustocomeintoyourlife?Romans10:8-10

2. Howdoyouknowyouaresaved?1John5:12-13

SeeyourattachedPersonalCommitmentGuideformoreinformation.

Lesson5:PrayerLuke18:1TheJesustoldhisdisciplesaparabletoshowthemthattheyshouldalwaysprayandnotgiveup.Whatisprayer

Prayerispowerful.ItallowsustocastourburdensontheLordandreceiveguidanceandprovisionfromHim.WecanexperienceGod’spowerfordailylivingwhenwe’rewillingtoseekHimearnestlyandbowinreverence.IfyouandIapproachprayercorrectly,wecanhaveconfidencethatHewillrespondtoourrequestsPrayerisavitalpartofthedisciple’slife.JesusChristisourgreatandultimateexampleofhowtopray.IfJesusprayed,howmuchmoreshouldwepray?BecausewearebelieversinJesusChristweprayoutofourrelationshipwithHim.BaseduponourrelationshipwithChrist,ourprayerlifeshouldgrowandmature.WeshouldnotcometoGodinprayerwhenthingsarewrongonly.WeprayoutofourdelightinourrelationshipwithGodandnotoutofduty.Prayershoulddemonstrateatotalconsciousnessofourneed,asenseofourcompleteinadequacyalongwithasenseofGod’scompleteadequacyandwillingness.Matthew6:7-8Andwhenyoupray,donotkeeponbabblinglikepagans,fortheythinktheywillbeheardbecauseoftheirmanywords.Donotbelikethem,foryourFatherknowswhatyouneedbeforeyouaskhim.Hebrews4:16LetusthenapproachGod’sthroneofgracewithconfidence,sothatwemayreceivemercyandfindgracetohelpusinourtimeofneed.

WhyPray

Throughoutscripture,wearecommanded,admonishedandencouragedtopray.Why?Becausethereispurposeandbenefitsinprayerforthebeliever.

• PrayerstrengthensourrelationshipwithChrist-James4:8• PrayertransformsustobemorelikeChrist• PrayerhelpsthebelieverdiscoverthewillofGod• Prayerisforrepentance–Psalm51• Prayerallowsustobenakedandnotashamed–Psalm109• Prayerexpressesgladnessandjoy–Philippians1:4• Prayerallowsustodiscloseourfullemotionalstate• Prayerprovidesdirection• Prayerprovidescomfortandrelief

• PrayerprovidescoveringHowshouldwepray?

RecognizethatGodistheSovereignoftheUniverse.Psalm103:19says,“TheLordhasestablishedHisthroneintheheavens,andHissovereigntyrulesoverall.”OurheavenlyFatherneverceasestobetherulerandmasteroftheuniverse.RecognizethatGodisholy.WhenIsaiahsawtheLordinHisglory,hefeltunclean,eventhoughhehadlivedafaithful,righteouslife(Isa.6:1-6).ThepictureweseeofGodinthebookofRevelationissimilarinitsmajesty.Ashumans,weallfallshortofHisabsoluteholiness.WeshouldapproachHimwithreverenceandawe.Confesssin.ScriptureteachesthattheLordwon’thearourprayersifwe’reholdingontounconfessedsin(Ps.66:18).PurityofheartandthepowerofGodareconnected.Recognizeyourinadequacy.WhentheLordtellsyoutodosomething,Hehasn’tmadeamistake.Hewillnevercallyoutodosomethingthatyoucan’taccomplishthroughHispowerandstrength.Infact,GoddelightsinusingyourweaknessestoteachyouhowtorelyonHim.BeavailableforGodtouseyou.Someprayerswillneverbeansweredunlesswetakeanactiveroleintheirfulfillment.ExperiencetheHolySpirit’senablingpower.GodwantsyoutolookatyourselfasHedoes—assomeonewithpotential.InthepoweroftheSpirit,youhavetheabilitytodowhateverHeasks.AcquireGod’svisionanddirection.What’sonyourheart?SurrendereverydreamorgoaltotheheavenlyFather,andwatchwhatHewilldoinandthroughyou.

BARRIERSTOPRAYER

SinAsChristians,wemusttakealookatknownsininourlives.SincorruptsandseparatesusfromGod.Wemustbegintocallitwhatitis“SIN”,notissues,notproblemsetc....Isaiah59:2ButyouriniquitieshaveseparatedyoufromyourGod;yoursinshavehiddenHisfacefromyousothatHewillnothear.2Chronicles7:14Ifmypeople,whicharecalledbymyname,willhumblethemselvesandprayandseekmyfaceandturnfromtheirwickedways,thenwillIhearfromheaven,andIwillforgivetheirsin,andwillhealtheirland.

LackofFaithJesusisallpowerful,butwecanlimithispowerbyourlackofexpectation,byourwimpyfaith!Hisworkishidden,sometimesevendenied,tothosewhorefusetobelieveinJesus’power.Solet’sbeapeoplewhonotonlypray,butpraywithfaithandexpectation,anticipatingJesus’mightywork.Hebrews11:6AndwithoutfaithitisimpossibletopleaseGod,becauseanyonewhocomestohimmustbelievethatheexistsandthatherewardsthosewhoearnestlyseekhim.Matthew21:21-22Jesusreplied,“TrulyItellyou,ifyouhavefaithanddonotdoubt,notonlycanyoudowhatwasdonetothefigtree,butalsoyoucansaytothismountain,‘Go,throwyourselfintothesea,’anditwillbedone.Ifyoubelieve,youwillreceivewhateveryouaskforinprayer.”Mark11:23-24“TrulyItellyou,ifanyonesaystothismountain,‘Gothrowyourselfintothesea,’anddoesnotdoubtintheirheartbutbelievesthatwhattheysaywillhappen,itwillbedoneforthem.Therefore,Itellyou,whateveryouaskforinprayer,believethatyouhavereceivedit,anditwillbeyours.OutsideTheWillOfGodAgainandagainintheBiblethetruthisemphasizedthatprayermustbeaccordingtoGod'swill.PrayerisnotameansforustopersuadeareluctantGodtodosomethingwhichisagainstHisbetterjudgment.Prayer,ratheriscomingtoGodforthefulfillmentofHiswill,comingtoaGodwhodelightstoanswerprayer.PrayinginthewillofGodmeansthattheprayermustbeinharmonywithwhatGodhasrevealedtobeHisplanfortheworld.OurpetitionsmustbeinharmonywithGod'sholyandrighteouscharacter.WhatwedesirefromGodmustbetothebestinterestofourselvesandothers,eventhoughwemaynotalwaysknowwhatisultimatelybest.IfweprayinthewillofGod,wecanbesurethatGodwillanswer.TheApostleJohnwrote,"ThisistheconfidencewehaveinapproachingGod:thatifweaskanythingaccordingtohiswill,hehearsus.Andifweknowthathehearsus—whateverweask—weknowthatwehavewhatweaskedofhim"(1John5:14-15).Thesearegreatpromises.InprayerwecanapproachGodwithcompleteassuranceofHisabilitytoanswerus.Thereisnolimittowhatwecanask,ifitisaccordingtoHiswill.

JohngoesontosaythatthereareprayerrequeststhatGodcannotanswerbecausetheyarenotaccordingtoHiswillandnotforourbestinterest(1John5:16).Jamesexpressedit,"Whenyouask,youdonotreceive,becauseyouaskwithwrongmotives,thatyoumayspendwhatyougetonyourpleasures"(James4:3).SelfishprayerswillnotbehonoredbyGod.PrayerisGod'sappointedmeanstoreceivewhatisbestforusandothersandtorealizewhatPaulcalled"whatGod'swillis—hisgood,pleasingandperfectwill"(Rom.12:2b).ButwhatinfinitepowerandpossibilitiesthereareinprayerthatisaccordingtothewillofGod.(StudybyJohnF.Walfoord)ConsequencesofaPrayer-lessLifeWhenabelieverdoesnotpray,itputshim/herindirectconflictwiththewordofGod.ThereareconsequenceswhenwelivelifeonourownwithoutdirectionfromtheFather.Someofthoseconsequencesarelistedbelow:

• BrokenFellowship• Double-Mindedness–James1:5-8• NoDirection• LackofConfidenceThatGodWillHearUs

Conclusion

AsachildofGod,youhavetheawesomeprivilegeoffallingonyourkneesandtalkingtotheRuleroftheuniverse.Don’ttakethispreciousgiftforgranted.Humblyapproachthethroneofgracewithyourneeds,confessyourwrongdoing,andadmitthatlife’schallengesaretoomuchforyoutohandle.TheFatherwillrevealHisplansandequipyoutosucceed.

• PrayerisnotovercomingGod’sreluctance,butlayingholdofGod’severpresentwillingness.

• Prayerisnotforemergencyuseonly,whenwegetinapinchandneedsomeonetobailusout.

• Prayerisnotan“Aladdin’sLamp”oratriptothewishingwellforourwants.• Bycontrast,prayerisameansofintimatecommunion,fellowship,and

dependenceuponGodtheFatherwhohaspromisedtoworkinandthroughusthroughHisSon,justasGodworkedthroughHim.

• Prayerisforeverydayliving,momentbymoment.• PrayerisameansofclaimingGod’spromisesandknowingandbecoming

abandonedtoGod’swill.Lesson5Questions:

1. Whatistheonethingeachoftheseprayersabovehasincommon?2. WhyIsPrayerimportanttoyou?3. Doesthebelievertakeadvantageofhis/heropportunitytopray?WhyorWhynot?

4. (Self-Reflection)Whatisyourprayerlifelike?

ReferenceScripturesPrayersinScripture:

TheProphet’sPrayer–TheprophetHabakkukpraysaprayerofworshipandrejoicingtotheLord.Habakkuk3:2-19

ThePrayerofEzra–EzraintercedestoGodfortheguiltandsinofthepeople.Ezra9:5-15

TheLord’sPrayerorModelPrayer–JesusteachesHisdiscipleshowtopray.Luke11:2-4

TheTaxCollector’sPrayer–Thetaxcollectorpraysformercyinaprayerofrepentance.Luke18:13

Hezekiah’sPrayer–Onhisdeathbed,HezekiahcriesoutinPrayerandGodExtendshislife.Isaiah38:2-8

ThePrayerofJabez–JabezpraysforGodtoblesshim.1Chronicles4:10

Daniel’sPrayer–DanielpleadsfortheLord’smercyinpetitionandfastingforthecaptiveJews.Daniel9:4-19

David’sPrayer–AfterGodmakesaCovenantPromisetoDavid,hepraysthisPrayerofThanks.2Samuel7:18-29

PriestlyPrayerofJesus–ChristIntercessoryPrayer.John17

TypesofPrayersPrayerofAdoration–WepraisethegreatnessofGodandweacknowledgeourdependenceonHimforallthings.

PrayerofThanksgiving–ThanksgivingshouldbearegularpartofourtalkingtoGod.GivingGodthethanksHedeserves.

PrayerofPetition–WeaskGodforthingsweneed,primarilyspiritual,butphysicalonesaswell.WebringourrequestsbeforeGodforourselves,ourfamilyorourfriends.

OurprayerofpetitionshouldalwaysincludeastatementofourwillingnesstoacceptGod’swill.

PrayerofIntercession–Tointercedemeanstopleadonbehalfofanotherperson,governmentandchurchleaders.SupplicationInPrayer–HowwemakeourrequestknowntoGodisimportant.WecannottalktoGodanykindofwayandexpecttogetananswer.Wemustbehumble.

1Timothy2:1-6"Iexhorttherefore,that,firstofall,supplications,prayers,

intercessions,andgivingofthanks,bemadeforallmen;Forkings,andforallthatareinauthority;thatwemayleadaquietandpeaceablelifeinallgodlinessandhonesty.ForthisisgoodandacceptableinthesightofGodourSavior;Whowillhaveallmentobesaved,andtocomeuntotheknowledgeofthetruth.ForthereisoneGod,andonemediatorbetweenGodandmen,themanChristJesus;Whogavehimselfaransomfor

all,tobetestifiedinduetime."(KJV)

SpiritualWarfarePrayer–Thecombatperformedinthespiritagainstevil,darkforcestoovercomeSatan’sattacks,liesanddeceptionthroughthereadingofGod’swordandPrayer.Ephesians6:10-20

Clearly,prayerisanareawherebelieversexperiencespiritualwarfare.Ourspiritualenemyisfullyawareofthepowerandpromisesavailabletousinprayer.Heknowsthateverymajorspiritualrevivalbeganwithprayer.Heknowsweareallcalledtobe“prayingmenaces”tohiscause.Therefore,hefightsusfromeveryangletokeepusfromprayingeffectively.ThedevillauncheshisweaponsofmassdistractiontokeepustoopreoccupiedwithotherthingstotaketimetoreallyconnectwithGod.Hebombardsuswithhisfierydartsofdoubttokeepusfrom

prayinginfaithtotheOnewhois“arewarderofthosewhodiligentlyseekHim”(Hebrews11:6).Ourenemyseekstodiscourageusateveryturnbecauseheisthreatenedbybelieversand

congregationsthattakeprayerseriouslyandpursueChristpassionately.TransformingPrayerbyDanielHenderson

Lesson6:EveryChristianaProclaimer&HowtoWriteyourTestimony

ThereisadoctrineintheUnitedStatesMarineCorpsthatisknownas"TheRifleman'sCreed".ItstatesthateveryenlistedMarine,regardlessoftheirmilitaryspecialization(MOS),istrainedfirstandforemosttobearifleman.AndeveryMarineofficer,regardlessofMOS,istrainedasanInfantryPlatoonCommander.Thisdoctrineisinplacesothatnomatterwhathappensincombat,everyMarineandofficerispreparedtocontinuethemissiontodestroytheenemy.Thiswayifacookisinthekitchenandafirefightbreaksout,heorshecanstopcooking,grabarifleandhelptheirfellowMarinesdealwiththeadversary.TheChristianshouldhaveasimilarmentalityinlife.Weshoulduse"TheEvangelist'sCreed".ThatmeansthateveryChristian(whetheraPastor,Deacon,Elder,orLayperson)isfirstandforemostanEvangelist.Weshouldallbeabletocommunicatetheplanforsalvationtoourpeers,regardlessofourage,position,orlocationinthechurch.EvangelismisnotjustthejobofthePastor.ItisthejobofeverybornagainbelievertosharetheGospelofJesusChristwitheveryonethatweruninto.Weshouldnotonlybepreparedtowitnesstotheworld,weshoulddesiretorunintounsavedpeoplesothatwecansharethegoodnewswiththem.NoticethatIdidnotsaythatwehadtoconverteveryone.ItisultimatelyuptotheindividualwhetherornottheyacceptChrist.ButwehavetoactivelyexposethemtoJesussothatthewordofGodcanpenetrateintotheirheart.Howcanwemakesurethatwearepreparedtodothis?Weneedtoknowthetruthforourselves.WeneedtospendtimewithGodourselves.Andweneedtowantthepersontoreceivesalvation.EvangelismDefined:

EvangelismisjoyfullysharingthegoodnewsofthesovereignloveofGod.Itiscallingpeopletorepentance,topersonalfaithinJesusChristasSaviorandLord,toactivemembershipinthechurch,tobeingadiscipleandtoobedientserviceintheworldbyreachingothers.

WhyEvangelize?

• ItwasthelastcommandthatJesusgaveus.Beforeascendingtoheaven,JesusgaveusthiscommandfoundinMark16:15,"...Gointoalltheworld,andpreachthegospeltoallcreation."

• Thereisarealhelltoshunandaheaventogain.InRevelation20:15itsays,"Andwhosoeverwasnotfoundwritteninthebookoflifewascastintothelakeoffire."

• Lifeisbutavapor.Thislifewearelivingisnotevenadropinthebucketcomparedtoeternity.AsChristiansweneedtohelppeoplebecomeawareofthis.Everyoneneedstodecideonthissideofeternityhowtheyaregoingtospendeternity.AccordingtotheBiblethereareonlytwochoices,heavenorhell.Why,youdonotevenknowwhatwill

happentomorrow.Whatisyourlife?Youareamistthatappearsforalittlewhileandthenvanishes.James4:14

• Godhaspromisedusanabundantlifehereonthisearth.Thethiefcomesonlytostealandkillanddestroy;Ihavecomethattheymayhavelife,andhaveittothefull.John10:10.Despiteallappearances,peoplewhodonothavearelationshipwithGodthroughJesusdonothavetruepeaceorjoy.SubmittingtotheLordshipofChrististhemostfulfillingthingapersoncando.

TheAgriculturalImageryofEvangelismin1Corinthians3:5-8WhothenisPaul,andwhoisApollos,butministersthroughwhomyoubelieved,astheLordgavetoeachone?Iplanted,Apolloswatered,butGodgavetheincrease.Sothenneitherhewhoplantsisanything,norhewhowaters,butGodwhogivestheincrease.Nowhewho

plantsandhewhowatersareone,andeachonewillreceivehisownrewardaccordingtohisownlabor.ICor.3:5-8

1. PreparetheSoil.

Wearenotlivinginaresult-orientedsociety.Wearelivinginaninstantresult-orientedsociety.Nearlyeverystorecarriesinstantcoffee,instantoatmeal,instamaticcameras,andinstantbreakfasts.Weuseinstantmessenger,drive-upwindows,automatictellermachines,creditcards,andfaxmachines.Ifwehavetowaitmorethanfiveminutes,it’sconsideredatravestyofjustice!However,inthespiritualrealmpatienceisapartofGod’sprogram.Nowhereisthismoreevidentthanintheconversionofamanorwoman.Althoughconversionisthemiracleofamoment,theBibleusesagriculturalimagerytoportraythedynamicprocessofevangelism.Cropsdonotsimply“happen”—reapingaharvestistheoutcomeofalengthyseriesofeventsthatcannotbebypassedoroverlooked.Unlessthegroundisclearedandploweditwillnotbereadytoreceivetheseed.Likewise,inthespiritualrealm,beforepeoplearereadytoreceivetheseedoftheWordtheirsoulsmustbeprepared.Godoftenusestrialsandtragediestoteardownanyillusionsofautonomysopeoplecanbegintoseetheirtrueconditionofspiritualneed.Divorce,thedeathofalovedone,thelossofajob,andamajormoveallpreparesoulsforChrist.ThesetrialsandtransitionsinlifeareoftenwhatGodusestodrawpeopletoChrist.

AlthoughGodistheOnewhoultimatelydoestheworkoftransformingaperson’ssoul,HeinviteseachoneofustoparticipatewithHim.Notice,thekeywordisparticipate.InanyareaoflifeandministryweshouldunderstandthatwecontributenothingtothepurposesofGod.Hehasnolackordeficiency,andforustomakeacontributionwouldmeanthatwebringsomethingtothetablethatHedoesnotalreadypossess.However,GoddoesinviteustoparticipateinHispurposesbybeingapartofwhatHisSpiritisaccomplishinginthelivesofpeople.

ThereareanumberofwaysthatwecanparticipatewithGodinHisworkofpreparingthesoil.First,wecanandmustpray.Thisiswheretherealworkisfound—preparingthesoilthroughprayer.TheLordusesHisservantsineachphaseoftheprocessaspeoplewithoutChristthelostareprayed.PrayerispartandparcelofseeingindividualsbelieveinChrist.Wemustneverforgetorneglectthiscriticalstep.Whattopray:

ThreeLife-changingprayersegmentsbasedonColossians4:3-4:

Meanwhileprayingalsoforus,thatGodwouldopentousadoorfortheword,tospeakthemysteryofChrist,forwhichIamalsoinchainsthatImaymakeitmanifest,

asIoughttospeak.• “Lord,Openadoor.”• “Lord,opentheirheart.”• “Lord,openmymouth.”

Thesecondhumanelementofpreparingthesoilis:wemusthaveapresence.WemustgotosinnersifweexpectsinnerstocometotheSavior.ManyChristiansassumethatitisthejobofthepastoralstafftosavethelostwheninreality,itisthejobofthebodytogooutintotheworldandshareChristandthenbringthosethattheyhaveledtoChristtothechurchforgrowthanddiscipleship.Thismeanswemustlovelostpeopleenoughtogoafterthem.LovingthelostisthefirststepinleadingthelosttoChrist

2. SowtheSeed.

Afterpreparingthesoil,itisimperativetosowtheseed.ThisissimplyputtingtheWordbeforepeople.ItmaybeleavingagospelofJohnbookletortractatarestaurant.ItmaybegivingapersonaChristianbookthathasbeenespeciallymeaningfultoyou.Often,itissimplysharingyourpersonaltestimonyandthegospel.Isthiseasy?No,itisnot.Itcanbedownrightscary,buttherewardsofwitnessingareworththerisks.

3. CultivatetheSoil.

Cultivationisthelengthiestpartoftheagriculturalprocesssinceitinvolvesirrigation,fertilization,andweedcontrol.ThecultivationphaseisillustratedinthefactthatJesuswascalled“afriendoftaxcollectorsandsinners”(Matt11:19)andinPaul’sdesiretofindareasofcommongroundinordertowinJewsandGentilestoChrist(1Cor9:19-23).Again,ifwearetobefaithfulwitnesseswemustlearntolovelostpeople.Wemustnotseelostpeopleastrophiestobewon.Ifthisisourmindsetwewillfindourselvesquicklyandeasilydiscouraged.

Wehavelookedatthreestages:preparingthesoil,sowingtheseed,andcultivatingthesoil.Wehavelearnedthatwemustprayforlaborersandspecificlostpeople.WehavealsolearnedthatwemustspreadtheWordthroughanyavailablemeans.Wehavealso

beenremindedthatevangelismisaprocessthattakestime.Yetwemustbepatientandpersevereineachofthesestages,forafruitfulharvestrequiresafaithfulwitness.Wehaveconsideredthreestagesofgardening;wearenowreadytoundergothebrieffourthphase.

4. ReaptheHarvest.

Cropsgothroughthreestages:green,ripe,rotten.Harvestiseffectiveonlyatonestage.Ifweprematurelyharvestthefruitbeforeitisripe,weruntheriskofruiningthefruit.However,ifwewaittoolongtoharvestthefruititmaybetoolate.ThekeyissensitivitytotheSpiritandtimelyintervention.Manyofusneedtosimplyremovethepressureandguiltthatwefeelunder.Godexpectsforsharingourfaithwithotherstobefunandnatural.HealsowantsustoknowthatitisHiswork.Ihaveyettoconvertasinglesoul;theonlyconversionthattakesplaceisthroughtheregeneratingpoweroftheHolySpirit.Thisishelpingmetorelaxandnottakesomuchpersonalresponsibility.IfIaccepttheblamewhenapersonrejectsChrist,quitenaturally,IwouldneedtoacceptsomeofthecreditwhenapersonbelievedChrist.

Thekeyconcepttobegleanedfromthisprocessprincipleistheliberatingtruththatifweareinvolvedinanyoneofthesefourphases,wearedoingevangelism.Believerswhopreparethesoil,sowtheseed,orcultivatetheplantedsoilareasmuchapartoftheevangelisticprocessasthosewhoaregiventheprivilegeofreapingtheharvest.

Inaddition,whenwearesensitiveandresponsivetotheopportunitiesGodplacesinourpath,wewillfindourselvesparticipatingindifferentphasesoftheprocess,dependingontheindividualandthepurposesofGod.Withonepersonwemaybegivenanopportunitytoparticipateintheseed-plantingphasebysharingtruthsfromScripture.Inanothercase,wemayhaveanopportunitytowaterorfertilizethespiritualtruththathasalreadybeensown.WhileourdesireistoseeourfriendscometoChrist(theharvest),wecanbeassuredthatwhetherweareinvolvedinpreparing,sowing,watering,orreaping,wearepartofthatprocess.

Sohowdothesefourstagesofgardeningworkinaction?JesuswillshowusinJohn4.Jesus“preparedthesoil”whenHeaskedtheSamaritanwomanforadrinkofwellwater(4:7-10).Eveninspeakingtoher,Jesusovercamethreebarriers:

• First,theracialbarrier(JewshadnodealingswithSamaritans),• Second,thegenderbarrier(JewishrabbiswouldnotaddresswomenasJesus

did),• Third,thesocialbarrier(thiswomanhadapoorreputationamongherown

people).Jesussowedtheseed.Jesuskneweverythingshehaddone,andyetHegentlyandlovinglyofferedherthelivingwaterofeternallife(4:10).Jesus

cultivatedtheseedbygettingintimatelyinvolvedinthiswoman’spersonalcircumstancesandthenansweringhertheologicalquestions(4:16-26).

Finally,Jesusreapedtheharvest.AftertellingthiswomanthatHewastheChrist(4:26),thewomanleftHim.ThedisciplesthenapproachedJesusandurgedHimtoeat(4:31).JesusrespondedwiththesepowerfulwordsinJohn4:34-39:

“Myfood,”saidJesus,istodothewillofHimwhosentMeandtofinishHiswork.Don’tyouhaveasaying,‘It’sstillfourmonthsuntiltheharvest’?Itellyouopenyoureyesandlookatthefields!Theyareripeforharvest.Evennowtheonewhoreapsdrawsawageandharvestsacropforeternallife,sothatthesowerandthereapermaybegladtogether.Thusthesaying‘Onesowsandanotherreaps’istrue.Isent

youtoreapwhatyouhavenotworkedfor.Othershavedonethehardwork,andyouhavereapedthebenefitsoftheirlabor.”

WearetoolsinthehandofthemasterGardener.Godisusingmanyofusinremarkableways,butGodisanxiousforagreaterharvestbecausethefieldsarewhiteuntoharvest.HewantstouseyouandmetoparticipatewithHiminbringingaboutabumpercrop!

7TipsforEffectiveEvangelism

1. Knowyouraudienceandtailorthemessagetothem,don’tjustdothingsthewayyoualwaysdo.Takethegospelsasanexampleofthis,thereare4accountseachtailoredtoaspecificaudience,addressingtheneedsofeachgroup.Butthemessageremainsconsistent(i.e.JesusChrististheSavioroftheWorld).

2. Beled(Acts16:6,9-10).PaulwantedtogotoAsiabuttheSpiritforbadeHim.HewasledtoMacedonia(Europe)andthat’swheretheministrywaseffective.Likewise,PhilipwasledintothedeserttotheEthiopian(Acts8),itseemedcrazytoleaveathrivingSamaritanrevivalandgointoadesertofGaza,butthat’swherehewasledandasaresultthegospeltravelleddownintoAfricawiththeEthiopian.

3. Beburdened.Accordingto1Cor.13thegiftsworkbylove.Withoutloveandaburdenforsoulswewon’treachthem.

4. PreachJesus.Besinglemindedinyourmessage.ItshouldbeJesusChristandHimcrucified.Don’tpreachyourpastor,yourchurchrules,politicsoranythingelse–focusonJesusandesp.whatHehasdonemeanstoyou.

5. Beempowered(Acts1:8).WithouttheindwellingHolySpirityoucannotbeaneffectivewitnessforChrist.

6. Beinagreement.ImagineifPeter&JohndidnotagreeattheGateBeautiful,imagineifPeterwantedtogotogetsomecash,whileJohnwantedtoprayforhim.ThanksbetoGodtheybothsaid:silverandgoldhavewenone,butsuchaswehavewefreelygive,riseupandwalkinJesusName.Makesureyouarewalkingwithpeoplewhoagreeondoctrinewhenyougoouttosharethefaith.

7. Havefaith(Mark16:16-18).Believethatsoulswillrespondtothecall.There’snothingworsethananunbelievingevangelist…whybother?Theexcusethat‘wetoldthemsotheycan’tsaytheydidn’thearthegospelonjudgmentday’simplyisnotgoodenough.Everyonewon’trespondpositivelytothecall,butasgoodstewardsweshouldbeoftheviewthatwithGodNOTHINGshallbeimpossible.

OtherConsiderationsonSharingyourTestimony

IfyouhavereallydrawnneartoGod,youwillbelikePeter,whosaid,"Forwecannotbutspeakofthethingswehaveseenandheard"(Acts4:20)evenwhenhewaspersecutedandthreatenedonaccountofhistestimony,andthepowerofthenameofJesusthathewasoperatingin.Themostimportantthingtotestifyof,though,isnotphysicalmiracles,aswonderfulastheyare,butthewayGodhasredeemedyoursoul-boughtyououtofthehandofthedevilforhimself.TheBiblessaysinPsalm107:2,“LettheredeemedoftheLordsayso,WhomHehasredeemedfromthehandoftheenemy".It’sawonderfulthingwhenwecanhonestlytestifythatwenowknowGodhasforgivenoursins.IfGodhasredeemedyou,thenyoushouldsayso-publicly.Andoneofthebestpublicforumstodayforthisistheinternet.

Whatifyourtestimonyisnotsogreat?

Yourtestimonydoesnothavetobesuperdramaticorunusualtobeeffective.Noteveryonecanrelatepersonallytoasensationaltestimony.Ifontheotherhandyourtestimonyisweakbecauseyoucan'tpointtoachangeinyourlife,coulditbethatyouhavenotreallyconsecratedyourlifetoGodproperly?AreyoutryingtolivingwithonefootinGod'sKingdom,andtheotherinSatan's?

TheBiblesays,"Forthisyouknow,thatnofornicator,uncleanperson,norcovetousman,whoisanidolater,hasanyinheritanceintheKingdomofChrist

andGod.Letnoonedeceiveyouwithemptywords,forbecauseofthesethingsthewrathofGodcomesuponthesonsofdisobedience."(Ephesians

5:5,6).Isyourheartstillinlovewiththispresentage,thisworldsystem?Ifso,itwouldbeagreattimetodecidetoliveforGodandtogetseriousaboutit,becausenoneofusareguaranteedatomorrow.PerhapsyourtestimonyisweakbecauseyouhavenotgivenattentiontothewonderfultruthsconcerningtheHolySpiritandovercomingSatanthatcanbefoundinGod'sWord.Ihavebeguntoexplainthesethingsonmysiteelsewhere,forexample,here.Godwantsyourtestimonytobestrong,soyoucanliveunashamedbeforeGodandmen,andgivehonorandglorytoGod.HewantsyourlifetoshowforthHispower-whatHecando.AndGodhasdoneabsolutelyamazingthingsforpeopleinallkindsoftrouble,whoweremessedupandwithoutnaturalhope.SometestimoniesofhowGodhelpedsuchpeoplecanbefoundonthissite.

IfGodhasworkedpowerfullyinyourlife,pleaseshareitsootherscanbenefit.ItwillremindyouofhowGodhasworkedanditwillencourageotherstobelieveinGod.ItmaybethemeansbywhichanotherpreciouspersoncomestoasavingknowledgeoftheLordJesus.Sodoit.Begintowritedownyourstory.

HowtoOrganizeyourTestimonyIfyoureadActs26:1-29andActs22:1-21youwillseetwoexamplesofhowtheapostlePaulgavehistestimonyinthemidstofgreatpressure,wherehisdestinyhunginthebalance.Paultalkedabouthisearlylife,beforemeetingChrist-boththegoodandthebadpoints.ThenhetalkedabouthowChristrevealedHimselftohimandhisresponse.InActs26(wherehewasnotinterrupted)heisabletospendmoretimetalkingabouthislifesincehisconversion.It’sgoodtodevoteabout40%to"BeforeChrist",about20%totheconversionexperience,andabout40%to"AfterChrist."PeoplewanttoknowwhatkindofadifferenceChristmadeinyourlife.Behonestandauthentic.Don'ttrytomakeitlookbetterthanitis,ortomakeyourpastsoundworsethanitreallywas.Godwillblessatestimonythatistruthful.Peopleareusuallyprettygoodandspottingphonythings.

Herearesomeideastogetyouthinkingaboutwritingyourtestimony.A. BeforeIreceivedChrist,Ilivedandthoughtthisway:

a. Whatdidmyliferevolvearound?b. Whatissuesorthingswereimportanttome?c. WhatdidIthinkofGod?OfJesus?d. OnwhatdidIrelyforsecurityandhappiness?

B. HowIreceivedChrist:Painta"wordpicture"ofthesituation.

a. Wherewereyou?Aloneinyourroom?Driving?Home?b. Whatfeelingsdidyoustrugglewith?c. Whatthoughtswentthroughyourmind?d. HowdidyouyieldyourlifetoChrist?

C. AfterIreceivedChrist,thesechangestookplace:

a. Didyoustrugglewithyourfaith?b. HowdidGodanswerprayer,orstrengthenyouindifficultsituations?c. Howareyoudifferentthanyouwerebefore?d. Howhavethechangesinyourlifeinfluencedothersaroundyou?

Do'sandDon'tsofstrongpersonaltestimony

DO’s

• AsktheLordtogiveyouwisdomandguidanceasyouwrite(James1:5-6)Followthethree-partoutlineshownabove(A.YourlifebeforeChrist,B.HowYoucametoknowHim,andC.Howthingsarenow).

• Emphasizethefinalpoint(howthingsarenow)ifyoubecameaChristianasasmallchild.

• Beginwithaninteresting,attention-gettingsentenceandclosewithastrongconclusion.Makesureyoutieeverythingtogether.Includerelevant,thought-provokingsecularfactsandexperiences.

• Writeinsuchawaythatotherswillfeelassociatedwithyouinpastandpresentexperiences.Talkaboutthingsotherscanrelateto.

• Giveenoughdetailstoarouseinterest.• Useatleastone,butatthemosttwo,Scriptureverses.• Editcarefullyandrewriteasoftenasnecessary.Havesomeoneelselookitover,

andwelcometheircomments,evenifsomeofthosearecritical.Itmaybedifficulttoacceptcriticism,butseekingsincerefeedbackisasignofwisdom.

DON’TDO’s

• Don'tuseChristian"jargon."Avoidthefollowingwords,whichdonotcommunicatetruthtotheaveragenon-Christian.Thoughthesewordsandphrasesareprecioustous,theyareoftenmisunderstoodandconsequentlyridiculedbynon-Christians:saved,convicted,converted,bornagain,sin,repentance.

• Don'tbetoowordy,beataroundthebush,oremphasizehowbadyouusedtobe.Peoplefeeluncomfortableifyoudwellonit.

• Don'tspeakinglitteringgeneralitiesorsuperlatives.• Avoidwordslike"wonderful,""glorious."• Don'tmentionchurchdenominations,especiallyinanegativeway.Neverspeak

criticallyornegativelyaboutanyotherindividualorgroup.• Don'tgivetheimpressionthattheChristianlifeisa"bedofroses."• Don'tpreachtopeople.Makeitatestimony,nota"preachimony.

Lesson6Questions:

1. DoIseemyselfasGod’s“servant,”calledtoproclaimJesusChrist?Whyorwhynot?IsmyfirstprioritytoGodortoothers(e.g.,myspouse,mychildren,myemployer)?HowcanIpreachChristinadversecircumstances?Whatismyresponsibilityinthemidstofthesesituations?

2. OverthecourseofmyChristianlife,haveIseensharingChristasaprocessoranevent?IfIhaveseenitasanevent,whatcanIdotocorrectmyfaultythinking?WhatstruggleshaveIexperiencedinsharingmyfaiththatstemfromperceivingsharingChristasanevent?

3. DoIseethehumanharvestofsoulsas“white?”Ifso,willIchangemyattitudeandperspectivethisweeksoIbecomemoreoptimisticandHolySpiritdependent?

Lesson7:TheChristianLife

1Peter1:13-16Therefore,withmindsthatarealertandfullysober,setyourhopeonthegracetobebroughttoyouwhenJesusChristrevealedatthiscoming.Asobedientchildren,donotconformtotheevildesiresyouhadwhenyoulivedinignorance.Butjustashewhocalledyouisholy,sobeholyinallyoudo;foritiswritten:“Beholy,becauseIamholy.” Whenwedeclare inourCreedthatweareamodelofholy living,wearemakingaveryboldstatement.Amodelisastandardorexampleforimitationorcomparison.Inthiscase,weareclaimingthatifpeoplelookatustheywillbeabletoseewhatitmeanstoliveholy.ItisthesamestatementthatPaulmakesin1Corinthians11:1:Followmyexample,asIfollowtheexampleofChrist.Areyoureallyreadyforpeopletosaytoyou:“Iwanttolivemylifeexactlylikeyouliveyours.Iamgoingtowatchhowyouliveandlivethesameway.”Wearetobemodelsofholyliving.HolinessmeanstobesetasideforGod’sspecialuse,andsetapartfromsinanditsinfluence.Wearetobesetapartanddifferent,notblendinginwiththecrowd,yetnotbeingdifferentforthesakeofbeingdifferent.WhatmakeusdifferentareGodqualitiesinourlives.InMark10,thedisciplesarearguingoverwhoisthegreatest.Jesusgetsstraighttothepointwiththemwhenhesays:YouknowthatthosewhoareregardedasrulersoftheGentileslorditoverthem,andtheirhighofficialsexerciseauthorityoverthem.Notsowith you. Instead, whoever want to become great among youmust be your servant, andwhoeverwantstobefirstmustbeslaveofall.(Mark10:42-44,emphasisadded).“Notsowithyou”Jesustellsthem.Wearetobedifferent.Finally,wearetobemodelsofholyliving.Theemphasisonthispartofourcreedisonhowweliveoutwhatwesaywebelieve.Infact,wecannotclaimthatJesusisourLordunlesswearelivingoutwhatHesays:Whydoyoucallme,‘Lord,Lord’anddonotdowhatIsay?(Luke6:46)Being“amodelofholyliving”bringsustoconsiderwhatitmeanstoliveaChristianlifestyle.WhatdoesitmeantobeaChristian?

Inourculture,ithasbecomemerelyalabelthatsayswearepartofaparticularreligionthatdistinguishesusfromaJew,Muslim,Buddhistorsomeotherfaithperspective.Theterm“Christian”meansliterally“littleChrist”.Howdidthetermcomeintobeing?

Acts11tellsusthatthediscipleswerefirstcalledChristiansinAntioch.WhatpromptedthisdesignationtobegiventothefollowersofJesusChristforthefirsttime?

Acts11:19-26NowthosewhohadbeenscatteredbythepersecutionthatbrokeoutwhenStephenwaskilledtraveledasfarasPhoenicia,CyprusandAntioch,spreadingthewordonlyamongJews. Someof them,however,menfromCyprusandCyrene,wenttoAntiochandbegantospeaktoGreeksalso,tellingthemthegoodnewsabout

theLordJesus.TheLord’shandwaswiththem,andagreatnumberofpeoplebelievedandturnedtotheLord.NewsofthisreachedthechurchinJerusalem,andtheysentBarnabastoAntioch.WhenhearrivedandsawwhatthegraceofGodhaddone,hewasgladandencouragedthemalltoremaintruetotheLordwithalltheirhearts.Hewasagoodman,fulloftheHolySpiritandfaith,andagreatnumberofpeoplewerebroughttotheLord.ThenBarnabaswenttoTarsustolookforSaul,andwhenhefoundhim,hebroughthimtoAntioch.SoforawholeyearBarnabasandSaulmetwiththechurchandtaughtgreatnumbersofpeople.ThediscipleswerecalledChristiansfirstatAntioch.

One of the distinguishing characteristics of the disciples who first earned the name“Christian”wasthat theyrefusedtobeheldcaptivebytheculturalnormsof theday.JewswerenotsupposedtohaveanythingtodowithGentiles,orGreeksastheyarecalledinthispassage.SointentweretheseJewishChristiansontellingthegoodnewsofChrist,thattheytooktheriskoftellingthemessagetotheGentiles.Godblessedtheireffortsandagreatnumberofpeoplebelieved.ThefactthatJewsandGreekswerespendingtimetogethertolearnaboutJesusgottheattentionofthosearoundthem.WhatcouldpossiblymaketheseJewsandGentilesgetalong?ItmustbethattheyarefollowersofChrist,or“littleChrists”. Theproofpositiveofbeinga“Christian”whenthewordfirstappears in Scripture iswhen people are brought together in the name of Christwhonormallywouldnotassociatewithoneanotherintheirculture.Theyareabletocometogether because of their common experience of believing and proclaiming the goodnewsofthegospelofJesusChrist.

AnotherglimpseintothelifeofthechurchatAntiochisgivenbyPaulinGalatians:

Galatians2:11-14WhenCephascametoAntioch,Iopposedhimtohisface,becausehewasstoodcondemned.ForbeforecertainmencamefromJames,heusedtoeatwiththeGentiles.Butwhentheyarrived,hebegantodrawbackandseparatehimselffromtheGentilesbecausehewasafraidofthosewhobelongedtothecircumcisiongroup.TheotherJewsjoinedhiminhishypocrisy,sothatbytheirhypocrisyevenBarnabaswasledastray.WhenIsawthattheywerenotactinginlinewiththetruthofthegospel,IsaidtoCephasinfrontofthemall,“YouareaJew,yetyoulivelikeaGentileandnotlikeaJew.Howisit,then,thatyouforceGentilestofollowJewishcustoms?

PaulsaysthatheconfrontedPeterbecause“hewasclearlyinthewrong”andwasnot“actinginlinewiththetruthofthegospel”.WhatwasitthatcausedPaultogivethemsuchastrongrebuke?“HebegantodrawbackandseparatehimselffromtheGentilesbecausehewasafraidofthosewhobelongedtothecircumcisiongroup.”PetergaveintothepressuretoconformtothereligiousmandatesnottoassociatewithGentiles.Once

again,weseeacleartestimonythattheessenceofbeingaChristianistobesocommittedtofollowingChristthatitdestroysallmanmadebarriers.

BeingaChristianmeansthatweignoreallmanmadebarriersinordertoproclaimthegospelofJesusChristthroughourwordsandourlifestyles.

TheMajorIssuesoftheChristianLifestyle

IfbeingaChristianmeansproclaimingthegospelofJesusChristthroughourwordsandlifestyles,thenwehadbetterbaseitonthethingsthatJesusdidandtaught.WhataresomeofthemajorissuesintheteachingandlifeofChrist?ForthisweshouldlookatthosethingsJesusemphasized.

1. ChristianlifestyleisalifelivedbythepoweroftheHolySpirit.FromthebeginningoftheearthlyministryofJesustheHolySpiritwasinvolved.Luke3:21-22Whenallthepeoplewerebeingbaptized,Jesuswasbaptizedtoo.Andashewaspraying,heavenwasopenedandtheHolySpiritdescendedonhiminbodilyformlikeadove.Andavoicecamefromheaven:“YouaremySon,whomIlove;withyouIamwellpleased.”Ofcourse,thiseventdoesnotmeanthattheHolySpirithadnevercomeuponJesusbefore,sinceJesuswasconceivedbytheHolySpirit,andtheHolySpiritwaswithhimevenwhilehewasinhismother’swomb.ButtheHolySpiritlightedonJesusinavisible,bodilyformasademonstrationtotheonlookersthathisministrywastobeempoweredbytheHolySpirit.When Jesus was getting ready to be crucified, he comforted his disciples byassuringthem:AndIwillasktheFatherandhewillgiveyouanotheradvocatetohelpyouandbewithyouforever–theSpiritoftruth.Theworldcannotaccepthim,becauseitneitherseeshimnorknowshim.Butyouknowhim,forheliveswithyouandwillbeinyou.Iwillnotleaveyouasorphans;Iwillcometoyou.(John14:16-18)SocloselyistheHolySpiritidentifiedwithChristinthispassagethatJesussaysIamleaving,yetIamalsocomingtoyouinthepersonoftheHolySpirit.TheHolySpiritwillliveinyou,whichisthesameasJesuslivinginyou.AfterHisdeathandresurrection, JesusappearedtothedisciplesandpromisedthempowerwhentheHolySpiritcomesasrecordedinthebookofActs:Butyouwill receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be mywitnesses in Jerusalem,and inall JudeaandSamaria,and to theendsof theearth.”(Acts1:8,emphasisadded)AftertheHolySpiritcameaspromisedinActs2,thedisciplesbegantothedeathandresurrectionofJesus.InActs3,Peterand

Johnhealthelamebeggar,andafterwardtheytaketheopportunitytodeliveramessageinthepoweroftheHolySpiritthatsaid:ByfaithinthenameofJesus,thismanwhomyouseeandknowwasmadestrong.ItisJesus’nameandthefaiththatcomesthroughhimthatcompletelyhealedhim,asyoucanall see.(Acts3:16)HavingbeenwarnedpreviouslynottotestifyanymoreaboutJesus,they were arrested and thrown in jail. The next day they appear before theSanhedrin,andonceagaintestifyabouttheLordJesus.InActs4,wereadtheserevealingwords:Whenthey[theSanhedrin]sawthecourageofPeterandJohnandrealizedthattheywereunschooled,ordinarymen,theywereastonishedandtheytooknotethatthesemenhadbeenwithJesus.”(Acts4:13,emphasisadded)Theearlydisciplesbasedalltheirteaching,andalltheiractions,sofullyontheteachingsandlifestyleofJesus,thateveryonetooknotethattheyhadbeenwithJesus. Thustheterm“littleChrists”wasappliedtothem.Inthebeginningitwasnotmeanttobeacompliment,butratheraninsult.TobeaChristianwastobeonewhotaught,livedanddidthethingsthatJesusChristdidinthepoweroftheHolySpirit.

2. Christianlifestyleisalifeoflove.JesusgivesusaclearstatementofhowHereadallofScripture:Matthew22:35-40Oneofthem,anexpertinthelaw,testedhim[Jesus]withthisquestion: “Teacher,which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesusreplied:“’LovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheartandwithallyoursoulandwithallyourmind.’Thisisthefirstandgreatestcommandment.Andthesecondislikeit:‘Loveyourneighborasyourself.’AlltheLawandtheProphetshangonthesetwocommandments.”IfwearegoingtopresumetoteachwhatJesustaughtandliveasJesuslived,ourprimarymotivationhastobeloveforGodandloveforothers.Furthermore,Jesustellsusexactlywhatthislovewilllooklike.

InthebookofLuke,afterJesushadsaidasimilarthingtoanotherexpertintheLaw,thismanaskedJesusafollowupquestion:Andwhoismyneighbor?(Luke10:29) It is at this point that Jesus tells the well-known story of the GoodSamaritan.Jesusillustratesthroughthisstory,thatsurelymusthaveshockedHisJewishlisteners,thattrueloveforourfellowmanwillnotstopatculturaltaboos,athemewehavealreadynoticed.Youmustloveyourneighbor,especiallythosewhomourculturemaytellusareunlovable.

Powerfulmovementshavebegunbythosewhoembracedthisradicalconceptofloving even those who we would not normally love as part of their Christianlifestyle.ConsiderFrederickDouglass:

Iwasnotmorethanthirteenyearsold,whenIfelttheneedofGod,asafatherandprotector.MyreligiousnaturewasawakenedbythepreachingofawhiteMethodistminister,namedHanson.Hethoughtthatallmen,greatandsmall,bondandfree,weresinnersinthesightofGod;thattheywere,bynature,rebelsagainstHisgovernment;andthattheymustrepentoftheirsins,andbereconciledtoGod,throughChrist…Iwas,forweeks,apoor,brokenheartedmourner,travelingthroughthedarknessandmiseryofdoubtsandfears.Ifinallyfoundthatchangeofheartwhichcomesby"castingallone'scare"uponGod,andbyhavingfaithinJesusChrist,astheRedeemer,Friend,andSaviorofthosewhodiligentlyseekHim.Afterthis,Isawtheworldinanewlight.Iseemedtoliveinanewworld,surroundedbynewobjects,andtobeanimatedbynewhopesanddesires.Ilovedallmankind--slaveholdersnotexcepted;thoughIabhorredslaverymorethanever.Mygreatconcernwas,now,tohavetheworldconverted.1

3. Christianlifestylewillbeauthenticatedbyservicetothepoorandoppressed.

AtthekickoffofHisearthlyministryasrecordedinLuke,thisiswhatweread:Luke4:16-21He[Jesus]wenttoNazareth,wherehehadbeenbroughtup, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was hiscustom.Hestooduptoread,andthescrolloftheprophetIsaiahwashandedtohim.Unrollingit,hefoundtheplacewhereitiswritten:“TheSpiritoftheLordisonme,becausehehasanointedmetoproclaimgoodnewstothepoor.Hehassentmetoproclaimfreedomfortheprisonersandrecoveryofsightfortheblind,tosettheoppressedfree,toproclaimtheyearoftheLord’sfavor.”Thenherolledupthescroll,gaveitbacktothe attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagoguewerefastenedonhim.Hebeganbysayingtothem,“Todaythisscriptureisfulfilledinyourhearing.”

Ministry to the poor and oppressed should be at the center of our Christianlifestyle.JesussaidthathecametofulfillthisparticularscripturefromIsaiah.Wesometimesrelegateservicetothepoorintoaspecialcategorycalled“missions”.JesusissayingthatitshouldbeatthecenterofallthatwedoifwearegoingtocallourselvesChristian.

1Douglass,Frederick.MyBondageandMyFreedom.

FromtheearliestdaysoftheChurchthishasbeenunderstoodbythosewhocalledthemselvesChristian.InGalatians,PaulrecountstheincidentwhenhewenttoJerusalemtoprivatelyputbefore the leadersof theChurch thecontentof thegospelthathehadbeenproclaimingamongtheGentiles“Iwasnotrunningorhadnotbeenrunningmyraceinvain”.Hereceivedtheendorsementfromtheleadersatthe“homechurch”ofhisministry:TheyagreedthatweshouldgototheGentiles,andthey to thecircumcised [Jews]. All theyaskedwas thatweshould continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.(Galatians2:9b-10)

SaintAugustine(354-430AD),BishopofNorthAfrica,hadapracticeofendinghissermonswiththewords:Givetothepoor. Augustinedaredtodreamofatimewhentherewouldbenopoor:Yougivebreadtoahungryperson;butitwouldbebetterwerenoonehungry,andyoucouldgiveittonoone.Youclothethenakedperson.Wouldthatallwereclothedandthisnecessitydidnotexist.2

ThoseofuswhoareProtestantsarepartofamovementthatholdsadeepbeliefintheimpetusofourfaithinmeetingtheneedsofothers. MartinLuthersaid:Faithisaliving,unshakeableconfidenceinGod'sgrace…Throughfaith,apersonwill do good to everyonewithout coercion,willingly and happily; hewill serveeveryone,suffereverythingfor the loveandpraiseofGod,whohasshownhimsuchgrace.Itisasimpossibletoseparateworksfromfaithasburningandshiningfromfire.3

In 1540, city officials inGeneva, Switzerland invited JohnCalvin to that city toenactreforms.AssoonashearrivedhesetaboutrevolutionizingGenevasociety.His most important innovation was the incorporation of the church into citygovernment.HedevelopedaDeaconministrymodeledonActs6tocareforthesick,theelderly,thewidowedandthepoor.4Calvintookgreatcaretoprovideforthepoor,becausehebelievedthatalltheChurchpossessesrightfullybelongstothe poor, and consequently how those resources are handled is of utmostseriousness:

Youwillfrequentlyfindbothinthedecreesofsynodsandinancientwritersthat all that the church possesses, either in lands or in money, is thepatrimony5ofthepoor.Andsothissongisoftensungtheretobishopsand

2Augustine.Tractate1John8,8.3Luther,Martin.PrefacetotheLetterofSt.PaultotheRomans,1545.4Hooker,Richard.DiscoveryandReformation.http://www.wsu.edu/%7Edee/REFORM/CALVIN.HTM..5“Patrimony”isaninheritancefromone’sfather.

deacons,thattheyshouldrememberthattheyarenothandlingtheirowngoodsbutthoseappointedfortheneedofthepoor;andifinbadfaiththeysuppressorwastethem,theyshallbeguiltyofblood.Accordingly,theyareadmonishedtodistributethesegoodstowhomtheyareowed,with thegreatestaweandreverence,asifinGod’spresence,withoutpartiality.6

4. ChristianLifestyleismostfullyarticulatedintheSermonontheMount.

The Sermon on the Mount was Jesus’ first teaching recorded in the book ofMatthew,and it is the longest teaching recordedby Jesus. Matthewgives thesettingtotheSermonontheMount:Nowwhenhe[Jesus]sawthecrowds,hewentuponamountainsideandsatdown. Hisdisciplescametohim,andhebegan to teach them, saying… (Matthew 5:1-2, NIV) Just at the time Jesus’popularity was growing, he called aside his disciples to give them this specialteaching.ItwasasifJesuswassaying:WhatIamabouttosayisjustforyou,anditistosetyouapartfromallofthismultitudethatisbeginningtocometome.Herein Jesus giveshis first disciples – and consequently tous, hismoderndaydisciples–theessenceofwhatitmeanstobeaChristianthatwilldistinguishusfromtherestoftheworld.

• Christianshaveadifferentunderstandingofwhatisblessedthantherestoftheworld. (5:3-10) TheChristianseestheblessedasthosewhoarepoor, who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst forrighteousness, the merciful, the peacemakers, and those who arepersecuted. These are the opposite of the qualities valued by theunbelieving world. Ronald Kraybill has called this The Upside DownKingdom.

• Christiansrejoicewhentheyarepersecuted,asopposedtotakingrevengewhentheyarepersecuted.(5:11-12)

• Christiansseethemselvesasthesalvationoftheworld,astheyserveassalt and the light of the world to lead others to God. (5:13-16) Thus,Christiansactivelyprayforandworkforthesalvationoftheworld.ThismeansthatnopartofthelivesweliveinthisworldisoutsidetheinfluenceofChrist,butwearetobringChristintoeverythingwedo.

• ChristiansconformthemselvestotheLawofGodbecauseJesuscametofulfilltheLaw.(5:17-20)

• Christiansgooutoftheirwaytokeepfromharminganother,andindeedseektobereconcilers.(5:21-26)

• Christians do not commit adultery, neither by committing a sexual actoutsideofmarriage,orevenlookinglustfullyatanotherpersonnottheirspouse.(5:27-30)

6Calvin,John.InstitutesoftheChristianReligion,Book4,Chapter4,section6.

• Christiansdonotcondonedivorceliketheworld.(5:31-32)• Christiansarepeopleoftheirword.(5:33-37)• Christiansdonottakerevenge,butturntheothercheek.(5:38-42)• Christianslovethosewhoaretheirenemiesandprayforthem.(5:43-48)• ChristiansgivetotheneedyinsecretasanactofworshipofGod.(6:1-4)• Christiansarepeopleofprayerandfasting.(6:5-18)• Christians have a different view of worldly wealth, as they are mainly

concernedwithtreasuresinheaven.Theykeepahealthyskepticismaboutthewealthoftheworldsoasnottogetcaughtupservingtwomasters.(6:19-24)

• Christiansdonotworry,becausetheytrustthatGodwilltakecareoftheirneeds.(6:25-34)

• Christiansdonotjudgeothers,andtheylookatthemselvesfirstwhentheywanttocriticizesomeone.(7:1-6)

• Christiansarepeopleoffaithwhoarenotafraidtoask,seekandknock,because they know theyhave a loving Fatherwho is listening to them.(7:7-12)

• Christiansdonotwonderwhythemultitudesarenotfollowingbecausetheyknowthatthewaytolifeisnarrowandonlyarelativefewwillfindit.(7:13-14)

• ChristiansarewisewhenitcomestoteachersorthosewhocomeinthenameoftheLord,knowingthatnoteveryonewhosaysthatJesusistheirLordreallyknowshim.(7:15-23)

• Finally, Christians are thosewho not only hear thewords of Jesus butactuallypracticethem.(7:24-27)

Conclusion

Proclaimingthatwearea“modelofholyliving”isahugestatement.TheGodofIsraelandoftheChristianchurchisholy.HesetsthestandardsandexpectsustoimitatehimbyfollowingHisstandards.OurfocusandprioritiesmustbeHis.Thankfully,itisnotuptoustoliveitoutinourownpower.Jesussaidthathewouldbewithusalways,andthathewouldsendtheHolySpirittogiveushispowertobehiswitnesses.

Lesson7Questions:

1. Howwoulditmakeyoufeelifyouknewsomeonewasusingyouasamodelofholyliving?

2. Arethereareasofyourlifethatyouwouldwanttoimprovetobeabettermodelofholyliving?

3. Whatpart(s)oftheSermonontheMountdoyouthinkarethehardesttoliveout?

Lesson8:SpiritualGiftsDiscovery&PersonalAssessment

ABasicDefinition:Theword,SpiritualGift,comesfromtheGreekphrasechrismataorsometimesreferredtoasCharisma,andisdefinedas,"agiftofgrace."

TheSpiritualGiftsSurveyisadiscoverytoolthatprovidesyouwithapersonalizedanalysis.Notatest,butasimplequestionnairegivingyouaprofileofyourGodgivenspiritualgifts.DiscoveringandexercisingyourGod-givenspiritualgiftsallowsyoutoexperiencemaximumfulfillmentwithminimumfrustrationinyourChristianlifeandministry.SPIRITUALGIFTSSURVEY7DIRECTIONS

Thisisnotatest,sotherearenowronganswers.TheSpiritualGiftsSurveyconsistsof80statements.Someitemsreflectconcreteactions;otheritemsaredescriptivetraits;andstillothersarestatementsofbelief.

• Selecttheoneresponseyoufeelbestcharacterizesyourselfandplacethatnumberintheblankprovided.Recordyouranswerintheblankbesideeachitem.

• Donotspendtoomuchtimeonanyoneitem.Remember,itisnotatest.Usuallyyourimmediateresponseisbest.

• Pleasegiveananswerforeachitem.Donotskipanyitems.• Donotaskothershowtheyareansweringorhowtheythinkyoushouldanswer.

Workatyourownpace.

Yourresponsechoicesare:5—Highlycharacteristicofme/definitelytrueforme4—Mostofthetimethiswoulddescribeme/betrueforme3—Frequentlycharacteristicofme/trueforme–about50percentofthetime2—Occasionallycharacteristicofme/trueforme–about25percentofthetime1—Notatallcharacteristicofme/definitelyuntrueforme

1.Ihavetheabilitytoorganizeideas,resources,time,andpeopleeffectively.2.Iamwillingtostudyandprepareforthetaskofteaching.72003LifeWayChristianResources

3.IamabletorelatethetruthsofGodtospecificsituations.4.IhaveaGod-givenabilitytohelpothersgrowintheirfaith.5.Ipossessaspecialabilitytocommunicatethetruthofsalvation.6.Ihavetheabilitytomakecriticaldecisionswhennecessary.7.Iamsensitivetothehurtsofpeople.8.Iexperiencejoyinmeetingneedsthroughsharingpossessions.9.Ienjoystudying.10.IhavedeliveredGod’smessageofwarningandjudgment.11.Iamabletosensethetruemotivationofpersonsandmovements.12.IhaveaspecialabilitytotrustGodindifficultsituations.13.Ihaveastrongdesiretocontributetotheestablishmentofnewchurches. 14.Itakeactiontomeetphysicalandpracticalneedsratherthanmerelytalkingaboutorplanningtohelp.15.Ienjoyentertainingguestsinmyhome.16.Icanadaptmyguidancetofitthematurityofthoseworkingwithme. 17.Icandelegateandassignmeaningfulwork.18.Ihaveanabilityanddesiretoteach.19.Iamusuallyabletoanalyzeasituationcorrectly.20.Ihaveanaturaltendencytoencourageothers.21.IamwillingtotaketheinitiativeinhelpingotherChristiansgrowintheirfaith. 22.Ihaveanacuteawarenessoftheemotionsofotherpeople,suchasloneliness,pain,fear,andanger.

23.Iamacheerfulgiver.24.Ispendtimediggingintofacts.25.IfeelthatIhaveamessagefromGodtodelivertoothers.26.Icanrecognizewhenapersonisgenuine/honest. 27.Iamapersonofvision(aclearmentalportraitofapreferablefuturegivenbyGod).Iamabletocommunicatevisioninsuchawaythatotherscommittomakingthevisionareality.28.IamwillingtoyieldtoGod’swillratherthanquestionandwaver.29.Iwouldliketobemoreactiveingettingthegospeltopeopleinotherlands.30.Itmakesmehappytodothingsforpeopleinneed.31.Iamsuccessfulingettingagrouptodoitsworkjoyfully.32.Iamabletomakestrangersfeelatease.33.Ihavetheabilitytoplanlearningapproaches.34.Icanidentifythosewhoneedencouragement.35.IhavetrainedChristianstobemoreobedientdisciplesofChrist.36.IamwillingtodowhateverittakestoseeotherscometoChrist.37.Iamattractedtopeoplewhoarehurting.38.Iamagenerousgiver.39.Iamabletodiscovernewtruths. 40.IhavespiritualinsightsfromScriptureconcerningissuesandpeoplethatcompelmetospeakout.41.IcansensewhenapersonisactinginaccordwithGod’swill.

42.IcantrustinGodevenwhenthingslookdark.43.IcandeterminewhereGodwantsagrouptogoandhelpitgetthere.44.Ihaveastrongdesiretotakethegospeltoplaceswhereithasneverbeenheard.45.Ienjoyreachingouttonewpeopleinmychurchandcommunity.46.Iamsensitivetotheneedsofpeople.47.Ihavebeenabletomakeeffectiveandefficientplansforaccomplishingthegoalsofagroup.48.IoftenamconsultedwhenfellowChristiansarestrugglingtomakedifficultdecisions.49.IthinkabouthowIcancomfortandencourageothersinmycongregation.50.Iamabletogivespiritualdirectiontoothers.51.IamabletopresentthegospeltolostpersonsinsuchawaythattheyaccepttheLordandHissalvation.52.Ipossessanunusualcapacitytounderstandthefeelingsofthoseindistress.53.IhaveastrongsenseofstewardshipbasedontherecognitionthatGodownsallthings.54.IhavedeliveredtootherpersonsmessagesthathavecomedirectlyfromGod.55.IcansensewhenapersonisactingunderGod’sleadership.56.ItrytobeinGod’swillcontinuallyandbeavailableforHisuse.57.IfeelthatIshouldtakethegospeltopeoplewhohavedifferentbeliefsfromme.58.Ihaveanacuteawarenessofthephysicalneedsofothers.59.Iamskilledinsettingforthpositiveandprecisestepsofaction.60.Iliketomeetvisitorsatchurchandmakethemfeelwelcome.

61.IexplainScriptureinsuchawaythatothersunderstandit.62.Icanusuallyseespiritualsolutionstoproblems.63.Iwelcomeopportunitiestohelppeoplewhoneedcomfort,consolation,encouragement,andcounseling.64.IfeelateaseinsharingChristwithnonbelievers.65.IcaninfluenceotherstoperformtotheirhighestGod-givenpotential.66.Irecognizethesignsofstressanddistressinothers.67.Idesiretogivegenerouslyandunpretentiouslytoworthwhileprojectsandministries.68.Icanorganizefactsintomeaningfulrelationships.69.GodgivesmemessagestodelivertoHispeople.70.Iamabletosensewhetherpeoplearebeinghonestwhentheytelloftheirreligiousexperiences.71.Ienjoypresentingthegospeltopersonsofotherculturesandbackgrounds.72.Ienjoydoinglittlethingsthathelppeople.73.Icangiveaclear,uncomplicatedpresentation.74.Ihavebeenabletoapplybiblicaltruthtothespecificneedsofmychurch.75.GodhasusedmetoencourageotherstoliveChrist-likelives.76.Ihavesensedtheneedtohelpotherpeoplebecomemoreeffectiveintheirministries.77.IliketotalkaboutJesustothosewhodonotknowHim.78.Ihavetheabilitytomakestrangersfeelcomfortableinmyhome.

79.Ihaveawiderangeofstudyresourcesandknowhowtosecureinformation. 80.IfeelassuredthatasituationwillchangeforthegloryofGodevenwhenthesituationseemimpossible.

SCORINGYOURSURVEY Followthesedirectionstofigureyourscoreforeachspiritualgift.

1. Placeineachboxyournumericalresponse(1-5)totheitemnumberwhichisindicatedbelowthebox.

2. Foreachgift,addthenumbersintheboxesandputthetotalintheTOTALbox.

LEADERSHIP + + + + = Item 6 Item 16 Item 27 Item 43 Item 65 TOTAL ADMINISTRATION + + + + = Item 1 Item 17 Item 31 Item 47 Item 59 TOTAL TEACHING + + + + = Item 2 Item 18 Item 33 Item 61 Item 73 TOTAL KNOWLEDGE + + + + = Item 9 Item 24 Item 39 Item 68 Item 79 TOTAL WISDOM + + + + = Item 3 Item 19 Item 48 Item 62 Item 74 TOTAL PROPHECY + + + + = Item 10 Item 25 Item 40 Item 54 Item 69 TOTAL DISCERNMENT + + + + = Ite m 11 Item 26 Item 41 Item 55 Item 70 TOTAL EXHORTATION + + + + = Item 20 Item 34 Item 49 Item 63 Item 75 TOTAL SHEPHERDING + + + + = Item 4 Item 21 Item 35 Item 50 Item 76 TOTAL FAITH + + + + = Item 12 Item 28 Item 42 Item 56 Item 80 TOTAL EVANGELISM + + + + = Item 5 Item 36 Item 51 Item 64 Item 77 TOTAL APOSTLESHIP + + + + = Item 13 Item 29 Item 44 Item 57 Item 71 TOTAL SERVICE/HELPS + + + + = Item 14 Item 30 Item 46 Ite m 58 Item 72 TOTAL

MERCY + + + + = Item 7 Item 22 Item 37 Item 52 Item 66 TOTAL GIVING + + + + = Item 8 Item 23 Item 38 Item 53 Item 67 TOTAL HOSPITALITY + + + + = Item 15 Item 32 Item 45 Item 60 Item 78 TOTAL

Nowthatyouhavecompletedthesurvey,thoughtfullyanswerthefollowingquestions.ThegiftsIhavebeguntodiscoverinmylifeare:1. 2. 3.

Afterprayerandworship,IambeginningtosensethatGodwantsmetousemyspiritualgiftstoserveChrist’sbodyby .IamnotsureyethowGodwantsmetousemygiftstoserveothers.ButIamcommittedtoprayerandworship,seekingwisdomandopportunitiestousethegiftsIhavereceivedfromGod.AskGodtohelpyouknowhowHehasgiftedyouforserviceandhowyoucanbegintousethisgiftinministrytoothers.

GiftsDescription8Romans12:6-8;1Corinthians12:8-10,28-30;Ephesians4:11;and1Peter4:9-11containrepresentativelistsofgiftsandrolesGodhasgiventothechurch.Adefinitionofthesegiftsfollows.9

8LifeWayChristianResources9Thesedefinitionsexcludethe“signgifts”becauseofsomeconfusionthataccompaniesthesegiftsandbecausetheyaredifficulttofitintoministrieswithinatypicalchurch’sministrybase.

Leadership–Leadershipaidsthebodybyleadinganddirectingmemberstoaccomplishthegoalsandpurposesofthechurch.Leadershipmotivatespeopletoworktogetherinunitytowardcommongoals(Rom.12:8).

Administration–Personswiththegiftofadministrationleadthebodybysteeringotherstoremainontask.AdministrationenablesthebodytoorganizeaccordingtoGod-givenpurposesandlong-termgoals(1Cor.12:28).

Teaching–TeachingisinstructingmembersinthetruthsanddoctrinesofGod’sWordforthepurposesofbuildingup,unifying,andmaturingthebody(1Cor.12:28;Rom.12:7;Eph.4:11).

Knowledge–Thegiftofknowledgemanifestsitselfinteachingandtrainingindiscipleship.ItistheGod-givenabilitytolearn,know,andexplaintheprecioustruthsofGod’sWord.AwordofknowledgeisaSpirit-revealedtruth(1Cor.12:28).

Wisdom–WisdomisthegiftthatdiscernstheworkoftheHolySpiritinthebodyandappliesHisteachingsandactionstotheneedsofthebody(1Cor.12:28).

Prophecy–ThegiftofprophecyisproclaimingtheWordofGodboldly.Thisbuildsupthebodyandleadstoconvictionofsin.Prophecymanifestsitselfinpreachingandteaching(1Cor.12:10;Rom.12:6).

Discernment–Discernmentaidsthebodybyrecognizingthetrueintentionsofthosewithinorrelatedtothebody.Discernmentteststhemessageandactionsofothersfortheprotectionandwell-beingofthebody(1Cor.12:10).

Exhortation–PossessorofthisgiftencouragememberstobeinvolvedinandenthusiasticabouttheworkoftheLord.Memberswiththisgiftaregoodcounselorsandmotivateotherstoservice.Exhortationexhibitsitselfinpreaching,teaching,andministry(Rom.12:8).Shepherding–Thegiftofshepherdingismanifestedinpersonswholookoutforthespiritualwelfareofothers.Althoughpastors,likeshepherds,docareformembersofthechurch,thisgiftisnotlimitedtoapastororstaffmember(Eph.4:11).

Faith–FaithtrustsGodtoworkbeyondthehumancapabilitiesofthepeople.BelieverswiththisgiftencourageotherstotrustinGodinthefaceofapparentlyinsurmountableodds(1Cor.12:9).

Evangelism–GodgiftshischurchwithevangeliststoleadotherstoChristeffectivelyandenthusiastically.Thisgiftbuildsupthebodybyaddingnewmemberstoitsfellowship(Eph.4:11).

Apostleship–Thechurchsendsapostlesfromthebodytoplantchurchesorbemissionaries.ApostlesmotivatethebodytolookbeyonditswallsinordertocarryouttheGreatCommission(1Cor.12:28;Eph.4:11).

Service/Helps–Thosewiththegiftofservice/helpsrecognizepracticalneedsinthebodyandjoyfullygiveassistancetomeetingthoseneeds.Christianswiththisgiftdonotmindworkingbehindthescenes(1Cor.12:28;Rom.12:7).

Mercy–Cheerfulactsofcompassioncharacterizethosewiththegiftofmercy.Personswiththisgiftaidthebodybyempathizingwithhurtingmembers.Theykeepthebodyhealthyandunifiedbykeepingothersawareoftheneedswithinthechurch(Rom.12:8).

Giving–Memberswiththegiftofgivinggivefreelyandjoyfullytotheworkandmissionofthebody.Cheerfulnessandliberalityarecharacteristicsofindividualswiththisgift(Rom.12:8).

Hospitality–Thosewiththisgifthavetheabilitytomakevisitors,guests,andstrangersfeelatease.Theyoftenusetheirhometoentertainguests.Personswiththisgiftintegratenewmembersintothebody(1Pet.4:9).

GodhasgiftedyouwithanexpressionofHisHolySpirittosupportHisvisionandmissionofthechurch.ItisaworldwidevisiontoreachallpeoplewiththegospelofChrist.Asaservantleader,GoddesiresthatyouknowhowHehasgiftedyou.ThiswillleadyoutowhereHewouldhaveyouserveaspartofHisvisionandmissionforthechurch.10

PersonalAssessmentofNeeds“Thisishowweknowwhatloveis:JesusChristlaiddownhislifeforus.Andweoughttolaydownourlivesforourbrothersandsisters.Ifanyonehasmaterialpossessionsandseesa

brotherorsisterinneedbuthasnopityonthem,howcantheloveofGodbeinthatperson?Dearchildren,letusnotlovewithwordsorspeechbutwithactionsandin

truth.”1John3:16-18

Scriptureclearlyteachesthateverypersonwhocomesintochurchmembershipshouldcomeexpectingtoreceiveandtogive.Functionally,eachofusistobringresourcestomeettheneedsofothers.(Eph.4:16;Rom.15:1-6;Acts4:34-35).Bysodoing,welearnthatbyworking

10GeneWilkesispastorofLegacyChurch,Plano,Texas.ThisarticlewasadaptedfromJesusonLeadership:DevelopingServantLeaders,byGeneWilkes(LifeWayChristianResources1998).

togetherunderHisguidanceandblessing,wecanmeeteveryneedinthebodyandprovideamodeltotheworldofhowGodtakescareofHisbody.Weprovethattogetherallthingsreallyarepossibleifwebelieveandoperateaccordingly.TheOperationforEveryNeedBeingMet

Everymembershouldoperateinthefollowingmanner:1. Collectinghelpfulinformationthatanswersastatedneed;2. Prayingforsuccessconcerningtheneeds;3. Usingyourinfluencetoopendoorsforothers;4. Preparingotherswiththesoftskillstosucceed;and5. Rejoicingwiththegroupinthissuccess.

WhatdoyouwantorneedhelpwithfromNHCI?Whatisyourself-interest?(Checkasmanyboxesthatapply)

� FinancialAssistance

� Job/Career

� Housing

� Food

� Childcare

� Counseling

� Other(s):

IfYouHaveaNeed,ThenHelpUsMeetaNeed!!!

RecommendedBooksforSpiritualGrowthv TheNormalChristianChurchLifebyWatchmanNee

v MereChristianitybyC.S.Lewis

v God’sChosenFastbyAndrewWallis

v HearingGod:DevelopingaConversationalRelationshipwithGodbyDallas

Willard

v TheSpiritofChristbyAndrewMurray

v BoneofHisBonebyF.J.Huegel

v DiscipleshipbyDietrichBonhoeffer

v The5LoveLanguagesbyGaryChapman(forcouples)

v TheKeytoTriumphantLivingbyJackR.Taylor

v SimplyJesusbyN.T.Wright

v ThePurposeDrivenLifebyRickWarren

v The21IrrefutableLawsofLeadershipbyJohnMaxwell

v IntercessoryPrayerbyDutchSheets

v KnowWhatyouBelievebyPaulLittle

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