Modeling Our Lives After His

Modeling our lives after His

Making every eﬀort to reﬂect His character in all areas of life

A Small Group Series by the Discipleship Team

Table of Contents

Introductory Material

Notes and Acknowledgements ...... i.

Lessons

Who I am In Jesus ...... 9

Week 1 - So, What is a Disciple? ...... 11

Week 2 - KNOWING Jesus ...... 19 Sacred Pathways Assessment ...... 24

Week 3 - MODELING Jesus ...... 29 Modeling Jesus Activity...... 34

Week 4 - SERVING Jesus ...... 39 Spiritual Gifts Assessment ...... 44

Week 5 - SHARING Jesus ...... 51 Evangelism Style Assessment ...... 56

Week 6 - Putting It All Together ...... 61 How to use Individual Discipleship Path ...... 66 Activities

KNOWING Jesus End Material ...... 69 Spiritual Temperaments descriptions...... 104 (Blue Pages)

MODELING Jesus End Material ...... 113 (Green pages)

SERVING Jesus End Material...... 131 Spiritual Gifts descriptions ...... 135 (Yellow Pages)

SHARING Jesus End Material ...... 139 Evangelism Style descriptions ...... 144 (Red Pages)

Individual Discipleship Path (IDP) ...... 149 (White Pages)

What’s Next...... 156 The Motivation Behind This Series and Workbook In February 2012, Castleton Christian Church unveiled a three-year strategic plan on what we felt God was calling us to accomplish. We (the Leadership) called it iMOVE. This is designed to help our church live in authentic community, reach the world both locally and abroad, and to become better committed followers of Jesus.

The Discipleship Team was formed to work on the initiative of making better committed followers of Jesus. The task led the group to form a simple definition of discipleship (Discipleship is Knowing Jesus, Modeling Jesus, Serving Jesus, and Sharing Jesus). After completing the definition, the team recognized the need for KNOW. It is the first stage in completing a discipleship strategy. It is a five week series designed for those who are new to both the church and Jesus as well as those who have been following him for a lifetime. With KNOW being the first step in the process, the Discipleship team knew that a second step needed to be made available. This second step is for those who wish to understand who they are in Jesus. We decided to call it MODEL. We Model Jesus as he Models God. Though this series is called MODEL, it covers all four aspects of being a disciple as defined by the Discipleship team. In effect, you will study how to better MODEL Jesus as he KNOWs, MODELs, SERVEs, and SHAREs His Father in Heaven. The unique features and activities in this workbook are tools to help you grow no matter where you are in your journey with Christ.

The Discipleship Team is excited you have decided to participate. Do not let this simply become a checklist Christianity meaning you do the work for the satisfaction of saying you’ve done it. Let God work through you and in you during this six week small group series.

The Discipleship Team

The Discipleship team was formed in November of 2011 after the completion of the three-year strategic plan. It consists of Jenny Fernsler, Don Reeves, Nickie Toles, Erica Willmore, and Jonathan Willmore. Together, they wrote the lessons and thought out a few activities for the participants to accomplish. They borrowed a great amount from Post Road Christian Church. The team has spent countless hours working together forming and shaping this curriculum and all the while the Spirit has been forming and shaping them. This has been an incredible time of growth for the team.

A Special Thanks

The Discipleship Team would like to thank those who have helped them on this journey of creating MODEL. Post Road Christian Church and Gary Whorlow. Gary and the Church allowed the Discipleship Team to use many of their ideas from their Momentum curriculum to help provide direction. The Team would also like thank David i. Johnson because of his instrumental role and wisdom during the formation of Castleton’s deﬁnition of discipleship as well as the lessons. Finally, the Team would like to thank Justin Binne and his work creating the various logos and images which represent the Discipleship Strategy and individual logos.

Color Designations (if your notebook was printed in color).

The Blue Boxes mark the use of scripture. All scripture quotations are taken from the NIV 1984 version, unless otherwise marked.

The Green Boxes will mark a title heading.

The Orange Boxes/lines mark where you write in answers to a question that you will need to refer back to at the end of the lesson.

The Red Boxes/lines signify the end of a lesson and possibly the space where you write in the ﬁnal answer.

This Outline Box directs your attention to the series memory verse. Mark 8:34

ii. Individual Discipleship Path

We need to tell you about the Individual Discipleship Path. An Individual Discipleship path is a schedule to map out what your next step will be to help you become a better devoted follower of Jesus. At the back of this workbook you will ﬁnd different colored pages. Each color represents a different part of being a disciple and it goes along with lessons of each week. It is important to know that you will not have

In the ﬁrst week, “What is a disciple?” you will not need to worry about looking through the colored pages in the back.

In the second week, “Knowing Jesus” you will then go to the blue pages in this workbook and select an activity to do leading up to the next small group session. You will have three difﬁculty levels to choose from. They are listed and marked as so:

Crawl Activities (just getting started as a disciple, wanting to go back to the basics or to try something different)

Walk Activities (been growing for some time as a disciple or ready for a new challenge)

Run Activities (for long-time disciples or for those who are seeking to go much deeper in their discipleship)

You will pick which level you wish to do and then an activity from that section. There are many options so be sure to read through them all. Then, on page 28 you will ﬁll in the appropriate information. Here is an example for you.

Mark of a Activity Frequency Duration Disciple Praying scripture using the ACTS Knowing Jesus daily 1 week method Then, as the week unfolds you will mark down when you actually did it. Do not feel like if you miss one time then you have to quit. The goal is to get better so you will certainly stumble along the way. An example of keeping track is shown for you below.

Activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Praying scripture using the Acts method X X X X

iii. In the third week, “Modeling Jesus,” you will then add to your Know activity another activity from the green pages in the back of the work book. You will go through the same steps as you did for know. This time your form will look like this:

Mark of a Activity Frequency Duration Disciple Praying scripture using the ACTS Knowing Jesus daily 1 week method Modeling Jesus Survey of the Bible reading plan daily 1 week

Activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Prayer X X X X X X

Bible Reading X X X X X you will keep track of week 3 on page 37. You will continue to do the same for weeks 4 and 5. In week six, you will talk about doing an IDP for a whole year. Those pages are the white pages at the end of the workbook and start on page 149. If you have questions about the IDP then be sure to ask your group leader. Each week, your group leader will open with discussion about how your IDP for that week went. It is okay if you had a busy week and missed, you can try harder next week. Allow these activities to transform your mind and heart so that you are not doing them for sake of doing them but because you want to out of love and respect for Jesus. They will not make you a better Christian, but they can be a tool with the right motivation to move further along the path of discipleship.

iv. A Letter from David Johnson Welcome to the MODEL Small Group series. I’m delighted that you are taking this step in your desire to follow Jesus. The purpose of this series is to help you move forward in understanding your identity in Him. In Luke 6:40 Jesus said, “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Elsewhere in the New Testament, another word used to translate the Greek word “student” is “disciple.” Being a student, or disciple, of Jesus is a life-long process of becoming more and more like Him. Our desire is that this series will aid you in achieving that goal. As you go through this study you will be asked to participate in several exercises designed for self-discovery. It is our hope that this process of self-assessment will help you see exactly where you ﬁt among God’s people and discover your next steps in KNOWING, MODELING, SERVING and SHARING Jesus in your life. That is why it is imperative that you invest the time in these activities to respond prayerfully, openly, and honestly. This will help you achieve the ultimate goal of completing a plan designed to guide your growth as a disciple of Jesus. I am excited that you are interested in learning about ways you can be more like Jesus. As you participate in the weeks to come, my prayer is that you will clearly see your next step in the lifelong process of following Him. Many Blessings! David Johnson

v. Who I Am In Jesus

IN THE SPACES PROVIDED, RECORD WHO YOU ARE IN JESUS. THIS PAGE WILL HELP YOU IDENTIFY THE WAY YOU RELATE TO GOD, YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS, AND YOUR MOST NATURAL METHOD OF SHARING THE GOSPEL. RECORD IN THE SPACE (___) THE ACTUAL SCORE YOU GOT WHEN TAKING THE ASSESSMENT/OBJECTIVES FOR WEEK 3. RESULTS FROM WEEK 2: RECORD YOUR TOP 3 “SPIRITUAL TEMPERAMENTS”

______(______)

Results from Week 3: RECORD THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES YOU WANT TO WORK ON

1. ______(______)

2. ______(______)

3. ______(______)

Results from Week 4: RECORD YOUR TOP 3 SPIRITUAL GIFTS

______(______)

Results from Week 5: MY MOST NATURAL WAY OF SHARING JESUS IS

______(______)

My accountability partner to help me with my IDP: from Week 6

______

So What Is A Disciple? - Week 1 Week One Introduction

This week, our small group will be answering this question, “What is a disciple?” That is a very important question to ask and answer before we can try to MODEL the life of Jesus. The scripture readings and response are designed to guide the group to the deﬁnition of a disciple, or discipleship that the church now uses.

What do I need to do before my ﬁrst small group session?

First, ﬁnd your small group leader and introduce yourself if you do not already know that person.

Second, try to ﬁnd out who else will be participating in the small group series with you. Find a little bit out about them so when the group time starts, you may feel more comfortable sharing during group discussions.

Third, pray. Ask the Lord to speak to you through this six week small group series and ask for the needed changes to become apparent.

Fourth, spend some time coming up with what you think a disciple is. Write your answer down in the space provided. You may be asked to share your deﬁnition of a disciple in small group. Do not worry about having a right or wrong answer. The point is to establish community among the group and learn to grow together.

A Disciple . . . ______

Series Scripture Memory Verse. Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34

11 So What Is A Disciple?

1. Read Mark 8:34 (the Memory verse) Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

What two things does Jesus say his disciples must do in order to be his follower? Why are these two things so important and yet so difﬁcult? 1. ______2. ______.

Also, read Matthew 4:18-22.

18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him.

21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

What does Jesus ask Simon and Andrew to do? Based upon the reactions of Peter, Andrew, James, and John what is implied by this request of Jesus? ______

2.By looking at just Mark 8:34 and Matthew 4:18-22, write a brief description of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ: A Disciple . . . ______.

12 3. Read John 10:14.

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me

What does Jesus say about his sheep (those who follow him)? ______.

Also, read John 4:22-23.

22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

What does Jesus say about who the Hebrews worship? How do true worshipers worship the father? ______.

4.By looking at just John 4:22-23 & 10:14, as a group come up with a brief description of what it means to be a disciple:

A Disciple . . . ______.

13 So What Is A Disciple?

5. Read Matthew 10:24-25a.

24 A disciple is not above his teacher, or a slave above his master. 25 It is enough for a disciple to become like his teacher and a slave like his master. - Holman Christian Standard

What do you notice about the relationship between a student (or some versions translate this as “disciple”) and his or her teacher; and a servant (or some versions translate this as “disciple”) and his or her master? ______.

Also, read John 13:14-15.

14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

What did Jesus do and what has he commanded of his 12 Disciples?

______.

6. By looking at just Matthew 10:14-25a and John 13:14-15, as a group come up with a brief description of what it means to be a disciple.

A Disciple . . . ______.

14 7.Paul wrote in his letter to the Ephesians an important truth that we must all take note of. Read Ephesians 4:11-12.

11 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ

Note the different roles we are all to play. Let’s break down these two verses.

a. What are the different roles/jobs given to the church? ______. b.What is the reason for these different jobs? (what will they do when used?) ______. c.What is the end result when these roles are played out? ______.

Also, read John 13:34-35.

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

What is the new commandment that Jesus gives to his disciples?

______.

8. By looking at just Ephesians 4:11-12 and John 13:34-35, write a brief description of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

A Disciple . . . ______. 15 So What Is A Disciple?

9. Read Matthew 28:19-20. (The Great Commission)

19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

What has Jesus requested his devoted followers to do? ______.

Acts 1:8.

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Explain how this passage differ from Matthew’s. Then, explain what the two passages have in common.

______.

10. By looking at just Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8, as a group come up with a brief description of what it means to be a disciple.

A Disciple . . . ______.

16 Based upon the ﬁve groups of scriptures you have now read, Castleton Christian Church deﬁnes a disciple in this way:

A Disciple is someone who continuously KNOWs, MODELs, SERVEs, and SHAREs Jesus more and more each day.

We have further clarified what it means to be a disciple by defining the four continuous features mentioned in the definition. Read these as a group, out-loud. You will be memorizing them over the next five weeks.

Knowing Jesus is surrendering yourself to an ever growing connection with Him.

Modeling Jesus is making every effort to reﬂect His character in all areas of life.

Serving Jesus is continually utilizing our gifts and abilities to demonstrate God’s love.

Sharing Jesus is intentionally giving of yourself to help equip others in their journey to KNOW, MODEL, SERVE, and SHARE Him.

What words from these deﬁnitions or explanations stand out to you the most and why?

______.

KNOWING Jesus - Week 2 Week Two Introduction

This week, our small group will be discussing what it means to be growing an intimate relationship with Jesus. We refer to this part of discipleship as Knowing Jesus. We have the -ing at the end of Know, as well as the other three words, to demonstrate the never ending process of getting to know Jesus more. It is a journey, not a destination. Keep that in mind as we progress through these lessons. Discipleship is a journey, not a destination.

The topics discussed in this lesson will be Surrendering and Connection, two very important parts of the deﬁnition to Know.

What do I need to do before my second small group session?

First, see how much of the deﬁnition you can remember on your own. Remember, do not cheat! KNOWING Jesus is ______yourself to an ______growing ______with ______.

Second, work through this entire lesson before coming to group time found on pages 18 to 27. Take the Sacred Pathways assessment to better identify yourself in Christ. Then add the top three result to the “This is who I am in Jesus” section on page 7.

Third, pray. Ask the Lord to reveal to you how you best relate to God so you can have a closer relationship through surrendering and connection to him.

Fourth, begin working on the memory verse for this week.

19 KNOWING Jesus

Part 1- Surrendering: 1. Read Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.

This passage of Scripture is referred to as the Shema (SHəˈmä). Shema is the hebrew for the ﬁrst word in verse 4, “hear.” It was written not long before Joshua would take the Israelites into the promise land. Theses verse are the central prayer in the Jewish prayerbook and is often the ﬁrst section of Scripture that a Jewish child learns. Many Jews would recite the Shema at least twice daily: once in the morning and once in the evening. Parts of the Shema are written on a small scroll which is then rolled up and put inside a mezuzah, which a priest wears on his forehead.

It is apparent as we read these verses that this was not a command that God wanted His people to ever forget. Why do you think this idea is so important to the formation of the nation of Israel?

______.

How is this commandment also foundational for Christianity? ______.

20 2. On your own, come up with some practical ways we can love God with “all our heart, soul, and mind.” Be prepared to share them with the group. ______.

3. Why do you think it might be difﬁcult for many believers to do the things the group mentioned in question 2? ______.

Part 2 - Connection: After becoming surrendered to Christ, how do we stay connected to Him? In Romans 8:38-39, Paul says that there is nothing in all of creation that can separate us from the love of God. While it is impossible for us to be outside God’s love, it is possible for us to feel disconnected from Him. This is true for most relationships that we experience. We may not always feel connected to the other person but that does not mean that the love is gone. It also means that we must take time to add to the relationship. We must make an effort.

4. How does having a surrendered life to Jesus by loving him with our heart, soul, and strength help us to connect with God? ______.

21 KNOWING Jesus

5.American culture has several distractions. We often have difﬁculty focusing on everyday activities like work projects, homework, or even the relationships with our families. Similarly, what speciﬁcally might be distracting you from your relationship with Jesus? ______.

6.Our relationship with Jesus is like any other. We are expected to keep up our end of the relationship. Some may spend time in prayer daily, others might read scripture. How are you working to strengthen your relationship with Jesus? Share your answer with the group to maybe help others in their journey to KNOW him more and more. ______.

22 Part 3 - Sacred Pathways Assessment This assessment shows how you best relate to God and activities that you should do to feel closest to God based upon your unique temperament. Author Gary Thomas in his book, Sacred Pathways, has identiﬁed nine distinct spiritual temperaments. In one or more, you will see yourself and the ways you most naturally express your relationship with Jesus Christ. This assessment is an adaptation from that book and will be helpful in selecting activities to do to grow as a disciple of Jesus.

Here are the nine spiritual temperaments that Gary Thomas has identiﬁed: 1) Naturalist: loving God out of doors 2) Sensate: loving God with the senses 3) Traditionalist: loving God through ritual & symbol 4) Ascetic: loving God in solitude and simplicity 5) Activist: loving God through confrontation 6) Caregiver: loving God by loving others 7) Enthusiast: loving God in celebration 8) Contemplative: loving God through intimacy 9) Intellectual: loving God with the mind

DIRECTIONS FOR TAKING THE ASSESSMENT: There is a section for each of the nine spiritual temperaments. There are statements under each section. Read each statement and then give it a score of 5 to 1 using the following scale: 5 = the statement is very true for you 4 = the statement is often true for you 3 = the statement is somewhat true for you 2 = the statement is rarely true for you 1 = the statement is not true at all for you

You will then add up the “scores” for each section and transfer that score to the summary on page 26. The highest score or scores then reveal(s) the way you best relate to/connect with God. You can also take this online at common.northpoint.org/ sacredpathway.html

23 # Statement Score 1 I feel close to God when I’m surrounded by what He has made—the mountains, the forests, or the sea. I feel close to God when I’m in a church that allows my senses to come alive—when I can see, smell, hear, and 2 almost taste His majesty. I feel close to God when I’m participating in a familiar form of worship that has memories dating back to my 3 childhood. Rituals and traditions move me more than anything else. 4 I feel close to God when I am alone and there is nothing to distract me from focusing on his presence. I feel close to God when I’m cooperating with Him in standing up for His justice: writing letters to government 5 officials and newspaper editors, picketing at an abortion clinic, becoming a voice for the downtrodden, or becoming familiar with current issues. I feel close to God when I see Him in the needy, the poor, the sick, and the imprisoned. I feel God’s presence 6 most strongly when I am sitting quietly beside the bed of someone who is lonely or ill or taking a meal to someone in need. You can count on me to offer a ride or volunteer for helping activities. I feel close to God when my heart is sent soaring and I feel like I want to burst, worship God all day long, and 7 shout out His Name. Celebrating God and His love is my favorite form of worship. I feel close to God when my emotions are awakened, when God quietly touches my heart, tells me that He loves 8 me, and makes me feel like I’m His closest friend. I would rather be alone with God, contemplating His love, than participating in a formal liturgy or being distracted by a walk outside. I feel close to God when I learn something new about Him that I didn’t understand before. My mind needs to be 9 stimulated. It’s very important to me that I know exactly what I believe. I feel cut off if I have to spend too much time indoors, just listening to speakers or singing songs. Nothing makes 10 me feel closer to God than being outside. 11 I enjoy attending a “high church” service with incense and formal Communion or Eucharist. Individualism within the church is a real danger. Christianity is a corporate faith, and most of our worship should 12 have a corporate expression. 13 I would describe my faith as more “internal” than “external”. I get very frustrated if I see apathetic Christians who don’t become active. I want to drop everything else I’m 14 doing and help the church overcome its apathy. I grow weary of Christians who spend their time singing songs while a sick neighbor goes without a hot meal or 15 a family in need doesn’t get help fixing their car. God is an exciting God, and we should be excited about worshiping him. I don’t understand how some 16 Christians can say they love God, and then act like they’re going to a funeral whenever they walk into church. 17 The most difficult times in my faith are when I can’t feel God’s presence within me. I get frustrated when the church focuses too much on feelings and spiritual experience. Of far more importance 18 is the need to understand the Christian faith and have proper doctrine. 19 I would prefer to worship God by spending an hour beside a small brook than by participating in a group. I’d have a difficult time worshiping in a church building that is plain and lacks a sense of awe or majesty. Beauty 20 is very important to me, and I have a difficult time worshiping through second-rate Christian art or music. 21 The words tradition and history are very appealing to me. 22 The words silence, solitude, and discipline are very appealing to me. 23 The words courageous confrontation and social activism are very appealing to me. 24 The words service and compassion appeal to me. 25 The words celebration and joy appeal to me. 26 The words lover, intimacy, and heart are very appealing to me. 27 The words principles and truth are very appealing to me. If I could escape to a garden to pray on a cool day, walk through a meadow on a warm day, and take a trip by 28 myself to the mountains on another day, I would feel very contented. 29 The words sensuous, colorful, and aromatic are very appealing to me.

24 # Statement Score Participating in a formal liturgy or prayer-book service, developing symbols that I could place in my car, home, or 30 ofﬁce, and developing a Christian calendar for our family to follow are activities that I would enjoy. Taking an overnight retreat by myself at a monastery where I could spend large amounts of time alone in a small 31 room, praying to God and studying his Word, and fasting for one or more days are activities I would enjoy. Activities like confronting a social evil, attending a meeting to challenge the new curriculum before the local 32 school board, and volunteering on a political campaign are important to me. I sense God’s power when I am counseling a friend who has lost a job, preparing meals for or ﬁxing the car of a 33 family in need, or spending a week at an orphanage in Mexico. I would enjoy attending a workshop on learning to worship through dance or attending several worship sessions 34 with contemporary music. I expect that God is going to move in some unexpected ways. I really enjoy having thirty minutes of uninterrupted time a day to sit in quiet prayer and “hold hands” with God, 35 writing love letters to Him and enjoying his presence. I feel close to God when I participate in several hours of uninterrupted study time – reading God’s Word or good 36 Christian books and then perhaps having an opportunity to teach (or participate in a discussion with) a small group. 37 A book called Nature’s Sanctuaries highlighting the beauty of God’ creation would be appealing to me. 38 A book called The Beauty of Worship would appeal to me. 39 A book titled Symbolism and Liturgy in Personal Worship would be appealing to me. 40 I would enjoy reading the book A Place Apart: Prayer and the Simple Life. 41 The book written by Frank Schaeffer, A Time for Anger, would be an important book for me to read. 42 A book entitled 99 Ways to Help Your Neighbor would be very appealing to me. 43 I would enjoy reading the book The Mystery and Excitement of Walking with God. 44 I would enjoy reading a book called The Transforming Friendship. 45 A book on church doctrine would be appealing to me. Seeing God’s beauty in nature is more moving to me than understanding new concepts, participating in a formal 46 religious service, or participating in social causes. 47 I would really enjoy using drawing exercises or art to express my worship of God. 48 I would really enjoy developing a personal rule (or ritual) of prayer. 49 I would really enjoy spending time on a night watch, taking a short vow of silence, or simplifying my life. 50 I would like to awaken the church from its apathy. I would rather nurse someone to health or help someone repair their house than teach an adult Sunday school 51 class, go on a prayer and fasting retreat, or take a lonely walk in the woods. 52 I spend more money on music and worship CD’s and downloads than on books. 53 When I think of God, I think of love, friendship, and adoration more than anything else. 54 I spend more money on books than music CD’s and downloads.

25 Total Spiritual Temperament

1 10 19 28 37 46 Naturalist

2 11 20 29 38 47 Sensate

3 12 21 30 39 48 Traditionalist

4 13 22 31 40 49 Ascetic

5 14 23 32 41 50 Activist

6 15 24 33 42 51 Caregiver

7 16 25 34 43 52 Enthusiast

8 17 26 35 44 53 Contemplative

9 18 27 36 45 54 Intellectual

Tending the Garden of the Soul: Understanding Your Sacred Pathway

List the score you had for each of the areas. The higher your score in each category, the more it corresponds to who you are. Now rank each temperament in order of its importance to your life based upon that score, with “1” being the top score and “9” being the lowest score. ScoreRank __________Naturalist __________Sensate __________Traditionalist __________Ascetic __________Activist __________Caregiver __________Enthusiast __________Contemplative __________Intellectual

26 APPLY THE RESULTS OF THE SACRED PATHWAY ASSESSMENT Write down the top spiritual temperaments from your Sacred Pathway Assessment from the previous page here: [example: Naturalist (26) Enthusiast (22) Sensate (21)]

______(______)

You can now add them to the “Who I Am In Jesus” (Pg. 9). You can also read more on your Spiritual Temperament starting on page 104.

As you progress through this study of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, keep in mind these top three spiritual temperaments. These results describe how we best love God, and how we best relate to God. Understanding this can help you select which activity you will choose in your Individual Discipleship Path (see pages 60 for details). For instance, if someone’s top three spiritual temperaments are the ones listed in the example above, the activity they choose to have for KNOWING Jesus should probably include spending some time in outdoor areas that are alive with sounds, smells and color (Naturalist and Sensate), openly expressing their adoration of God (Enthusiast). When they select their activity for MODELING Jesus, if they select a plan to read through the Bible, the Bible reading time would be best if they were situated in a place where they can be outdoors or see the outdoors (Naturalists) and maybe even reading from a red-letter edition of the Bible where the words of Jesus are in red. Perhaps try reading from a rainbow edition of the Bible where various themes of love, promises, discipleship, etc. are in different colors (Sensate). But don’t let this idea of spiritual temperaments lock you into just one way of doing something or keep you from trying something different. Just because your spiritual temperament is not the Intellectual, don’t rule out taking on an in-depth study of the Bible. Or, if you did not score high in the Caregiver category, don’t think you won’t grow in your discipleship by choosing to spend time with a neighbor dying of cancer as a way of SERVING Jesus. Understanding spiritual temperaments can help guide you, but it should not box you in. 7.Having said all this, what are the implications for you personally based upon the results of your Sacred Pathway Assessment? How can you utilize the results from the assessment in your journey to KNOW, MODEL, SERVE, and SHARE Him? ______.

27 KNOWING Jesus - Week 2 Wrap Up

1. IDP

It is time to look through the Knowing Jesus activities and select one thing you would like to this week that you believe will help you to KNOW Jesus better. Try to pick something you know you can get accomplished. Let little victories turn into big ones over time. Write the activity in box below and how often you will do it over the next week.

Mark of a Activity Frequency Duration Disciple Knowing Jesus 1 week

Keep track of when you actually did the activity you chose. The numbers represent days between this lesson and the next.

Activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

2. Meet with God At least once this week utilizing the results from the Spiritual Temperaments Assessment. (Hint) do it during your activity for this week in your IDP.

3.Move on to Modeling Jesus - Week 3 Introduction on the next page.

28 MODELING Jesus - Week 3 Week Three Introduction

This week, our small group will be discussing what it means to reﬂect Jesus’ character in all areas of life. We refer to this part of discipleship as Modeling Jesus.

The Topics Discussed in this lesson center on right living and the Christian worldview as seen through the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5-7. This is an important section of Jesus’ teaching where he reveals how to live the Christian life as a citizen in the Kingdom of God.

What do I need to do before my third small group session?

First, see how much of the deﬁnition you can remember on your own. Remember, do not cheat! KNOWING Jesus is ______to an ______growing ______with ______.

MODELING Jesus is making every ______to ______His character in all ______of life.

Second, work through this entire lesson before coming to group time found on pages 30 to 33. In addition to this, read Matthew 5-7. It should only take about 15 minutes.

Third, pray. Ask the Lord to reveal to you how you best relate to God so you can have a closer relationship through surrendering and connection to him.

Fourth, begin working on the memory verse for this week.

29 MODELING Jesus Introductory information regarding the Sermon on the Mount. Go over this information with your small group. The words in BOLD will help direct you to the main point.

A. This sermon is kingdom talk. It is a literal code of Christian Ethics. It beckons the church on how to live in the Kingdom.

B. This sermon deals with the end times—it was given under the reign of the Mosaic Law, but it has the end in sight. In addition, the citizens of the kingdom are in development—conformity to the image of Christ. It points to heaven in that this is how we will live in eternity.

C. This sermon pierces the heart and attitude of a disciple, it is confrontational.

D. This sermon creates tension between what ought to be and what is. It cries for Calvary in that we can never live to the standards of this message, we need a savior.

E. This sermon is radical and is often hyperbolic (meaning excessive exaggerations to make a point “If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off.”) It demands reality and common sense.

F. This sermon points to Jesus. It is a description of his own character and behavior.

It is important when reading the Sermon on the Mount that we understand Jesus’ teaching is not merely an alternate morality. It was the Magna Carta for a social revolution which replaced human sources of security and satisfaction with God‘s provisions alone. This is the Kingdom of God. It is not changing what was laid down in the Law of Moses, but rather reinstating the original relationship God had with Adam and Eve in the Garden which basically says, live as if God was your King. This means we need to MODEL Jesus’ character taught in this message.

1. Jesus begins his message with Beatitudes which are ways to live wholeheartedly for God. He then says this:

5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.”

What do you think it means to live as “salt of the earth,” and how are the Beatitudes clues on how to be salt of the earth?

______

30 ______.

2. After spending half of chapter ﬁve on changing the letter of the law (what has been written and must be followed) to the intention of the Law (having a pure heart out of love and respect for God as King, not a check-off legalistic righteousness), Jesus says something pretty radical:

5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

How do we, as members of the Kingdom, practically live out being perfect? Remember to consider the context in which it is said.

______.

3. The beginning of chapter six marks a new section in Jesus’ sermon. He has changed from a discussion on living a pure life in light of the intention of the law to how to live in the public eye and in private (fasting, praying, wealth, and worrying). Jesus begins in 6:1 with these words, which can serve as a heading for the rest of the chapter:

6:1 Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

How should we, as members of the Kingdom, go about doing good deeds? What about where it is unavoidable like helping out at the Sharing Place or Crestview Elementary? In other words, what is the motive or point behind this teaching?

31 MODELING Jesus

______.

4. To review, Jesus has taught on . . .

A. a Christian’s character (Beatitudes 5:3-12),

B. inﬂuence in the faith community and in the world (Salt and Light 5:13-16),

C. on the responsibility of the Christian to lead a righteous, holy life (teaching on Law 5:17-48),

D. and on the destructive force of ambition and self-gloriﬁcation (all of chapter six).

The connecting thread that runs through chapter seven is that of relationships (7:1-23). Jesus says at the beginning of chapter seven:

7:1 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

The word for judge is krino. This means to pass judgement, or to condemn as a judge would a defendant.

Why are we not to judge (in a Kingdom, who is the Judge)? What do we do with this information in light of Christian accountability? Finally, how is judging (or condemnation) others affecting our relationship towards other Christians and non- Christians?

______

32 ______. 5. In the closing illustration of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells a story of a man who built his house on the rock set opposite a man who built his house upon the sand.

7:24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

What is the rock and how do we live like the wise man who built his house upon it?

______.

6. As a group, take some time to discuss how you would best sum up the Sermon on the Mount into one or two sentences keeping in mind all that we have said about it thus far. This sentence(s) should be simple, and to the point. It will help explain who you are and what you are in Christ. It should say something about yourself. It may be helpful to go back and review your answers.

The Sermon on the Mount . . .

______.

Share with the group your results from the MODELING Jesus’ Character activity starting on the next page.

33 MODELING Jesus’ Character There is no real assessment you could take that would be able to accurately measure how well you model Jesus’ Character. So in place of an assessment you will do this activity to prioritize the character traits you want to strategically improve upon over the next few months.

The goal of this activity is for you to determine the character traits of Jesus you most want to embody and to focus on those for a period of time. You will be asked about four people who are spiritual inﬂuences. The character traits of these people should be Models of how Jesus would live. Granted we will never be perfect like him, but we do need to make every effort to reﬂect his Character. This will take some time to think through. Allow for 45-60 minutes to work through all the steps.

Steps What to do X

Come up with four individuals who are important in your spiritual 1 development. Write their names on the lines above the four columns below.

2 You will then write the character traits that you admire the most.

Circle six traits you believe are a representation of them modeling Jesus. 3 If you wrote, they are humble, that could be one that you circle because it is a trait of Jesus we need to Model.

4 Pray about the six character traits.

Choose three from the six that you believe you struggle with or need help 5 with the most in this time of your life. Write those three at the top of the next column.

Turn those three traits into goals. So if you said your father lived humbly, 6 then you would write, to live humbly. Write your three goals on the who I am in Jesus page.

Write out for attainable/accomplishable things you can do to help you 7 achieve those goals.

Circle one from each goal. write your objective next to your goal. When 8 you accomplish it, you can move on to the next one.

Examples are on page 36. Use the blank charts on the next page.

34 Names ______

Character Character Traits 5

Traits ______

Goals to ______to ______to ______

3 Possible Objectives Possible 4

Goals Objectives

1. ______(______)

2. ______(______)

3. ______(______)

Fill in these results on page 9, the “Who I am In Jesus” form.

35 Here is a completed example for you of steps 1-4 from the previous page.

Names Dad Friend Aunt Minister

1 bold bible knowledge driven passionate

2 courageous bold Kind teacher

3 honest blunt Humble content

4 humble truthful passion for lost humility

Character Character Traits 5 wise caring

6 servant stands for truth

Here is a completed example for you of steps 5-7 from the previous page.

Traits __humble__ ___bold______content____

Goals to __resist arrogance__ to live boldly for to _live contently Jesus

1 memorize 10 verses on Read the book of re-evaluate our family humility Joshua budget

2 ask 3 people to regularly defend christianity next create a benevolence question me about my time I hear someone fund of $200 to give to pride bashing it people I see in need

3 practice deﬂecting all Confront those who Give away half of my praise i receive to God are sinning after movie collection that I removing the plank don’t use anyways. Possible Objectives Possible from my eye

4 not engage those who proclaim the truth that use the new budget to obnoxiously challenge me jesus is Lord tithe more each week.

Goals Objectives

1. ______To Resist Arrogance (______)practice deﬂecting praise

2. ______To live boldly for Jesus (______)read book of Joshua

3. ______To live contently (______)create $200 benevolence fund 36 MODELING Jesus - Week 3 Wrap Up

1. IDP

It is time to look through the Modeling Jesus activities and select one thing you would like to this week that you believe will help you to MODEL Jesus more and more. Now that you have one week under your belt you know how difﬁcult it can be to be faithful on this. It may help to ﬁnd yourself and accountability partner in the group of the same sex that you are not related to for help. You may pick another KNOWING Jesus activity or keep the same one from the previous week, but do both.

Mark of a Activity Frequency Duration Disciple Knowing Jesus 1 week Modeling Jesus 1 week

Keep track of when you actually did the activities you chose. The numbers represent days between this lesson and the next.

Activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

2. Meet with God Everyday this week before you go to bed, ask yourself about your day, “Is that what Jesus would have done?” You will always have times where you could have responded better to a situation. Pray about failures in your day when you failed to MODEL Jesus, and thank God for the times when you did MODEL him.

3.Move on to Serving Jesus - Week 4 Introduction on the next page.

SERVING Jesus - Week 4 Week Four Introduction

This week, our small group will be discussing what it means to demonstrate love for others by SERVING Jesus.

The topics discussed in this lesson will help us discover how as disciples we demonstrate God’s love to believers and to non-believers.

What do I need to do before my fourth small group session?

First, see how much of the deﬁnition you can remember on your own. Remember, do not cheat!

KNOWING Jesus is ______to ______with _____ .

MODELING Jesus is ______every ______to ______His ______in all ______of ______.

SERVING Jesus is continually ______our gifts and ______to demonstrate God’s ______.

Second, work through this entire lesson before coming to group time found on pages 36 to 45. Take the Spiritual Gifts assessment to see how you can best serve Jesus.

Third, pray. Ask the Lord to provide opportunities for you to use your spiritual gifts in the church, the work place, with family, and with friends.

Fourth, begin working on the memory verse for this week.

39 SERVING Jesus

Serving Jesus is continually utilizing our gifts and abilities to demonstrate God’s love. During this small group time we will be looking at several different passages in the New Testament where commands are given to demonstrate God’s love to other church members and to non-believers. Remember that Serving Jesus is done by serving others. In Matthew 25:31-46 Jesus says, “What ever you do for the least of these brothers of mine, you have done for me.” Our service to others demonstrates love.

1.Read each of the passages below. Write down what it says we are to do or do for others. Then write down a practical way you can live this out. The ﬁrst one is done for you as an example.

A. I Thessalonians 5:11 -

11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

What we are to do: Encourage one another Practical Response: This means I should try to speak words that build people up or lifts their spirits, not tear them down or make them feel bad. I shouldn’t poke fun at people, even in jest. I should also do things that can brighten their days; like writing them a kind note or giving them a small surprise gift. I will focus on encouraging my children with my words.

B. Romans 12:10 – (There are two)

10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

1. ______

______.

2. ______

40 ______.

C. Galatians 5:13 –

13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.

______

______.

D. Galatians 6:2 -

2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

______

______.

E. Ephesians 4:2 -

2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

______

______.

41 SERVING Jesus

F. Ephesians 4:32 - (There are three)

32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

1. ______.

2. ______.

3. ______.

G. Colossians 3:16 –

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

______

______.

H. James 5:16 – 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

42 ______

______.

I. 1 Peter 4:9 –

9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

______

______.

2. Which one of these practical commands do you think comes the easiest for you? Why?

______.

3. Which of these commands do you struggle with the most? Explain why.

______.

4. How would you summarize what these nine verses have to say to us on how we are to treat each other?

______.

43 SERVING Jesus

5. We are also called to do good to all men as Jesus did. Acts 10:38 says,

38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

Similarly, Galatians 6:10 says,

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Why is it important to show God’s love to those who are not believers too? ______. Serving Jesus Spiritual Gifts Assessment

The Bible states that every believer is given at least one spiritual gift. “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (I Corinthians 12:7) “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” (Romans 12:6) The following assessment will help identify the gift(s) God has given you to use for His glory. Use this as a guide only, realizing that it is a man-made instrument.

Read the following 96 statements and place a number in the box following the statement on that line which most closely describes how the statement describes you: [1=never, 2=seldom, 3=sometimes, 4=often, 5=always]. Answer as you really feel, not as you think you “ought” to answer. This assessment is strictly between you and God. You must be completely candid with your answers in order for it to be most effective in helping you determine the spiritual gift with which He has blessed you. When you are ﬁnished, follow the directions for scoring given on the page 44.

44 1 = never 2 = seldom 3 = sometimes 4 = often 5 = always

# Statement Score 1 I enjoy organizing ideas, people, resources and time for more effective ministries. 2 I have the ability to sense when a person is troubled or burdened. 3 I would rather personally deal with someone having problems instead of sending them to someone else. 4 I receive great satisfaction in sharing Christ freely and effectively with unbelieving persons. 5 I have known God’s will with certainty in a specific situation even when concrete evidence was missing. 6 I joyfully assume responsibility for meeting financial needs in the church and community. 7 I notice and have a strong desire to meet the practical needs of others. 8 I am sensitive to the needs of guests. 9 I enjoy attacking Biblical problems and researching the issues. 10 I enjoy taking the leadership of a group where none exists. 11 People regularly express their appreciation of my presence when they are undergoing extreme difficulty. 12 God uses me to build up, encourage, and comfort other Christians by speaking to them of spiritual things. 13 I enjoy working hard and doing manual labor and don’t mind doing menial tasks. I would like to see the spiritual needs of believers met and am willing to be personally involved in nurturing and 14 discipleship. 15 I get excited about discovering new insights from Scripture that I can share with others. 16 I have a greater desire to learn how to apply God’s Word than to simply understand it. 17 People often look to me for guidance in organizing and managing. 18 I seem to understand people and their motives even when I know I don’t know them well. 19 People having personal and emotional problems share with me, but their problems do not weigh me down. 20 I have been instrumental in leading others to believe in Christ as their Savior. 21 In specific cases, God has given me assurance that He would do what seemed unlikely. 22 I am sensitive to the material needs of others, wanting to help them out. 23 I don’t mind helping others even if they are undeserving or if they take advantage of me. 24 I have a knack for helping strangers feel at home. 25 I am ready, willing, and able to defend my position on theological issues. 26 Others seem willing to follow me in accomplishing a difficult task. 27 I can empathize with others easily. 28 I have been known to give convincing answers to difficult questions. 29 I feel a burden to relieve others of detail work in order to free them to do their most important tasks. 30 I would love to be in a position to equip saints for the work of the ministry. 31 People have told me that I have an ability to explain difficult passages of Scripture. People come to me for advice because decisions I have made or advice I have given in difficult situations have 32 proven to be the right thing to do in most cases. I am willing to make decisions if I am convinced it is the Lord’s will and the right thing to do, even at the risk of 33 being misunderstood by others. 34 The evaluations I make of people or of things said is usually correct even when others didn’t agree at the time. When someone shares a problem with me, I am able to help them from the Word of God and motivate them to 35 act on it. 36 I am at ease talking to unbelievers about their need of salvation through Jesus Christ.

45 SERVING Jesus Spiritual Gifts Assessment

# Statement Score 37 I sense God speaking to me through His Word and prayer. 38 I am willing to maintain a lower standard of living in order to benefit God’s work with my financial support. I tend to be more people-oriented than service-oriented [I want to help because people need help, not because 39 a job needs to be done]. 40 I take pleasure with an open heart in using our home to serve people in need of shelter or refuge. 41 In my study of God’s Word, I find that new insights and understanding of difficult subjects seem to come easy. 42 I am constantly setting goals and objectives for myself and my ministry as a believer. 43 The sight of misery makes me want to find a way to express God’s love to hurting people. 44 I have the ability to minister to others more from the Word of God than through my personal experiences. 45 I find it difficult to say no to expressed needs in the ministries of the church. 46 I am patient with and like to help Christians who are making slow progress in their Christian walk. 47 I am always looking for ways to make Biblical concepts clear and interesting. I can see possible results very quickly that may come from negative situations, being able to clarify their 48 problems for them and give them a Biblical solution. 49 I am able to delegate tasks easily to the right people at the right time. 50 Other people seem to have confidence in my ability to tell when something or someone is right or wrong. 51 I enjoy talking to people about their spiritual development. 52 I have the ability to make the gospel clear and understandable to those who are not Christians. 53 I find myself accepting God’s promises at face value and applying them to given situations without doubt. 54 I have a conviction that all I have belongs to God and I want to be a good steward of those things. 55 I enjoy serving others physically or materially in order to make their burden lighter. 56 I desire to make my home available to those in the Lord’s service. I find in studying the Bible that I seem to know what a passage is saying before other believers discover it even 57 though we are studying it at the same time. 58 I have no problem speaking boldly when I am sure of the direction of a group or project. 59 Tears come easily when I see deep hurt in others. I am willing to take a strong stand and will not compromise the truth, even at the risk of being accused of being 60 narrow-minded. 61 I find great joy in doing things that need to be done no matter how small or trivial the task. I am willing to accept the responsibility to help protect weak Christians from influences that would undermine 62 their faith. 63 I can see how different biblical truths relate to each other to form the whole. 64 I think in practical terms; I am a problem-solver. 65 I easily spot weaknesses and strengths in organizational planning. I have a sensitivity that enables me to know whether a teaching or writing is of the Holy Spirit, an evil spirit or a 66 human spirit. 67 I can detect potential in a person and help them reach higher levels of spirituality. 68 I like going into non-Christian environments for the specific purpose of winning the unbeliever to Christ. 69 When an obstacle confronts me, I tend to see it in terms of God’s resources instead of my own resources. 70 I believe when I give to specific causes it is an answer to someone’s prayer. 71 I have a strong sense of compassion toward needy people. 72 I can welcome unexpected guests into my home readily and graciously. 46 1 = never 2 = seldom 3 = sometimes 4 = often 5 = always

# Statement Score 73 Mastering major biblical truths is a high priority with me. 74 I have a vision of God’s purposes, and I desire to implement plans to lead people to accomplish them. 75 My strong sense of compassion toward needy people drives me to action. I don’t shy away from opportunities to tell of God’s judgment for wrongdoing & His gracious promises to those 76 who turn to Him. 77 I see myself in more of a supporting ministry to others than being in a place of leadership. I gain a sense of fulfillment when I get involved in ministering to all areas of people’s lives (sickness, crisis, 78 celebrations) I find it easy and enjoyable to spend time in intense study and research of the Bible, organizing my thoughts in a 79 systematic way. 80 I can see several sides of an issue and sense which way God is leading a group. 81 I work well under pressure and can get to the heart of a matter and take decisive action. 82 Other believers trust my counsel about questionable matters and have confidence in my judgments. 83 I can imagine myself as a counselor. 84 I like to talk about Jesus to those who don’t know Him. 85 I find it easy to trust God in very difficult circumstances or tragedies without hesitation or indecision. 86 I would rather provide material resources for a project than perform some manual task. 87 I find myself looking for opportunities to help other people. 88 I get much satisfaction from hosting persons in my home in the name of the Lord. 89 I am able to distinguish between pertinent principles in Scripture and insignificant observations. 90 If I had the opportunity, I would enjoy leading, directing, and motivating others in some phase of the Lord’s work. 91 I would be blessed in taking part in a ministry to those who are suffering physically. 92 When situations are not right, I am burdened enough to speak up and try to correct them. People have expressed to me their appreciation in helping relieve them of some of their responsibilities so that 93 they may minister more effectively. 94 I receive great joy from being able to disciple a group of Christians. 95 I feel good defending biblical principles in spite of opposition or ridicule. 96 At times, God gives me direction and understanding beyond my natural abilities.

47 SERVING Jesus Spiritual Gifts Assessment

Transfer your scores from each question into the corresponding box below. For example, the number you wrote down for question one should be entered into the box with a “1” in the upper left hand corner. Then add the answers together in the Rows writing the total in the column under “total.” For example: you will add the boxes that have a 1,17,33,49,65, & 81 in them and then write the total in the remaining box on the right. See what your highest scores are, that is most likely your spiritual gift. You will then transfer your answers to the chart on the next page to better understand your gift(s). After that, write your top three gifts on the Who I am in Jesus sheet on page 9. Then you can read more about your gift starting on page 135.

Total Spiritual Gift

1 17 33 49 65 81 Administration

2 18 34 50 66 82 Discernment

3 19 35 51 67 83 Encouragement

4 20 36 52 68 84 Evangelism

5 21 37 53 69 85 Faith

6 22 38 54 70 86 Giving

7 23 39 55 71 87 Helping

8 24 40 56 72 88 Hospitality

9 25 41 57 73 89 Knowledge

10 26 42 58 74 90 Leadership

11 27 43 59 75 91 Mercy

12 28 44 60 76 92 Prophecy

13 29 45 61 77 93 Service

14 30 46 62 78 94 Shepherding

15 31 47 63 79 95 Teaching

16 32 48 64 80 96 Wisdom

48 Spiritual Gifts Key Chart Place your totals from the assessment below.

A. ______ADMINISTRATION - The ability to organize and guide human activities in such a way that Christ’s program is carried out (1 Corinthians 12:28).

B. ______DISCERNMENT - The ability to distinguish between truth and error, to know when a person or act is of God (1 Cor. 12:10).

C. ______ENCOURAGEMENT - The ability to motivate people through encouraging words, to live practical Christian lives (Romans 12:8).

D. ______EVANGELISM - The ability to present the gospel to unbelievers in such a clear and meaningful way that people respond and become members of the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11).

E. ______FAITH - The ability to envision what God wants to happen and to be certain He is going to make it happen in response to prayer, even when there is no concrete evidence available (1 Corinthians 12:9).

F. ______GIVING - The ability to support the Lord’s work materially with generous, timely and cheerful contributions (Rom. 12:8).

G. ______HELPING - The ability to see the needs of others and to respond willingly to meet those needs (1 Cor. 12:28).

H. ______HOSPITALITY – The ability to welcome and graciously serve guests, strangers, and those in need. (Rom. 12:13)

I. ______KNOWLEDGE - The ability to grasp the truth about God’s Word in order to bring it into focus in a contemporary world (1 Corinthians 12:8).

J. ______LEADERSHIP - The ability to envision God’s purpose and plan for the future and set goals which will inspire others to work together to accomplish those goals for the glory of God (Romans 12:8).

K. ______MERCY - The ability to empathize with hurting people & to translate compassion into cheerful acts of service (Rom. 12:8).

L. ______PROPHECY - The ability to proclaim and apply God’s truth so that believers may be edified, encouraged, and consoled, and nonbelievers convinced (1 Corinthians 12:10,28).

M. ______SERVICE - The ability to serve with others in their ministries by aiding them in practical ways enabling them to be more effective in their work for the glory of God (Romans 12:7).

N. ______SHEPHERDING - The ability to oversee the spiritual lives of others and care for their spiritual needs by teaching and guiding them toward maturity (Ephesians 4:11).

O. ______TEACHING – The ability to communicate knowledge to others for the purpose of building up the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11)

P. ______WISDOM - The ability to regulate one’s relationship with God by being able to apply God’s truth to an immediate problem (Ephesians 4:11). 49 SERVING Jesus - Week 4 Wrap Up

1. IDP

By now, you should have the idea about how to ﬁll out the IDP. This week add to what you have been doing so now you are also working on SERVING Jesus. If you are having serious struggles with completing your activities then talk to the group leader for accountability and assistance.

Mark of a Activity Frequency Duration Disciple Knowing Jesus 1 week Modeling Jesus 1 week Serving Jesus 1 week

Keep track of when you actually did the activities you chose.

Activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

2. Meet with God At least once this week, plan out a way you can intentionally use your top spiritual gift to help someone or the Kingdom of God. You can do this along with your SERVING Jesus activities for the week.

3.Move on to SHARING Jesus - Week 5 Introduction on the next page.

50 SHARING Jesus - Week 5 Week Five Introduction

This week, our small group will be discussing what it means to give of yourself to help others in their journey of discipleship.

The topics discussed in this lesson will be Evangelism and Discipleship.

What do I need to do before my ﬁfth small group session?

First, see how much of the deﬁnition you can remember on your own. Remember, do not cheat!

KNOWING Jesus is ______.

MODELING Jesus is ______to ______in ______of ______.

SERVING Jesus is ______our______and ______to ______God’s ______.

SHARING Jesus is intentionally ______of yourself to ______others in their ______to ______, ______, ______, and ______Him.

Second, work through this entire lesson before coming to group time found on pages 48 to 54. This will include the Evangelism Assessment so that you can share your answers with others in your small group.

Third, pray. Ask the Lord to reveal and to provide opportunity for you to use your evangelism style to bring others to Jesus and then aid them in their journey.

Fourth, begin working on the memory verse for this week.

51 SHARING Jesus

Before we begin this lesson, take some time to think about what you believe the heart of the Gospel is. If someone asked you what the good news was or the message of the Bible, what would you say? Write down the gospel in one sentence. Take some time to memorize this sentence so that you can always be ready to share your faith and give an account for why you believe.

______

1. Explain a time when you felt uncomfortable sharing the gospel with someone. ______. Read Matthew 28:19-20

2. After reading this, what do we learn about the need and reason for evangelism?

______.

We are going to look through the Bible and discuss 6 types of evangelistic styles to apply to our own lives. Confrontational Style

The person that we are going to associate with this style is Peter in Acts 2

In Acts 2, Peter took a stand in Jerusalem, the city that Jesus had been cruciﬁed in a few weeks earlier. He wanted to let them know in no uncertain terms that they had cruciﬁed the Messiah, and they needed to call on Him for His mercy and

52 forgiveness. With this style, you need to be able to clarify the truth of Christ and challenge the person you are sharing with to do something about it.

3. Imagine a situation where you would need to use this style.

______.

4. Explain how comfortable you feel using the confrontational style and why.

______. Intellectual Style

The person that we are going to associate with this style is Paul in Acts 17

Paul was able to present an ingenious argument, starting from the Athenian idol to an unknown god and moving all the way to the only true God and His resurrected Messiah. This style does not want the easy answers. They want to know the “what” and the “why.” This is an important style as our society has become increasingly secular and skeptical.

5. Imagine a situation where you would need to use this style.

______.

6. Explain how comfortable you feel using the intellectual style and why.

______

53 SHARING Jesus

______.

Testimonial Style

The person that we are going to associate with this style is the blind man in John 9

The blind man spoke from his experience and conﬁdently said, " One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!" Those with this style feel comfortable sharing their story with how God is working in their life.

7. Imagine a situation where you would need to use this style.

______.

8. Explain how comfortable you feel using the testimonial style and why.

______.

Interpersonal Style

The person that we are going to associate with this style is Matthew in Luke 5

Matthew relied on his relationships that he built over the years. He cared for them so much that he invited them to his home and spent time with them and ate with them in order to inﬂuence them toward considering the claims of Jesus. Those that have this style enjoy sharing themselves and spending time with others by listening and having conversations with people.

9. Imagine a situation where you would need to use this style.

______

54 ______.

10. Explain how comfortable you feel using the interpersonal style and why.

______.

Invitational Style

The person that we are going to associate with this style is the woman at the well in John 4

The woman at the well realized who she was talking with and went to her town and brought a host of people back to hear Jesus for themselves. Those with this style have a natural knack for getting people to go places with them.

11. Imagine a situation where you would need to use this style.

______.

12. Explain how comfortable you feel using the invitational style and why.

______.

Serving Style

The person that we are going to associate with this style is Dorcas in Acts 9

In this example Dorcas was always doing good and helping the poor. She was well known for loving acts of service which she performed in the name of Christ.

55 SHARING Jesus

People who take this approach ﬁnd it relatively easy to serve others. They naturally notice needs that others have and meet them even if they do not receive credit.

13. Imagine a situation where you would need to use this style.

______.

14. Explain how comfortable you feel using the serving style and why.

______.

Well, you’ve probably guessed it. You are going to take the Evangelism Style survey below to better understand the way you feel most comfortable sharing the good news of Christ. It will be based upon the different styles that we just ﬁnished studying.

Fill in the blanks for all 36 Statements according to whether you think the statement applies to you:

0 - not at all 1 - very little 2 - somewhat 3 - very much

?# Statement Score 1 I like to say what’s on my mind when I talk to people, without a lot of small talk. I try to learn as much as possible from books and the internet about controversial issues or important things 2 that are going on in the world. 3 I often use experiences from my ownl life to illustrate a point I am trying to make. 4 I’m a “people person” who believes that friendship is one of the most important things in life. 5 When I make plans to do something, I really like including new people. 6 I see needs in people’s lives that others usually overlook. 7 I don’t mind making people feel uncomfortable or putting them on the spot during a conversation, if necessary. 8 I like to analyze things and think through issues. 9 I often identify with others by saying things like, “I’ve felt that way too.” 10 People tell me that it’s very easy for me to make new friends.

56 ?# Statement Score Even if I know the answers, I’m more comfortable having someone who knows more than I do explain 11 Christianity to my friends. 12 Helping other people makes me feel closer to God. 13 I believe in being completely truthful with my friends, even if the truth could hurt the friendship 14 I like to ask people challenging questions about their beliefs and opinions. 15 When I talk about how I became a Christian, I’ve found that people are interested in my story. I would rather talk about things that are going on in a person’s life than the details of their religious 16 background. If I knew of a good Christian outreach event that my friends could relate to, I’d really work hard to get them to 17 come. 18 I’m better at showing love through my actions than through my words. 19 I believe that if you really love someone, you have to tell that person the truth, even when it’s painful 20 I enjoy talking about controversial issues and debating though questions. I tell people about the mistakes I’ve made when I think it will help them avoid those same mistakes and relate 21 to the solutions I’ve found. 22 I’d rather talk about a person’s life before getting into a discussion about their beliefs. 23 I look for Christian concerts and events to invite my friends to. I believe that showing people Christian love through my actions will make them more liekly to listen to what I 24 have to say. 25 I believe it’s better to risk making a mess of things than it is to do nothing at all. 26 I get frustrated with people who use weak arguments to explain what they believe. 27 People seem interested in hearing stories about things that have happened in my life. 28 I enjoy having long talks with my friends. When I see, hear, or read something I really like, the first thing I think of is other people I know who would 29 enjoy it or get something out of it too. I would prefer doing something practical to help someone rather than getting into a religious discussion with 30 them. 31 I sometimes get into trouble for not being gentle or sensitive in the way I deal with people. 32 I like to find out the deeper reasons why people believe the things they do. 33 Thinking about what God has done in my life really makes me want to tell others about it. 34 People think of me as a friendly, sensitive, and a caring person. 35 It would be one of the highlights of my week if a friend accepted an invitation to a Christian event. 36 I’m more practical than philosophical - better with actions than ideas.

Next, transfer your responses to the grid on page 58. Add up each column and write the total in the box at the bottom.

57 SHARING Jesus

Total Evangelism Style

1 7 13 19 25 31 Confrontational

2 8 14 20 26 32 Intellectual

3 9 15 21 27 33 Testimonial

4 10 16 22 28 34 Interpersonal

5 11 17 23 29 35 Invitational

6 12 18 24 30 36 Serving

Now record your top score on the “who I am in Jesus” section. (pg. 9) You can read more about your style starting on page 144.

For further study and help sharing your faith, ask about the Evangelism training group study called iReach, published by our Outreach Team.

58 SHARING Jesus - Week 5 Wrap Up

1. IDP

You will be adding the last piece of the four parts of a Disciple. It can start to be overwhelming. Make sure you are not over working yourself. You may want to consider lowering the frequency with which you do activities depending on how involved they are.

Mark of a Activity Frequency Duration Disciple Knowing Jesus 1 week Modeling Jesus 1 week Serving Jesus 1 week Sharing Jesus 1 week

Keep track of when you actually did the activities you chose.

Activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

2. Meet with God Share your faith using the style that best ﬁts your personality from the Evangelism Style Assessment at least once this week. Be sure to bathe the encounter with prayer before and afterwards to prepare your heart and theirs.

3.Move on to Putting it all together - Week 6 Intro on the next page.

Putting it all together - Week 6 Week Six Introduction

This week, our small group will be evaluating our time together and what we have learned about ourselves. The goal is to put all of the weeks together in a coherent picture for the purpose of understanding how to be better disciples, as illustrated by the logo to the side. We hope to put what we learned into practice to improve our devotedness as a follower of Jesus. The “Who I am in Jesus” page will be an important aspect of this discussion. Make sure you have taken all the surveys and recorded your answers.

What do I need to do before my sixth small group session?

First, see how much of the deﬁnition you can remember on your own. Remember, do not cheat!

KNOWING Jesus is ______.

MODELING Jesus is ______.

SERVING Jesus is ______to ______.

SHARING Jesus is ______of ______to ______in ______to ______, ______, ______, and ______Him.

Second, work through this entire lesson before coming to group time found on pages 56 to 61.

Third, pray. Ask the Lord to help you be a better fully devoted follower of Jesus and to point out who would be a good accountability partner for you in your process to better KNOW, MODEL, SERVE, and SHARE him.

Fourth, Share your memory work with one person in your small group.

61 Completing the Circle

1. In week one, we worked to come up with a definition of a disciple based off our reading of scripture. We ended the lesson unveiling the church’s definition. Explain how the church’s four point definition matches with what we have studied and read in scripture these past few weeks. (Is the church’s definition of a disciple biblically based in your opinion? Explain.)

______.

2. Why is KNOWING Jesus such an important part of being a disciple? How would the other three parts of a disciple be affected if this was not included or how does KNOWING Jesus compliment MODEL, SERVE, and SHARE?

______.

3. What are some activities you can do to help you to know Jesus more?

______.

62 4. Why do you think MODELING Jesus comes second in the listing of the four parts of being a disciple? (Is there any word order signiﬁcance here?) Why does it come after KNOWING Jesus but before SERVING and SHARING Him?

______.

5. How can MODELING Jesus be more difﬁcult than the other three parts of the discipleship deﬁnition?

______.

6. SERVING Jesus can be a signiﬁcant time commitment. How is this part of the deﬁnition unique or different from the other three aspects of being a disciple of Jesus?

______.

7. How have you intentionally used your spiritual gifts so far? How will your spiritual gifts help you in the other three areas of discipleship?

______

63 Completing the Circle

______.

8. Sharing Jesus is more than just about evangelizing or telling people about Jesus. It is a commitment to helping a lost person become a fully devoted follower of Jesus. It is about Discipling. Why would this be considered the last step or portion of the deﬁnition of Discipleship?

______.

9. It is often the case that new Christians bring more people to Christ than seasoned ones. Why do you think this is the case and how can we be more intentional about discipling others?

______.

10. It was the goal of the Discipleship team to come up with a clear path of Discipleship. Explain how you think that KNOW, MODEL, SERVE, and SHARE is a clear path or an unclear path. ______.

64 Now that we have discussed what it means to be a disciple over the past ﬁve weeks, we need to discuss how it all ﬁts together.

11. Using the image of our Discipleship logo, what are some important concepts about discipleship that the logo visually conveys?

______.

12. Why is it important to understand that discipleship is a journey and not a destination? How can we help each other on this journey?

______.

13. It is important to have an accountability partner. Write down on the lines below 2-3 names of who you think would be a good partner to help you on this journey of discipleship. This should not be your spouse or someone of the opposite sex. After selecting one, write down that name on the “Who I am in Jesus” description on page 9.

______.

65 Individual Discipleship Path

All we have done in this study so far leads us to this point. It is time to ﬁnalize a plan that you will embark upon to grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ. As we have gone through Weeks Two through Five, we have been considering some various activities that you can be involved in (which are four marks of a disciple of Jesus Christ). Here again are those four areas: Knowing Jesus Modeling Jesus Serving Jesus Sharing Jesus

At the end of each week you have been choosing activities based on your level of involvement which are crawler, walker, and runner. You will now begin to plan out a month at a time instead of just a week. The accountability partner you have will help you accomplish your goals. Because you are not limiting yourself to the timeframe of just one week, you can go back and tackle some of the activities that have some time evolvement like reading the Bible in a year, or choosing a book to read.

Let’s just recap what you are suppose to do for this IDP. Here are the steps you should take to develop your Individual Discipleship Path: Look over the suggested activities for each of the four areas. These are just suggestions. a. To choose an activity to be engaged in KNOWING Jesus better, go to page 69. b. To choose an activity to be engaged in MODELING Jesus better, go to page 113. c. To choose an activity to be engaged in SERVING Jesus better, go to page 131. d. To choose an activity to be engaged in to SHARING Jesus better, go to page 139. Once you have decided upon an activity you can do for each area, you will then need to decide the time you will spend doing that activity. This will depend upon the activity you are doing and your schedule. You will need to make a decision on the time in terms of: • Frequency (How often? Will you do it every day? One or two times a week? Or once or twice per month?)

66 • Duration (For how long? Will you do this the activity for one month? For two or three months? For six months? Or maybe some you will do for the entire year?)

You will write down your plan on pages 149-155, depending on the current month. There are plan sheets given for an entire calendar year. An example is given for you on page 149.

We suggest that you plan to participate in the activities for each of the four marks of a disciple for a minimum of one month at a time and for a maximum time of one year. You do not have to pick the same duration for all four though. You should select a length of time that is the most appropriate for the activity chosen.

-ON YOUR OWN/ not apart of the group time-

Accountability. A key element to the success of your Individual Discipleship Path will be having someone that you are accountable to. Use the accountability partner that you decided on from question 12. Ask them if they will be an accountability partner for you. If they say no, do not be discouraged. Ask another person from your list of names. If you continue to have trouble, find an elder or member of the Discipleship team to help you find someone. 1) Now finalize your accountability partner for the year.

2) Get with your accountability partner and turn to the page where you have begun to record your Individual Discipleship Plan (January starts on page 150) and discuss each of the activities you have started or will start to do in each of the four activities. Once you have done this, close out your time by praying for each other as your partner begins and follows through with their IDP.

Activities for Week Two: KNOWING Jesus

Recommended Activities for surrendering yourself to an ever growing connection with Him: 1. Prayer – communication with God, including both speaking and listening to God 2. Devotional reading of print materials – reading books, devotional magazines or guides, or subscribing to devotional e-mails to let authors guide you towards a more intimate relationship with God 3. Meditative reading of scripture - slowly and prayerfully reading a short passage of the Bible to apply to your life 4. Memorization of scriptures about God – memorizing verses from the Bible that speciﬁcally describe the character, work and promises of God so that we may know Him better CHOOSING AN ACTIVITY TO HAVE A GROWING INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD * See page iii for an explanation of what is meant by crawl, walk and run activities

Activity #1: Prayer Crawl Activities ...... 70 Walk Activities ...... 74 Run Activities ...... 79 Activity #2: Devotional Reading of Print Materials Crawl Activities ...... 81 Walk Activities ...... 82 Run Activities ...... 86 Activity #3: Meditative Reading of Scripture • Explanation of Meditative Reading of Scripture ...... 89 Crawl Activities ...... 91 Walk Activities ...... 92 Run Activities ...... 94 Activity #4: Memorization of Scriptures about God • Tips for Memorizing Scripture ...... 96 Crawl Activities ...... 97 Walk Activities ...... 99 Run Activities ...... 102

69 Activity #1: Prayer – communication with God, including both speaking and listening to God best if done on a daily basis

Prayer is the communication process that allows us to talk to God. Prayer is our way of direct communication with Him, and it is God’s desire for us to communicate with Him. Prayer gives us the opportunity to be near to God. The more time spent in prayer, the closer you will become to God. Prayer strengthens our faith and our love for Jesus. If prayer is new to you, then the “crawl” stage might be a good place to start with prayer. The ﬁrst step in beginning the prayer of a faithful prayer life is to set time aside each day to pray. The morning is a great time to spend with the Lord, and then your whole day will be covered in prayer.

Options to choose from:

Crawl Activities for Prayer (just getting started as a disciple, wanting to go back to the basics or to try something different) 1) Talk to God. Have a set time every day when you talk to God about what is on your heart. Tell Him what is troubling you. Thank Him for what is bringing you joy. Pray for other people in your life. Tell Him how great He is. This can be done silently, out loud, or by writing your prayers down. You can stand, sit, kneel, fall on your face before God, walk, lift your arms or with head bowed.

2) Pray throughout the day. Make it your habit to talk to God throughout the day. When something makes you angry, or discouraged, or happy, or whatever . . . just pray about it right then and there. If you see someone in need, lift that person up to God. Make conversation with God as natural as with a good friend.

3) Subscribe to Post Road Christian Church Daily Prayer Guide (an email) - This is a neighboring church. You can subscribe to this by sending an e-mail to Barb Pryor in the church ofﬁce at [email protected] and request to be added to the list receiving this daily e-mail. Here’s a sample: 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:13-15

70 Hallelujah! Praise You, LORD! I am so thankful for Your love and glory and peace! Thank You! I thank You for Your forgiveness. You have forgiven ALL my sins, not one is left. You have loved me unfailingly every day of my life. I have come to expect these things from You. As I have received, so help me give. As I want to be loved and forgiven, so help me love and forgive. Sit on the throne of my heart, and let Your peace rule my life. I love You. Amen.

4) Subscribe to “Connection” from Harvest Prayer Ministries (an email) at www.harvestprayer.comHere’s a sample: Prayer – the Primary Strategy! “But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem’s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and ﬁght against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat” (Nehemiah 4:7-9). The Israelites in Jerusalem had responded favorably to Nehemiah’s presence and had set themselves to the task of rebuilding the city walls under his leadership. But as so often happens in any work of God, it was not long before the enemy made his move. Opposition arose against the building of the wall. Nehemiah’s response? This prayer warrior moved to the attack mode of prayer: “Hear us, O our God, for we are despised. Turn their insults hack on their own heads. Give them over as plunder in a land of captivity. Do not cover up their guilt or blot out their sins from your sight, for they have thrown insults in the face of the builders” (Nehemiah 4:4-5). The task was not going to be completed until there was some spiritual warfare prayer. Once again, Nehemiah did not pray and then sit back and do nothing. Prayer was primary strategy for rebuilding the walls… but not the whole strategy. He also called the people together and posted guards to protect the builders. He phrased it this way in Neh. 4:9, “But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.” What a powerful combination of prayer and physical activity! Nehemiah understood clearly that prayer was as essential to the building of the wall as manual labor. in our plans and ministries, we must begin to see the strategic place that God has for prayer. With Nehemiah we saw that the project emerged out of prayer. . . continued in prayer… and was completed through prayer. Because of this biblical prayer warrior, we can see how this type of continuous emphasis on prayer can bring any work of God to completion in such a way that God is honored and His Kingdom advanced. –Adapted from the article Prayer Strategy for Ministry by Dave Butts. God, so often I cave in at the ﬁrst sign of opposition instead of going to the strategic place of prayer! Help me to learn how to seek Your face before, during

71 and after anything I attempt to do for Your kingdom, knowing that without Your help, my efforts are worthless and fruitless. Prayer Points Praise the meek and gentle Christ, who has power to demolish strongholds (2 Cor. 10:1, 4). Thank God for his truth and power, which are so different from the world’s. Confess times of placing ultimate reliance in mere human resources. Commit to putting your conﬁdence and pride in the Lord (10:17). Ask God to guide you to live in such a way that you receive his commendation, no matter what the world says (10:18). Pray for your households to be founded upon the principles of God rather than the mere “wisdom” of this world. Ask God to guide and protect your home with his truth. –Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend Posted in Devotions on November 1, 2011

5) Structured prayer time. Here are some different ways to have a structured prayer time: a) A.C.T.S. prayer time. Have a prayer time with four different components, with these four components spelling out the word “ACTS”: A doration – Adoration is praise or worship; Praise God for His goodness, faithfulness, mercy, love, etc. Acknowledge who He is. C onfession – Confess your sins and wrongdoings to the Lord. He promises to forgive us. T hanksgiving – Give thanks to the LORD for the things He has given you from the large to the small. Thank Him for the blessings you have received. Thank Him for answered prayers. S upplication – Making your requests to God.

b) Pray the Scriptures. The Bible is full of scriptures that can be read to God as prayer. It is recommended that these scriptures be read aloud. Here are some suggestions to get you started: • When you need encouragement: ü And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) ü Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

72 ü Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terriﬁed; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9) ü I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33) ü If God is for us, who can be against us? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31, 37-39) ü Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes! (I Samuel 12:16) ü Perseverance must ﬁnish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:4) ü Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:2) ü What is impossible with men is possible with God. (Luke 18:27)

• When you have a personal need: ü And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19) ü Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will ﬁnd; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7) ü Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. (Jeremiah 33:3) ü I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:11-13) ü Is anything too hard for the LORD? (Genesis 18:14) ü Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. (Eph. 3:20) ü Those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. (Psalm 34:10) ü Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:8)

73 • Praying the promises of God: ü If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. (Matthew 21:22) ü I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (I John 5:13) ü This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. (I John 5:14-15) ü Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16) ü I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5) ü “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13) ü He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. (Psalm 91:15)

Walk Activities for Prayer (been growing for some time as a disciple or ready for a new challenge)

If you think that you are beyond the Crawl stage with your prayer life, but are not ready for the Run stage, then the Walk options may be just right for you.

1) Have a structured prayer time that includes A.C.T.S as described on page 72; add the following to your prayer time: • Sing a prayer to God. You can use Psalm 95:1-2: Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song.

74 Sing from your heart using the old hymns, contemporary songs, or make one up of your own.

• Intercession. This is praying for someone else. The image is one of coming before God’s throne on behalf of another. Intercede for family, friends, neighbors, people in the church and in the workplace. Here are some things you can pray for: ü the salvation of lost people ü our Global Partners ü broken relationships ü those who have wandered away from God ü troubled ﬁnances ü emotional and physical healing

2) Study and pray these prayers from the scriptures: • Matthew 6:9-13 • Ephesians 1:15-23 • Ephesians 3:14-21 • Philippians 1:9-11 • Philippians 4:4-9 • Colossians 1:9-11 • Colossians 4:2-6 • Jude 24-25

3) Keep a journal of prayers and answers to prayers. This could be in list form or actually writing out your prayers to God.

4) Read books about prayer and implement some of the suggestions in your reading. • Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian Stormie Omartian inspires women to develop a deeper relationship with their husbands by praying for them. The Power of a Praying Wife is packed with practical advice on praying for speciﬁc areas of a husband's life including his decision-making, fears, spiritual strength, role as father and leader, and his faith and future. Every woman who desires a closer relationship with her husband will 75 appreciate the life illustrations, select Scripture verses, and the assurances of God's promises and power for their marriage.

• Power of a Praying Husband by Stormie Omartian Stormie Omartian urges every husband to pray for his wife for her emotions, her skills as a mother, her ability to be faithful, her friendships, and her sexuality. For those lacking in creativity, she provides at the end of each chapter actual prayers for husbands to say. And for those worried about taking husbandly advice from a woman, Omartian has sprinkled the book with the occasional paragraph by her husband, Michael Omartian, and a few other husbands.

• The Prayer that Changes Everything by Stormie Omartian Stormie Omartian inspires readers to open their lives to the prayer that changes everything: the prayer of praise to God. Intimate conversations with God often focus on immediate needs, concern for others, and direction regarding His will, but praise requires believers to look beyond themselves and their circumstances and place their attention solely on God. Stormie shares personal stories, biblical truths, and practical guiding principles to reveal the wonders that take place when Christians offer praise in the middle of difﬁculties, sorrow, fear, and, yes, abundance and joy. Study questions are incorporated into each chapter so that readers receive the opportunity to put what they learn into practice.

• Practicing the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence The obscure French monk known as Brother Lawrence was a servant of God who spent most of days following Jesus by serving in a kitchen. Brother Lawrence's discipline and servanthood sets an example for all of us by demonstrating how to recapture the intimate friendship with Christ that was shared by the ﬁrst disciples. He achieved a concentration on God that was rooted in the everyday practicalities of life.

• Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home by Richard Foster Richard Foster clariﬁes the prayer process, answers common misconceptions, and shows the way into prayers of contemplation, healing, blessing, forgiveness, and rest. Foster shows how prayer can move you inward into personal transformation, upward toward intimacy with God, and outward to minister to others. He leads you beyond questions to a deeper understanding and practice of prayer, bringing you closer to God, to yourself, and to your community.

76 • Praying God’s Word by Beth Moore In this book, Beth encourages everyone to overcome the spiritual strongholds in their lives by incorporating Scripture into their daily prayer. No matter how overwhelmed you may feel today, Moore boldly reminds us that nothing is bigger or more powerful than the Lord. In this book we learn to wield the sword of the Spirit, praying God's Word to break free from anything that has a hold on us until the joy and authority of Christ rules in our lives.

• Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler Ancient of Days, Lord of Hosts, El Shaddai, Abba . . . names did more than simply distinguish one person from another, they often conveyed the essential nature and character of a person. This is especially true when it comes to the names of God in the Bible. In Praying the Names of God readers will learn how to study and pray God's names by focusing each week on one of the primary names or titles of God. By incorporating these divine names into their prayers, and learning about the biblical context in which the name was revealed, readers will gain a more intimate understanding of who God is and how he can be relied on in every circumstance of their lives.

• Praying the Names of Jesus by Ann Spangler Prince of Peace, Lamb of God, Yeshua . . . in the ancient world, a person's name was a reﬂection of his character. Spangler invites you to study and pray 26 of Jesus' titles---each revealing a unique aspect of his divine nature. You'll learn more about your Savior and will lead you into a richer and more rewarding relationship with Christ by understanding the biblical context in which these names and titles were revealed.

Run Activities for Prayer (for long-time disciples or for those who are seeking to go much deeper in their discipleship)

1) Get a prayer partner. Find someone that will be able to set aside time each week to share prayer concerns and blessings with you, to encourage you in your prayer life, to hold you accountable, and to pray with you. This could be done in person or over the phone.

2) Do a prayer walk through your neighborhood. Walk through your neighborhood, stopping in front of each residence to pray specifically for the people who live there. A good book for this is Prayer Walking by Steve Hawthorne and Graham Kendrick. Here is a description from Amazon.com: 77 Ordinary believers are stepping into the streets to pray effectively for their neighbors. With eyes open to real needs and with ears open to the promptings of God's Spirit, intercession becomes an adventure. We have never been so aware of the need to contend for our cities against a rising tide of spiritual evil. As a result, multitudes of Christians worldwide have begun to prayer walk their cities and nations. Prayer Walking gives you a practical menu of proven ideas to begin preparing whole cities for spiritual awakening. Biblical insights will build your faith to voice city-size prayers. And the stories and statements of more than one hundred prayer walking Christians will fire your imagination for your first steps.

3) Pray through the book All the Prayers of the Bible by Herbert Lockyer “Through Prayer We Grasp Eternity” All the Prayers of the Bible is no mere recital of well-worn phrases--it is an outpouring of the heart to God. The passion and beauty of prayer, to say nothing of its necessity and efﬁcacy, are powerfully reﬂected in this remarkable devotional. Covering the vast sweep of biblical prayers, Dr. Herbert W. Lockyer not only summarizes them all, but also shows you what each book of the Bible reveals about prayer and its role in human life and history.

4) Have a structured prayer time that incorporates the “Sweet Hour of Prayer” concept by Don DeWelt; spending 5 minutes on each category. Look on the next page for further details.

78 !

1. Praise for God A time of praise and awe for who our Lord God is. A time to adore Him for who He is. Choose a characteristic of God from the scriptures and Praise Him! Scriptures: Psalm 103:1,2, Rev. 1:8, Rev 4:8, 11, 5:12, 13 Qualities of God – love, power, wisdom, grace, mercy, kindness, patience, presence, lord, beautiful, forgiver, creator, sovereign, majestic, righteous, light- giver, protector, peace, truth, goodness, reigning, faithful, healer and hope (find more!) 2. Praise to God Praise to God is a time of adoration, wonder and awe to God for all He means to us in our daily lives. It is praising God for the way He has impacted our lives. Scriptures: Isaiah 63:7a, II Peter 3:9, Psalm 89:15, II Corinthians 6:18, Acts 17:28, Isaiah 26:4, Romans 4. Sing a Prayer to God 9:32, Romans 5:8, Romans 1:16 God loves to hear from His children. Sing with feelings that overflow from your heart how you feel about your 3. Confession of My Sin Father. Try singing from your heart without using A time we admit freely, openly, and honestly our someone else’s song. specific sin against God, our loved ones and our fellow Scriptures – Psalm 95:1-2, Psalm 5:11 men. Call the sin by name and ask forgiveness. See where you have fallen short of the glory of God. Song List to begin (add your own) – Higher Ground, Have Thine Own Way Lord, In My Life- Scriptures: I John 1:7-9, Psalm 40:1-3, Psalm 103:12, Lord- Be Glorified, I Surrender All, It is Well with My Psalm 139:23, 24, Psalm 51, Isaiah 59:2, Matthew Soul, Near the Cross, Living for Jesus, Near the Cross, 5:21-26, Luke 19:11-27 Revive Us – O Lord, Just a Closer Walk with Thee, Some Specific Sins: stealing, gossip, filthy language, Jesus Paid it All, Count Your Blessings, Change My hatred, greed, hypocrisy, envy, fits of rage, idolatry Heart – Oh God, Whispering Hope, Wonderful Words covetousness, bitterness, greed, disobedience, of Life, Take Time to be Holy, Shine, Jesus, Shine, impatience, grumbling, slander, lack of self-control, Seek Ye First, Search Me – O God, Sweet Hour of denying our lord, judgment of others. Prayer, The Lord’s Prayer.

5. Read (Pray) the Word to Him 6. Read the Word for Myself Reading the Word of God in the attitude and Ask God to open your mind and heart to receive what expression of thankfulness helps you focus on what He wants to teach you from His word before you read. God is trying to tell you. It helps you to think about Reading from the words of Jesus in the Sermon n the what you are reading bringing about a closeness Mount is a good place to start. (Matt 5-7) Let the Word between you and God. This is a good time to journal penetrate and change your life daily. and write prayers to Him from the scriptures. Scriptures: Hebrews 4:12, James 1:23-25, Jeremiah Scriptures: Zephaniah 3:17, Matthew 6:19-24 15:16, II Timothy 3:16, James 1:24. Process: Think of reading TO God, which helps to Process: Ask God to prepare your heart for receiving focus on what the passage is telling you, meditate on a message, read with a listening heart, write down childlikeness and how that affects your relationship thoughts, write verse and what God is teaching and with God, be aware of a sense of God’s closeness and then act upon it. love for you as you share His Word together.

79 7. Thanksgiving 8. Petitions or Requests We feel a tremendous, inexpressible gratitude toward Praying for our spouse, children, family, church and our God who loves us so much that we cannot leaders, country and you. God is interested in every comprehend His love. It is a time of outpouring of our aspect of our lives. Everything! Write out your prayers, heart for all God has done for us and is doing for us so you can see visually what you are working on and now. what is a priority to you. Scriptures: Psalm 100:4, Hebrews 12:28, Colossians Scriptures: Philippians 4:6, James 5, Psalm 37:4-6, 2:7, II Corinthians 9:15 Deuteronomy 11:18-19, I Samuel 12:23 List to get started: Hope of Heaven, Peace of mind, Petitions/Requests: parents, daily bread, grace, justification from sin, creation, Angels who minister, mercy, peace, wisdom, love, forgiveness, love – in purpose in life, children, solitude, loving those who spite of sin, fruit of the spirit – Jesus’ kind of peace, hate me, the Beatitude promises, desire to repent, His goodness, kindness, patience, self-control, love, Word, Baptism and its meaning, the saving power of gentleness, safety of travel, prayer for those who my Lord. preach, hospitality, using gifts for God

9. Intercession 10. Meditation Intercession involves praying for the lost world. That Now is the time to clarify all of what God is trying to means your neighbor, family, people you work with show you. Meditation is letting God direct our thinking everyday, missionaries and the people they witness to, into His pattern of thinking. It means reading the as well as other people who are on your heart. Pray for scripture again and thinking about what God is saying souls to be saved! to you. Scriptures: II Chronicles 7:14 Scriptures: Psalm 19:14, Psalm 119:97, Matthew List: Leaders of our country, state, city, missionaries, 6:19-24, Philippians 4:8-9. law enforcement people, service men, other countries Devotional Books – Guideposts, Living with God, who do not provide needs for their people. Longing for God, A Miracle Named Jesus, Expect the Light, are a few. 11. Listening Listen to God. It is a privilege to be able to go before 12. Praise God in Song the throne of God and sit at His feet and listen to the After almost a whole hour of time in prayer with God, it things He is directing you to understand or do. Be still is natural to burst out in song of praise for Him. and wait for His voice. Our attitudes are the first and foremost concern of God. Scriptures: Psalm 40:3, Psalm 69:30-31a Scriptures: Ecclesiastes 5:1, Hebrews 4:16, Luke List of Songs to begin: 10:39, 41 Because He Lives, Behold the Lamb, Blessed Assurance, All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name, Joy to the World, Jesus Loves Me, God Is So Good, Great is the Lord, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Fairest Lord Jesus, Doxology, Blessed Be the Name, Wonderful Grace of Jesus, Rejoice in the Lord Always, Surely the Presence of the Lord Is in This Place.

NOTE: feel free to modify any of the above twelve categories so that they make the time most meaningful to you. Consider how your Sacred Pathway might affect what you do.

80 Activity #2: Devotional Reading of Print Materials – reading books, devotional magazines or guides, or subscribing to devotional e-mails to let authors guide you towards a more intimate relationship with God; best if done on a daily basis

Options to choose from:

Crawl Activities for Devotional Reading of Print Materials (just getting started as a disciple, wanting to go back to the basics or to try something different)

1) Read “Got Questions” (answers to almost any question a new Christian has) www.gotquestions.org

2) Read from “Our Daily Bread” a daily devotional guide from RBC Ministries; available in the foyer at church

3) Read a devotional book: • Crazy Love by Francis Chan The God of the universe is crazy about you! His love is the most powerful thing in the world and He wants to give it to you, so you can live for Him. Sharing from his own life struggles and sacrifices, author Francis Chan issues a call for selfless, Christ-like living. Let the love you have received from God impact your life like never before. • Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala This book will show you how passionate, persistent prayer transforms individuals, revives churches and revitalizes communities. Drawing on the teaching of scripture, his own experience and the collected wisdom of the great revivalists, Pastor Cymbala seeks to fan your passion for prayer into a flame. Take this opportunity to learn how to listen to God's voice and prayerfully depend upon God!

81 Walk Activities for Devotional Reading of Print Materials (been growing for some time as a disciple or ready for a new challenge) 1) Subscribe to “Guideposts”, an inspirational monthly magazine 2) Subscribe to “Today’s Daily Devotional” from www.christianity.com Here’s a sample: Read John 9 – 10 Highlights: Have you asked Jesus to change you? The power of a changed life vs. spiritual blindness (John 9:1-41). The Good Shepherd and His sheep (10:11). Jesus, the Father, the sheep, and eternal life (10:23-30). False accusations against Jesus; the enemy still seeks to kill Him (10:31-40). Three times a year, all men of Israel were commanded to gather in Jerusalem to celebrate seven God-given feasts. The first feasts were Passover and Unleavened Bread (Lev. 23:5-8) — a reminder of their freedom from Egypt. These were followed the same week by Firstfruits (23:10). A first sheaf of early harvest was waved by the priest in faith that God would give them a bountiful harvest. The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) took place fifty days later on their second journey to Jerusalem. On their third journey they celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles during which time water from the Pool of Siloam was poured out by the high priest — looking forward to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The pouring of the water from the golden pitcher took place amid the blowing of the trumpets by the priests and the singing of sacred music by the Levites, while the people chanted the Hallel (Ps. 113-118): Save now, I beseech Thee, O Lord. . . . Blessed be He that cometh in the Name of the Lord. . . . God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light. . . . Thou art my God, and I will praise thee (118:25-28). It was following all this that the Lord Jesus invited those in the Temple: If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink (John 7:37-39). What our Savior said by implication was: "I am the fulfillment of the prophetic Scripture you have just read." Could this carpenter's Son be the long-expected Messiah? The next day, violence once again erupted in the Temple, and this time stones were hurled at Jesus by the Jews in response to His claim: Before Abraham was, I am (8:58). As Jesus escaped from the mob and went His way, He passed by a man who was known to be hopelessly blind from birth. This man's affliction became a means of manifesting Jesus as the prophesied Messiah King — the Light of the world (9:5). The love of God is the spiritual purpose in much of human suffering, and this man's blindness was the very means of keeping him from being lost for eternity. By faith, he obeyed Jesus' command to wash in the Pool of Siloam. He could have argued: "How could I, a blind man, be expected to find the pool?" But he expressed faith and obeyed, and he came seeing (9:7) — in a double sense; for now he saw that Jesus was indeed the prophesied Messiah. Later Jesus found him. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped Him (John 9:38).

82 Thought for Today: Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God (I John 4:15). Cross Reference: For John 10:34: See Ps. 82:6. Word Studies: 10:3 porter a doorkeeper; watchman; 10:41 resorted unto Him, came to Him. Prayer Needs: Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Jack Schatz • Bible Pathway Media Producer: Rick Hash • Government Official: Rep. John Yarmuth (KY) • Country: Czech Republic (10 million) in central Europe • Major languages: Czech and Slovak • Religious freedom • 63% Catholic; 7% Protestant; 4% Eastern Orthodox • Prayer Suggestion: Diligently seek the guidance of the Lord (Prov. 8:17). Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 7:5 Subscribe to “The Upper Room Daily Devotional Guide” from www.devotional.upperroom.org/ Here’s a sample: Hold On Tight Read Genesis 32:22-31 Jacob [said to the man], "I will not let you go, unless you bless me." - Genesis 32:26 (NRSV) Jacob was a scoundrel; he had tricked his brother Esau out of his birthright, he was a notorious deceiver, and he was often on the run. Faced with an uncertain future, Jacob headed back toward what he thought was imminent danger from the now- powerful brother he had treated badly in the past. Would Esau express the wrath that Jacob deserved?In chapter 33 of Genesis, we read that God had been at work changing Esau's heart. But God had also been at work in Jacob, changing Jacob's character little by little through the struggles Jacob and his family faced. And at this point in the story, Jacob refuses to give up. As Jacob struggles with "a man"--who we find out is actually God--he holds on tight to his faith and demands a blessing. In fact, Jacob's whole life was a blessing and a vital part of a larger blessing bestowed on Abraham.We too already have a great blessing, the blessing of salvation through Jesus Christ. Yet many of us have not fully welcomed that blessing by accepting and acknowledging God's grace. When we do this, we find peace. Nothing in our lives happens apart from God. Response to this realization leads us to focus on others, on how we can share the blessing of faith with them, helping them see the light of Christ.

83 The Author: Mark H. Anderson (Pennsylvania, USA) Thought for the Day: How can we show others Christ's blessing that we have received? Prayer: God of peace, we give you thanks for the blessing of life that unfolds with new surprises each day. Amen. Prayer focus: Someone facing a crisis

3) There are a number of daily devotionals and Bible studies that can be found at the Back to the Bible website: www.backtothebible.org

4) Subscribe to “Today in the Word”, a daily devotional guide from Moody Press; at www.todayintheword.com Here’s a sample: Friday, November 4, 2011 Read: Titus 2:1-10 In everything set them as an example by doing what is good. - Titus 2:7 TODAY IN THE WORD In May 2011, the United Kingdom celebrated a royal wedding. Prince William and his bride Catherine Middleton wed amidst pomp and circumstance that reminded many of William’s parents. In 1981, the marriage of Prince Charles and Lady Diana drew unprecedented publicity. Viewers watched a “fairy tale” marriage that began with a horse-drawn carriage. Unfortunately, the union ended with allegations of cheating, depression, divorce, and a tragic death. The “fairy tale” crumbled before our eyes. In today’s passage, Paul turns the spotlight from the church to shine on the home. How is the quality of a believer’s faith reﬂected in relationships? How should belief in Christ affect our daily lives and those with whom we live and whom we love? Paul examines each member of the household, outlining individual duties and responsibilities. To older men, he encourages them to be “worthy of respect” and to exhibit “self control,” among other qualities (v. 2). Older women are to live reverently and teach good (v. 3). Notice how both are called to consider others more important than themselves. Older men and women are called to live exemplary lives for younger people to follow. The letter next encourages a pattern of discipleship for older adults to teach the things they have learned. “In everything set them an example by doing what is good” (v. 7). Whenever you teach, Paul notes, be mindful of the example you are setting so that nothing you do can discredit your message. For old and young, he encourages believers to live lives so that opponents have no opportunity to make credible charges of wrongdoing (v. 8).

84 We should not assume that the mention of slaves in verse 9 provides any justification for slavery, even granting that slavery in the first century often looked different from chattel slavery or contemporary labor bondage. But the text here reminds us that no matter our situation, we can still have the dignity of bringing glory to God. We can still extend honesty and respect to others. Why must we subject ourselves to others? Why should we treat others with respect? This seems counter-cultural in a “me-first” generation. Yet, Paul firmly reminds believers that our lives are a direct reflection upon God and His Word. Our lives are to be held captive by Him. We must live exemplary lives so that “in every way [we] will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive” (v. 10). APPLY THE WORD Today, take a moment to pray for those who live in the closest relationship to you: your spouse, your children, or your siblings. You can also pray for a parent, a boss, or a neighbor. Ask God to strengthen these key personal relationships. Ask Him to help you hold your tongue when necessary, and to honor your loved ones with the respect they deserve. Ask God to guide and strengthen you to make your relationships a positive, selfless reflection on His name.

5) Read a devotional book: • The Life God Blesses by Jim Cymbala Pastor Jim Cymbala points out that God is searching the earth for men and women to bless. God is not looking for intelligence, social status, skills, or inﬂuence. Instead, he is searching for men and women whose hearts can be shaped according to his purposes. This book unlocks the keys to experiencing God's blessing by exploring the characteristics of this special kind of heart - a humble heart, a listening heart, a merciful heart. As we respond to God's grace, we will become people who are uniquely blessed. This blessing will inevitably spill over into our marriages, our children's lives, our work, and our world.

• Night Light a devotional for couples by James Dobson Before you kiss each other and turn out the light, share a quiet moment together with God! Featuring engaging stories, Scripture readings, thought-provoking questions, prayers, and commentary, the Dobsons' 6-month daily devotional will lead you and your spouse to a deeper intimacy and spiritual communion as you experience the "three person" marriage covenant God intended.

85 • Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas 'Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor's Spiritual Walk.' After all, it's his, not yours. Better to discover the path God designed you to take--a path marked by growth and fulﬁllment, based on your unique temperament. In Sacred Pathways, Gary Thomas strips away the frustration of a one-size-ﬁts-all spirituality and guides you toward a path of worship that frees you to be you. This book unfolds nine distinct spiritual temperaments--their traits, strengths, and pitfalls.

• The Life You Have Always Wanted by John Ortberg The heart of Christianity is transformation---a relationship with God that impacts not just our 'spiritual lives,' but every aspect of living. John Ortberg calls readers back to the dynamic heartbeat of Christianity---God's power to bring change and growth---and reveals both the how and why of transformation. The Life You've Always Wanted offers modern perspectives on the ancient path of the spiritual disciplines. But this is more than just a book about things to do to be a good Christian. It's a road map toward true transformation that starts not with the individual but with the object of the journey---Jesus Christ. As with a marathon runner, the secret to winning the race lies not in trying harder, but in training consistently---training with the spiritual disciplines.

Run Activities for Devotional Reading of Print Materials (for long-time disciples or for those who are seeking to go much deeper in their discipleship)

1) Read a devotional book • My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers Few have understood the nature of sanctiﬁcation, or the nature of God, better than Oswald Chambers. His insights into holiness, absolute devotion, and the pursuit of God have inspired countless Christians, challenging them to give their "utmost for His highest."

• Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman Are you truly a follower of Jesus or just a fan - or perhaps someone who doesn't even care about the difference? Not a Fan invites you to make Jesus not merely the object of your admiration, but the very center of your life. This book calls you to consider the demands and rewards of being a true disciple. With frankness sprinkled with humor, Idleman invites you to live the way Jesus lived, love the 86 way he loved, pray the way he prayed, and never give up living for the One who gave his all for you.

• Devotions for a Deeper Life by Oswald Chambers Devotions for a Deeper Life is a collection of some lesser known writings by this beloved Christian author. Excerpted from articles published in God's Revivalist in the early 1900s, this year's-worth of daily devotions bears Chambers' characteristic stamp of practicality and profundity, freshness and ﬁre. Here are the meditations of a man of the Bible and a man of prayer, reﬂections as timeless as the illuminating ministry of the Holy Spirit.

• Praying God’s Word Day by Day by Beth Moore Ever feel tongue-tied while talking with God? Discover the joys of praying Scripture and you'll boldly approach God's throne with the very mind and words of Christ! Moore shows you how to tear down the strongholds of sin that may inhibit your intercessions. A devotional resource that offers inspiration 365 days a year.

• Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster This book explores the classic "Disciplines," or central spiritual practices, of the Christian faith. Along the way, Foster shows that it is only by and through these practices that the true path to spiritual growth can be found. Discover a richer spiritual life infused with joy, peace, and a deeper understanding of God.

• Spiritual Classics edited by Richard Foster and Emilie Griffin From nearly two thousand years of Christian writing comes Spiritual Classics, fifty-two selections complete with a profile of each author, meditations for group and individual use, discussion questions and exercises, and a personal reflection by Richard Foster on each selection. Authors include: St. Augustine, Thomas Merton, Fredrick Buechner, A.W. Tozer, G.K. Chesterton, Martin Luther King, Jr., Amy Carmichael, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, John Milton, and Leo Tolstoy.

• A Long Obedience by Eugene Peterson In the Songs of Ascent (Psalms 120-134), Peterson discovers an old Hebrew songbook used by pilgrims on their way up to Jerusalem. He seizes on these 87 verses to teach lessons on discipleship and encouraging us to grow in joy, service, humility, and community.

• Flying Closer to the Flame by Charles Swindoll Charles Swindoll explores the void that exists in many Christian's lives due to a lack of understanding about the Holy Spirit. He challenges readers toward a deeper, more intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit.

• Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley-Barton Do you long for a deep, fundamental change in your life with God? Do you desire a greater intimacy with God? Do you wonder how you might truly live your life as God created you to live it? Spiritual disciplines are activities that open us to God's transforming love and the changes that only God can bring about in our lives. Picking up on the monastic tradition of creating a "rule of life" that allows for regular space for the practice of the spiritual disciplines, this book takes you more deeply into understanding seven key disciplines along with practical ideas for weaving them into everyday life. Each chapter includes exercises to help you begin the practices--individually and in a group context. The ﬁnal chapter puts it all together in a way that will help you arrange your life for spiritual transformation. The choice to establish your own sacred rhythm is the most important choice you can make with your life.

• One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp In One Thousand Gifts, Ann invites you to embrace everyday blessings and embark on the transformative spiritual discipline of chronicling God's gifts. It's only in this expressing of gratitude for the life we already have, we discover the life we've always wanted...a life we can take, give thanks for, and break for others. We come to feel and know the impossible right down in our bones: we are wildly loved--by God. Let Ann's beautiful, heart-aching stories of the everyday give you a way of seeing that opens your eyes to ordinary amazing grace, a way of being present to God that makes you deeply happy, and a way of living that is ﬁnally fully alive.

88 Activity #3: Meditative Reading of Scripture - slowly and prayerfully reading a short passage of the Bible to apply to your life Fbest if done on a daily basis Scriptural basis for meditating on scripture: “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8). Synonyms for “meditate”: contemplate, consider, ponder, mull over, turn over in your mind, deliberate, reﬂect, muse, and reﬂect on.

Christian meditation is seeking to hear what God has to say to you through His word, and then for you to act upon what you hear. There is a heavy emphasis on life transformation based upon what is read. “The Bible uses two different Hebrew words to convey the idea of mediation, and together they are used some ﬁfty-eight times . . . In each case there is stress upon changed behavior as a result of our encounter with the living God. Repentance and obedience are essential features in any biblical understanding of meditation.” Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster, page 15. • Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. (Psalm 48:9) • I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. (Psalm 77:12) • Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3) Christian meditation is different from the style of meditations performed in Eastern religions (such as Buddhism) or in the New Age movement. In Eastern religions meditation is an attempt to empty the mind. Christian meditation seeks to ﬁll the mind with the word of God. In meditation Eastern religion seeks to become detached from this world. In meditation Christianity seeks to understand the will of God to be engaged with the world.

Christian meditation relies on the Holy Spirit to speak to us through God’s Word to apply to our lives. Campbell McAlpine says “Meditation is the devotional practice of pondering the words of a verse, or verses of Scripture, with a receptive heart, allowing the Holy Spirit to take the written Word and apply it as the living word to the inner being.”

Christian meditation is different from Bible study or reading of the Bible for information where one seeks to gain knowledge and wisdom, which are very desirable ends. But in meditation, one seeks life transformation. Meditation helps us to focus on our priority in this world: knowing Jesus, His purposes, and his ways.

89 Every time we read God’s Word, whether it is for study, information or meditation, we should follow 3 steps: 1. Observation (What does it say?) 2. Interpretation (What does it mean?) 3. Application (How does it change me?) Bible study focuses on the ﬁrst two (but certainly not ignoring the 3rd); meditation focuses on the 3rd (without ignoring the ﬁrst two). We must remember that the purpose of knowing the Bible is not to help us get 100% on an entrance exam to get into heaven. The purpose is to know God deeply and to understand His will so that we live as He wants us to live.

Suggested steps for Meditative Reading of God’s Word: 1. Before you begin reading, ask God to speak to you as read His Word. 2. Read with a heart open to be changed. 3. Read a short passage of scripture; a chapter, a paragraph, a few verses. Read slowly. Probably read the passage more than once. Read it out loud. Pause often to reﬂect on what you just read. Repeat it over in your mind so that you can better remember it and allow it to transform you. 4. Ask yourself this question (in many different ways) as you read: “So what?” Not in a disrespectful way, but seeking to understand what the verses mean for you. Ask “How does it apply to me?” Consider what God wants you to do about what you just read. For example, if you read about this promise God has made: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terriﬁed; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9), ask yourself if this is a promise you need to take to heart? Does this promise change the way you approach your day today? How does this help with a problem you are dealing with? Is this a promise you need to share with someone else? 5. Take one thought or verse with you through the day. As an example from Joshua 1:9 (see above): “I will not let the situation at work discourage me. I do not know what will happen, but I know that whatever does happen, God will be with me through the entire ordeal.” 6. Suggestions to deepen the impact of meditative reading of God’s Word: • Read creatively, visualizing yourself in the time, history, and situation of the passage as much as possible to experience a feel for what the author and the people of his day were experiencing. Try to feel the burden, the concern, the fear, the love, etc. Seek to taste and feel every word you read. • Memorize a verse a week from what you have read.

90 • Journal about what you are reading. Get a spiral notebook. Write down the date and the passage you read. Then write down the thought or verse that spoke to you. Write down what you felt God was telling you to do as a result. Go back periodically and review what God has been saying to you. Is there a pattern or theme? How has this impacted your life? What changes are you seeing within yourself?

Options to choose from for Meditative Reading of Scripture:

Crawl Activities for Meditative Reading of Scripture (just getting started as a disciple, wanting to go back to the basics or to try something different)

1) Read a Psalm a day – a book that was the song book of ancient Israel, full of descriptions of God and how the psalmist (mostly David) felt about God; you may want to use two days on some of the longer Psalms (especially Psalm 119) 2) Read a chapter of Proverbs a day – 31 chapters in the book, so it’s easy to read one chapter a day; the book is mostly a collection of wise sayings (where the individual verses have little connection with the verses before or after); try reading through a chapter until you find a verse that seems to truly speak to you 3) Read through one of the gospels – Matthew‘s gospel has a greater emphasis on the parables of Jesus and contains the Sermon on the Mount; Mark is the shortest and contains mostly concise stories of what Jesus did; Luke emphasizes the compassion and prayers of Jesus; John records some of the longer teachings of Jesus and presents Jesus powerfully as the Son of God. In reading a gospel, find a Bible that has paragraphs or headings; break down your daily readings into individual stories or paragraphs of the life of Jesus 4) Read through Philippians – a very positive, upbeat book filled with great promises 5) Read through James – a favorite of many people because of the highly practical material; there is not a great deal of heavy doctrinal material; thus it lends itself very easily to devotional reading 6) Read through I John – a book that emphasizes the love of God, fellowship with other believers, and living a righteous life

91 Walk Activities for Meditative Reading of Scripture (been growing for some time as a disciple or ready for a new challenge)

1) Read through a book of the Bible meditatively. You can choose any book, but here are some suggestions:

• Genesis – a book of beginnings; of creation, the origin of sin and redemption, covenant relationship between God and man, family and much more

• Romans – this book presents the plan of God’s salvation of mankind in the most logical, sequential manner, so it is key to understanding God’s covenant relationship with us; but it also contains several other passages that make for great devotional reading (examples: chapters 8 & 12)

• Ephesians – a book that emphasizes the high position we have in Christ and the great blessings that accompany this position

• Colossians – a book that focuses on the person and work of Jesus Christ; an excellent book to gain a deeper understanding of our Savior

• I & II Timothy – two letters from the Apostle Paul to the young leader he was mentoring that contain helpful and practical advice

• I Peter – a letter from the Apostle Peter to the church during a time of persecution and difficulty; Peter encourages them to stand firm and to recall the blessings they have because of Jesus; this is a helpful read for those going through a tough time

2) A.C.T.S. prayer time. Have a structured prayer time with four different areas to pray: A doration – praise to God for who He is and what He has done C onfession – admitting your sin to God, desiring to change, and seeking His forgiveness T hanksgiving – expressing your gratitude to God S upplication – making a request to God according to His will Draw all four areas of prayer right from a passage of scripture. The length of a passage read can vary from a couple of verses to a paragraph to a whole chapter. • Read through the passage looking for something to praise God for (an attribute of God, a name of God, something God has done). Then spend time praising Him for that. • Read through the passage asking for God to show you something to confess. It could be a command that you are not following. It could be the mention of a sin. Confess that sin to God and then seek restoration with Him.

92 • Read the passage a third time, this time looking for something of which to thank God. It may be a promise, something He has done, or the mention of a blessing. Use that to offer thanksgiving up to God. • Finally, read the passage one last time, asking God to reveal something He wants you to become or to do. Spend time asking God to make that happen in your life. Here’s an example from the book of Colossians: We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me. (Col. 1:28-29, NIV) Adoration – “Christ” Praise Jesus as Messiah, the Christ; worship Him. Confession – “struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me” Confess that you have not been trusting God to work in you, but that you have been relying on your own wisdom and abilities; confess this and ask His forgiveness, make a commitment to change. Thanksgiving – “. . . all His energy, which so powerfully works in me.” Thank the Lord that He can and does work in your life; thank the Holy Spirit for living in you and working through you. Supplication – “We proclaim Him” Ask for the wisdom and boldness to proclaim Jesus to those around you who are lost; ask God to help you do this.

3) Add the element of singing to your time of adoration or praise. Use music from a hymn book or other print source. Use recorded music downloaded digitally, from a CD, or other means. Listen to the words and praise God from your heart. Sing out loud to God.

Here are some suggestions of artists and albums (from Aaron Johnson, Worship Minister at Post Road Christian Church and son of David and Joyce Johnson): • Chris Tomlin – Hello Love & And If Our God Is For Us • Steve Fee – Hope Rising • Almost anything by Passion, but especially God of This City, Sacred Revolution, and How Great Is Our God • Hillsong – The Very Best of Hillsong Live • Casting Crowns – Lifesong & The Altar and the Door • Keith & Kristyn Getty – In Christ Alone • Rich Mullins – Songs and Songs II (a few years old, but still fantastic worship music) • Needtobreathe - Signature of the Divine, Washed by the Water.

93 Other recommended artists: Matt Redman, Tim Hughes, Phil Wickham, Jeremy Camp, Andrew Peterson, Lincoln Brewster, Tommy Walker, David Crowder, MercyMe, Sidewalk Prophets, Kutless, and The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir All of the above are basically in the style of music we use in the Modern services. For those looking for something a little different: • Peaceful instrumentals: Chris Rice’s Living Room Sessions or Jeff Kinder’s Moments. • Southern Gospel: Gaither Vocal Band • Urban or R&B sound: Israel Houghton, Anthony Evans, Yolanda Adams, or Nicole C. Mullen. • Jazz: John Coltrane • Classical: J.S. Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart, and Brahms. Handel’s Messiah is perhaps the greatest praise music ever written in the English language, and a good place to start • A little older “contemporary” worship music: Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Sandy Patti, Jars of Clay, dc Talk, Newsboys, Phil Keaggy, and First Call

Run Activities for Meditative Reading of Scripture (for long-time disciples or for those who are seeking to go much deeper in their discipleship)

1) Read through a book of the Bible meditatively. You can choose any book, but here are some suggestions:

• Job – a book that wrestles with the question of why we sometimes suffer, climaxing with God speaking and presenting Himself as sovereign and holy • Isaiah chapters 40 through 66 – the focus is on the person of God and His coming Messiah; many meaningful passages ripe for meditative reading

• Nehemiah – a book ﬁlled with leadership principles and relying on God

• I Corinthians – a letter from Paul to a troubled church, providing a wealth of practical teaching on a variety of topics from disunity to love to the power of the resurrection

• Hebrews – a book that demonstrates the superiority of our present covenant of grace through Jesus over the covenant of law of the Old Testament; with the focus on the atoning work of Jesus Christ providing many meaningful passages to take to heart

2) Practice Lectio Divina. Lectio Divina is Latin for “divine reading,” “spiritual reading,” or "holy reading," and represents a traditional practice of prayer and scriptural reading intended to promote communion with God and to increase in the knowledge of God's Word. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to study, ponder, listen, pray, 94 and even sing and rejoice from God's Word. This practice originates at least from the 5th century.

There are four “Moments” in this ancient method of reading the Bible devotionally: • Lectio. This ﬁrst moment consists in reading the scriptural passage slowly, attentively several times. Keep reading until a word or phrase stands out to you or moves you. It is cultivating the ability to listen deeply, to hear “with the ear of our hearts.” To hear from God, not loudly, but intimately. • Meditatio. Once we have found a word or phrase that has spoken to us in a personal way, time is then spent meditating on this word or phrase. This is often done is silent awe. One seeks the work of the Holy Spirit’s ministry of illumination to bring meaning, insight and application from this word or phrase to them personally. • Oratio. This is prayer understood as dialogue with God. It is having a loving conversation with the One who has given us this word just for us at just this moment because of His love for us. Time is spent listening to God and talking to God at the deepest level. It may be a time of healing, a time of exposure, a time of conviction, a time of cleansing, or a time of feeling God’s enormous love for us. We allow our deepest selves to be touched and changed by the word of God. • Contemplatio. In this last moment, we simply rest in the presence of the One who has used His word as a means of inviting us to accept His transforming embrace. It is characterized by a simple, loving focus on God. No one who has ever been in love needs to be reminded that there are moments in loving relationships when words are unnecessary. It is the same in our relationship with God. Wordless, quiet rest in the presence of the One Who loves us. We practice silence, letting go of our own words; this time simply is enjoying the experience of being in the presence of God.

95 Activity #4: Memorization of scriptures about God – memorizing verses from the Bible that speciﬁcally describe the character, work and promises of God so that we may worship Him and come to know Him better Fbest if done on a weekly basis Memorization is a tool that can bring you ever closer to God. Begin praying that God would help you have a desire and the discipline to memorize His Word. You might also begin journaling how God is speaking to you through your memory work. As you progress through your memorization, write a testimony about how memorizing God’s word has brought you closer to the Lord.

Tips for memorizing scripture. There are many methods for memorizing scripture. Here are some suggestions that you may want to try: • Say the verse repeatedly out loud (this really helps you to memorize) • Write the verse out several times or type it several times on your computer • Write the verse on a 3x5 card and put it in a place where you can look at it several times a day (bathroom mirror, at your kitchen sink, in your car, at your desk, etc.) • Record yourself saying the verse on your cell phone or other electronic device; listen to the verse while driving, while taking a walk, working out, etc. • Memorize scripture as a family. Recite verses to each other. • Recite scripture as you fall asleep at night. • Make up a song for your memory verse (put the words to a simple song you know well). • Follow the memorization three-step program: 1. Repetition 2. Repetition 3. Repetition • Make up hand motions; for example: to memorize Mark 12:30 (NIV) - Love (cross both arms across your chest) the Lord your God (point to heaven) with all your heart (put hand over heart) and with all your soul (point to the sole of your shoe) and with all your mind (point to your temple) and with all your strength (ﬂex your muscles). • Collect your memory verses for review. If you wrote your verses on 3x5 cards, punch a hole in the upper right-and corner of each card. Buy a opening ring to keep them on. Or you can put them in a small photo album. This will make it easier to review all the verses you have memorized.

Please note: 96 1. There are so many verse that you could memorize. What follows are just some suggestions. Please don’t limit yourself to just these. If you know of a verse that is especially meaningful to you, by all means memorize it! 2. We have selected verses from the scriptures from three categories: verses that describe the character of God, ones that tell of what He has done (His work), and verses that speak of His promises to us. But you will see that some verses can fit into more than one category. For instance, is John 3:16 a verse about God’s character (the verse does tell us of His great love for us) or is it about His work (it speaks of Him sending Jesus to be our savior), or is it about a promise to us (that if we believe we will have eternal life)? The answer is “yes!” It fits all three. So it is with some of the verses mentioned. They may fit more than one category. 3. Notice that you might memorize a verse or two of a passage under the crawl or walk stage, but then those same verses are also listed under the run category, but with additional verses. This is intentional.

Options to choose from:

Crawl Activities for Memorization of Scriptures about God (just getting started as a disciple, wanting to go back to the basics or to try something different)

Memorize one verse per week. Once you have one memorized, pick another one from the same category or pick one from a different category. All the verses below are from the New International Version of the Bible. But you may certainly memorize a verse from any translation of the Bible you choose. You should also memorize where the verse is found in the Bible (this is known as the “address”) so that you can reference it or share it with someone. 1) Crawl verses that describes the character of God: • John 14:6 - Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. • Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. • I John 4:8 - Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. • John 17:3 - Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. • I Peter 1:15 - But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; • Psalm 90:2 - Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. • John 4:24 – God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. • John 6:35 – Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 97 • John 8:12 – When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” • John 10:11 - “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. • John 11:25-26 – Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” • John 15:5 – I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. • Crawl verses that describes the work of God: • Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. • John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. • Romans 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. • II Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. • I John 4:14 – And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. • I John 4:10 – This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacriﬁce for our sins. • Genesis 1:26 – Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” • Isaiah 30:18 – Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

2) Crawl verses that tell of the promises of God: • Joshua 1:9 – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terriﬁed; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. • Psalm 55:22 – Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall. • Matthew 6:33 – But seek ﬁrst his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. • Philippians 4:13 – I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

98 • II Peter 3:13 – But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. • Matthew 11:28 – Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. • Acts 2:38 – Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. • I John 5:13 - I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. • John 20:31 - But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. • Jeremiah 33:3 - Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Walk Activities for Memorization of Scriptures about God (been growing for some time as a disciple or ready for a new challenge)

2) Walk verses that describes the work of God: • Psalm 84:11 - For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. • Romans 3:23,24 - for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. • 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. • Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. • Hebrews 1:2 - but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. • Ephesians 2;8,9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. • Acts 17:30,31 - In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” • 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. • Isaiah 53:5 - But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. • I John 2:2 - My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. • I John 5:14-15 - This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us —whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

3) Walk verses that tell of the promises of God: • Joshua 1:8-9 – Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then 100 you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. • Isaiah 40:30-31 - Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. • Proverbs 3:5,6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight • Proverbs 4:18 - The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. • Psalm 5:3 - In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. • Proverbs 19:23 - The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble. • Psalm 34:17-19 - The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. • Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. • I Corinthians 15:50-52 - I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. • Psalm 119:165 - Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble. • Jeremiah 29:11-13 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. • Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. • Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 101 4) Read His Word in My Heart: Memorizing Scripture for a Closer Walk with God by Janet Pope Want to know more of God and His Word, but can't seem to find the time? Teacher, wife, and mother Janet Pope shows you how. She has memorized an amazing 90 chapters of the Bible, including 11 New Testament books. She advocates memorizing whole chapters and books of the Bible---not just scattered verses---while you're showering, folding laundry, vacuuming, waiting in traffic, or at the doctor's office. Pope enthusiastically shares with readers why memorizing Scripture is so important to the walk of the believer. You'll get to know God intimately---and trade your thoughts for His.

Run Activities for Memorization of Scriptures about God (for long-time disciples or for those who are seeking to go much deeper in their discipleship)

1) Run verses that describes the character of God: • Isaiah 40:28-31 • Psalm 139:1-6 • Psalm 145:3-7 • Psalm 139:7-12 • Psalm 145:8-13 • Psalm 139:18-24 • Psalm 145:14-21

2) Run verses that describes the work of God: • Matthew 25:31-34 • Job 12:7-12 • Psalm 103:1-5 • Psalm 28 • Psalm 103:6-14

3) Run verses that tell of the promises of God: • Psalm 23 • Philippians 4:4-7 • Philippians 1:3-6 • John 14:1-4 102 • Hebrews 3:14-16 • 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 • James 1:2-5

4) Read 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart by Robert Morgan With the immediacy of Internet searches and ease of handheld devices, the archaic custom of memorizing Scripture may not seem necessary, but bestselling author Robert J. Morgan makes an airtight case for reviving this practice. In a series of brief opening chapters, Morgan prepares the reader for this new way of thinking and then presents his list of 100 crucial verses, including sidebar notes, quotes, and memorization tips for each. Knowing his list will differ from what others would choose, extra pages are included to add one's own favorite verses, thus extending the exercise and memorization habit.

103 NATURALISTS Loving God Out of Doors

Who We Are We find God in His “cathedral” - the out-of-doors. God’s first dwelling with us was in a garden. Genesis 2 God will speak to us through creation. Consider our spiritual lessons learned in observing the metamorphosis a caterpillar encounters in becoming a butterfly. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the works of his hands.” Psalm 19:1 “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities are clearly seen, being understood from what has been made.” Romans 1:20 More than God’s beauty is revealed outside. His awful and fearful terror is revealed as well, i.e. rain can nourish the ground and can flood a region. Creation teaches us of God’s beauty and also of His power and judgment. David says that God’s green pastures and quiet waters restore his soul. Psalm 23:2-3 Jesus sought lonely places to pray and be replenished. He taught his disciples to do the same.

What Are Our Pitfalls? INDIVIDUALISM: Jesus spent time outdoors to prepare to go back into the world. We must make sure we are not using creation to escape the duties of following Jesus.

SPIRITUAL DELUSION: Anything “received” on a walk with God should not be considered authoritative, but merely advice that must be tested. The Bible is our only sure guide. Satan can provide counterfeit experiences that can lead us astray.

IDOLIZING NATURE: Be wary of the heresy of pantheism – the worship of nature. It is not true that God is in all of nature, or that nature is God. The Bible teaches, “the earth is the Lord’s.” Pantheism twists it to “The earth is the Lord.” Pantheism is a New Age philosophy. Nevertheless, do not allow the lie of pantheism rob you of worshiping God through an appreciation of what he has made.

Suggestions for the Road: Fully commit your life to Christ. The more you appreciate the Creator, the more you will appreciate His creation. Consider the greatness of creation – mountains, sky, and oceans all portray the immense power, wisdom and goodness of God. Consider the variety of creation – plant and animal life have more variety than we could ever examine in a lifetime. God is capable of doing a multitude of things at once. Consider the beauty of creation – beauty in God’s world comes a many shapes, colors, shades. God’s beauty cannot be revealed through one form. Consider the abundance of creation - count stars in sky, sand on shore, trees in forest. We serve a God of plenty whose love and mercy are inexhaustible. View God’s world as His cathedral where He wants to meet with you and others.

104 SENSATES Loving God with the Senses

Who Are We? Some Christians are moved by sensuous worship more than anything else. By sensuous we’re referring to the five senses of taste, touch, smell, sound, and sight. When we reduce worship to intellectual assent, we are forced to worship God in crippled existence. Ezekiel feels a wind, sees flashing lightning, hears the sound of wings, and is asked to eat a scroll that tastes sweet. After all this he sits down, stunned for 7 days. Ezekiel 1, 3 John is overwhelmed by loud trumpet voices, blazing eyes, and sounds of rushing waters as he writes to the 7 churches of Revelation. Sometimes experiencing God comes with overwhelming stimulation. This is a flashing glimpse of heaven. Christianity without beauty becomes a disembodied religion of the mind. Using our bodies to glorify God is a much better response than denying the role of the body in worship, and then turning around and using the body in areas that lead to sin.

What Are Our Pitfalls? WORSHIPING WITHOUT CONVICTION OR CONTENT: Words by be sung with no more emotion than placing an order for a Big Mac. Also, while we’re singing, the words we say don’t really matter. God knows it’s just a song, we think. Music can make us feign a commitment that just isn’t there, causing us to become callous, insincere believers.

IDOLIZING BEAUTY: Someone could leave a very beautiful liturgical service satisﬁed by the sensuous experience without having entered the true presence of God.

WORSHIPING WORSHIP: Sensory stimulation is not the same thing as a true commitment of the will. Be cautious of using your senses to worship worship.

Suggestions for the Road:

SOUND: “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name” Psalm 96. Use musical instruments – Psalms 147, 149, 150. Read the Scriptures out loud. We often have our hearts and thoughts challenged when we hear the Word of God.

SMELL: No incense offering will wipe out a single sin. However, incense isn’t used to ﬁnd favor with God, but to help us pray. It is a means, not an end.

TOUCH: Holding a paper clip while you pray could help you focus on a marriage that is falling apart; a rubber band could help you pray for a pliable heart. Carry a nail in your pocket on Good Friday to reafﬁrm your commitment.

SIGHT: Check out the religious art of Rembrandt and others. We may ﬁnd that looking at someone or a picture of someone while we pray for them increases our ability to pray.

TASTE: Taste some salt as you pray for your inﬂuence in a non-Christian environment. Jesus says He is the bread of life; remind yourself of this when you taste it.

105 TRADITIONALISTS Loving God Through Ritual and Symbol

Who are we? Many rightly fear a form of faith that has no substance so they stress, “Christianity is a relationship, not a religion.” We must remember that God invented and sometimes commanded religious practices. Religious practices are the way people embody spiritual truths. Abraham and Moses expressed their faith by building altars. God understands that our reaction to symbols often reveals our hearts’ reaction to him. If we’re flippant toward symbols, we’re often flippant toward what the symbol represents. Peter and John observed regular, set times of prayer. Paul willingly underwent the ritual of purification. The NT figures made it clear that no one will be saved through religion alone; but they also made it clear, by their example, that Christians can be nourished by certain religious practices.

What Are Our Pitfalls? SERVING GOD WITHOUT KNOWING GOD: Religion can serve faith, but it doesn’t substitute for faith, and it can never replace faith.

NEGLECTING SOCIAL OBLIGATIONS: It is not enough for us to cultivate holiness; we must reach out and minister to others. Amos 5:21-24. Jesus says that religion without substance is hypocrisy.

JUDGING OTHERS: Religious practice can powerfully enhance a person’s faith, but it can also destroy corporate faith if it is used to criticize, measure, or divide. Colossians 2:16-17.

REPEATING MECHANICALLY: Without attention ritual becomes an empty exercise that ﬁlls us with insincerity.

Suggestions for the Road: RITUAL: Find a special way to celebrate the religious holidays, i.e. Good Friday, Easter, Christmas, Pentecost. Place a reminder in your calendar. Read Scripture aloud. People in church history read Psalms 50, 62, 90, 103, & 140 daily or regularly. Read something from Pascal on November 23 the day he had a life-changing experience with God. Read Bonhoeffer on April 9 – the day of his martyrdom. Look up Augustine’s birthday and read him that day. Develop your own call to worship and repeat it frequently every month. Write and repeat your own prayers. Create an intercessory prayer list.

SYMBOL: Symbols help us to preserve a “moral memory” to help us live rightly. Some who have failed sexually can begin wearing a cross to remind them to stay pure. Others could wear a ring during certain periods of prayer to remind them to pray. Symbols from Christian art that you could place in your home include: anchor [hope]; arrow [martyrdom/pain]; banner [triumph]; circle [eternity]; crown [sovereignty]; lamp [wisdom]; square [earthly existence].

SACRIFICE: Fasting during Lent. Give up something permanently or dedicate something to the Lord’s use. Give your money sacriﬁcially.

106 ASCETICS Loving God in Solitude and Simplicity Who Are We? The ascetic temperament gravitates toward solitude, austerity, simplicity, and deep commitment. It represents believers who are not afraid of discipline, severity, and solitude. It is similar to the monastic lifestyle. Austere can mean morally strict, somber, grave, unadorned or simple. Most of our solitude is forced, not chosen, creating loneliness rather than spiritual intimacy with the Father. Ascetics, perhaps more than any of the other temperaments, must practice loving God. A Nazirite vow was taken by people for a period of time during which they abstained from alcohol, refrained from cutting their hair, and had no contact with a dead body. During a Nazirite vow these people were “set apart” for a special purpose. The vow was for a set period of time, then they could leave their solitude to fulfill the social obligations of their faith. John the Baptist lived a solitary and ascetic life. Jesus fasted for 40 days in solitude, and had moments of solitude during ministry. Mark 1:35; Matthew 26:36 Jesus taught prayer should be done in secret. Anyone who has been stretched in ministry knows that Jesus’ real battle over facing the cross was fought in Gethsemane. He finally won by choosing to be obedient. The devout are called to mourn, see: Lamentations, Daniel & Joel. Naturalists might go to a beautiful countryside; an Ascetic may seek a barren wasteland. While sensate Christians are often drawn to God through their senses, ascetic Christians are often distracted by their senses so they will try to shut them out. Christian asceticism doesn’t seek suffering or self-denial as an end, but as a means, as a way to love “something else that God might be loved more.” Ascetics stress deeds before words. True ascetics are strict with themselves but treat others with supernatural gentleness.

What Are Our Pitfalls? OVEREMPHASIZING PERSONAL PIETY: Instead of outward displays of piety, God calls people to administer true justice by showing mercy and compassion. “Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor” Zechariah 7:1-10. Our need for spiritual refreshment must be balanced with our obligation to reach out to others.

SEEKING PAIN FOR ITS OWN SAKE: Masochism is a sickness, not a spiritual path. Asceticism is a means to an end, never an end in itself.

SEEKING TO GAIN GOD’S FAVOR: It is futile to try to win God’s approval or forgiveness by developing an extraordinary holiness. There is nothing we can do that can make God love us any more. His love is absolute and His forgiveness is based on a prior work completed by Jesus, not our current spiritual practices.

Suggestions for the Road: SOLITUDE: Perhaps create a prayer room in your home. See if your church will give you keys to the sanctuary to get away and pray. Learn to live in detachment within society. Arrive early to work or class to be alone.

AUSTERITY: Be very simple. Susanna Wesley frequently pulled her apron over her head and prayed. Her kids learned not to bother her during that time.

STRICTNESS: Ascetics are strict only because they want to reserve their time and energy to passionately pursue God. Fast. Deny yourself some pleasure, entertainment, or comfort, and then focus on purity of mind and heart. You can fast from food entirely, just eat one light meal per day, or fast certain types of food. Some Christians have found the middle of the night to be one of their best times of prayer & worship. Rise earlier than normal one day per week. More important than losing sleep is being vigilant when others commonly are not. Try to be silent for a few hours at a time. Take a personal retreat for several hours, an afternoon, a day, weekend or a week at a time. Endure hardship rather than fight it; don’t choose to be pampered. Don’t demand to be warm when it is cold. When sickness, heat, cold, hunger, or tiredness come, you can either adopt a demanding spirit and stunt your spiritual growth, or embrace them, learn from them, and mature in you faith. Your attitude will make all the difference.

107 ACTIVISTS Loving God Through Confrontation Who Are We? Activists are spiritually nourished through the battle. John 4:34. “There is only one kind of person who can fight the Lord’s battles in anywhere near a proper way, and that is the person who by nature is unbelligerent. A belligerent person tends to do it because they are belligerent; at least it looks that way. The world must observe that, when we must differ with each other as true Christians, we do it not because we love the smell of blood, the smell of the arena, the smell of the bullfight, but because we must for God’s sake.” F. Schaeffer The fear involved in confrontation creates a certain dependence on God that isn’t normally there. Facing this fear, stepping out in faith, and finding God faithful as He meets you, can bring deeper intimacy with God. See: the life of Moses (Exodus, to start), Proverbs 24:11-12, Psalms 7, 68 & 140; Ezekiel 33:1-20 Activism can lead to emotional depletion; finding ways to be filled and renewed spiritually is necessary.

What Are Our Pitfalls? BECOMING JUDGMENTAL: Where activists often go wrong is assuming that the holier they become, the less able they’ll be to tolerate sinners. Maturity is evidenced by eagerness to see sin leave our lives, coupled with compassion toward other sinners. A self-righteous, critical attitude is not a reflection of the compassion of Christ. AMBITION AND SEX: There seems to be a direct spiritual relationship between the level of a person’s ambition and sexual temptation, especially in men. Ambition is often a fight against powerlessness and a fight for control. The ambitious person is also inherently selfish. The very qualities that help you succeed as an activist may tempt you to fail as a Christian. Ambition coupled with secrecy is a fertile ground for sexual sin; throw in fatigue, and you are almost certain to embarrass yourself and the ministry God has given you. The activist needs honest accountability. ELITISM AND RESENTMENT: An activist may enjoy confrontation and not understand why others may fear it. They also have little appreciation for other spiritual gifts or callings. They can condemn others for their lack of activism. PREOCCUPATION WITH ACTIVITY AND STATISTICS: For an activist, we must leave the results to God or we’ll be consumed and driven by success rather than by the Holy Spirit. Beware; some activists just cannot accept defeat. When God first gave Moses his commission, Moses said, “Who am I, that I should...bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” God’s response was an implicit rebuke against such self-sufficiency. God said simply, “I will be with you.” In other words, it doesn’t matter who you are, Moses; what matters is who is sending you. Habakkuk is a good warning to activists. God seems to be accused more that he is petitioned, as if Habby was more concerned about Justice than God Himself. You must stand on a stool with three legs: sincerity, effort, and thoughtful prayer.

LACK OF EMPHASIS ON PERSONAL SANCTITY: Make sure you examine yourself before God. Matthew 7:2-4.

Suggestions for the Road: WRITING: Many writers have changed the destinies of millions through the written word, i.e. Harriet Beecher Stowe.

SOCIAL REFORM: John Wesley said there is “no holiness but social holiness...and to turn Christianity into a solitary religion is to destroy it.” Charles Finney refused to baptize Christians who still believed in slavery. The Bible calls for us to reach out to less fortunate – James 1:27; Matthew 25:35-36. While others may disagree, we ﬁrst must be fully informed; then prayerfully decisive; third, fully involved. Activists must also actively confront error and evil. Sometimes truth equals confrontation.

PRAYER AND ACTIVISTS: Of all the pathways, prayer is crucial to the activist. Cultivate an active prayer life! Prayer Walks: Intercede for a dorm ﬂoor or classroom building by walking around it in silent prayer. Spread a map in front of you and pray for unreached people groups. Pray with your Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other.

PROCESSIONS: Here large numbers of Christians gather to march in celebration of Jesus. This was very popular during the Baroque period 1550-1750. 108 CAREGIVERS Loving God by Loving Others

Who are we? Caring for others is a prophetic activity. Self-centered creatures that we are, being concerned about others is an unnatural response and provides evidence of a supernatural touch by God. The parable of the Good Samaritan reminds us that attending to ‘spiritual concerns’ is no excuse for refusing to get our hands dirty. “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” 1 John 3:17 “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4 “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you helped his people and continue to help them.” Hebrews 6:10 “Pure and faultless” religion is looking after orphans and widows in their distress. James 1:27 The writers of the NT leave us without any doubt as to the importance of loving God by loving those he made.

What Are Our Pitfalls? JUDGING: Remember the lesson of Martha & Mary. Caregiving is not a license to judge others who serve God in different ways. True, all Christians are called to care for others, but there are different ways this obligation can be fulﬁlled, and it is not for us to judge the validity of someone else’s worship.

SERVING OURSELVES THROUGH SERVING OTHERS: Some people with esteem problems feel a need to serve others for self-validation. When caregiving becomes an act of taking, an act of deception, it is done so others will love or need them in return. NEGLECTING THOSE CLOSEST TO US: In our zeal to love others, we must remember that God makes home the priority. See 1 Timothy 5:8 Don’t neglect your family while you save the world.

Suggestions for the Road: The caregiver temperament incorporates many different avenues of loving God through serving others: Nursing sick people Visiting the elderly Volunteer rescue unit Repairing a house “adopting” a prisoner Helping a friend through a personal crisis Lending money Help someone battle substance abuse Helping an illiterate person learn to read Donating time at a battered women’s shelter Counseling at a pregnancy care center Working in a soup kitchen Fixing somebody’s car Repairing a house Making recordings for the blind Researching a cure for a disease Helping somebody reconfigure their computer Watching the children of some tired parents Giving free cookies out on campus Raking leaves of elderly Providing free firewood for needy Shovel snow Remove trash from dorm rooms on your floor

109 ENTHUSIASTS Loving God with Mystery and Celebration Who Are We? Enthusiasts enjoy celebratory worship as well as many of the more supernatural forms of faith. People with this spiritual temperament like to let go and experience God on the precipice of excitement and awe. We worship and serve a supernatural God who manifests himself to us in supernatural ways. In a cynical and depressed world, enthusiasts point toward faith, mystery, and expectancy. When the situation seems impossible, enthusiasts say, “Now God’s really going to move!” It is a sinful tendency to lapse into a practical “atheism,” believing in God, but not expecting him to move in supernatural ways. Sometimes we may be using a gift God has given us and say something that sounds profound and then think, “Where in the world did that come from?” Sometimes a prayer is answered in a way that makes coincidence seem impossible. Celebration has a wide background in Scripture. A person’s reluctance to celebrate enthusiastically is more a personal foible than a sign of maturity. Remember, celebratory worship must still include reverence.

What Are Our Pitfalls? SEEKING EXPERIENCES FOR EXPERIENCES’ SAKE: Beware – many spiritual manifestations are expressly forbidden for a Christian, see Duet. 18:10-12. Be careful to remain true to seeking God rather than searching for new experiences. To demand that God answer all our prayers with a “yes” is to ask for his omnipotence [power] without having the beneﬁt of his omniscience [knowledge].

BEING INDEPENDENT: Enthusiasts need to be rooted in a strong church to help them interpret their encounters with God.

EQUATING “GOOD FEELINGS” WITH “GOOD WORSHIP”: Feelings come and go. Enthusiasts shouldn’t apologize for enjoying them, but they should avoid becoming dependent upon them.

Suggestions for the Road: For some who have lost their ability to celebrate, spending time with children might be a good way to recapture the joy and wonder of your faith. You should never accept a dream that clashes with the revelation of Scripture. Also, never make a major decision based solely on a dream. However, you may find that God can bring insight into a situation, or give you a warning, when you are open to receiving something in a dream. Expect God to give you specific answers to specific prayers. Believe God to heal or respond in a supernatural way in real situations in your life. Step out in faith. Whether it’s building a business, writing a poem, planting a garden, painting a picture, creating something can be a profoundly holy experience.

110 CONTEMPLATIVES Loving God Through Adoration Who Are We? The contemplative seeks to perform the ﬁrst work of adoring God. God is known and described as the heavenly spouse in whom all the contemplative’s delight is met. While some seek to serve the Lord, others seek to celebrate him, and still others seek to explain him, the contemplative seeks to gaze lovingly into God’s face and be caught up in the rapture of a lover’s experience. They want to enjoy God and learn to love him in ever deeper ways. A contemplative reminds us that God seeks a passionate love that is so strong it burns all other bonds. See Duet. 7:7-8 & Psalm 63 They can be misunderstood. Martha, a caregiver, was rebuked not for performing service, but for judging Mary, a contemplative. “The fact remains that contemplation will not be given to those who willfully remain at a distance from God, who conﬁne their interior life to a few routine exercises of piety and a few external acts of worship and service performed as a matter of duty... God does not manifest Himself to these souls because they do not seek Him with any real desire.” – Thomas Merton “There are so many Christians who have practically no idea of the immense love of God for them, and of the power of that Love to do them good, to bring them happiness.” – Merton But contemplatives live for this love. Contemplatives remind us of a startling fact: There is one thing that each individual Christian can do that nobody else can: give our personal love and affection to God.

What Are Our Pitfalls? LOSING BALANCE: Beware that your love for God is precluding enjoying the company of others or something God has made.

CREATING A VACUUM: Be cautious of practices that speak of emptying yourself and creating a vacuum. A Christian wants to be ﬁlled with the Holy Spirit, not emptied out.

Suggestions for the Road: THE JESUS PRAYER: Through history, contemplatives made great use of the “Jesus Prayer,” that goes like this: “Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” The purpose of the Jesus Prayer is to practice the presence of God. When you are anxious, frightened, uptight, spiritually dry, or being tempted, the Jesus prayer calls you to a humble reliance on God.

SECRET ACTS OF DEVOTION: A secret act of devotion is something you do – giving an anonymous gift, helping out someone “behind the scenes,” sending a card – without letting anyone, even the person who beneﬁts, know you had anything to do with it. The importance of secrecy is that it ensures that you are doing it for the love of God – only. Examples include: Anonymous gift of cash to someone in need Poem written to God, then burned Song sung only in the presence of God Intensive, intercessory prayer with fasting A symbol of your love for God, which you carry in your pocket or wear as a necklace or ring

CENTERING PRAYER: Choose a word [i.e. Jesus or Father, etc.] as a focus for contemplative prayer. Repeat the word silently in your mind for a set amount of time [say, 15 minutes]. Fill you mind with thoughts of Jesus, or love, joy, or peace. The goal is not to create a spiritual experience, but to simply rest in and enjoy the presence of God.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS: Simply read through the events of Christ’s cruciﬁxion, i.e. death sentence given to Jesus, Gethsemane, women mourning for Jesus, being stripped, beaten, mocked, nailed, Jesus speaking to John about Mary, dying, removed from cross, laid in tomb. At each point pause and picture the truth of Scripture this episode highlights. 111 INTELLECTUALS Loving God with the Mind

Who Are We? When intellectual’s minds are awakened, when they understand something new about God or his ways with his children, then their adoration is unleashed. If they are not learning new things about God their relationship with Him feels stagnant. Intellectual pursuit has played a key role in advancing God’s work. The early church was so successful in its witness to the pagan world not only because they outlived and out- died the world, but they out-thought it. See: Psalm 49:1-4; Proverbs 1:5-7 Right thinking – conforming our thoughts to the thoughts of God – enables right living. A vast majority of the difﬁculties Christians experience in life is caused because we don’t understand the Scriptures well enough.

What Are Our Pitfalls? LOVING CONTROVERSY: See: 1 Timothy 1:4, 6:4-5; 2 Timothy 2:23-25 Discussions aimed at defeating rather than caring for the welfare of the other person is not godly.

KNOWING RATHER THAN DOING: Knowing what is right is not a substitute for doing what is right. According to the book of Proverbs, the truly wise person is someone who actively applies the ways of righteousness which they have studied.

BEING PROUD: Pride is a common failing among intellectuals. It is demonstrated by the common desire to correct virtually everyone.

Suggestions for the Road: Consider getting a MA from a seminary after undergrad studies. Many seminaries offer one-week courses during the summer – this could set your study agenda for the entire year following. Think how much stronger you’d be as a Christian if you picked one topic a year for in-depth study. Many courses are available through audio or video formats. What are the ﬁve basic building blocks for a Christian mind? - church history, biblical studies, systematic theology, ethics, and apologetics.

112 End Material from Week Three: Modeling Jesus

Recommended Activities to reﬂect His Character in all areas of life. Using the Bible. The activities for this section focus on reading, studying, and memorizing sections of the Bible. The Bible is God’s revelation of himself to the world. Therefore, to understand the Character of God and His son, we must learn and obey the Bible.

1. Reading Scripture. Using a reading plan from the Bible to deepen your knowledge about God and His will for all of us. 2. Study the Bible. Devoting time and attention to learning about God and His will for all of us so that you can know Him and obey Him more completely. 3. Memorization of Scriptures about God’s Teaching. Memorizing verses from the Bible that speciﬁcally describe the teachings of God so that we may learn how to obey Him better.

CHOOSING AN ACTIVITY TO BE LEARNING AND OBEYING THE BIBLE

* See page iii for an explanation of what is meant by crawl, walk and run activities

Activity #1: Reading Scripture Crawl Activities ...... 114 Walk Activities ...... 115 Run Activities ...... 117

Activity #2: Study the Bible • Tips for Studying the Bible ...... 118 Crawl Activities ...... 119 Walk Activities ...... 120 Run Activities ...... 121

Activity #3: Memorization of Scriptures about God’s Teaching • Tips for Memorizing Scripture ...... 124 Crawl Activities ...... 125 Walk Activities ...... 126 Run Activities ...... 128

113 Activity #1: Reading Scripture. Using a reading plan from the Bible to deepen your knowledge about God and His will for all of us. F best if done on a daily basis

To obey God’s Word (the Bible) you must learn God’s Word. The best way to learn God’s Word is to read it. There are multiple reading and studying plans for the Bible. Some are listed below. This is not an exhaustive list. You can certainly choose any book of the Bible to read. It is highly recommended that you: • Set aside time each day to spend in God’s Word. • Have a plan. You will learn more and be more committed with a systematic plan. Suggested options to choose from:

Crawl Activities for Reading Scripture (just getting started as a disciple, wanting to go back to the basics or to try something different)

1. Read through Proverbs in a month. There are 31 chapters in Proverbs, so you would read a Proverb a day.

2. Read one of the gospels in a month. Select one of the four gospels to read. Each has less than 30 chapters, so you can easily get through any of them in a month. Here is the number of chapters in each gospel: Matthew = 28; Mark = 16; Luke = 24; John = 21.

3. Read through the book of Acts in month. The book of Acts is an important book because it tells how the church started and grew. There are 28 chapters, so by reading one chapter per day you can read through this book in a month.

4. Read through the Psalms. There are 150 chapters in Psalms so this can be done a couple of different ways: • In 5 months: Read a Psalm a day every day.

• In a year: Read an average of one Psalm every 2-3 days

5. Read through the New Testament in a year. Start in Matthew and read through to the end of Revelation. There are 260 chapters in the New Testament, so this would mean reading 5 chapters per week.

114 6. Survey Bible Reading Plan for two months. In this plan you would read a sample of every book of the Bible for 61 days following the plan below:

Day Today's Scripture Reading Day Today's Scripture Reading ¨ Day 1 Genesis 1-3, 12, 15, 22 ¨ Day 32 Hosea 1-4 and Joel 2 ¨ Day 2 Exodus 1-5 ¨ Day 33 Amos 3, Obadiah, and Jonah 1 ¨ Day 3 Exodus 12-14, 20 ¨ Day 34 Micah 1-2 and Nahum 1 ¨ Day 4 Leviticus 1, 10, 16, 25 ¨ Day 35 Habakkuk 1, Zephaniah 3, Haggai ¨ Day 5 Numbers 3-4, 6, 11-14 ¨ Day 36 Zechariah 1-2 and Malachi 1 ¨ Day 6 Deuteronomy 5-8, 28-31, 34 ¨ Day 37 Matthew 1-2, 5-7 ¨ Day 7 Joshua 1-6, 23-24 ¨ Day 38 Matthew 17, 26-28 ¨ Day 8 Judges 1-4, 13-16 ¨ Day 39 Mark 1-4, 10, 15-16 ¨ Day 9 Ruth 1-4 ¨ Day 40 Luke 1-2, 4-6 ¨ Day 10 1 Samuel 7-10, 12 ¨ Day 41 Luke 8-10, 22-24 ¨ Day 11 1 Samuel 15-20, 28, 31 ¨ Day 42 John 1, 3-4 ¨ Day 12 2 Samuel 5-8, 11-13, 15, 18 ¨ Day 43 John 13-17, 19-21 ¨ Day 13 1 Kings 3, 6-12 ¨ Day 44 Acts 1-4 ¨ Day 14 1 Kings 17-19, 21 ¨ Day 45 Acts 8-10, 12-15 ¨ Day 15 2 Kings 1-2, 6-7, 11-12 ¨ Day 46 Romans 5-8, 12 ¨ Day 16 2 Kings 17-23 ¨ Day 47 1 Corinthians 1-2, 13 ¨ Day 17 1 Chronicles 15-17, 21-22, 28-29 ¨ Day 48 2 Corinthians 4-5, 8-9 ¨ Day 18 2 Chronicles 5-10, 14-16 ¨ Day 49 Galatians 5-6 ¨ Day 19 2 Chronicles 24-26, 29-35 ¨ Day 50 Ephesians 4-6 ¨ Day 20 Ezra 3, 6-7 ¨ Day 51 Philippians 2, 4 ¨ Day 21 Nehemiah 1-2, 4, 6 ¨ Day 52 Colossians 1, 4 ¨ Day 22 Esther 1-4 ¨ Day 53 1 Thessalonians 2, 4 and 2 Thess. 3 ¨ Day 23 Job 1-3, 38-42 ¨ Day 54 1 Timothy 1, 3 ¨ Day 24 Psalms 1, 8, 19, 23 ¨ Day 55 2 Timothy 3-4 ¨ Day 25 Psalms 51, 100, 103, 139 ¨ Day 56 Titus 2 and Philemon ¨ Day 26 Proverbs 1-3 ¨ Day 57 Hebrews 10-13 ¨ Day 27 Ecclesiastes 1-5, 12 & Songs 1-2 ¨ Day 58 James 1-3 ¨ Day 28 Isaiah 1-2, 6, 40, 52-55 ¨ Day 59 1 Peter 1, 5 and 2 Peter 1 ¨ Day 29 Jeremiah 1-5 and Lamentations 3 ¨ Day 60 1 John 1-2, 2 John, and 3 John ¨ Day 30 Ezekiel 1-3, 18, 33 ¨ Day 61 Jude, Revelation 19-22 ¨ Day 31 Daniel 1-2, 4-6

Walk Activities for Reading Scripture (been growing for some time as a disciple or ready for a new challenge)

1. Read through the Old Testament in a year. There are 929 chapters in the Old Testament. So if you started with Genesis and read through to the end of Malachi, reading 2½ chapters per day or about 18 chapters per week, you would ﬁnish in a year.

2. Read through the Bible in a year. There are 1189 chapters in the Bible. So if you started at the beginning with Genesis and read through to the end of Revelation, reading 3-4 chapters per day or about 23 chapters per week, you would ﬁnish in a year. 115 3. The A-C-T-S method for reading and praying scripture. With this plan, you would read a chapter of the Bible each day and then pray by taking your items for prayer from that text by using the A.C.T.S. acronym. Where:

A = Adoration: ﬁnd an attribute of God that you are led to praise and adore Him for. C = Confession: choose a section of the text that convicted you and confess your failures to God. T = Thanksgiving: use the text to thank God for His blessings. S = Supplication: use the text to pray for the needs of yourself and others.

It is suggested that you read systematically through one book of the Bible at a time with this method. You can use any book, but it is recommended that you start out with one of the New Testament letters or one of the gospels to get started. Here are instructions on how to do this: • Read through the chapter looking for something to praise God for (an attribute of God, a name of God, something God has done). Then spend time praising Him for that. • Read through the chapter asking for God to show you something to confess. It could be a command that you are not following. It could be the mention of a sin. Confess that sin to God and then seek restoration with Him. • Read the chapter a third time, this time looking for something of which to thank God. It may be a promise, something He has done, or the mention of a blessing. Use that to offer thanksgiving up to God. • Finally, read the chapter one last time, asking God to reveal something He wants you to become or to do. Spend time asking God to make that happen in your life.

Here’s an example from the Mark 1: Adoration – “Jesus Christ, the Son of God” from v. 1 Worship Jesus each of these titles given here: Jesus means “salvation”; Christ means “Messiah” or “Anointed One”; Son of God means He is God Confession – “repent” from v. 15 - Ask God to show you what specific sins you need to repent of. Then confess those sins and ask God to forgive you. Make a commitment to change. Thanksgiving – “I will make you fishers of men” from v. 17 - Thank God that we have a role to play in His kingdom, that God considers us worthy to spread the good news about salvation through Jesus so that others may also become His disciples. Supplication – “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.” - Ask to have a prayer life more like Jesus – a first priority.

4. Read a book to cultivate a love for God’s Word.

• Loving God’s Word: 7 Strategies for Slaying Bible Apathy by Seth Kniep Bible apathy is a contagious malady in today's modern culture. In Loving God's Word, Seth Kniep presents Scripture to slay the dreaded enemy. He outlines 7 strategies from Psalm 119 from

116 Psalm 119 that are inspiring and practical to invigorate the believer to a greater love for God's Word.

• Welcome to the Story: Reading, Loving, and Living God's Word by Stephen Nichols Has your Bible reading become more perfunctory than passionate? Welcome to the Story will help you experience the beauty and truth of the Bible in a fresh way. Rediscover the characters, the grand scheme of redemption, heartache, toil and love that make up the dynamic Word of God.

Run Activities for Reading Scripture (for long-time disciples or for those who are seeking to go much deeper in their discipleship)

1. Read through the Bible in a year. Start with Genesis and read through to the end of Revelation

2. Read from the Prophets. The prophets are some of the most neglected books of the Bible. Yet they are ﬁlled with descriptions of God and reveal His heart for His people to turn away from sin and walk in righteousness. They have great application for us today. Some of the longer prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel) can be read in one month by reading 1-2 chapters per day. You can read through the Minor Prophets (Hosea through Malachi) in the same time period. Daniel can easily be read in a month.

3. Read through the General Epistles. These are the letters of Hebrews, James, I & II Peter, I – III John, and Jude. These can be read in a month by reading about one chapter per day.

4. Read Revelation. Don’t worry about trying to ﬁgure out what every vision or beast means. Read to get a picture of the victorious Christ and His followers.

117 Activity #2: Study the Bible. Devoting time and attention to learning about God and His will for all of us so that you can know Him and obey Him more completely. F best if done on a weekly basis Tips for studying the Bible. Studying the Bible is a more intensive activity than reading it. It involves three main activities: reading the Bible, interpreting it, and applying it to your life.

Reading the Bible. Begin your Bible study time with prayer, asking God to give you spiritual understanding. As you read, ask yourself, “What is this passage saying?” Look at the context, the setting in which the passage occurs. The context includes: • the verses immediately before and after the verse you are reading

• the paragraph and book in which the passage occurs

• the cultural and historical environment in which the passage was written While you read, look for key words and phrases and take note of the 5 W’s and the H – who, what, where, when, why, and how.

Interpreting the Bible. This involves ﬁnding out what the passage means. To help you interpret the Bible, follow these three rules: 1) Seek to understand the writer’s intent

2) Seek to understand the meaning of the words

3) Determine the literary form (e.g., law, history, poetry, teaching, prophecy)

Applying the Bible to your life. Bible study is not complete until you apply it and determine what difference it should make in your life. To help you apply the Bible to your life, ask yourself these questions: • Is there a truth I need to take hold of?

• Is there something I need to thank or praise God for?

• Is there a command I need to obey?

• Is there a sin I need to confess and put out of my life?

• Is there an attitude I need to develop?

Bible Study Tools. The following resources may help you as you study the Bible: 1) A study Bible like the Thompson Chain Reference Bible or the NIV Study Bible

2) Different translations of the Bible: • New American Standard Bible (NASB) for verbal accuracy (following the Greek or Hebrew text word-for-word as closely as possible)

118 • New International Version (NIV) or Revised Standard Version (RSV) for concept accuracy (an accurate rendition of the thoughts or concepts of Scripture) • The Message or Living Bible for a paraphrase (concepts are extended and elaborated to ensure they are well-communicated) • King James Bible for a beautiful literary style (but based on Greek texts that are inferior to ones we have today)

3) Commentaries like the New International Commentary on the New Testament or commentaries for speciﬁc books of the Bible.

4) Concordances like Strong’s The Exhaustive Concordance to the Bible, which lists the verses in which a particular word is used; especially helpful for word study and when you want to ﬁnd out where and how a word is used throughout the whole Bible.

5) Bible dictionaries like New Bible Dictionary or Harper’s Bible Dictionary, which list and explain nouns found in the Bible (persons, places, and things) and provide information about historical and cultural background.

6) Bible atlases like the Macmillan Bible Atlas or Harper’s Bible Atlas, which puts the Bible on the map.

7) Online Resources • http://www.biblegateway.com • http://www.biblestudytools.com/ • http://www.e-sword.net

Crawl Activities for Studying the Bible. (just getting started as a disciple, wanting to go back to the basics or to try something different)

Crawl activities for Studying the Bible (just getting started as a disciple) 1. Books of the Bible (study on your own or use a study book) • One of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke or John)

• I John

• James

• Philippians

2. Studies of basic Christian doctrines • Basic Christianity by John Stott

• Christian Beliefs by Stephen Eyre

119 • Know Why You Believe by Paul Little

• Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis (Recommended by Jonathan Willmore)

• Simply Christian by N. T. Wright (Recommended by Jonathan Willmore)

• Studies from the Christian Basics Bible Studies series

• DVDs from the Basic video series (David C. Cook/Francis Chan)

Walk Activities for Studying the Bible (been growing for some time as a disciple or ready for a new challenge)

1. Books of the Bible (study on your own or use a study book) • Genesis

• One of the Historical Books of the Old Testament

⇒ Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther

• One of the Poetic Books of the Old Testament

⇒ Psalms, Proverbs • Romans

• Paul’s Epistles

⇒ Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus

2. Study guides from these series: • Lifeguide Bible Study Series

• Wiersbe Bible Study Series

• Max Lucado’s Life Lessons Topical Series

• LifeTogether Series

3. Self-directed topical Bible Study – choose a topic for study (ex. “Prayer”) and search it using one of several methods. Don’t forget to try synonyms of the word. • Use an exhaustive Bible concordance

• Enter a Keyword Search on www.Biblegateway.com

• Search the word on Bible software or apps.

120 • Use the Topical Bible Study sheet located at the end of this section.

4. Read a book on how to better understand the Bible • How to Read the Bible for All It’s Worth by Gordon Fee Understanding the Bible isn't for the few, the gifted, the scholarly. The Bible is accessible. It's meant to be read and comprehended by everyone from armchair readers to seminary students. A few essential insights into the Bible can clear up a lot of misconceptions and help you grasp the meaning of Scripture and its application to your 21st-century life. In clear, simple language, it helps you accurately understand the different parts of the Bible---their meaning for ancient audiences and their implications for you today---so you can uncover the inexhaustible worth that is in God's Word.

• Scripture and the Authority of God by N. T. Wright. In Scripture and the Authority of God: How to Read the Bible Today, Widely respected Bible and Jesus scholar, N. T. Wright gives new life to the old, tattered doctrine of the authority of scripture, delivering a fresh, helpful, and concise statement on the current “battles for the Bible,” and restoring scripture as the primary place to ﬁnd God’s voice. In this revised and expanded version of The Last Word, leading biblical scholar N. T. Wright shows how both evangelicals and liberals are guilty of misreading Scripture and reveals a new model for understanding God’s authority and the Bible.

Run Activities for Studying the Bible (for long-time disciples or for those who are seeking to go much deeper in their discipleship)

1. Books of the Bible (study on your own or use a study book) • One of the Poetic Books of the Old Testament: Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs

• One of the Prophetic Books of the Old Testament: Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea

• 1 Corinthians

• Hebrews

• 1 & 2 Peter

• Revelation

2. Study guides from these series: • LifeChange Bible Study series

• NLT Life Application Bible Studies

121 3. Self-directed topical Bible Study – choose a topic for study (ex. “Prayer”) and search it using one of several methods. Don’t forget to try synonyms of the word. • Use an exhaustive Bible concordance

• Enter a Keyword Search on www.Biblegateway.com

• Search the word on Bible software or apps.

• Use the Topical Bible Study sheet located at the end of this section.

Topical Bible Study

Possible Format: Look up a word using a topical Bible, a concordance or an online resource. Write down the verses where that word or concept is using. Look up those verses or print them off if you are using an online resource. Read through them, study the verses, compare how the word is used. Keep a notebook and pen handy (or type it onto your computer) as you read. What do you learn? Can you summarize what the Bible says about that topic? Here are verses that you would look up to study a few of the suggested topics: Anger Job 5:2, Psalms 37:8, Proverbs 12:16, 14:29, 15:1, 15:8, 16:32, 19:11, 19:19, 21:19, 22:24, 25:28, 27:3-4, 29:8, 29:22, Ecclesiastes 7:9, Matthew 5:22, Romans 12:19, Ephesians 4:26, 4:31, 6:4, Colossians 3:8, 3:21, Titus 1:7, James 1:19

Baptism Matthew 3:11, 28:19-20, John 3:3-6, Acts 2:38, 8:36-38, 22:16, Romans 6:3-4, I Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:27-28, Ephesians 4:5, I Peter 3:20-21

Christian Conduct Deuteronomy 6:5, Psalms 1:1, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Micah 6:8, Habakkuk 3:18, Matthew 5:39-41,48, 22:37, John 6:29, 13:14-15, 14:21, 15:12-14, 21:15, Romans 6:4,18, 12:20, 14:8, I Corinthians 13:1-13, 15:58, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Galatians 5:25, 6:2, Ephesians 4:1, 5:8, Philippians 1:27, 4:4,8,11 Colossians 3:5, I Thessalonians 5:2,14, II Thessalonians 3:6, I Timothy 6:11, Titus 2:11-12, Hebrews 12:1, James 1:19, I Peter 1:7-8, 2:17, I John 3:23, 5:2-5,

Holiness Leviticus 19:2, 20:7, Psalms 24:3-4, Isaiah 35:8, John 15:4,8, Romans 6:13,19, 8:29, 12:1-2, II Corinthians 7:1, Ephesians 1:4, 4:24, 5:8, Philippians 1:11, Colossians 1:22, II Timothy 1:9, 3:16-17, Titus 2:11-12, Hebrews 3:1, 12:14, I Peter 1:15, I John 2:6

122 Some Possible Topical Bible Study Topics

Anger Meekness Seeking God Baptism Mercy Self Denial Business Missionaries Self Righteousness Christian Conduct Money Selﬁshness Contentment Music Simplicity Disobedience to God New Birth Sincerity Divorce Obedience to God Slander Drunkenness Parents Sobriety Faithfulness Patience Steadfastness Fasting Peace Swearing Falsely Gluttony Persecution Temptation Hatred Perseverance Thanksgiving Holiness Poor Tithing Humility Praise Trust Hypocrisy Pride Truth Idleness (Slothfulness) Procrastination Unbelief Joy Repentance Vanity Justice Revenge Vows Christian Liberty Righteousness Waiting on God Love to Man Salvation Works Lying Sanctiﬁcation Zeal Marriage Scriptures Martyrdom Second Coming of Christ

123 Activity #3: Memorization of Scriptures about God’s teaching. Memorizing verses from the Bible that speciﬁcally describe the teachings of God so that we may learn how to obey Him better. Fbest if done on a daily basis

“I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalms 119:11)

A critical weapon in our war against Satan is scripture memorization. To obey God’s Word (the Bible), you must carry it with you—in your head and in your heart. There are thousands of memory verses. Any verse the Holy Spirit uses to convict or inspire you can and should be a memory verse. Some popular passages are listed below.

124 Crawl Activities for Memorization of Scriptures about God’s Teaching (just getting started as a disciple, wanting to go back to the basics or to try something different) v II Chronicles 7:14 – If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. v Psalm 139:14 – I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. v Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. v Micah 6:8 – He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. v Matthew 6:33-34 – But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. v Matthew 28:18-20 –Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” v Mark 12:30-31 –Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these. v John 3:16-17 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. v John 13:34-35 – A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. v John 14:1-3 – Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. v John 14:6 – Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” v Romans 1:16-17 –I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” v II Corinthians 9:6-7 – Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

125 v Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. v Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. v Ephesians 2:8-9 – For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. v Philippians 4:4-7 – Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. v II Timothy 3:16-17 –All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. v Titus 2:11-14 –For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. v Hebrews 10:25 – Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. v Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. v Hebrews 12:2 – Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. v James 1:19-21 –My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. v James 4:7 – Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. v I John 1:8-9 – If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Walk Activities for Memorization of Scriptures about God’s Teaching (been growing for some time as a disciple or ready for a new challenge) v Psalm 23 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 126 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overﬂows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. v The Romans Road. These verses can be helpful tools for leading others to Christ: • Romans 3:10 – As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;” • 3:23 – for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, • 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. • 5:8 – But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. • 10:9-10 – That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justiﬁed, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. • 6:3-4 – Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

v The Love Chapter (I Corinthians 13) 1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the ﬂames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reﬂection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. v The Ten Commandments (from Exodus 20:1-17) 1) 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 2) 4 “You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below 3) 7 “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God 127 4) 8 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy 5) 12 “Honor your father and your mother 6) 13 “You shall not murder. 7) 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 8) 15 “You shall not steal. 9) 16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 10)17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

v The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be ﬁlled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Run Activities for Memorization of Scriptures about God’s Teaching (for long-time disciples or for those who are seeking to go much deeper in their discipleship)

If you are ready for this challenge, then it is suggested that you start memorizing whole chapters from the Bible. There are many you could choose to memorize; here are but a few suggestions: v Genesis 1 – the creation account v Job 40 – God declaring His sovereignty v Psalm 1 – the man who delights in the LORD v Psalm 19 – “the heavens declare the glory of God” & “the law of the LORD is perfect” v Psalm 27 – a psalm of great assurance v Psalm 32 – a psalm of repentance v Psalm 42 – a psalm of trust in God v Psalm 46 – “God is our refuge” v Psalm 51 – a psalm of repentance and restoration 128 v Psalm 63 – a heart seeking after God v Psalm 93, 95 & 96 – psalms of praise v Psalm 100 – a psalm of thanksgiving v Psalm 121 – “I lift up my eyes to the hills” v Psalms 136 – “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever” v Isaiah 40 – a golden text about the greatness of our God v Isaiah 53 – the suffering servant v Matthew 5:1 – 7:29 – The Sermon on the Mount v Romans 8 – “If God is for us, who can be against us?” v Romans 12 – spiritual gifts and highly practical verses v Ephesians 1 – our blessings in Christ v Philippians 3 and/or 4 – great words of encouragement and power v Colossians 1 – a powerful prayer and the pre-eminence of Christ v I Timothy 4 or 6 – very practical words v Hebrews 9 – the once-for-all sacriﬁce of Jesus v Hebrews 11 – the hall of fame of faith v I John 4 – Love one another v You may even want to begin memorizing whole books of the Bible. Maybe start with one of the shorter letters like Philippians or James.

129

Activities for Week Four: Serving Jesus

Suggested Activities to be demonstrating God’s love: It is difficult to anticipate every possible activity one could be actively involved in to be demonstrating love for others. Below we have listed some suggestions for you to try, or to get your mind thinking. This list is by no means an exhaustive list. A good place to start is to pray this prayer until God answers it: Heavenly Father, open my eyes to show me how You want me to love others. Some may be done daily, others weekly, others once per month. You decide what is best per your schedule and the activity. Be willing to get out of your comfort zone.

1. Perform a random act of kindness for someone. This can be for someone you know or for total strangers. A random act of kindness is defined as a selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or bless an individual or group of people. There will generally be no reason other than to make people smile or to be blessed. These deeds can be spontaneous or planned in advance, done openly or anonymously. Here are ideas to help prime the pump in your thinking. But don’t limit yourself just to these! Have fun with this! Make the world a better place. • Let someone in front of you in line at the bank or store. • Give a compliment about your waiter or waitress to their manager. • Take a cart into the store on your way in and put it away. • Let someone merge into your lane of traffic. • Pick up some rubbish on the sidewalk, in the grass, or in the road which isn’t yours. • Put some coins in someone else’s parking meter that is about to expire. • Leave a big tip at a restaurant. • Clear your neighbor’s drive after a snow or rake their leaves in the fall

2. Focus on one person who has fallen on some hard times or is going through a rough time. It may be a time of unemployment, loss of a family member, divorce, problem with children, etc. What can you do to love them for the next 30, 60 or 90 days? How can God let His love flow through your life into their life? Your goal should be to do something for them at least once per week

3. Set aside a portion of money each week in a “spontaneous” fund to be used when you hear of someone in need.

4. Adopt a family to bless at Christmas. Save money for it through the year, or do that as a family instead of giving gifts to each other.

5. Invite someone who has no family over to share with you in whatever holiday activity you are doing. You can do this over the course of the year. Invite the same person/ family or a different one each holiday.

6. Treat a Minister or and Elder and their family out to lunch and pay for their meal.

131 7. Find a service opportunity at church. After each suggestion is a blank. Ask your small group leader for the name of the contact person if you are interested in a specific area of service. Write that person’s name then in the blank for you to contact later. Certain jobs around the church require a screening or application process by the ministry team leader before service can begin. For Example, anyone wishing to serve on the praise team needs to have a tryout and several sessions of practice before they can play on sunday. Those who work with children need to pass background checks. etc. • Serve in the Greeting Ministry on Sunday mornings ______• Prepare communion for Sunday mornings ______• Serve by playing in the Sunday morning worship band ______• Serve as a Children’s Ministry worker ______• Serve as a Children’s Ministry teacher ______• Serve as a Student Ministry worker ______• Serve as a Student Ministry Leader ______• Serve as an adult Small Group assistant, working towards becoming a Small Group Leader ______• Serve in the Basketball ministry that occurs during the winter months ______• Serve by singing in our Sunday morning praise team ______• Serve in our Building and Grounds Ministry ______

8. If you are married, read the book Love Dare to demonstrate love to your spouse. Don’t announce it, just do it – for the next 40 days commit to focus on loving your spouse unconditionally; by Stephen and Alex Kendrick. (40 day exercise)

This book, featured in the new movie Fireproof starring Kirk Cameron, is a forty-day guided devotional experience that will lead your heart back to truly loving your spouse while learning more about the design, nature, and source of true love. Too many marriages end when someone says "I don't love you anymore." The Love Dare discusses how such a statement reveals a lack of understanding about the fundamental nature of true love. Each reading includes Scripture, a statement of principle, the day's "dare," and a journaling area and check box to chart progress.

9. Determine to bless our local first responders. Take a meal or some treats to a fire station or police post (would need to be set up in advance).

10. Take some time to stay after church and clean up the Adult and Kids Gathering Place.

11. Commit to encourage three people you know everyday. It could be to a neighbor, co- worker, friend, fellow church member or family member. Here are some suggestions: • Write a note of appreciation or encouragement to someone; it could be signed or anonymous • Give a thought-out, heart-felt compliment; tell someone how much you appreciate them. • Take a meal to someone you know, just because. • Take the time to really listen to someone 132 • Purchase of a small gift for someone or a gift card to their favorite restaurant or movie theater • Babysit for a young couple so they can go out on a date • Babysit for a single mom (or dad) so they can go shopping, go out with some friends, or just to have some time out alone • Make something homemade and give it to someone • Compliment a work colleague for their excellence • Walk your friend’s dog. • Do a chore around the house that someone else usually does.

12. Forgiveness. Is there someone you are carrying a grudge against? Read Matthew 6:12-15 and Ephesians 4:30-32. Ask God to help you. Take active steps to forgive them, maybe letting them know you have forgiven them if necessary.

13. Find a local ministry to volunteer in. Here are a few suggestions.

• Outreach, INC. 2822 E. New York Street Indianapolis, IN 46201 317-951-8886 www.outreachindiana.org

• Camp Allendale 4605 S. Allendale Drive Trafalgar, IN 46181 317-878-4400 www.camp-allendale.org

• FAME (partnering in medical evangelism around the world) 4545 Southeastern Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46203 (317) 358-2480 www.fameworld.org

• The Sharing Place 6501 Sunnyside Road Indianapolis, IN 46236 Use Door 4 (317) 358-2480 http://www.lutheranfamily.org/sharingplace.htm

14. Focus on using uplifting language with someone with low self-esteem.

15. Be positive. Especially if you tend to be a negative person. For a period of time focus on thinking positive thoughts and using positive words. It will become a habit!

16. Take inventory of your “stuff” and see what you can live without. Give the rest away or have a garage sale and give the money to a needy person, a local ministry or one of our Global Partners.

133 17. Get involved with a local ministry to feed the hungry such as 2nd Helping or Gleaners. 18. Bless your neighbor by helping them rake leaves, mow their grass, shovel their driveway, clean out their gutters, take them a meal or a bouquet of flowers. 19. Clean out your closets and take your clothes for TCM (Training Christians for Ministry in Eastern Europe and Central Asia). Clothes collected will be shipped for distribution among needy Christians in Europe and Asia. You can read about TCM’s ministry at www.tcmi.org . 20. Refuse to gossip. 21. Show respect to everyone you come into contact with. 22. Care for someone who is downtrodden. 23. Help someone in crisis with food, money, time, etc. 24. Read a book on loving others. • Winning with People: Discover the People Principles That Work for You Every Time by John Maxwell. What's the one characteristic needed for success in leadership? Effective CEOs, entrepreneurs, salespersons, and pastors will tell you it's the ability to work with others. Maxwell shares 25 essential relationship principles that will help you accomplish the most-professionally and personally.

• Crazy Love by Francis Chan. The God of the universe is crazy about you! His love is the most powerful thing in the world and He wants to give it to you, so you can live for Him. Sharing from his own life struggles and sacrifices, author Francis Chan issues a call for selfless, Christ-like living. Let the love you have received from God impact your life like never before.

• Living a Life on Loan by Rick Rusaw. As a Christian, your life is no longer about you. It is allowing God to write His story through you and your story. Our LIFE consists of our story about: loves-who and what we love; intersections-connecting with someone else's story; fortune-resources to help others write new endings to their story; eternity-making a difference beyond life here on earth. Explore a life where serving others provides an opportunity for your story to intersect theirs, and for lives to be forever changed!

• Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. Denver Moore grew up in Louisiana in the 1960's, working on a plantation as a modern- day slave. Ron Hall is an international arts dealer who moves between upscale New York galleries and celebrities. Deborah Hall, Ron's wife met Denver and saw him through God's eyes of compassion. When Deborah is diagnosed with cancer she charges Ron with the mission of saving Denver. From this request, an extraordinary friendship forms between Denver and Ron, changing them both forever. A remarkable true story of friendship and unconditional love!

134 Using Your Spiritual Gifts

A. Using the gift of ADMINISTRATION (plan effectively, organize a plan) v Characteristics: 1. Able to organize ideas, tasks, people and time for Christian service. 2. Able to make effective plans to accomplish goals. 3. Able to delegate important tasks to the right people at the right time. Ø Cautions: 1. Tendency to rely on well made plans rather than the Holy Spirit and prayer. 2. Projects become more important than people. 3. A “takeover” attitude may leave little room for other people’s concerns or ideas.

B. Using the gift of DISCERNMENT (have accurate perceptions, perceive deeper emotions) v Characteristics: 1. Ability to distinguish between spiritual truth and error, between good and evil. 2. Can detect phony or manipulative people or teachings. 3. Ability to frequently sense when another person is troubled or burdened. Ø Cautions: 1. Being judgmental. 2. Becoming overzealous and a heresy hunter. 3. Temptation to manipulate or control others.

C. Using the gift of ENCOURAGEMENT (stimulate faith, promote growth) v Characteristics: 1. People seek you out for advice or comfort; an ability to easily relate to people, a good listener. 2. Ability to discern what a person needs in their life and meet that need. 3. A strong motivation to see people be healthy, at peace and grow spiritually. Ø Cautions: 1. Getting too deeply involved in people’s lives that an inappropriate level of dependence develops. 2. Oversimplify complex problems or issues. 3. Tendency to rely on human wisdom or personal experience rather than the truth of God’s Word and His power.

D. Using the gift of EVANGELISM (connect with unbelievers, clearly present the gospel) v Characteristics: 1. Enjoys talking about Jesus to those who don’t know Him. 2. Instrumental in leading others to Christ. 3. Ability to make the gospel clear and understandable to nonbelievers. Ø Cautions: 1. Pride. Passing negative judgment on those who don’t possess this gift. 2. Relying on own powers of persuasion instead of the Holy Spirit. 3. Not encouraging converts to go on to maturity

E. Using the gift of FAITH (deeper sense of trust in God, believe the unseen)

135 v Characteristics: 1. Unusual ability to take God at His Word. 2. Knowing God’s will with certainty in specific situations. 3. Have an unusual grasp of the adequacy of God. Ø Cautions: 1. Faith without love, faith without works. 2. Overemphasis on the future to the neglect of the present. 3. Judge those who may be weak in the faith.

F. Using the gift of GIVING (entrust assets, maximize results) v Characteristics: 1. Gives generously, cheerfully and sacrificially; yet quietly without public notice 2. A desire to use giving as a way to motivate others to give and grow in their faith. 3. A keen ability to discern wise investments and personal frugality to have resources to give away. Ø Cautions: 1. Giving too sparingly to their own family so that they resent what is given away to others. 2. Pride, condemn as unspiritual those who don’t give as they do. 3. Controlling people or ministries by gifts.

G. Using the gift of HELPING (focus on people in need, providing assistance to people) v Characteristics: 1. More people-oriented (than service-oriented). 2. Willing to work behind the scenes and be an unsung hero. 3. Loyal, involved in helping others in the Body fulfill their ministry Ø Cautions: 1. Being over-committed. 2. May be inconsistent in who and how people are helped. 3. Low self-esteem.

H. Using the gift of HOSPITALITY (loves people, make others feel at home) v Characteristics: 1. Able to make guests feel welcome in a new environment 2. Willing to joyfully provide for those need food and/or lodging. 3. Loves to meet new people; loves to meet needs. Ø Cautions: 1. Neglecting or inconveniencing family to host others. 2. Keeping relationships to superficial level only. 3. May be too aggressive in meeting new people and offend some.

I. Using the gift of Knowledge (grasp spiritual truth, love to study) v Characteristics: 1. Ability to originate new ideas from the truth of God’s Word. 2. Eager to learn with a long attention span. 3. Able to absorb and retain unusual amounts of information. Ø Cautions:

136 1. Tendency to be a loner, to be absorbed in knowledge and never use it in conjunction with other gifts. 2. More comfortable with ideas than individuals. 3. Pride in what is learned.

J. Using the gift of LEADERSHIP (involve others, complete tasks) v Characteristics: 1. Ability to work towards accomplishing biblical objectives; can see the “big picture” of God’s Kingdom. 2. Ability to organize easily, delegate effectively, and administrate successfully. 3. Ability to motivate and inspire people to work as a team through praise and challenge. Ø Cautions: 1. Tendency to rely on well-made plans rather than prayer and the Holy Spirit. 2. A “takeover” attitude may leave little room for other people’s concerns or input. 3. Projects become more important than people; using people or viewing people as “human resources” rather than children of God and developing spiritual growth in them.

K. Using the gift of MERCY (remove distress, share burdens) v Characteristics: 1. Enjoys working with people who suffer physical, emotional or spiritual problems. 2. Many times can sense when someone is hurting without being told. 3. Desire to provide comfort and alleviate the suffering of others. Ø Cautions: 1. Be taken advantage of by others of deceived by those “working the system” 2. Failing to be firm and decisive when necessary; basing decisions more on emotions, rather than on Biblical principles. 3. May become an enabler to those involved in sin; not allowing for God’s discipline.

L. Using the gift of PROPHECY (proclaim truth, expose sin) v Characteristics: 1. Proclaim true and convincing messages from God’s Word. 2. Have spiritual insights gained either from God’s Word or from life experiences that moves one to speak out. 3. Speak or write from a biblical perspective on crucial controversial issues without fear. Ø Cautions: 1. A tendency to be painfully direct when correcting others; lacking cautiousness and tactfulness in expressing opinions. 2. Dwelling on the negative rather on the positive; focusing on exposing sin and ignoring the edifying aspects of God’s Word. 3. Temptation to go beyond scripture; “God alone is my judge.”

M. Using the gift of SERVICE (meet needs, free others to do ministry) v Characteristics: 1. An ability to see practical needs and a desire to meet them. 2. A joy in serving when it frees others to do other ministry. 3. Willing to work behind the scenes and be an unsung hero. 137 Ø Cautions: 1. A difficulty in saying “no” resulting in accepting too many jobs at one time; may become overburdened, overcommitted, and/or burned out. 2. Neglecting home responsibilities or personal health to help others. 3. Finding self-worth in works rather than the grace of God.

N. Using the gift of SHEPHERDING (nurture and disciple others) v Characteristics: 1. Good results in leading other Christians; excels at one-on-one discipling. 2. Ability to nurture, guide, and lead others. 3. Concern for the spiritual needs of others. Ø Cautions: 1. Tendency to “smother” people. 2. Impatient with slow growth in new believers. 3. Becoming a legalist.

O. Using the gift of TEACHING (clarify & communicate spiritual truth, encourage growth) v Characteristics: 1. A delight in researching and reporting as many facts as possible on a subject; gives attention to details. 2. Accurately communicates truth with clarity and power. 3. Ability to hold the attention of those taught. Ø Cautions: 1. Interest in head knowledge to the neglect of heart change. 2. Becoming proud of their knowledge and insights. 3. Giving more information than the listeners can grasp.

P. Using the gift of WISDOM (practical problem-solver, apply God’s truth to life) v Characteristics: 1. Knows how to get to the heart of a problem quickly. 2. Thinks practically — is a problem solver. 3. Later analysis and evaluation confirms intuitive solutions suggested. Ø Cautions: 1. Because of accurate self-image, may be too impatient or judgmental with others. 2. Tendency to be non-social 3. May be harsh with those who don’t see things as they do.

138 End Material from Week Five: Sharing Jesus

Suggested Activities to be equipping others in their journey to Know, Model, and Serve Him: As disciples of Jesus we need to be involved in actively making other disciples. This includes both Step One (conversion) and Step Two (helping them grow). What follows are options from both Step One and Step Two.

Our church offers two ways to better SHARE Jesus. iReach - This is a small group series designed to help you evangelize by providing tools and opportunities to work on your testimony (story) and evangelism style. See a member of the Outreach Team for more information on the next time this is offered.

SHARE - This is an in-depth 12 week series designed to prepare you for discipling/mentoring others. It has topics for each week and then daily lessons and devotions based off those topics on Monday - Friday. Speak with a member of the Discipleship Team to receive more information.

STEP ONE ACTIVITIES 1. Invite someone who is not yet a disciple of Jesus to come to church. 2. Give a Bible to someone who doesn’t have one (you can take one of the pew Bibles any time for this – that’s what they are there for!). 3. Look to build a relationship with someone who is not a disciple. This could be a neighbor, a co-worker, your bank teller, someone at the gym, a waitress or waiter you see regularly at your favorite restaurant, a relative. Be intentional about talking to them, ﬁnd out about what is going on in their life, and get to know them better. Be praying for opportunities to connect with them and to also share your faith with them. 4. Hold a Matthew Party (a mix of church people and unchurched people) so relationships can begin to be built. 5. Invite people to attend a worship service or a church event with you. 6. Write out your testimony of how you came to faith in Jesus; pray for opportunities to share your story. 7. Develop a list of ﬁve people you would like to see become disciples. Start praying for them daily for their hearts to be open to the gospel. 8. Pray for God to show you someone you can share your faith with.

139 9. Pray for boldness to share your faith or testimony with someone. Be careful with this one . . . better be ready when God opens the door of opportunity! 10. Learn the Roman Road (all taken from the book of Romans, thus the name) or some other method of effectively sharing scriptures so that a person will know how to become a disciple of Jesus and submit to Him as Savior and Lord. Here are the scriptures in the Roman Road: • Romans 3:10 & 23 • Romans 6:23 • Romans 5:8 • Romans 10:9-10 • Romans 6:3-4

11. "Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words." -- Francis of Assisi.

STEP TWO ACTIVITIES 1. Invite someone to join a small group the next time they are offered. 2. For a month pray specifically for five people at church to grow in their discipleship. 3. Call someone whom has become sporadic in their weekly worship attendance. Reach out to them. Find out why they have not been attending. If needed, help them find solutions to overcome the obstacles to their weekly worship at church. Encourage them to become regular in their attendance. Offer to sit with them at church. 4. Make sure you are always prepared to share insights and what God is doing in your life every week in LIFE Group. This can encourage others greatly. Do extra study. 5. Become an Apprentice for a LIFE Group so that you can become a LIFE Group Leader. 6. Share what God has been doing in your life with those at church. Ask them how God has been working in their life. 7. Take your conversations at church to a deeper level. Go past talking about sports and the weather. Talk about how their walk is going. Commit to pray for each other. I. 5 Levels of communication to work through in establishing relationships. • Cliche - This is weather, sports, etc. • Facts - New things that you have learned. • Opinions - You begin to share your inner thoughts, I think that . . . • Emotions - You are willing to open up about how you feel. • Blunt Truth - This is the way it is.

140 8. Invite someone at church to meet for lunch or breakfast or at Starbucks. Find out what you can do to encourage them to grow in their discipleship. 9. Seek out one or two people every week at church to pray with. Find out what they need prayer for and pray for them right then and there. 10. Invite a new believer to join you once a week to meet for Bible study and prayer. Here are some options to do together: I. Spend time together getting to know each other; do things together. II. Teach them how to study their Bible (using cross references, doing topical studies, using commentaries, etc.). III. Encourage them to read consistently through the Bible with a plan and purpose; discuss what they are reading with them. IV. Lead them through prayer and teach them how to pray. V. Hold them accountable on a weekly basis for their Individual Discipleship Plan. Become accountability partners with them so that you can help them grow in their walk with Jesus.

11. Invite someone who is at about the same level spiritually with you to pray with and be accountable to concerning your walk with God. Here are some options to do together: • Spend time together getting to know each other; do things together. • Study books of the Bible together. • Read a Christian book together and discuss your thoughts on it. • Do a topical Bible study together. • Hold them accountable on a weekly basis for their Individual Discipleship Plan. Use the questions on page 21 and really go deep with the questions on how they are growing to become like Jesus in their words, actions and attitudes.

READ A BOOK ON MAKING DISCIPLES • Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels. Be inspired to radical discipleship! Hybels's vision for advancing God's kingdom will motivate you to deepen your passion for your church and its mission, develop your spiritual gifts for the glory of God, and equip you to transform the world by reaching those outside the church.

• Lifestyle Evangelism by Joseph Aldrich. Finding common ground and earning the right to be heard is the secret to lifestyle evangelism. Dr. Joe Aldrich shows us how we can build genuine, caring relationships 141 with nonbelievers that will open their hearts to the gospel message. The author's approach is biblical, practical, and natural. Lifestyle Evangelism is the deﬁnitive work in introducing people to the Savior in a way that displays God's authentic love for the lost.

• Out of the Salt Shaker and Into the World by Rebecca Manley Pippert. This engaging bestseller that helps you feel relaxed not pressured, about sharing your faith."Christians and non-Christians have something in common," says Pippert. "We're both uptight about evangelism." This book helps you feel relaxed, not pressured, about sharing your faith. Includes real-life stories and evangelistic strategies!

• Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt. Take a transforming journey in authentic discipleship. As the pastor of a large and wealthy congregation, David Platt began to see a discrepancy between the reality of his Church and the way Jesus said His followers lived. In Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream, Platt examines how American Christianity has manipulated the gospel to ﬁt our cultural preferences and challenges readers to rediscover the path.

• The Master’s Plan for Making Disciples by Win and Charles Arn. Jesus wants you to go out and make disciples---but how far "out"? Oftentimes "going out" merely means going to a friend's house---a method the Arn’s say is the most effective for church growth. They'll show you how to fulﬁll Christ's command by building on the network of friendships you already have!

• Real-Life Discipleship: Building Churches That Make Disciples by Jim Putman. Offering proven tools and tested strategies from Real Life Ministries, Putman shares true stories and practical tips that will help leaders identify and train potential followers. His results-oriented process for small groups will help you develop disciples who are well equipped to train other believers.

• Cultivating a Life for God: Multiplying Disciples Through Life Transformation Groups by Neil Cole. The United States is a mission field in desperate need of the gospel. Somehow we have managed to lose sight of the prime directive given to us by Jesus to go and make disciples of all the nations. There is hope. We can still fulfill the great commission in this generation, but we will need to get back the power that spread the gospel across the globe in the first century. We will need to see multiplication of 142 disciples occur among all those in the church. Cultivating a Life for God takes an in- depth look at a tool called Life Transformation Groups and explains how this tool can release the awesome power of multiplication in your Church.

• Growing True Disciples: New Strategies for Producing Genuine Followers of Christ by George Barna In Growing True Disciples, respected author and researcher George Barna helps pastors and leaders assess how their churches are doing in fulﬁlling their role as disciplemakers. And he reveals models and examples that will equip churches to dramatically increase their effectiveness. As a result, your church can begin to see more involved members who want to live out their faith in submission to God, and joyfully share their resources to fulﬁll Christ’s commission.

• Transforming Discipleship: Making Disciples a Few at a Time by Greg Ogden Some churches often succeed at welcoming newcomers while failing to nurture more established members. Arguing that disciple-making fuels the ﬁre of healthy expansion, Ogden explores the few-at-a-time methods of Jesus and Paul as the best model for kindling the ﬂame. He offers church leaders practical advice for implementing biblically sound, self-replicating discipleship-driven development.

• The Externally Focused Church by Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson Externally focused churches ask for a little from many people, not great things from a few. And rather than changing or creating ministries, they partner with organizations that already help people in need. Learn from churches that have made serving their communities a priority--with dramatic results. Your church can be a ﬁrm pillar in your community because of the unwavering truth and love of its members. The best part? An external focus is not complicated as it may seem.

• Multiply by Francis Chan Jesus gave his followers a command: “Follow me.” And a promise: “And I will equip you to ﬁnd others to follow me.” We were made to make disciples. Designed for use in discipleship relationships and other focused settings, Multiply will equip you to carry out Jesus’s ministry. Each of the twenty-four sessions in the book corresponds with an online video at www.multiplymovement.com, where New York Times bestselling author David Platt joins Francis in guiding you through each part of Multiply. One plus one plus one. Every copy of Multiply is designed to do what Jesus did: make disciples who make disciples who make disciples…. Until the world knows the truth of Jesus Christ.

143 • Transformational Discipleship by Eric Geiger, Michael Kelley, and Philip Nation Jesus gave his followers a command: “Follow me.” And a promise: “And I will equip you to ﬁnd others to follow me.” We were made to make disciples. Designed for use in discipleship relationships and other focused settings, Multiply will equip you to carry out Jesus’s ministry. Each of the twenty-four sessions in the book corresponds with an online video at www.multiplymovement.com, where New York Times bestselling author David Platt joins Francis in guiding you through each part of Multiply. One plus one plus one. Every copy of Multiply is designed to do what Jesus did: make disciples who make disciples who make disciples…. Until the world knows the truth of Jesus Christ.

Six Styles of Evangelism

There are many ways to share the Good News of the Gospel. Find the one that suits you best.

Do you have to be like Billy Graham to be an evangelist? Do you have to speak with a North Carolina accent and wave a ﬂoppy Bible about?

No one style ﬁts everyone's personality—or every situation.

Peter’s confrontational approach

Peter had a “ready-shoot-aim” personality. Whatever he did, he did it unhesitantly and full force. When Jesus asked the disciples in Matthew 16:15 who they thought He was, Peter didn’t mince words; he declared flat out that Jesus was the Messiah. Then a few verses later when he disagreed with Jesus’ stated mission, he challenged it head on. Can you imagine that—trying to correct the Son of God? You might, if you have a confrontational style yourself! When Peter was in a boat and wanted to be with Jesus, he didn’t hesitate to do whatever it took to get close to Him, even if it meant swimming to shore or trying to walk on water. And remember when Jesus’ enemies came to get Him in the Garden of Gethsemane? Peter became quite confrontational with a sword in his hand! If Peter was convinced he was right, there was almost no stopping him. He was direct, he was bold, and he was to the point. Is it any wonder God chose Peter as His spokesman on the day of Pentecost? God wanted the people to know in no uncertain terms that they’d crucified the Messiah, and that they needed to call on Him for His mercy and forgiveness. Peter’s personality was custom-designed to fill the bill. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, he stood and confronted the people with the facts. And 3,000 people trusted Christ and were baptized that day. Do you realize that there are people in your world who won’t come to Christ until someone like Peter holds their feet to the fire?

144 Paul’s Intellectual Approach

Though Paul certainly could confront when necessary, the hallmark of his approach was a logical presentation of the Gospel message. Read any of his letters— Romans being the best example—and you’ll see that he was a master at clearly explaining the central truths of the faith. This intellectual approach ﬁt highly educated Paul, with his penchant for debating any and all foes who might challenge his positions. Can you think of a better person for God to send to the philosophers in Athens? In Acts 17, Paul presented a powerful argument for the truth, starting with the Athenian idol to an unknown god and moving all the way to the only true God and His resurrected Messiah. Paul’s approach was effective, and some of his listeners became believers. These thinker types in Athens would not have related well to Peter’s direct approach. They needed logic that conclusively proved the point. Are there people in your circle who are like that? They don’t want easy answers or platitudes such as, “You’ll just have to accept it on faith.” They need to see the solid facts that back up that faith.

Is the intellectual approach one that ﬁts you? Are you an inquisitive type who enjoys working with ideas and evidence? This is an important style, especially in these days of increasing secularization. So many people need to hear the Gospel not only declared, but also deﬁned and defended.

The Blind Man’s Testimonial Approach

Though we know less about him than about Peter or Paul, we can be sure of this: The blind man healed by Jesus (John 9) had seen something worth talking about! Blind since birth, he regularly begged from people passing by. His routine quickly changed when Jesus came along and gave him the gift of sight. Before he knew it, he found himself in front of a hostile audience being asked to explain what had happened. Notice the diversity of evangelistic styles. When Peter stood in front of a similar audience, he confronted them with the truth and told them he would obey God over people. Paul reasoned from the Scriptures with his listeners to show them that Jesus was the long- awaited Messiah. But the formerly blind man took neither of these approaches. Instead, he spoke from his experience and conﬁdently declared: “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” That’s hard to argue with, isn’t it? Notice that in verse 3 Jesus said this man had been born blind “so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” We are custom-tailored for a particular approach. God had been preparing this man all of his life to use his story to point people toward Christ. There are many people around you who need to hear a similar story about how God is working in a believer’s life. They might not respond very well to a challenge or an argument, but a personal account of someone’s coming to faith would inﬂuence them powerfully.

145 Could that story be yours? Effective testimonies don’t have to be dramatic. Don’t exclude yourself from this approach because you have an ordinary story—ordinary stories relate well to the ordinary people in your neighborhood and workplace.

Matthew’s interpersonal approach

Tax collectors were just not known for becoming evangelists. Yet that’s exactly what happened to Matthew. After accepting Jesus’ call to become one of His followers, Matthew decided to do whatever he could to bring along as many of his friends as possible.In Luke 5:29 we ﬁnd him putting on a big banquet for his tax-collecting buddies in an effort to expose them to Jesus and the new life He offered. He relied on the relationships he’d built with these men and sought to further shore up their friendships. He invited them into his home. He spent time with them and ate with them. He genuinely cared about them and wanted to employ the trust and respect he’d earned over the years to inﬂuence them to consider the claims of Christ.

The vantage point of friendship gives us the highest possibility of inﬂuence in the lives of others. Those who have the interpersonal style of evangelism specialize in this area. They tend to be warm, others-centered individuals who enjoy deep levels of communication and trust with those they’re reaching out to.

Do you enjoy having people into your home, sharing a meal, and spending time in conversation? Many people will never be reached until someone takes the time to build that kind of closeness with them.

The Samaritan Woman’s Invitational Approach

It didn’t take long for the Samaritan woman to realize that the man she was talking to was no ordinary teacher. His prophetic insights and authoritative answers convinced her of His claim to be the Messiah. So what did she do? She immediately went to her town and brought her friends to the well to hear Jesus for themselves. This simple invitation resulted in His staying in their town for two days. Many of these men and women became His followers. There are people who would make great strides in their spiritual journey if someone would strategically invite them to an appropriate church service or outreach event like a Palau Festival. And a lot of non-Christians are open to this approach. A recent poll by researcher George Barna showed, for example, that about 25 percent of the adults in the United States would go to church if a friend would invite them. Think about it—one in four of your friends would be willing to join you!

Some people, like the woman at the well, have a knack for getting people to go places with them. Might you be one of them? Have you found that when there’s an outreach event going on your minivan is crowded? 146 Dorcas’ Service Approach

The Bible says in Acts 9:36 that Dorcas was “always doing good and helping the poor.” She was well known for her loving acts of service performed in the name of Christ. Speciﬁcally, she made robes and articles of clothing for widows and other unfortunate people in her town. She was, in effect, a quiet practitioner of the service approach to evangelism. It would have been very hard for people to observe her activity and not get a glimpse of the love of Christ that inspired her. In fact, her work was so important that when she died a premature death, God sent Peter to raise her from the dead and put her back into service! People who take this approach are motivated to humbly serve others. They notice needs others overlook, and they ﬁnd joy in meeting those needs, even if they don’t get credit for it. Often more quiet types, these people enjoy expressing compassion through tangible forms of assistance.

Though this style often takes longer to produce spiritual results, it’s one of the most important of all the evangelistic approaches. That’s because service-style evangelists touch people nobody else can reach. Can you see why this style needs to be celebrated? Those neighbors will probably never be famous, but God is using their efforts to populate heaven with people the rest of us would probably never reach.

No one style ﬁts everyone's personality—or every situation. If you force everyone into one mold, you drive them away from evangelism. If you force unbelievers into one approach, you may drive them away from Christ.

147

Individual Discipleship Path sheets

Every month you will update your Individual Discipleship Path. Here is a sample to get you started. Items are checked as if it were the end of January. Plan for January (sample)

Mark of a Activity Frequency Duration Disciple Praying scripture using the ACTS Knowing Jesus daily One month method Modeling Jesus Survey of the Bible reading plan daily 2 months Be a leader in Student Ministry Serving Jesus weekly One year Do something to build a relaonship Sharing Jesus weekly 6 months with my unsaved neighbor

Activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Prayer X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

Reading X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X

SG leader X X X X

Neighbor X X X X X X

If this were your plan, in February you would select another activity KNOWING Jesus because you had done that one for the one month (or you could continue on with the same one for another month). But the rest would be the same. In March, you would select new activities for a KNOWING Jesus and Modeling Jesus because you had fulfilled the time commitments for those (or decide to keep the same ones). You would continue on in the same way through June. In July, you would select another activity to be Sharing Jesus because you had completed that activity for the planned 6 months. There will also be a couple of lines after each months record to record some notes to yourself about your progress and areas where you might need to change. You should bring your book with when you are sharing with your accountability partner. We will be updating the material in this book in the future. New activities will be suggested, along with new book suggestions and online resources as we become aware of them.

149 Plan for January Mark of a Activity Frequency Duration Disciple Knowing Jesus

Modeling Jesus

Serving Jesus

Sharing Jesus

Activity 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31