marks of discipleship · • the simple power of prayer -- by joyce meyer • with christ in the...
TRANSCRIPT
VIDEO SERIES STUDY GUIDE
The Episcopal Diocese of AlbanyDisciples Making Disciples
MARKS OF DISCIPLESHIP
The Diocese of Albany is One Church fulfilling the Great Commandment and Great Commission, moving from membership to discipleship; equipping, emboldening, and sending disciples to make disciples.
Marks of Discipleship and Diocesan ValuesPrayer and Worship• WorshippingtheLorddaily(Psalm95:1-7,Psalm96:1-9,Acts2:46,Romans12:1)• GatheringweeklyastheBodyofChristinremembranceandthanksgiving(Acts2:42,
ICorinthians11:23-26)• Prayingcontinuously&intercedingforallinneed(Romans12:12,IThessalonians5:16-18,
ITimothy2:1)• PrayingwithandintheSpirit(ICorinthians14:1-25)Scripture – The Word of God• StudyingtheHolyScripturesdaily;orderingourlivestoGod’sWord;andproclaimingtheGoodNews
throughBiblicalPreaching(Luke4:16-21,Acts2:42&17:1l,Romans12:2,IITim.3:14-17,IITimothy4:1-2)• AcknowledgingthattheOldandNewTestamentistheveryWordofGod,“containingallthingsnecessary
tosalvationandasbeingtheruleandultimatestandardoflife”(BCP853and877)
Catholic Structures of Anglicanism• CommittingtoTheBodyofChrist,TheUniversalChurch,acrossspaceandtime(Matthew16:18,Romans
12:5,ICorinthians12:27-28,Ephesians4:4-16)• Honoringthethree-foldministryofBishop,PriestandDeacon(Acts2:21-26,Ephesians2:19-22,ITimo-
thy3&4,IITimothy2:2,BCP510,BCP517-519,BCP531-532,BCP543-544)
Christian Education• TeachingyoungandoldalikeinSundaySchool&BibleStudytoknowGodandfollowJesus(Psalm27:11,
Matthew28:20,Mark1:21-22,Mark10:13-16,Luke24:27&45,John14:26,Acts17:11,Titus2:1)• TeachingtheCatechism&preparingforConfirmation(BCP845-862)
Christian Fellowship• CommittingtobeingintheBodyofChrist-theChurch,andusingourSpiritualGiftsforitsbenefit(Acts
2:42-47,ICorinthians1:9,ICorinthians12,Ephesians4,Colossians3:1-17).• LovingOneAnotherascommandedbyChrist(John15:12,Romans12:10,IJohn1:3-7)
Spiritual Gifts & Healing• LearningtoidentifyandusetheSpiritualGiftsGodhasgiveneachpersonfortheworkHehaspreparedfor
themtoaccomplishinHisname(Romans12,ICorinthians12,IPeter4:10)• FollowingJesus’commandtoHisdisciplestohealthesick(Matthew4:23,Luke9:1-2&10:9,James5:14-15)
Christian Service• ServingtheLordfaithfully(Deuteronomy10:12,Joshua24:14,Romans12:11,Philippians2:3-8,Colossians3:17)• Servingothersinabrokenworld(Matt.25:31-40,Luke10:30-37,John13:1-17,Galatians5:13,IPeter4:10)
Generosity in answering God’s call as Stewards of His Creation• EmbracingtheBiblicalstandardoftithingandworkingtoachieveit(Malachi3:10,IICorinthians9:6-8)• Contributingtotheneedsofthesaints(Matthew6:2-4,Acts20:35,Romans12:13,IICorinthians8)• GrowinginstewardshipofallGodhasgivenus(Genesis1,Luke21:1-4,IPeter4:9-10)
Evangelism – Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ• IntroducingpeopletoJesus(Matthew28:18-20,John17:18-26)• Encouragingthenextgenerationtopassforwardthefaith(Deuteronomy6:6-9,Psalm78:1-8,2Timothy2:2)
Mission at Home and Abroad
• RestoringallpeopletounitywithGodandeachotherinChrist(BCP855,John14:6,ITimothy2:3-6)• WitnessingtothetruthofJesusChrist,goingintotheworldandmakingdisciplesofallnations
(Matthew28:18-20,Mark16:15-16,Luke24:46-48,Acts1:8)
Diocese of Albany Vision
WELCOME
Welcome to the Episcopal Diocese of Albany’s Marks of Discipleship DVD Video Series!Thisserieshasbeendesignedtohelpyouandyourparishgrowinfaithanddeepenyourunderstandingofdiscipleshipbyexploringthe12MarksofDiscipleshipthatareinclud-edinourDiocesanVisionStatement.TheseriesbeginswithavideomessagefromBish-opLove,andthenisdividedinto12individualvideos,eachfeaturingaBishop,Priest,Deacon,orlaypersonfrom(orconnectedto)theDiocesespeakingononeoftheMarksofDiscipleship.Additionally,thisbooklethasbeenproducedtoassistyouasacompan-ionstudyguideforthevideos.WehopeyouwillfindthisvideoserieshelpfulandpraythatGodwillblessyouthroughit.
Note to Study Leaders. Inordertogainthemaximumbenefitfromthisstudy,itisbestundertakenasagroup.Groupdiscussionisakeyingredient.ThestudycouldbeusedduringyouradulteducationhouronSundayorasanadditionalparishBiblestudy.Here’showitworks.Begineachsessionwithabriefopeningprayer,askingtheHolySpirittocomeandguidethegroup.Thenwatchoneofthevideos.Mostofthevideosarebetween12-15minuteslong,withoneexception(Scripture)whichrunsabitlonger.Asyouwatch,besuretourgeeveryonetotakenotesandpayattentiontothequestionsinthecorrespondingbookletsection.Afterthevideoends,askthegroupiftheyhaveanyinitialthoughtsorquestionsthatthevideomayhavesparked.Thenyoucanusethestructureofthebooklettohelpguideyourdiscussion.
Eachsectionofthebookletisdividedintofoursubsections.“Explore”,“Read”,“Apply”and“DigDeeper”.The“Explore”sectioncontainsquestionstohelpgenerategroupdiscus-sion,whileeach“Read”sectioncontainsabriefBiblestudyonapassageorpassagesofScripturethatarerelevanttothatday’stopic.The“Apply”sectionisdesignedtohelpgroupmembersapplythatday’sconceptstotheirpersonallives.Finally,the“DigDeeper”sec-tionofferswaysforindividuals,iftheysodesire,tofurtherexploreandapplyeachMarkofDiscipleship.
Acknowledgements.TheDiocesewouldliketowarmlythankBishopLoveforhisclearvisionforgrowingdisciplesinthisDioceseandforhisenthusiasticsupportofthisproject;allofthepresenterswhoappearintheDVD’s;DeanDavidCollumforhiscoordinationofthisseries;Fr.BruceandShayMasonwhoassistedDeanCollumintheproductionofthisseries;KevinKallsenofAnglicanTVwhofilmedandeditedthevideos;andTheCathedralofAllSaints,TheSpiritualLifeCenter,andChristChurch,Gilbertsvillewhoprovidedthelocationsforfilming.
CONTENTS
PrayerThe Rt. Rev. Daniel Herzog
Page5
WorshipThe Venerable David Collum
Page7
ScriptureThe Rev. Dr. Grant LeMarquand
Page9
Catholic Structures of AnglicanismThe Very Rev. Canon Dr. Christopher Brown
Page11
Christian EducationThe Rev. Laurie Garramone-Rohr
Page13
Christian FellowshipThe Rev. Lynne Crimi
Page15
Spiritual GiftsThe Rev. Canon Robert Haskell
Page17
HealingThe Rev. Nigel Mumford
Page21
Christian ServiceThe Rev. Joseph Acanfora
Page23
StewardshipMrs. Maggie Hasslacher
Page25
EvangelismThe Very Rev. Derik Roy
Page27
MissionThe Rev. Canon Dr. Ian Montgomery
Page29
PRAYER
5
Explore
Read
Apply
Dig Deeper
1. BishopHerzogstatesthatprayerisrootedinrelationship.Whatdoeshemeanbythis?WhatistheroleofprayerinourrelationshipwithGod?
2. PrayerisourprimarywayofcommunicatingwithGod.Whattypesofprayerarethere?Whattypesareyoudrawnto?
3. HowdidJesuspray?CanyouthinkofanyexamplesintheGospelsofJesuspraying?
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
1. WhatdoesScripturetellusalwaystobeanddo?
2. Howisitwecanbejoyfulinallsituations?
3. Whatdoesitmeantopraycontinually?
OurabilitytobemorejoyfulandthankfulandtopraycontinuallyisrelatedtothedepthofourrelationshipwithGod.Doyouhaveadailyprayerdiscipline?WhatmightyouaddtoyourdailydisciplinetostrengthenyourrelationshipwithGod?
TryprayingthePsalms.ReadthemasiftheywereyourprayertoGod.Ifaparticularversestandsouttoyou,taketimetomeditateonitfurtherandthenpraybacktoGodwhatyouarethinking,feeling,andexperiencing.
Therearemanywonderfulbooksonprayer.Hereareajustafewsuggestions:
• Prayer for Beginners --byPeterKreeft• Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home--byRichardFoster• The Simple Power of Prayer--byJoyceMeyer• With Christ in the School of Prayer--byAndrewMurray• Praying God’s Word--byBethMoore
NOTES
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WORSHIP
Explore
Read
Apply
Dig Deeper
1. Whatcomestoyourmindwhenyouheartheword‘worship’?2. Whydomostpeopleattendworshipservices?3. Foryoupersonally,whatdrawsyoumostintoworshippingGod?
Romans 12:1-2
1. WhyisworshiparesponsetoGod’smercy?
2. God’smercyisshowninthefactthatwhileIwasasinner,Christshowedhisloveformebydyingonthecross.Worshipismyresponse.Accordingtothispassage,whatdoesthiswor-shiplooklike?
3. God’sWordtellsusthatourspiritualactofworshipistoofferourlivestohimbynotconformingtothewaysoftheworld.Whatarethewaysthattheworldtriestocon-formus?AretherethingsthatappeartobegoodinthisworldthatmayactuallyleadusawayfromGod’sperfectwill?
7
ReadThe MessageparaphraseofRomans12:1-2:
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offer-ing. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your atten-tion on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
Askyourself:HowdoesmyownlifecomparewithPaul’sinstructions?DoIseemylifeasanactofworship?WhatpartsofmylifemightImorefullyoffertoGod?
Whenyouattendyournextworshipservice,payparticularattentiontothethingsyousayanddoduringtheservice.Askyourself:Whyarethesethingsimportant?Whatdotheymean?WhatamIsupposedtobelearningfromthem?Howaretheprinciplesbehindthemsup-posedtobeappliedtomydailylife?
NOTES
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SCRIPTURE
Explore
Read
Apply
Dig Deeper
2 Timothy 3:16-17
1. TheApostlePauldescribesScriptureas“God-breathed.”Whatdoyouthinkthisdescriptionmeans?
2. OurCatechismexplainsthattheHolyScriptureswerewrittenbyhumanauthorsundertheinspirationoftheHolySpirit(BCP853).WhatdoesthissuggestabouttheauthorityofScripture?HowdoesPaulsaythatScriptureistobeusedbytheChurch?
3. Throughoutitshistory,theChurchhasviewedtheScripturesashavingauthorityoverallmanneroflifeandasausefultoolforstrengtheningtheBodyofChrist.ArethereanywrongwaystouseScripture?
HowoftendoyoureadtheBible?Ifyoudon’treaditveryoften,whatmightthereasonsbe?TheBibletellsusthatallScriptureisGod-breathedanduseful.WhatstepswillyoutaketoincorporatetheScripturesmorefullyintoyourdailylife?
ConsidertakingtheEssential 100 (E100) Bible Reading Challenge.E100isasystematicapproachtoreadingScripturethatguidesyouthrough50passagesfromtheOldTesta-mentand50passagesfromtheNewTestament.ThesepassageshavebeenselectedtohelpyouunderstandthefullstoryoftheBible.FormoreinformationcalltheDiocesanOfficeorvisittheE100websiteatwww.e100challenge.com.
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1. Howdoyouunderstandthephrase“TheWordofGod”?
2. InScripture,JesusiscalledTheWord(John1:1).WhydoChristiansalsocallHolyScripturetheWordofGod?WhatisthepurposeofHolyScriptureinrelationtoJesus?
3. Rev.LeMarquandtellsusthatScriptureis“ourprimaryreferencepointwhenitcomestounderstandingGodinJesus.”Italsotellsusawiderstory.Whatisyourunderstandingofthatstory?
NOTES
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CATHOLIC STRUCTURES OF ANGLICANISM
Explore
Read
Apply
Dig Deeper
1. IntheNiceneCreedweaffirmthat“WebelieveinoneholycatholicandapostolicChurch.”Whatdoyouthinktheword“catholic”meansinthiscontext?
2. The“catholic”churchismadeupofallChristians,bothpresentandpast.WhataresomewaysthatAnglicansareconnectedwithotherChristians?HowareAnglicansconnectedwiththeearlychurch?
3. WhatdoesFr.Brownmeanwhenherefersto“apostolicsuccession”?Canyouthinkofwaysinwhichapostolicsuccessionmightrelatetodiscipleship?
2 Timothy 1:6-14
1. WhatdoesPaulmeanbythe“layingonofhands”(NIV)?WhatdidTimothyreceivethroughthelayingonofhands?
2. Accordingtoverse7,whatdoestheHolySpiritgivetobelivers?WhyarethesethingsimportantfordisciplesofJesus?
3. WhatdoesPaulinstructTimothytodo?IsthereanyrelationshipbetweenwhatPaultellsTimothytodoandwhatPaulhimselfhasbeendoing?Whatdoesthistellyouabouthowdiscipleshipissupposedtowork?
Readthroughtheordinationservices(Bishop,Priest,andDeacon)foundonpages512-547inThe Book of Common Prayer.Whatroledoesthelayingonofhandsplayineachservice?Howdoyouunderstandwhathappensatthelayingonofhands?Inwhatwaysdotheservicesseektolinktheordinandwiththeuniversal(catholic)church,bothpresentandpast?Whatistheuniqueworkthatbishops,priestsanddeaconsaregivenbyGod?
11
Thinkbacktoabishop,priest,ordeaconthatwasespeciallyimportantinhelpingyougrowspiritually.Whatkindofthingsdidthatpersondotohelpyougrow?Howcanyousupportyourcurrentbishop,priestordeaconastheydisciplemembersofyourchurch?
NOTES
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CHRISTIANEDUCATION
Explore
Read
Apply
Dig Deeper
1. Rev.Garramone-RohrstatesthatChristianEducationisdistinctfromothertypesofeducationinthatitisfirstandforemostaboutrelationship.Howisthisso?HaveyoueverthoughtofChristianEducationinthisway?
2. HowdoesChristianeducationnotjusteducatethemindbutfeedtheheartandinspirethespirit?
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
1. TheDioceseofAlbanyplacesgreatemphasisontheGreatCommandment,whichJesusgetsfromthispassage.Accordingtothispassage,whereisthiscom-mandmenttobelocatedinourbody?
2. IfGod’scommandmentsaretoresideinourhearts,whatdoesthepassagesug-gestabouttherolethatGod’scommandmentsaresupposedtoplayinourlives?
3. Inadditiontoobeyingthem,whatarewesupposedtodowithGod’scommand-ments?
God’sintentionisnotjustforustoknowaboutHim,butratherforustoknowHimpersonally.AreyoucurrentlymakinganefforttogettoknowGodbetter?Inhowmanyofyourchurch’sBiblestudiesandothereducationalopportunitieshaveyouparticipated?AreyoutakingtimeeachdaytoreadandstudytheBible?
• ReadandstudyTheCatechism,foundonpage843ofthe1979BookofCommonPrayer.
• PurchaseanduseaStudyBible,suchastheESVorNIVStudyBibles,foryourdailydevotions.
• BuyaCommentaryonyourfavoritebookoftheBibletohelpyouunderstanditbetter.CommentariesfromtheIVP’s“TheBibleSpeaksToday”seriesandTomWright’s“TheNewTestamentforEveryone”seriesareeasytoreadandunderstand.Askyourpriestifyouneedhelpwithchoosingacommentarythatisrightforyou.
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NOTES
14
Explore
Read
Apply
Dig Deeper
1. Therearemanybenevolentfellowshiporganizations(Rotary,LionsClub,etc.)thatdogoodworksofcharityandservice.WhatisdifferentanduniqueaboutChristianFellowship?
2. DeaconLynnesuggestedthatChristianFellowshipinvolvessharinginacommonspirit?Whatisthisspirit?
I Corinthians 1:9; Acts 2:42-47
1. WheredoesChristianFellowshipbegin?Onwhatrelationshipisitmodelled?
2. ChristianFellowshipisaresponsetoourfellowshipwithJesus.WhatdidtheChristianfellowshipoftheApostleslooklike?
3. TheScripturesrevealthattheearlychurchwasdevotedtoGod’sWord,sacramentsandeachother.Howcaneachofthesestrengthenandenlivenourfellowship?HowisfellowshipasignofdevotiontoGod?
InvolvingourselvesasthechurchinChristianFellowshipisanimportantwaythatweloveothersandshareourfaith.SuchfellowshipisawitnesstoothersofGodworkingthroughustoadvanceandaccomplishHispurposes.HowisGodcallingyoutoservehimandothersthroughChristianFellowship?
Read1Corinthians.Paulwritesthislettertoaddress,inpart,problemsthathaveledtoabreakdownofChristianFellowshipintheCorinthianChurch.Whataretheseprob-lems?Whataretheconsequences?WhatdoesPaulexhorttheCorinthianstodoaboutthisfellowshipbreakdown?
CHRISTIANFELLOWSHIP
15
NOTES
16
Explore
Read
Apply
Dig Deeper
I Corinthians 12:4-7, I Corinthians 14:1, Romans 12:3-8, Ephesians 4:7-16
• St.Paulsaysyoushould“eagerlydesirethespiritualgifts”(ICorinthians14:1).Asyoulookatthegifts,arethereanyyouwouldliketohavethatyoudon’thaveatthistime?
• FinishbyprayingthatGodwouldfillyoumoreandmorewiththeHolySpiritandequipyouwithmoregiftsforministry.Therearedifferentwaysyoucandothis.IfapriestordeaconisinyourgroupheorshecouldanointeveryoneandpraythattheybefilledwiththeHolySpiritandgivengiftsforministry.
• Discover Your Spiritual Gifts -- byC.PeterWagner,Ph.D.• Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow--byC.PeterWagnerPh.D.• Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow Small Group Study Guide
--byC.PeterWagnerPh.D.• Spiritual Gifts: Their Purpose & Power--byBryanCarraway
SPIRITUALGIFTS
17
NOTE: This session’s questions relate to the Spiritual Gifts Checklist on pages 19-20.
EveryChristianisgivenatleastonespiritualgift.Inyourgroup,trytoanswerthefollow-ingquestionsbasedonyouranswerstotheSpiritualGiftsChecklist:
1. Whichgiftsdidyoumarkasoccurring“often”inyourministry?2. Sharehowyouhaveusedthesegiftsinaministry.3. Howcouldyouuseyourgiftstoministertopeopleinwaysyouarenotdoingnow?4. Lookingatthepeopleinyourgroup,doyouthinkanyofthemhaveagiftwhichtheydid
notidentifyashaving?Youcouldhelpthembytellingthemwhatgiftsyouthinktheyhave.5. Asagroup,gothroughthelistofgifts.Canyouidentifyatleastonepersoninyourchurch
foreachoneofthegifts?6. Lookatthegiftsyoumarkedas“never”occurringinyourministry.Pickoneofthemout
anddescribehowyoumightfindoutwhetheryouhavebeenequippedwiththatgift.
NOTES
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(continued on next page)
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Marks of Discipleship “Spiritual Gifts”
SPIRITUAL GIFTS CHECKLIST
Directions: Mark whether the statement after each gift is true in your life often, sometimes, or never. Often Some-‐ Never Times Gifts which reveal God’s will 1. PROPHECY (Romans 12:6, Eph 4:11, I Cor 12:10, 28) _____ _____ _____ I speak supernatural messages of encouragement or guidance from God. 2. TESTING OF SPIRITUAL THINGS (I Cor 12:10) _____ _____ _____ I know whether the things people say and do are from God or not. 3. TEACHING (Romans 12:7, Eph 4:11, I Cor 12:28) _____ _____ _____ People like to listen to me teach from the Bible, either at church or informally. 4. WISDOM (I Corinthians 12:8) _____ _____ _____ I supernaturally know what God wants done in certain situations. 5. FAITH (I Cor 12:9) _____ _____ _____ I have confidence that the prayers God gives me to pray will be answered. 6. TONGUES (I Cor 12:10, 28) _____ _____ _____ God gives me messages to speak in languages I don’t know. 7. INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES (I Cor 12:10) _____ _____ _____ I know the English meaning of messages in unknown languages. Gifts which help and support Christians and non-‐Christians 8. SERVING (Romans 12:7) _____ _____ _____ I organize people to help people who have practical needs. 9. HELPING (I Cor 12:28) _____ _____ _____ I like to personally help people who have practical needs. 10. EXHORTATION (Romans 12:8) _____ _____ _____ God gives me words of encouragement or comfort for people who need them. 11. ACTS OF MERCY (Romans 12:8) _____ _____ _____ I cheerfully do things for the sick and hurting. 12. CONTRIBUTING (Romans 12:8) _____ _____ _____ I cheerfully give the money and things I have to others.
Often Some-‐ Never
times 13. PASTOR (Ephesians 4:11) _____ _____ _____ I love other Christians and I like taking care of them and talking to them about Jesus. 14. WORKING OF MIRACLES (I Cor 12:10, 28) _____ _____ _____ I have prayers answered in ways that defy natural laws. 15. HEALING (I Cor 12:9, 28) _____ _____ _____ My prayers are quickly answered when I pray for sick people to be well. 16. KNOWLEDGE (I Corinthians 12:8) _____ _____ _____ God gives me supernatural knowledge about what is going on in peoples’ lives. 17. HOSPITALITY (I Peter 4:9) _____ _____ _____ I provide an open house and warm welcome to those in need of food or lodging. Gifts which provide God’s leadership for his people 18. ADMINISTRATION (I Corinthians 12:28) _____ _____ _____ Christians follow my direction as I tell them God’s vision for his church. 19. APOSTLESHIP (Ephesians 4:11, I Cor 12:28) _____ _____ _____ Many churches look to me for leadership and direction. 20. RULING (Romans 12:8) _____ _____ _____ I lead other Christians by loving, serving, and teaching them. Gifts which allow the message about Jesus to be spread to new people and places 21. EVANGELISM (Ephesians 4:11) ____ _____ _____ I enjoy talking to non-‐Christians about Jesus and they frequently become disciples of his. 22. CELIBACY (I Cor 7:7) _____ _____ _____ I am single and enjoy being that way so I have more time to serve God. 23. MARTYRDOM (I Cor 13:3) _____ _____ _____ I display a joyous and victorious attitude when I suffer for Christ. 24. VOLUNTARY POVERTY (I Cor 13:3) _____ _____ _____ I renounce material comfort and luxury so I may be free to serve God better. 25. MISSIONARY (Eph 3:7, I Cor 9:22) _____ _____ _____ I am able to minister in a culture different from my own.
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HEALING
Explore
Read
Apply
Dig Deeper
1. ThroughouttheGospels,JesusisseenpreachingtheGoodNewsandhealingthesick.Howarethesetwoactivitiesrelatedtooneanother?(hint:seeLuke10:9)
2. Jesus’actionsshowusthathealingismeanttogohandinhandwithproclaimingtheGos-pel.However,Fr.Mumfordsuggests,theChurchhastoooftendoneapoorjobofhealingthesick.Whymightthisbe?
3. Fr.MumfordquoteshismentorFrancisMacNuttwhohassaid,“Peoplearedyingbecausepeoplearen’tprayingforthem.”Whatmightkeepsomeonefromprayingforthesick?
Luke 9:1-6; Luke 10:1-9
1. WheredoesJesussendthe12andthe72?Whoseauthorityaretheygiven?
2. Jesussentoutthe12and72,empoweredbytheHolySpirit,toeverytownandplacethathe,himself,wastogo.Whatweretheytodowhentheyarrived?
3. JesusencouragedhisdisciplestostayinthecommunitiesandbewiththepeopleastheyprayedforthesickandtaughtaboutthekingdomofGod.HowdoeshealingthesickhelpmakedisciplesandgrowthekingdomofGod?
Fr.Nigeltellsusthateveryonecanandshouldprayforhealing.Thewaywedothisistosimply“listen,love,andpray.”Haveyoueverprayedforsomeonetobehealed?DoyoubelievethatifyouprayforhealingthatGodwillansweryourprayers?
Ifyouwouldliketolearnmoreabouthowtoprayforothers,orreceiveprayerforyourself,visittheDiocesanHealingCenterwebsiteformoreinformation:http://www.christ-the-king-center.org/Healing/TherearemanygoodbooksonHealing.Herearesomesuggestions:
• Healing --byFrancisMacNutt• The Forgotten Touch: More Stories of Healing--byRev.NigelMumford• Post Trauma Healing, After the Trauma, the Battle Begins--byRev.NigelMumford• Your Healing is Within You--byCanonJimGlennon• Christ the Healer -- by F.F. Bosworth
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NOTES
22
Explore
Read
Apply
Dig Deeper
1. Whenyouhearthewords“ChristianService”,whatcomestoyourmind?
2. ChristianserviceisawayofservingGodthroughservingothers.WhatdoyouseeastheultimategoalofChristianService?HowdoesChristianServicedifferfromsocialservice?
3. Throughservingothers,JesusdesiresthatwebringpeopleintoalivingrelationshipwithHimselfastheirLordandSavior.HowdoesthisgoalofChristianServicecom-parewithyourunderstandingandyourchurch’sunderstanding?
John 13:1-17
1. WhydidJesuswashhisdisciples’feet?
2. Aftergivingthemanexampletofollow,Jesusthencommandshisdisciplestodothesame.WhatdidJesusmeanwhenhesaidthat“noservantisgreaterthanhismaster”?
3. GivenwhatJesussaidanddidinthispassage,doesyourchurchhaveanyexcusenottoengageinChristianService?
Asagroup,askyouselves:Whatarethegreatestneedsinyourcommunity?WhataretheparticulargiftsthatGodhasgivenyourchurch?ThenpraytogetherandaskGodtoshowyouhowyourchurch’suniquegiftsmightbebestusedtohelpmeetthoseneeds.WhenGodshowsyou,thinkaboutwhatstepsneedtobetakentoprepareyourselfandyourchurchforthisservice.IsyourchurchreadytoexpressitsfaiththroughChristianService?(James2:14-18)
ReadEphesians2:8-9andJames2:14-18andconsiderthefollowingquestions:
CHRISTIANSERVICE
23
• Whatistherelationshipbetween‘faith’and‘works’?• Canfaithandworksexistindependentlyofoneanother?• ConsiderthelifeandministryofJesus.Howdidhisfaithandhisworksrelate?• HowarefaithandworksimportantforChristiansastheyengageinChristian
Service?
NOTES
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STEWARDSHIP
Explore
Read
Apply
Dig Deeper
1. Itisnaturaltodesireanabundantlife.Isthereadifferencebetweentheworld’sun-derstandingofabundanceandtheChristianunderstanding?
2. Whatisthetithe?DoyouagreethatChristiansshouldbetithing?WhydoyouthinkthatGodasksustotithe?Whoownsthefinancialresourceswehave?
3. Howisfaithrelatedtostewardship?
4. “Noonewhoisfinanciallyboundcanbespirituallyfree.”Whatdoyouthinkthisstatementmeans?
2 Corinthians 9:6-12
1. Godisconcernedabouttheattitudeofourhearts.Inverses6and7,howmucharewecalledtogive,andwhatisourattitudetowardsgivingsupposedtobe?
2. WhatdoesGodpromiseforusifwearegenerousandcheerfulgivers?
3. IfGodwillprovideforallofourneeds,thenwhatdoesthissayaboutGod?WhatarewesayingtoGodwhendon’tpracticeChristianStewardship?Whatarewesayingwhenwedo?
• Debt Proof your Marriage--byMaryHunt• Financial Peace--byDaveRamsey• Giving & Tithing, and Debt-Free Living--byLarryBurkett• Crown Financial: Family Budgeting and or Debt and Credit–www.crown.org
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ThefollowingaresomehelpfulresourcesonChristianStewardship:
God’spromiseofgraceandabundancetotheobedientandcheerfulgiverawaitsus.Whatstepsdoyouneedtotakeinyourownlifetobecomeabettersteward?
NOTES
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EVANGELISM
Explore
Read
Apply
Dig Deeper
1. “Christianityisonegenerationfromextinction.”Doyouagreeordisagreewiththisstatement?Why?
2. Whenyouheartheword‘evangelism’,howdoesitmakeyoufeel?AccordingtoFr.Roy,whataresomeofthereasonsthatmanyChristiansdon’tevangelize?
3. Whetheritbefearofrejection,afeelingofinadequacy,oramisunderstandingofhowtoevangelize,manyChristianschoosetokeeptheirfaithtothemselves.IsChristianfaithaprivatematter?WhatdoestheBiblesay?
John 20:19-22; (Acts 1:7-8)
1. Whatwasthedisciples’reactionwhentheysawtherisenJesus?Whydidtheyreactthisway?Whatdoesthisreactionsayabouttheirrelationshipwithhim?
2. Afterthedisciplesreceivehimwithgreatjoy,Jesussendsthemouttoevangelize(alsoseeMt.28).Whatdoesthissuggestaboutthepropermotivesforevangelism?AccordingtoFr.Roy,whataresomewrongmotives?Also,whodoesJesusgivehisdisciplestohelpthemintheirwork?
3. ThedepthofourcommitmenttoevangelismisdependantonthestrengthofourpersonalrelationshipwithJesus.Howcommittedtoevangelismareyou?
WhenandhowdidyoufirstbecomeaChristian?WhatdoesbeingaChristianmeantoyou?Taketimenowtowriteaparagraph(ormore)aboutyourexperience.Thisweek,takeastepoffaithandsharewithanotherpersonwhoisnotaChristianaboutwhyyoufollowJesus.Itcanbeafamilymember,afriend,orastranger.PraybeforeyoushareandthenallowGodtouseyou.
TaketheTheAlphaCourse(acourseinthebasicsoftheChristianfaith)and/orhelplaunchacourseinyourchurch.Invitemembersofyourcommunitytocome!Seehttp://www.albanyepiscopaldiocese.org/ministries/alpha.htmlformoreinformation.
Somesuggestedreading:
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• The Gospel in a Pluralist Society--byLeslieNewbigin• Out of the Saltshaker & into the World: Evangelism as a Way of Life--
byRebeccaManleyPippert
NOTES
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MISSION
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Dig Deeper
1. Whenyouheartheword“mission”,whatdoyouthinkabout?Whoiscalledtomission?
2. Rev.CanonMontgomerystatedthatmissionisa“non-negotiable”.IntheGreatCom-mission(Mt.28:19-20),JesuscallsallChristianstomission.Whereisthemissionfield?
3. ThereisopportunityformissionanywherethatChristianslive,workandcantravelintheworld.Haveyoueverconsideredyourselftobeamissionary?Whyorwhynot?
Luke 4:16-21
1. GivenJesus’decisiontoreadfromthescrollofIsaiah,whatwasJesus’understandingofHisownmission?Whatwashisroletobe?
2. JesussawhismissiononearthasafulfilmentofOldTestamentprophecyasrecord-edinIsaiah(andelsewhereintheOT).WhenyoulookatJesus’lifeandministry,inwhatpracticalwaysdidhefulfillthisprophecy?Towhomdidhego?Whatkindofthingsdidhedo?
3. Jesusministeredprimarilytotheoutcastsandtheneedy(physicallyandspiritually).WhoaretheoutcastsinyourcommunitywhoneedtobereachedwiththeloveofChrist?
HowwillyourespondtotheGreatCommission?Rev.CanonMontgomeryex-plainsthatinmissionthereare“sendingpeopleandsentpeople.”WhichmightGodbecallingyoutobe?
Ifyoudon’talreadyhaveone,talktoyourclergyaboutstartingaMissionsCommitteeinyourchurch.Ifyouneedhelpformingacommittee,contacttheDiocesanMissionsBoardbyvisitinghttp://www.albanyepiscopaldiocese.org/ministries/missions/.Atthissiteyoucanalsolearnmoreaboutwhatshort-termmissionstheDiocesecurrentlyoffers.Participatinginashort-termmissionisawonderfulwaytoblessotherswiththeloveofChristandalsotogrowinyourownfaith.Ifyouareunabletogoonashort-termmissionyourself,thenconsiderfinanciallysupportingamissiontriporamission-aryfamily.
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The Episcopal Diocese of AlbanyDisciples Making Disciples