KINGDOM OF GOD TEACHER GUIDE - Truth Centered …...God’s plan is the building of the Kingdom of...

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TEACHER GUIDE KINGDOM OF GOD

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TruthCenteredTransformation-Module2:KingdomofGodCopyright©2012ReconciledWorld,Phoenix,Arizona,UnitedStatesofAmerica.www.reconciledworld.org

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Acknowledgements

Theideasinthistrainingarenotmyown.Asalways,Iambuildingontheshouldersofthosewhohavegonebeforeme.InthiscasethematerialshavebeeninspiredbytheworkofDiscipleNationsAlliance(disciplenations.org).Themanychurchesthathavestudiedhavehelpedrefinethelessonsthroughtheirfeedbackoralloutconfusion.MygratitudegoestothemandtheirendlesspatiencewithmewhileIlearnedtocommunicatetruthinwaysthatareeasilyapplied.

MuchofthecontentofthistraininghasdrawnfromideasinBobMoffitt’sBook“IfJesuswasMayor.”Theideasandillustrationsforlessons2,5and6weredrawndirectlyfromthisbook.Lesson3,KingdomValues,wasinspiredbytheBiblestudyguide“God’sUnshakableKingdom”(KingdomLifestyleBiblieStudies)byDarrowMiller,BobMoffittandScottAllen.

Whiletheinspirationcomesfromothers,theerrorsaremyown.Pleaseletmeknowifthereareanysuggestionsonhowwecancontinuetorefinethesematerials.

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Table of Contents Lesson1:TheKingdomofGod...................................................................................................3

WhatistheKingdomofGod........................................................................................................................................3ObeyinginALLThings...................................................................................................................................................4BuildGod’sKingdom......................................................................................................................................................5

Lesson2:KingdomCommunities..............................................................................................6TheKingdomonEarth...................................................................................................................................................6GodastheRulerofourCommunities......................................................................................................................6JesusasaCommunityLeader.....................................................................................................................................8CommunityChangeinAllFourAreas.....................................................................................................................8

Lesson3:KingdomValues........................................................................................................10FoundationalPrinciples..............................................................................................................................................10ApplyingtheBibletoEveryPartofOurLives...................................................................................................12FindingGod’sPrinciples..............................................................................................................................................14

Lesson4:KingdomValuesandWork...................................................................................15ABiblicalPerspectiveonWork................................................................................................................................16TypesofWork..................................................................................................................................................................16GodCaresAboutHowWeDoOurWork..............................................................................................................18

Lesson5:BuildingtheKingdomofGod...............................................................................20ItStartsWithUs..............................................................................................................................................................20ACommunityTransformed.......................................................................................................................................20HowDoWeTransformOurCommunity?............................................................................................................21BrotherLawrence..........................................................................................................................................................22FromIndividualstoFamiliestoCommunities..................................................................................................23Families..............................................................................................................................................................................24Communities....................................................................................................................................................................24OtherExamplesofPeopleWhoBuiltGod’sKingdom....................................................................................26HowtoBeaKingdomBuilder...................................................................................................................................28

Lesson6:TheChurch’sRoleinBuildingtheKingdomofGod......................................30EquippingIndividuals..................................................................................................................................................31WhyDoesEveryoneNeedtobeServing?............................................................................................................32TransformingFamilies.................................................................................................................................................33TransformingCommunities.......................................................................................................................................33

Lesson7:TheTruthCenteredTransformationProgram..............................................36ProjectVision...................................................................................................................................................................36EquippingChurches......................................................................................................................................................37TransformingtheCommunity..................................................................................................................................38AreasofTransformation.............................................................................................................................................39Method................................................................................................................................................................................40FutureTrainingTopics................................................................................................................................................40

Lesson8:NextSteps....................................................................................................................41WhyPlanningisImportant........................................................................................................................................41Meetings.............................................................................................................................................................................42ActsofLove.......................................................................................................................................................................42

ActofLovePlanningSteps....................................................................................................................................43

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Before You Get Started

PreparingforTeachingaLesson

1. ReadthroughtheTeacher’sGuidecarefully,severaltimesifpossible.Highlightormakenotesinthemargintoremindyourselfofimportantpoints.

2. Lookattheobjectivesforeachlessonsoyouknowwhatstudentsshouldlearnthroughthelesson.

3. ReadallScripturepassagesahead.4. Checktoseewhatmaterialsareneededineachlessonandmakesureyoumakecopiesof

StudentGuides(handouts)andcreatethevisualaidsthatareusedinthelesson.5. Makesureyouarefamiliarwitheachactivityinthelesson(roleplays,games,visualaids).

Youcanpracticeitwithyourfamilyorfriends.6. TaketimetoprayforGodtopreparethestudents,forthestudentstohearwhatGodwants

themtohearandforHimtohelpyouteachthematerials.RememberthatitisonlythroughGod’sstrengththatwewillseepeoplechanged.

HelpfulHintsforEffectiveTeaching

1. Arriveearlyandsetupyourmaterialsandtheareayouwillbeusing.2. Don’trushthroughthematerial.Planenoughtimefordiscussion,activitiesandbreaks.The

goalisforpeopletohavetimetounderstandandbeinvolvedinthelearningprocess.Moveatapacefromtopictotopicthatmakessureeveryoneunderstands.Somemodulesmytakeanextra½orwholeday.

3. Reviewoften.Atthebeginningofeachsessionhavetheclassreviewalltheyhavelearnedsofarinthetrainingmodule.Repetitionhelpspeopletorememberwhatwaslearned.

4. FollowtheTeacher’sGuideandyourpreparationnotes.5. Makesuretoincludeallfourpartsofeachlesson.

a. Introducethetopic–activitieswillconnectthetopictotheirpreviousexperiences.b. Givenewinformation–therearemanywaystosharenewinformation.c. Givestudentssomethingwithwhattheyhavelearned–activitiesallowthemto

betterunderstandtheinformationbyworkingwithothers,creatingsomethingorusingthenewinformationinsomeway.

d. Connecttheinformationtotheirlife–thisistheapplicationstepthathelpsthestudentdecidespecificwaystheywillapplynewinformationtheyhavelearnedintheirlives.Learningwithoutapplicationdoesn’tproducechangeandisn’tveryuseful.

6. ReviewyouradultlearningprinciplesandotherskillstaughtintheFacilitatorDevelopmenttraining.

a. Givecleardirectionsb. Asklotsofopenendedquestionsc. Thankpeoplefortheirparticipationd. Don’ttellpeoplewhattheycanlearnbetterbydiscovery

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e. Buildonwhatpeoplealreadyknowandrecognizetheirexperiencef. Bepatientandwaitforpeopletorespond

7. Encouragingeveryonetobeparticipating,sharingandcontributingtothediscussions.Findwaystogentlyencourageshypeopletoparticipatewithoutembarrassingthem.

8. PraythroughoutthedayforGodtorevealnewthingstoyouandthestudents.

HowtoUseThisTeacher’sGuide

1. ObjectivesandMaterials:EachLessonbeginswiththissection.a. Objectives-Studentsshouldbeabletoachievethesebytheendofeachlesson.Itis

goodtoaskyourselfiftheseobjectiveswereaccomplishedafteryouleadalesson.Taketimetoreviewkeyideasoftentohelpthemremember.

b. Materials-Thespecificmaterialsneededarelistedforeachlesson,includingVisualAidsandStudentHandouts.YoucanchoosetoprovidecopiesoftheentireStudentGuidetoeachparticipant,ormaketheminimalnumberofcopiesassuggestedineachlesson.Wealsorecommendhavingposterpaper,awhiteboard,orachalkboardtousewiththelargegroup.

2. TeacherInstructions:Therearespecialinstructionsinthelessontohelpyouleadthetrainingwell.Thesearenotmeanttobesharedwiththestudents.Readtheseaheadsoyouarepreparedtoleaddiscussionsandactivities.Somequestionswillalsohaveitalicizedanswerstohelpyouasafacilitatorknowwhattodrawoutofthestudents.Thesearenottheonlygoodanswers,justsomegoodanswers.

3. ManagingTimeframesandFlow:Timeframesarenotincludedforeachlesson.a. Takeasmuchtimeasisneededtohelppeoplelearntheideasinthelesson.Itis

morevaluabletobeconcernedaboutwhatpeoplearelearningthanwithcompletingthelessoninasettimeframe.

b. Remembertoleavetimeforfacilitatorstostartoffwithdevotions,sharetestimonies,discussanyproblemstheyarehaving,andpraytogether.

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Lesson 1: The Kingdom of God

KeyObjective

1. UnderstandtheKingdomofGodispresentwhenwefullyobeyGod’scommands2. UnderstandtheKingdomgrowswhenmorepeoplecometoobeyGodandwhenweobey

Himmorecompletely

Materials

1. None

WhatistheKingdomofGod

WhenJesuswalkedonearthHesharedHisplan.Thisplanismentioned98timesintheNewTestament.JesussaysitistheentirereasonHewassent,andHesendsHisdisciplestoteachaboutitaswell.Paultalkedaboutitandweareevenencouragedtoprayforit.

• Doyouknowwhatitis?

INSMALLGROUPSDISCUSS

Readthefollowingversesandanswerthequestions:

• Matthew10:5-8—WhatdidJesussendthedisciplestoteachabout?• Luke4:43—WhywasJesussent?• Acts1:3—WhatdidJesusteachaboutduringHislastfortydaysonearth?• Acts28:30-31—WhatdidPaulteachabout?

God’splanisthebuildingoftheKingdomofGod.Aswecanseeintheseverses,thisisakeyideabothJesusandPaultaught.Itshouldbeimportanttousaswell.However,manyofusdon’tunderstandthephrase“theKingdomofGod.”

• TurntosomeoneandthinkabouthowyouwoulddescribetheKingdomofGodtoanewChristian.

Sharetheanswerswiththewholegroup.

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Lesson1:TheKingdomofGod

TheKingdomofGodisnotactuallyhardtoexplain.TheKingdomofGodiswhereverJesusisKingandHislawsarefollowed.SowhereverweseepeoplewalkinginobediencetoGodandfollowingHisdesires,thereisalittlepieceoftheKingdomofGod.ObviouslytheKingdomofGodwillnotcomeinitscompletenessuntilJesuscomesagainandeverythingismadenewandwithoutsin.

Tohelpusunderstandlet’sthinkaboutThailand.Thailandisakingdom:theyhaveakingandwhenthekingspeaks,thepeopleofThailandlisten.Hesaidhelikesthecoloryellow,sonowpeopleallwearyellowshirtsonMondays.Hesaidhiswifelikespurple,sonowmanypeoplewearpurpleshirtsonFridays.Heissolovedandadmiredthatjustbysayinghelikesacolor,heaffectshowpeopledress.

Afewyearsago,themilitarytookoverthegovernmentinThailand.Therewasfightingonthestreets.Thesupportersofthegovernmentfoughtthesupportersofthearmy.Everyonewasconcerneditwouldbecomeveryserious.Andthenthekingspoke.Hetoldeveryonetostopfightingandtopreparetohaveelections.Thefightingstoppedimmediately.Nobodyquestionedtheking;theyjustdidwhathesaid.Eveniftheystillfeltangry,itdidn’tmatter.Thekinghadspokenandpleasingthekingwasmoreimportantthantheirfeelings.

WealsohaveaKing—JesusisourKing.Shouldn’tweseektopleaseHimandtodowhateverHesaysinthesamewaythatthepeopleofThailandtrytopleasetheirking?IfthepeopleofThailandlovetheirkingsomuchthatevenbysayinghelikesacolorhecanimpactthewaypeopledress,shouldn’tourlivesbeevenmoreimpactedbyourloveforourKingJesus?

LARGEGROUPDISCUSSION

• DoweseektopleaseourKinginallwedo?Whyorwhynot?• WhataresomeareasinourlivesinwhichwecouldlearntoobeyGodbetter?

ObeyinginALLThings

GodwantsustopleaseandhonorHimatalltimes.ReadColossians3:17and1Corinthians10:31.Intheseversesittellsusthatwhateverwedo,weshoulddotobringglorytoGod.Inbothversesitrepeatstheideaofeverythingwedo:inColossians,“Andwhateveryoudo,whetherinwordordeed,doitallinthenameoftheLordJesus,givingthankstoGodtheFatherthroughHim.”InCorinthians,“Sowhetheryoueatordrinkorwhateveryoudo,doitallforthegloryofGod.”IfsomethingisrepeatedintheBible,itusuallyindicatestheideaisimportant.PaulwantsustounderstandthatinEVERYTHINGweshouldbringglorytoGod.


• Whataresomethingswedoinatypicalday?(Writealistontheboard.)• HowcanwebringglorytoGodaswedoeachofthesethings?(gothroughthelistoneby

one.)

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Lesson1:TheKingdomofGod

WeshouldbeseriousaboutobeyingourKingJesusandpleasingHim.Godhasdonesomuchforus,sendingHissontodieforus.WhenweconsiderHisgreatgiftweshoulddesiretoobeyHiscommands.

BuildGod’sKingdom

ReadMatthew6:9-10

• WhatdoesJesusaskustoprayfor?• HowdoweseeHiskingdomcome?

GodwantstobuildHisKingdomhereonearth.(YourKingdomcome.)HisKingdomisbuiltonearthbypeopledoingHiswill.(Yourwillbedone.)

TherearetwomainwayswecanbuildGod’sKingdom.ThefirstisbyincreasingthenumberofpeopleinGod’sKingdombyseeingpeoplesaved.ThesecondisbyseeingGod’swilldonemoreandmorebypeople.Aswelearnt,Jesuscametoreconcileallthings(Col1:18-20).

IfwewanttoseeGod’swillbeingdonemore,weneedtoseemorepeoplesavedandobeyingGod,andweneedtoseemorepeoplelivingasGodintendedinALLareasoftheirlives.

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Lesson 2: Kingdom Communities

KeyObjectives

1. Understandifwearetrulylivingobediently,weshouldseeourwholecommunitybecomingmoreliketheKingdomofGod.

Materials

1. Handout2.1CommunityStories2. Largesheetsofpaper3. Crayonsormarkers

TheKingdomonEarth

CanyouimaginewhatitwouldlookliketohavetheKingdomofGodonearth?IntheNewTestamentweseemanyexamplesofhowtheearlyChristianscametogethertoformtheKingdomofGod.

ReadActs2:42-47

• Whatdidthenewbelieversdo?• Arethesespiritualorphysicalthings?(Both)• Whatwastheresult?

o Noonewasinneed,otherpeoplelookedonthemfavorably,andmorepeoplebecamebelievers.

• Whatresultsshouldweseeinourcommunitieswhenwehavefellowshipliketheearlybelieversdid?

GodastheRulerofourCommunities

GodwantstoseeourcommunitiesincreasinglylivingasHeintended.HedoesnotjustwantHiswilldoneinourlivesindividually,butinourcommunitiesaswell.

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Lesson2:KingdomCommunities

INSMALLGROUPS

Instructions:Readthefollowingstoriesandanswerthequestions.(HANDOUT2.1)

AmaninIndiawenttovisitavillagewherehehadbeenworking.HeaskedthevillagewomenwhattheircommunitywouldlooklikeifJesusweretheleaderofthevillage.Umrai,oneofthemoreoutspokenwomen,describedavillagewheretherewasunityandsolidarity.SheknewJesuswasnothonoredbyhowhervillagewasdivided.Eachfamilylivedonlyforitself.Becauseofherreply,thegroupofvillagewomenformedahealthcommitteeandaself-helpgroup.Thefourteenwomenintheself-helpgroupbegantomeetregularlyandwithgreatenthusiasm.Groupmemberscollectedsmallamountsofindividualsavingsintoagroupaccountandtheybegantosolvecommunityproblemstogether.UmraibecamethepresidentofthecommitteeandusedherleadershipgiftstoplanandtomobilizethevillagetodothekindsofthingsJesuswoulddoifHeweretheleader.

LadiesfromaBiblestudyinUgandadecidedtoservetheirvillageasJesuswouldserve.Theycarefullyplannedtheirfirstproject:cleaninggarbagefromaroundalocalbar.Twoofthewomencourageouslyenteredthebar.(Usually,theonlywomenwhogointoabararetheprostitutes.)Theyaskedpermissiontocleanupthegarbage.Thesurprisedownerslaughed,butagreed.Thewomenmobilizedthecommunity,withmanypeoplevolunteering.Thegroupdugtwopits:oneforbiodegradablegarbageandtheotherfornon-biodegradablematerials.Whenbarpatronssawotherscleaninguptheirtrash,theyhelped.Tothedelightofthecommunity,thebarownerscontinuedtokeeptheareaclean.

Encouraged,thewomandecidedtobuildninefuel-efficientstovesforlocalfamiliesandtoprovidewaterstoragepotsforneedypeople.Next,theBiblestudygroupundertookalargerproject:acommunitymarket.Thevillagewomentypicallywalkmanyhours,carryingtheirvegetablesandgoodstofarawaymarkets.Anearbymarketwouldallowthemtogenerateincomewhilekeepingthemclosetotheirfamilies,community,andgardens.Landwasdonated,butitwastoosteeptobegintobuildthemarket.ThewomenfromtheBiblestudyprayedandthehighwayworkerswhowererepairingaroadnearbywillinglycameandbulldozedthemarketpropertylevelatnocost.WithGod’shelpthesmallgroupofruralChristianwomendiscoveredandcollectresources,savedmoney,solveddilemmas,andbuiltacommunitymarket.TheirspirituallivesgrewastheyservedothersonbehalfofJesus.

Discuss:

• Whathappenedineachofthestories?• Becauseofthepeopleinthestories,didthecommunitiesmoveclosertohowitwouldbeif

everyonelivedasJesusintended?Why?• Whatweresomeoftheactivitiesthegroupsinthestoriesdid?• Howcouldyoudothesameinyourcommunity?

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JesusasaCommunityLeader

LARGEGROUP

ImaginethatJesuswastheleaderofyourcommunity.WhatdoyouthinkaresomeofthefirstthingsHewouldchange?

Instructions:Ifthegrouponlyfocusesonchangingpoliticalleaders,remindthemthatwhileonearthJesusdidn’tchangethepoliticalleaders.ThedisciplesallexpectedHimtooverthrowthepoliticalstructure;however,Hedidn’t.Heworkedwithindividualstobringchangepersonbyperson.InthisprogramourfocusisonlivingasGodintendedandhelpingotherstodothesame.

Ifthegroupisstrugglingtothinkofideasthenyoucanusesomeofthesequestionstopromptdiscussion:

• WhatwouldJesusdoaboutwidowsandorphans?• HowwouldHestrengthenfamilies?• HowwouldHepromotesafedrinkingwater,adequatehousingandfood,healthservices,

garbageandsewersystems,anddecentroads?• Whatwouldbedoneabouteducationofchildrenandadults?• WhatwouldHedoaboutalcoholism,drugabuse,gamblingandotheraddictions?• WhatwouldHedoaboutspousalandchildabuse?• HowwouldHeimproverelationshipsbetweenpeople?

CommunityChangeinAllFourAreas

• DoyourememberthefourwaysthatweshouldgrowlikeJesusdid?(Luke2:52)o Wisdom,Physical,SocialandSpiritual

TheKingdomofGodbringschangeinallfourareas.IfwewanttoseeourcommunitiesbecomemoreliketheKingdomofGod,thenweneedtoimagineallfourareaschangedinourcommunity.

INSMALLGROUPS

Instructions:Dividetheclassintogroupsandaskthemtotaketimetodiscusswhattheidealcommunitywouldbelike.Specificallyaskthemtothinkaboutthespiritual,physical,socialandmentalareas.AskthemtodrawapictureofhowtheyimagineGodwoulddesiretheircommunitytobe.

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Explain:

GodalsolongstoseeourcommunitiestransformedtobecomemorelikeHiskingdom.HeencouragedustopraythatHisKingdomwouldcomeonearthlikeitisinheavenandtoldustoseekfirstHisKingdom.

CanyouimaginewhatitwouldbeliketoliveinacommunitywhereeveryonelivedincompleteobediencetoGod?Therewouldbehappyfamilies,friendlyneighbors,helpingoneanotherandlivinginharmony;therewouldbenoarguingorfightingordishonesty.Wouldyouliketoliveinacommunitylikethat?

God’smethodforbringingHiskingdomisthroughus.WewilllearnmoreaboutthisinLesson4,butfornowletusthinkabout:(gothrougheachoftheseslowlygivingpeopletimetothinkabouttheanswer.)

• Whatwouldhappeniftomorrowmorning,startingat6a.m.,everyoneinthechurchstartedtoactasGodintends?

• Whatwouldhappentous,personally,ifwefullyobeyedGod’sintentionsforourrelationships,forthecareofourbodies,andforourwalkwithGod?

• WhatwouldhappeninourfamiliesifallmembersfullyobeyedGod’sintentionsfortheirrelationshipswithoneanother?

• Whatwouldhappeninourchurchandintheotherchurchesinourcommunityifalltheleadersandmemberstrulylovedeachother,servedeachother,caredforthepowerlessandpoor,andlivedinunity?

Godhasgivenusanexcitingvision:thevisionofHisKingdomcomingtoearth.HewantsustobepartofbuildingHisKingdomonearth.ImaginewhattheworldwouldbelikeifeveryoneobeyedGod.Itwouldbelikeheaven!AlthoughweknowthiswillnotbecompleteuntilJesuscomesagain,wecanstillstarttoworkonthisGod-givenvision.

Everydayweshouldwakeupandthinktoourselves,howcanIbuildGod’skingdomtoday?WhatcanIdotoincreaseGod’sKingdom?HowcanIlivesoIliveaccordingtoGod’srules?HowcanIhelpmyfamilytodothesame?

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Lesson 3: Kingdom Values

KeyObjectives

1. UnderstandthattheproblemsinourcommunitiescanonlybesolvedthroughcompleteobediencetoGod

2. SeethattheKingdomofGodcomesasweapplytheBibletoeveryareaofourlives3. SeethattheprinciplesintheBiblearedifferentfromthevaluesinourcommunities4. UnderstandthatwecanfindBibleprincipleswhenwereadtheBible

Materials

1. Handout3.1KingdomValuesworksheet2. FoundationalPrinciplesPosters

FoundationalPrinciples

Let’sstartbylookingatthreebasicprinciples.

Theworldisseriouslybroken.Humanwisdomandmaterialresourcescannothealit.

• Whataresomeexamplesoftheeffectsofsinintheworld?Possibleanswers

o Alcoholabuse/gambling/prostitutiono Brokenfamilieso Fightingbetweenpeople

Readthefollowingstory:

ThenationofHaitiisanexampleofbrokennessthathasnotbeenfixedbyhumanwisdomandmaterialresources.HaitiisthepoorestcountryinSouthandCentralAmerica.Ithasapopulationofeightmillionpeople.Since1980,thousandsofinternational,governmentalandnon-governmentalprogramshavebeencarriedout.Billionsofdollarshavebeenspenttryingtoimprovetheeconomic,socialandspiritualproblemsofHaiti.Howevernothingimproved.In2004internationalorganizationsandgovernmentsgaveanotheronebilliondollarstotrytofixHaiti.

DespiteallthismoneyHaitihasnotchangedatall.Thepeoplearestillsuffering;theyhavenohope.80%ofpeopleliveintotalpoverty.Therearenofactoriesorbusinessesinthecountry;theyhaveallcloseddown.Unemploymentisatleast70%.Over10%ofchildrendonotlivepasttheageoffour.Slumsareoverpopulated,peopledonothavestablehouses,andthestreetsarefilledwithlitter.Crimeisoutofcontrol.Theroadsareinterribleconditionandthereisnotenoughwatertodrink.Theruralareasarenobetter.Afteryearsofcuttingdowntheforestsandsoilerosion,thevillageshavenothingtodefendthemagainsttropicalstormsandnofertilelandtoplant.

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Lesson3:KingdomValues

Evenwithallthemoneyspentandalltheexperts’ideas,therehasbeennoimprovement.Economicresourceshavenothealedthelandnorhavetheideasofallthetopexpertsintheworld.

• WhatisthesituationinHaiti?• HowmuchmoneywasspentinHaiti?• Whatwastheimpact?• Whydoyouthinkthatis?

Theworldisbrokenandallourgoodideasarenotenoughtofixit.InHaiti,evenwithbillionsofdollarsandthousandsofexperts,thesituationhasnotimproved.Thisistruethroughouttheworld,notjustinHaiti.AfterspendingfiftybilliondollarsinAfricaandsendingthousandsofexpertsthecontinentisnowpoorerthanitwastwentyyearsago.Humanwisdomandresourcesarenotenoughtohealourworld.Weneedsomethingmore.

HealingforanationhappensthroughpeopleastheyrespondtoGodandliveasHeinstructs.

Read2Chronicles7:14

• WhatdoestheBiblesayweneedtodo?• Whoneedstodoit—Christiansornon-Christians?• Whatwillhappenifwedothesethings?• Doyoubelievethisverseiscorrect?• Whatshouldwedoifwewanttoseeourcommunityhealed?

Goddoeswanttoseeoursocietieshealed.Jesuscametoreconcileallthings.However,Hestillworksthroughus.Withoutuspraying,fastingandwalkinginobediencetoGodtherewillbenohealing!God’shealingforourcommunitiescomeswhenwedothesethings.Doyouwanthealingforyourcommunity?Areyouwilingtodothesethings?

TheBibletellsushowweshouldlivetohealournationsandbuildtheKingdomofGod.

Sometimeswhenwebuysomethingvaluablewegetamanualwhichtellsushowtouseit.Themanualiswrittenbythecompanywhodesignedandbuilttheproduct.Theyknowhowtouseitsoitwillrunthebestandlastthelongest.Ifwewantthebestresultsfromournewproductitisbesttoreadthemanual.

Godisthesame.Hedesignedtheworldandmadeit.Hedesignedusandmadeus.HeknowshowtomaketheworldandourlivesthebestpossibleandHehaswrittenaninstructionmanual.ItiscalledTheBible.InitHetellsushowtoliveineveryareaofourlives.TheBiblehasalltheinstructionsandwisdomweneedtohealourbrokenworldandcommunities.Weneedtoread,understandandapplywhatiswrittentheretoeveryareaofourlivesifwewantthebestpossiblelifeandifwewanttoseeourcommunitieschanged.

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Instructions:Reviewthesethreeideasagainusingthecards.Makesuretheclassunderstandseachofthecards.

• Whathavewelearntabouthowtohealourworld?• HowcanwewalkinobediencetoGod?• WeneedtoreadtheBibleandapplyittoeveryareaofourlives.• WhathasGodpromisedwillhappenifweareobedient?

ApplyingtheBibletoEveryPartofOurLives

IfyoureadthestoriesofwhenJesuslivedonEarthyouwillseethediscipleshadverydifferentideasabouthowJesusshouldrulethanJesusdid.

ReadMark10:35-37,41-45

• WhatwereJamesandJohndiscussing?• WhatdidJesussayabouthowleadersshouldact?

JamesandJohnwerethinkingliketheirculture.Theywantedtoruleoverothersandwereimaginingthedaywhentheywouldbegreatleaders.ButJesuscorrectedthemandtoldthemwhatagreatleaderisreallylike:agreatleaderisaservant.

• Whatdoyouthinkthelifeofaservantwaslikeatthattime?• Howdoyouthinkthedisciplesfeltwhentheyheardthis?

Sooftenthisisthecase.ThewayoftheworldortraditionisnotthewayofGod.WeneedtoknowGod’swaysifwearegoingtobuildGod’skingdomhereonEarth.GodhasgivenustheBible,whichtellsushowweshouldliveinawaythatpleasesGod.

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INSMALLGROUPS

Fillinthefollowingtable(Handout3.1).Foreachitemthinkaboutwhatyourculturewouldusuallysay.ThenlookattheversesandseewhattheBiblesaysweshoulddo.

Value ScriptureOurCulture/

TraditionGod’sKingdom

Howweshouldactasahusband

Colossians3:17

1Peter3:7

Ephesians5:25,28,33

Howweshouldactasawife

Genesis2:18

Ephesians5:22-24,33

Howweshouldtreatchildren

Psalm127:3

Ephesians6:4

HowtotreatpeopleMatthew22:36-40

Luke10:25-37

Howtotreatenemies Luke6:27-31

OurattitudetowardworkColossians3:22-4:1

Ephesians6:7-8

Ourattitudetowardtheenvironment

Psalm24:1

Genesis1:28-30

Genesis2:15

ThemostimportantthingMatthew6:25-34

Matthew22:36-40

Ourattitudetowarddeathanddying

John11:25-26

Hebrews2:14-15

Revelation1:17-18

Ourattitudetowardsuffering

Luke6:22-23

2Corinthians1:8-11

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FindingGod’sPrinciples

ThisweekasyoureadtheBibleyouneedtostarttolookforGod’sprinciplesyoucanapplytoyourlives.Asyoureadachapterorapassageaskyourselfthesefourquestions:

• WhatdoesthispassageteachmeaboutGod?• WhatdoesthispassageteachmeabouthowIshouldlive?• WhatdoesthispassageteachmeabouthowIshouldtreatothers?• WhatdoesthispassageteachmeabouthowIshouldtreattheenvironmentorhowIshould

workorusemoneyetc?

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Lesson 4: Kingdom Values and Work

KeyObjectives

1. WorkisanimportantareainourliveswherewecanbringglorytoGod.TheBibleshowsushowtobeobedientinourworkandhowtoworkinawaythatglorifiesGod.

Materials

1. Handout4.1SmallGroupDiscussionGuide2. JohnWesley’sGuidelinesforWork

Introduction


• Isworkgenerallyconsideredgoodorbad?• Whataresomeproverbsinyourlanguageaboutwork?

Genesis1:28

• WhatwereGod’sfirstinstructionstoAdam?• WasthisbeforeorafterAdamsinnedbyeatingthefruit?

Genesis2:2

• WhatdoesGodrestfrom?

Mark6:1-3

• WhatwasJesusprofessionbeforeHestartedteaching?

AsweseeintheseversesGodworked,andaswearemadeintheimageofGodwearemadetowork.Rightfromthebeginningoftime,beforesinenteredtheworld,manworked.

InthebookofRuth,welearnaboutRuth.Sheisescapingfromafaminewithhermother-in-lawandisverypoor.TheyreturntoMoabbecausetheyhaveheardthereisfoodthere.RuthfindsworkinthefieldofBoaz,whotakesaninterestinherandlearnswhatshehasdoneforhermother-in-law.

• WhatdidBoazdotohelpRuth?(Ruth2:15-16)• Whydoyouthinkhedidn’tjustgiveherthewheat?

o Becausewehavebeendesignedtowork,sobecauseofthiswefinddignityinworkingratherthanjustbeingtherecipientofcharity.Bydoingthis,BoazgaveRuthherdignity.

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Lesson4:KingdomValuesandWork

ABiblicalPerspectiveonWork

INSMALLGROUPS

UsingHandout4.1discuss.Whataresomereasonstowork?Usethefollowingversesandanyideasyouhavesofarinthislesson.

• 1Thessalonians4:11-12• 1Timothy5:8• Ephesians4:28• 1Corinthians10:31


• DoyouthinkGodintendsforustowork?• Whatattitudedopeopletypicallyhavetowardswork?• WhenGodwasplantingagarden,orJesuswasacarpenter,whatdoyouthinkHisattitude

was?• HowcanwehaveanattitudemorelikeGod?• HowcanwehelpotherstohaveanattitudesimilartoGodabouttheirwork?

INDIVIDUALLY

• Whatisyourattitudetowardsyourwork?• Doyouneedtochangeyourattitude?

PraythatGodwillhelpyoutoseeyourworkasHeseesitandthatHewillgiveyouanattitudethatismorelikeHis.

TypesofWork


• Doyouthinkthatsometypesofworkaremoreimportantthanothers?Whatmakesthemmoreimportant?

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INSMALLGROUPS• WhatjobdidGodgiveAdam?• WhatjobdidGodgiveNoah?• WhatjobdidGodgiveJoseph?• WhatjobdidGodgiveDaniel?• WhatjobdidGodgiveGideon?• WhatjobdidGodgiveMoses?• WhatjobdidGodgiveDavid?• DoyouthinkGodwouldhavepreferredifthesepeoplehadledachurchorpreached

sermonsinsteadofdoingtheworkHehadgiventhemtodo?• DoyouthinkGodconsideredthesepeoplelowerorlessimportantthanthepriests?For

examplewasMoses’worklessimportantthanAaron’swork?

TheideathatsomejobsarehigherandsomearelowerisnotfoundintheBible.ThisideawaspartofGreekculturethatbecamepartofChristianthinkinguntilthetimeoftheReformation.TheGreeksbelievedspiritualthingswerehigherandmorehonoringtoGodwhileotherthingswerelowerandwerenotimportanttoGod.

HoweverthisisnotthestoryintheBible.TheBiblestartswithGodcreatingtheuniverseandtheEarth.InGenesis2:8weseeGodplantingagarden.God,theGodweworshipandadore,plantedagarden.Asweworkinthefield,letusrememberGodwasthefirstgardener.WearedoingwhatGoddidsomanyyearsago.AgainandagainGodcalledpeopletoserveHiminavarietyofways.Whilebeingapreacherorevangelistisanhonorablejob,soisgardening,beingacarpenter,orbeingateacher.Wedon’tonlyneedpeopletoteachusspirituallybutalsotogrowfoodtoeat,tobuildsheltertolivein,andtoteachourchildren.JohnWesley,averyfamousChristianwholivedtwohundredyearsago,gavethefollowingguidelinesforwork.

JohnWesley’sguidelines(VisualAid2)

• Workshouldnotharmyourhealth• Workshouldnotharmyourfamily• Workshouldnotbeagainstourconscience• Workshouldnothurtourneighbororhisabilitytoearnmoney• Workshouldnothurtourneighbor’sbody• Workshouldnotcauseyourneighbortosin.

JohnWesleysaidthatwithintheseguidelinesweshoulduseourtalentstoworkashardaspossible.Weshouldtrytoearnasmuchaswecansoweareabletolookafterourfamily,saveforthefuture,givetoexpandGod’swork,andgivetothepoor.InthatwaywearehonoringGodbyusingthetalents,strengthandhealthHehasgivenus.

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LookatJohnWesley’sguidelines

• Whatisanexampleofhoweachcouldbebroken?o Workshouldnotharmyourhealth—workingsomewheredangerous,workthatis

inappropriatetoyourabilitiesforexampleveryphysicallaborforsomeoneold.o Workshouldnotharmyourfamily—workingsuchlonghoursthatyouneglectyour

family.Jobsthatrequireyoutobeawayfromyourfamilyforthemajorityofthemonthratherthancaringforthem.

o Workshouldnotbeagainstourconscience—robbingortakingadvantageofsomeone.

o Workshouldnothurtourneighbororhisabilitytoearnmoney—startingabusinessnexttosomeoneelsebutsellingatalowerpricesoyougetalltheircustomers.

o Workshouldnothurtourneighbor’sbody—makingalcoholorcigarettes.o Workshouldnotcauseyourneighbortosin—runningalocalbeerbar.

• IfwebelieveallworkishonoringtoGodthenhowdoesthataffectthewayyouseeyourwork?

• Doesthisimpactthewayyoudoyourwork?

GodCaresAboutHowWeDoOurWork

OftenithasbeensaidthatChristianworkersaretheworstworkers.

• Whydoyouthinkthatwouldbetrue?• Doesithappeninyourarea?• HowdoyouthinkGodfeelsaboutChristianshavingthisreputation?

WhiletheBibleneversuggestssomejobsaremoreimportantorlessimportant,theBiblehasalottosayabouthowweshoulddoourjobs.Itisanimportantpartofourdays—wespendmostofourwakingtimeworking,soweneedtoconsidercarefullyhowwedoourwork.

INSMALLGROUPS

Lookatthefollowingverses.Whatdotheseversesteachusaboutwork?Insmallgroupssummarizeinonesentence.

• 2Thessalonians3:10-12• Proverbs10:4• Proverbs19:15• Proverbs21:25

Whatdoyouthinktheseversesteachabouthowweshoulddowork?

• 1Corinthians10:31-GlorifyGod• Colossians3:23-WorkasifworkingforGod

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FormostofJesus’lifeHewasacarpenter.ImagineifyoucouldseeHimasacarpenter.

• WhatdoyouthinkthequalityofHisworkwaslike?• ImagineyouworkedinaworkshopwithHim:whatwouldithavebeenliketoworkinthe

sameworkshopasJesus?• HowwouldHeactduringtheday?• HowwouldHeactwhennoonewaslooking?

DuringtheReformation,anincrediblechangehappenedinthewayChristiansdidtheirwork.ForthefirsttimepeoplebegantoreadtheBibletoseehowitappliedtotheireverydaylife.Atthattime,ifacarpentermadeatable,hewouldensurethatthebottomofthetablewasasbeautifulasthetopofit.HesaidthatGodcouldseethebottomofthetableaseasilyasthetop,andthecarpenterwasworkingtopleaseGod.Theproductsmadeatthattimewereamongstsomeofthehighestqualityproductsevermade.

INSMALLGROUPS

RolePlays

Chooseajobandcreatetworoleplays:oneshowingapersondoingthejobinawaythatbringsglorytoGod,andoneshowingapersondoingthejobinawaythatdoesnotbringglorytoGod.Doyourroleplaysforthewholegroup.

LARGEGROUP

Aftereachroleplaydiscuss:

• WhataresomeofthewaysyousawthepersonbringingglorytoGodinhis/herwork?• WhataresomeofthewaysyousawthepersonnotbringingglorytoGodinhis/herwork?• Whataresomemoreideaswecanaddtoeachoftheselists?

PERSONALREFLECTION

Thinkaboutyourwork.WhataresomeofthewaysyouglorifyGodinyourwork?AskGodtoshowyousomethingsyoucoulddobettertohonorHimmore.

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Lesson 5: Building the Kingdom of God

KeyObjectives

1. WemustbeobedientinourindividuallivesandfamilylifeinordertotransformourcommunitytobemoreliketheKingdomofGod.

Materials

1. Handout5.1‘OneChristianFamilyMakesaDifference’Story2. Handout5.2HowtobeaKingdomBuilder3. Poster–IndividualtoFamily

ItStartsWithUs

InLessonOnewetalkedabouthowGodhasgivenusanincrediblevision.

• Whatwasthevision?o TheKingdomofGod

• Whatcanwedotostarttoachievethisvision?

ACommunityTransformed

Readthefollowingstory.

Inonearea,theChristianshadforyearsbeenknownforbeingextremelypoor.Mostfamiliesearnedverylittlemoney.Theywereforcedtoplantfieldsthatwerealongdistancefromtheirhomes,andtheyhadtocarrytheirharvestoutontheirbacksbecausetheroadwasnotgoodenoughtobringinacar.Mostfamilieshadonlyenoughricefromtheirharvesteachyeartolastsixmonths.Therestoftheyeartheyforagedinthewoodstoprovidefoodforthemselves.Becausetheydidn’tunderstandhowtobudgettheirincome,thefamilieswentintodebteveryyear.Therewerenotoiletsinthecommunity,andpeopleweresickoften.Theirhomeswereverysmallandleakedoften.Thechildreninthecommunitydidnotregularlyattendschool.Thechurchaswellwasverysmallandpoorandfacedconstantstrugglesbecauseofpersecutionandinternaldivision.

Developmentorganizationswerenotallowedtoworkwiththesecommunities,andsothereseemedtobeverylittlehopeforthemtocomeoutofpoverty.Butthischangedwhenonecouplecameandstartedtotrainsomechurchleadersfromthecommunityonhowtheyshouldlovetheirneighbor,andonwhattheKingdomofGodmeant.Thecoupledidnotgivethelocalchurchesanymoney,butonlytaughtthemaboutbeingobedienttoGod’scommands.

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Lesson5:BuildingtheKingdomofGod

Thechurchesrespondedtowhattheyhadlearnedbyhelpingothersintheircommunity.Theyrepairedandwidenedroads.Theyhelpedeachotherwithharvesting.Theybuiltandrepairedhouses.Theybuilttoilets.Theysenttheirkidstoschool.Theytreatedtheirhusbandsandwivesbetter.

Withinfiveyears,thecommunityhadchangedcompletely!Thecommunityleaderscameandtoldthecouplethattheywerenolongerpoor.Theirincomeshadgoneup.Theywerehealthier.Theirchildrenweregoingtoschool.Moreover,thechurchhadgrown!AlmosteveryoneinthecommunityhadbecomeaChristianafterseeinghowthechurchwasshowingGod’slovetothecommunity.Thechurchhadgoodrelationshipswiththelocalofficialsaswell,andnolongersufferedfrompersecution.

WhenagroupofChristiandevelopmentworkersfromanotherorganizationcametoseewhathadhappenedinthesecommunities,theydidnotbelieveatfirstthatthecommunityhadtrulybeenthatpoorjustfiveyearsago.Whentheyfinallyrealizedhowmuchthecommunityhadchangedinsuchashorttime,theywereamazed!Theystartedtoaskeveryleader,“Whatdidyoudotobringthiskindofchange?”

Doyouknowwhattheleaderssaid?Everysingleonegavethesameanswer:“WewereobedienttoGod.”


• Whathadchangedinthiscommunity?• Arethesespiritualorphysicalthings?• Whenthedevelopmentworkersaskedaboutwhatthecommunitydidtobringchange,what

answerdoyouthinktheyexpected?• Whatanswerdideveryonetellthem?• WhathadthechurchesdoneinthecommunitytoshowtheirobediencetoGod?

HowDoWeTransformOurCommunity?

IfwewanttoseeourcommunitieschangedweneedtowalkinobediencetoGod.Thefirststepistostartbychangingourownlives.WeneedtostarttoapplyKingdomvaluestoeverythingwedo.


• WhatwouldourlivesbelikeifweobeyedGod’swilleverymomentofeveryday?• Thinkofafewthingsyoudoinanormalday.IfyouwereobeyingGod’swilleverymoment

ofthedaywouldyoudothesethings?Wouldyoudothemdifferently?• HowdoesGod’swillaffectthecommonthingssuchassleeping,eating,preparingmeals,

plantingafieldorcollectingwater?DoesGodcareaboutthewaywedothesethings?• ReadMatthew6:25-33

o Whatwerethepeopleworriedabout?Arethesespiritualthingsorcommonthings?o WhatwasJesusresponse?o WhatdoyouthinkJesusmeant?HowcanweseektheKingdomofGodin

everything?

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ItcanbeconfusingtothinkthatwhenpeoplecametoJesustotellHimtheywereconcernedaboutwhattoeatanddrink,Hisresponsewas,“seekfirsttheKingdomofGod.”Whatdoesthatmean?Doesitmeanweshouldn’teverthinkaboutthesethings,butspendallourtimedoingspiritualthingslikepraying?Ifwedidwoulditbetheperfectlife?

FortunatelyforustherewasSomeonewholivedaperfectlifeanddidGod’swillatalltimes:Jesus(John14:31).WecanlookatHislifetoseewhatitmeanstoseekfirsttheKingdomofGod.Lookattheseverses.WhatdotheyteachusaboutsomeofthethingsJesusdid?

• Mark6:3–uptotheageofthirtyJesuswasacarpenter.InHiscommunityHewasnotseenasbeingasuperspiritualleader,butanordinaryperson.WhileJesuswasacarpenterHewasstillleadingaperfectlife.TherewasneveramomentinJesus’lifewhenHewasoutsideofGod’swillforHislife.Fromtheageofabouttentotheageofthirty,God’swillforJesuswasthatHefollowedHisfamilytradeandwasacarpenter.

• John21:9-14–Jesuscookedamealforthedisciples.• Mark4:38–WhenHewastired,Jesusrested.• John2:1-2–Jesusattendawedding.• Weretheseordinarythingsorspiritualthings?

o TheywereordinarythingsandyettheywerethingsthatJesusspentHisdaydoing.WhileHewasseekingGod’sKingdomateverymoment,HestillspentHisdaydoingmanyordinarythings.AtthosetimesHewasnotoutsideofGod’swill,butwasservingGodcompletely.

ReadMark1:21-34

• WhataresomeoftheactivitiesthatJesusdidonthisday?

IntheseversesweseeaSabbathinthelifeofJesus.HespentthemorningintheSynagogueteaching.HethenwentbacktoPeter’shome,andafterhealinghismother,relaxedfortheafternoonwhilePeter’smotherservedthem.IntheeveningHewentoutandspenttimeservingothersbyhealingthesick.

• HowdoesthiscomparewithhowwespendourSunday?Whatisdifferent,andwhatissimilar?

Aswecansee,forthefirstyearsofHislifeJesuswasacarpenter.EvenwhenHestartedteachingothers,Hestilldidn’tspendeveryhourprayingandteaching.Heatewithfriends,HeservedHisfriends,Hesleptandrelaxed.EverythingHedidwasperfectandaccordingtoGod’swill.EvenwhenHedidcommonthingsHewasdoingwhatGodwantedHimtodo.

BrotherLawrence

Around1608amanwasborninFrance.HebecameaChristianattheageofeighteen,andinhistwentieshedecidedthathewantedtocommithislifetoGodmorefully.HeenteredamonasterywherehewasgiventhenameBrotherLawrence.HeimaginedthatbylivinginamonasteryhewouldspendallhistimeatthechapelprayingandworshippingGod.However,hefoundhimself

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assignedtothekitchenduties.Fortenyearshehatedbeinginthekitchenwhileotherswereatthechapel.Heresentedbeinggivensuchmeaninglesswork.

SMALLGROUPDISCUSSION

• IfyoumetBrotherLawrenceduringthesetenyears,whatadvicewouldyouhavegivenhim?• DoyouthinkBrotherLawrence’sworkinthekitchenwaslessimportantthanthemonksin

thechapel?• Readthefollowingversesandthinkhowtheyapplytothissituation:

o Matthew25:40(34-40)o 1Corinthians10:31o 1Corinthians13:1-3

AftertenyearsBrotherLawrencerealizedhecouldserveandworshipGodnomatterwherehewas.Heremainedinthekitchen,butnowfelthewasasmuchinGod’spresencethereasifhewereworshippinginthechapel.

TheBibleshowsusthatGodismoreconcernedwithhowwedothingsthanwhatitiswedo,aslongaswhatwearedoingisnotsinful.AnythingwedocanbeusedtobringglorytoGod.

FromIndividualstoFamiliestoCommunities

Transformationstartswithindividualsbutexpandstofamilies,thenontocommunitiesandtothenation.Thisisaprocess.WhenindividualsandfamiliesobeyGod,thisimpactstheircommunities.Ascommunitiesstarttoliveinobedience,thisaffectsthecommunitiesaroundthem,andsoontonations.

Individual

Community

Family

World

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Families

Readthefollowingverses:

• Deuteronomy6:7• Titus2:3-4• 1Timothy3:12• Titus1:6• Howarewesupposedtoinfluenceourfamilies?

o Weneedtoteachandsetagoodexampleforthem.

ReadLuke2:52

• Whatlessondidwelearnfromthisverseinthelasttraining?o Weneedtogrowinallfourareas.

INSMALLGROUPS

Comeupwithasmanydifferentwaystohelpyourfamilygrowineachofthefourareasasyoucan.Haveeachpersonchooseonethingthattheywilldoundereachcategory(social,spiritual,physicalandmental)thisweek.

Communities

Asfamiliesaretransformedtheyhaveadesiretoseetheircommunitieschanged.Readthisstoryofamanandhisfamilywhochangedacommunity.(Forliterateclassesgivethisashandout5.1andaskthestudentstoreadindividually.)

ThisisatruestoryofamanwhomovedwithhisfamilytoanareawheretherewerenoChristianstoshareChristtothearea.HewantedtoseeGod’sKingdombuiltandpeople’slivesrestoredineveryarea—spiritually,socially,mentallyandphysically.

OneChristianFamilyMakesaDifference

FouryearsagowhentheevangelistmovedtothisareathewholecommunitywasHindu.ThevillagewaslocatedintheHimalayasat1,000ft.abovesealevel.Afewkilometersawayfromthevillagewasateaplantation.Thisprovidedthemainworkforthepeopleinthevillage.However,thewagesweresolowthatthepeoplestruggledtosurviveevenwithajob.

Thevillagewasmadeupofabouttwenty-fiverun-down,poorly-constructedwoodhomeswithtinroofs.Therewerenolatrinesinthevillage.Becauseitwassohighitwasverycold;however,thechildrenwerebarefootandhadswollenstomachs.

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Eachhousewasonasmallplotofland.Thecookingwasdoneinaseparatelittlesmoke-filledcookingshackoveranopenfire,withthepotbalancedonthreestones.Therewereafewchickensrunninginandoutofthehousesandthecompoundsweredirty.

Thenearestschoolwastwokilometersaway.Itwastoofarforthechildrentowalkdailyandtheyhadworktodoaroundthehome.Therefore,mostofthechildrendidnotattendschool.Manyadultscouldnotreadorwrite,thereforetheywerealwaysbeingtakenadvantageofbythoseinothervillageswhocould.

Therewereveryfewgardensbecausethenearestwaterwasareservoirtwokilometersaway.Itwashardenoughtobringwaterfordrinkingandwashing,letaloneforwateringgardens.Thereoncewasapipelinefromthisreservoir,butitnolongerworkedandthepeoplehadn'tdoneanythingaboutgettingitrepaired.

Rainwassporadicexceptfortheonegrowingseasonwhentherewasnormallyenoughraintogettheirmaincropofrice.Therewasnotenoughroomortimetoraisevegetables.Iftheywereluckytheycouldharvestenoughricetogetthemthroughuntilthenextharvest.

ThepeoplewereHindu,thereforetheyworshippedmanydifferentgods.Thereareoveronemilliongods,whichHindusmustappeaseandworship.ThevillagehadmanylittleidolstotheHindugods.Eachtimethevillagersatetheywoulddropsomefoodonthegroundforthewanderingspirits.

Therewasasenseofdefeatandhopelessness.Theironlyhopewasthatmaybeinthenextlifetheywouldbereincarnatedintoabettersituation.Buttherewasalsothechancethatiftheymadethegodsunhappy,theycouldbereincarnatedasaratoradog.Theyfelttrapped,withnowayoutandnowaytobetterthemselves.

Lepchawasanevangelistwhomovedtothisarea.Hestudiedtolearnthebasicsabouthelpingothersimprovetheirhealthinaone-monthcourse.Oncehecompletedthecoursehemovedwithhisfamilytothevillagesotheycouldlivetheretohelptheirneighborsbysharingwhattheyhadlearned.Theyhadaverycleancompoundwithacookinghousethathadaraisedfireplace,makingcookingeasierandusinglessfirewood.Theyhadasmallcooptokeeptheirchickens.Theyplantedasmallvegetablegarden,whichimprovedtheirchildren'snutrition.Theyhadanoutsidelatrineandtheirchildrendidn’tseemtohavewormsordiarrheaasoftenasotherchildreninthevillage.

Lepchamadearaincollectionjarwhichheputunderthegutterstheyinstalledontheirtinrooftocollectwaterwhenthesporadicrainscame.Otherscopiedthisidea,andnowwhenitrains,theytoohavewater.

Theygotthepeopleinthecommunitytoworktogethertolayapipelinefromthereservoirtothevillage,andnowthevillagershaveplentyofwater,evenenoughtowatertheirnewvegetablegardens.Manyofthepeoplehavecopiedthechickenhousesandhavebuiltlatrinesthatdon'tsmellorhaveflies.

WhenLepcha’sfamilycametheybegantoteachadultsandchildrenwhowantedtolearnhowtoreadandwrite.Theystartedbyteachingchildrenandteenagershowtoread.Today,thevillagehasitsownschoolforchildrenupthroughfourthgrade.

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Todaythereisasmallchurchbuildingbecausenowtwenty-threeofthetwenty-fivefamilieshaveapersonalrelationshipwithChrist.AllofthisisbecausethisonefamilysharedChristwiththeirwordsandtheirdeeds.

Thepeoplehaveasenseofaccomplishment,andtheyseethattheycanlivehealthylivesbecauseonefamilycaredenoughtocomeandsharetheirlifewithothers.

ThissamestoryisbeingtoldtimeaftertimeinvillagesinnorthernIndiaandeasternNepal.Todaythesamethingsarehappeningin120villagesinthearea.People’slivesarechangedphysically.Butthevillagesarealsobeingchangedspirituallyas107homefellowshipshavebeenstarted,withthelargesttwelvehaving200members.

TheIndianpastorshavenowformedtheirowndenominationcalledAgapeChurch,whichthemajorityofthesenewchurcheswilljoin.WhenoneChristianfamily,liketheLepchas,hasavisiontoseetheircommunitychanged,mightythingscanhappenforGodiftheyareseekingGod'swillandthenarewillingtoactonthevisionthatGodhasgiventhem.Someofthefamilymodelshavechangedtochurch-basedmodelsbytrainingkeypeopleinthechurches.Itisourprayerthatthesewillbecomecommunity-basedmodelsinthefuture.

• WhatweresomeofthechangesthatLepchabroughttothecommunity?Lookagainatthestoryandmakealistundertheheadingssocial,spiritual,mentalandphysical.

• Howdidhebringthesechanges?Whodidhestartwith?Hisfamily• HowisthecommunitydifferentbecauseofLepcha?• HowcanyoubelikeLepchainyourcommunity?

Note:InPhase4wewillalsobringyouaseriesofhealthteachingssimilartothosethatLepchastudied.

OtherExamplesofPeopleWhoBuiltGod’sKingdom

Readthroughthenextfewstories,discussingthequestionsaftereachstory.

ReachingOuttoHospitals

Apastorinaclosedcountryhadbeendistributingtractsatmosques.Thegovernmentwasn’thappysotheywithdrewhisofficialministrystatus.Hisevangelismmethodswerenotwelcomed.OnedayheattendedatrainingandlearntaboutdemonstratingGod’slovethroughActsofLove.Hethoughtofanewplan.Heimmediatelytookfourvolunteers,boughtbreadandaskedtheheadofalocalhospitalforpermissiontovisitpatients,sharebread,andprayforthem.Theteamreceivedpermission,butwasassignedtothemostdifficultwards:aclosedunitforincurableschizophrenicpatients.Onepatientwasamanwhohadnotspokeninmanyyears.Insteadofwalking,hecrawled.Hisfacewasswollenanddisfigured.Oneofhisearswasgreatlyenlarged.Hehadaterribleodor.Hewasfilthy.Thevisitorslaidhandsonhimtoprayanddidnotwanttotouchanythingelseuntiltheywashed.

Thenextweek,thepastorandvolunteersreturned.Atall,thinmanbehindthebarsofthepsychiatricwardmetthem.Theyaskedhimtotakethemtothemaingroupofpatients.Theman

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announcedhewasthemantheyhadprayedforlastweek—theirprayershadsochangedhimthathewantedthemtoprayagain.However,thegroupdidnotrecognizehim,sotheytoldhimtheydidnothavemuchtimeandaskedhimtotakethemtotheotherpatients.Hedidandthestaffinthewardconfirmedthiswasindeedthegrotesquemantheyhadprayedforthepreviousweek.Theministryteamwasamazed.Themanhadbeenhealed.Hewalkedandtalked.Hewasevenabletowrite.Hisdiagnosishadtobechangedfromincurabletocurable.

Astimepassed,theministryteamkeptcoming,bringingbreadandclothingandprayingforthepatients.Otherpatientsbegantorespondinthesameway.Next,theteamwasinvitedtoministertoall800patientsandthehospitalstaff.Godmultipliedresourcesasothersheardoftheirwork.Withinthreeyearsandwiththeblessingoflocalofficials,anexpandedteamwasministeringweeklyto2600peopleinfivehospitals,fiveorphanages,twoprisonsandarehabilitationcenterfordrugandalcoholabuse.Theyalsobegantoministertostreetchildrenandthehomeless.

• Whathappenedinthisstory?• Whatstarteditall?• Whatdidhedo?• Whatwastheresult?• IshiscommunitynowmoreorlesslikeGodintendsbecauseofhisactions?• Whatcanwelearnfromthisstory?

FromPersecutedtoLeading

Therewasapastorinanotherclosedcountrywhowasalwaysbeingcalledintothepolicestation.Atleastsixtimesayearthepolicecametoatraininghewasconductingandtookhimtothepolicestation.OnedayhelearntabouttheideaofbuildingtheKingdomofGodandhestartedtoteachhischurchtheseideas.HeencouragedhischurchandthosehewasresponsiblefortostartservingtheirneighborsandlookingforopportunitiestomaketheircommunitymoreasGodintendedittobe.

Thechurchescarriedoutmanyprojects:givingtotheneedy,buildinghousesforwidows,repairingroads,buildinglatrines,etc.Thechurchstartedtogrowandthebelieversbecamemoremature.Socialevilssuchasdrinkingandgamblingstoppedinthiscommunity.Slowlygovernmentofficialsnoticedtheimpactthispastorandthechurcheshewasresponsibleforwerehavingonthecommunity.Asaresulttheymadethepastorthenewgovernmentleaderforthearea.Hestartedinhisnewrolebyteachingthoseunderhimhealthlessonssotheywereabletoteacheveryoneinthecommunitytheselessons.Nowthehealthofthoselivinginthecommunityisimproving.

• Whatdidthispastordo?• InwhatwaysishebuildingGod’sKingdom?• Whathasbeentheresult?• Whataresomelessonsfromthisstorythatwecouldapplytoourownlives?

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ChildrenAttendingSchool

Inoneareathenumberofchildrenthatattendschoolisverylow.Oneman,realizingtheimportanceofeducation,decidedtotryanddosomethingaboutit.Hetalkedtoothersinthechurchabouttheproblemandgatheredtogetherasmallteamwhowerewillingtoworkwithhimtosolvethisproblem.Theystartedtogohousetohouseencouragingfamiliestosendtheirchildrentoschool.Asaresultallthechildreninhisareastayedinschool.Educationofficialsinotherareasnoticedwhatwashappeninginhiscommunityandinvitedhimtogotootherareastoencourageparentstokeeptheirchildreninschool.Now,notonlythechildreninhisvillagebutalsointhesurroundingvillagesarestayinginschool.

• InwhatwayisthismanbuildingGod’sKingdom?• Howpossiblewoulditbetodosomethingsimilarinourcommunity?

Wecanallbesomeonewhobringschangetoourcommunities.Thesepeoplewerenotspecialorextra-blessed.Theywereordinarypeoplelikeyouandme.SomehadverylittleeducationbutallwerewillingtodowhattheycouldtobuildtheKingdomofGodintheircommunity.

HowtoBeaKingdomBuilder

GodcandoanythingHewants.HecouldbuildHiskingdomwithoutus.ButthatisnotHisplan;HisplanistouseusinbuildingHisKingdom.BuildingGod’sKingdomstartswithus.ReadthroughorgivethestudentsHandout5.3.Askthemtoprayerfullythinkabouthowtheycanrespond.

DistributeHandout5.2–HowtobeaKingdom

1. Startwithyourself

ThefirststepinseeingGod’sKingdombuiltinyourlife,inyourfamily,inyourchurch,inyourcommunity,andintheworldistoexamineyourself.AreyouwillingtobeusedbyGod?AreyouwillingtobeobedienttoGodineveryareaofyourlife?Whatareoneortwothingsthatyoucouldworkonimprovingthisweek?

Teachandencourageyourfamily

AsyoustarttoapplyGod’sKingdomtoeverypartofyourlifeyouneedtostarttoencourageyourfamilytodothesame.Asweread,weshouldbeteachingourfamiliesatalltimes(Deut.6:7)nomatterwhatwearedoing.Lookforwaystoteachyourfamilybywhatyoudo,throughtalkingtothem,andbylookingforwaystohelpthemtostartservingothersaswell.

Rememberthethingsyoucommittedtodointhelessonineachofthefourareastoalsohelpyourfamilytogrow.

AskGodtouseyoutoimpactothers

StartprayingandaskingGodtohelpyoutoimpactothers.Lookforopportunities.Asyouseepeopleinneed,askGodtoshowyouhowyoucanhelpthosepeople.

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GodismorethanwillingtohelpustobuildHisKingdom.Hewillrevealtousattherighttime,therightwaytohelp.

ServeOthers

GetinvolvedinanActofLoveandfindotherwaystoserve.Evenifyoufeellikeyouarenotabletodomuch,youshouldstilluseallthetalentsGodhasgivenyoutoserve.Asyouserve,youwillstarttogrowandwillfindyouareabletodomoreandmore.

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Lesson 6: The Church’s Role in Building the Kingdom of God

KeyObjectives

1. UnderstandthechurchmustbeatthecenteroftransformingthecommunitytobemoreliketheKingdomofGod

2. UnderstandeverypersoninthechurchisimportantandallshouldbeinvolvedinbuildingGod’sKingdominsomeway

Materials

1. PartsoftheBodycards

Introduction

Inourpreviouslessonwelookedatthetransformationprocess—howitstartswithyouandmovestoyourfamily,communityandthenation.However,thereisanotherimportantparttothisprocess:thechurch.

Toachievethisgreatvision,God’splanisthatthechurchwillhaveavitalroletoplayinthetransformationprocess.

ReadEphesians1:22-23

• Whatistheroleofthechurch?o TofulfilltheworkofJesus

ReadEphesians3:10

• WhatisGodusingtomakeknownHiswisdom?o Thechurch

TheseversesarenotalwayseasytounderstandbuttheyremindusGodhasgiventhechurchaspecialroleinbuildingHisKingdom.ThechurchisChrist’sbody.Itisthechurch’sroletofulfilltheworkofJesus,bringingreconciliationtoALLthings.

• Whatwouldhappenifyourchurchhadtoclosedown?Wouldthenon-Christiansinyourcommunitycomplain?Whyorwhynot?

Thechurchshouldhavesuchanimpactonthecommunitythatthecommunitymemberswouldbeupsettoseethechurchleave.

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Lesson6:TheChurch’sRoleinBuildingtheKingdomofGod

Let’sdrawourdiagramfromourpreviouslessonanotherway.Let’sstartwiththeindividual,thenthefamily,thenthecommunity,andthenthenation.(Drawontheboard.)

Theroleofthechurchistohelpthisprocess.(Drawinthechurch.)Wearetoequipindividualsandtohelpthemtoimpacttheirfamilies,communities,etc.WearealsotolookforwaystohelpfamiliesandcommunitiesbecomeallthatGodintends.

EquippingIndividuals

Instructions:Givevariousmembersoftheclasscardswithpicturesofvariouspartsofthebody(VisualAidX).

• Whichareuseless,ordonothaveanypurpose?• Whicharethesmallestpartsofthebody?• Whatwouldbetheimpactofgettingridofthesmallestparts?• Ifallthepartswereseparatedwouldthebodystillfunction?• Givesomeexamplesofhowdifferentpartsofthebodyneedotherparts.• Howeffectivewouldthebodybeifsomepartsweremissing?

Havevariousmembersputdowntheircards.

• Wouldthebodybebetternow?• Whatwouldbetheeffectoflosingtheseparts?

Havetheclasschoosethemostimportantpartsthenlaydowntherestofthecards.

• Wouldthebodybeabletofunctionnow?Whynot,wedohavethemostimportantparts?

Individual Family

Community

Church

World

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ICorinthians12:12-20

• Inthebodyeverypartisessential.Thechurchissupposedtobelikethebody—everymemberofthechurchshouldbeessentialtobuildingGod’sKingdom.Thereshouldbenouselessmembers.Iseverymemberofthebodyplayinganessentialrole?Arethereanypeoplewhom,iftheystoppedattending,itwouldn’thaveanyimpacttotherunningofthechurchorthechurch’sministries?

• Whatpercentageofthechurchisactuallyparticipating?Whatpercentageofthebodyisnotactuallyparticipatingorbeingused?

• Askapproximatelythatpercentageofstudentstolaydowntheircards.• Ifyourownbodyonlyhadthatpercentageworkingwhatwoulditbelike?Isthisalsotrueof

thechurch?Wouldthechurchbemoreeffectiveifagreaterpercentagewereeffective?• Whatcanwedotostarttoaddressthisproblem?

WhyDoesEveryoneNeedtobeServing?

ReadEphesians2:10

• Whatwerewesavedtodo?• Areallpeoplethataresavedtobedoinggoodworksoronlysome?• Iseveryoneinyourchurchdoinggoodworks?

ReadtheParableoftheTalents(Matthew25:14-30)

• AsyoureadthisparabledoyouthinkthatitindicatesthatthereareanyChristiansthatdon’tneedtobeusingtheirtalentstobuildGod’sKingdom?

• AreallChristiansinyourchurchusingtheirtalentsfully?• HowcanwehelpmorepeopletobeusingtheirtalentsfullytobuildGod’sKingdom?

TobuildGod’sKingdomweALLneedtoworktogether.WhileonepersoncanbuildasmallpieceofGod’sKingdom,asthewholechurchstartstoliveinaccordancewithGod’swillineveryareaoftheirlivesandhelpsotherstodothesame,wecanbuildGod’sKingdommoreeffectively.ImagineifeveryoneinyourchurchcommittedthemselvestoseeingGod’swillbeingdoneintheirownlives,inthechurch,andinthecommunity.Whatimpactwouldthathaveonthechurchandthecommunity?

Ephesians4:11-12

• Whatistheroleofleaders(apostles,prophets,evangelists,pastorsandteachers)?• Inmanychurchestheysaythat10%ofthepeopledo90%ofthework.Howtrueisthat?

Howcanwechangeit?• Howcanwebebetteratbuildingupotherssotheyareabletodoworksofservice?

Oftenitissaidthatthosewholearnthemostandgrowthemostarethosewhoareservingothers.InIndonesiathereweresomemissionariesworkingwithyouth.Althoughtheywereteachingthemweekly,theybecamefrustratedbyhowweaktheChristianswereandhowslowlytheyweregrowing.Theydecidedtheyouthneededtostartserving,sotheyinstitutedanewrulethatonly

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thoseinvolvedinsomeservicerolewereallowedtoattendtheweeklytraining.Mostoftheyouthgotinvolvedinvariousactivities.Theydideverythingfromreachingouttoapoorfamilyintheircommunity,totutoringpoorchildren,tohelpinginthechildren’sministry.Withinafewmonthsthemissionariesnoticedtheyouthhadreallystartedtomatureintheirfaith.NowtheyneededtoreadtheirBiblesandpray.TheyneededtotrustGodtohelpthemtobeabletoreallyhelpothers.


• Whathappenedinthisstory?• Whatweresomeofthewaystheyouthstartedtoserve?• Haveyouseenpeoplematureastheyhavestartedtobemoreinvolvedinservingthrough

thechurch?• Whydoyouthinkpeoplematureastheystarttoserve?

TransformingFamilies

ThechurchcanplayaroleinhelpingfamiliestoliveasGodintendsbyteachingchurchmembershowtohavestrongmarriagesandhowtoparentwell,andbygivingfamiliesopportunitiestoworshipandservetogether.ThechurchneedstolookforopportunitiestohelpindividualsservetheirfamiliesandhelptheirfamiliesliveasGodintended.

TransformingCommunities

Asthechurchwecanimpactourcommunityinmanyways.Threeimportantwaysthecommunityshouldbeaffectedare:

1. IncreasethenumberofChristians

Thisisnotalwaysthesameasourchurchgettingbigger.(Wecandothatbysheepstealing.)IncreasingthenumberofChristiansmeansthatmoreandmorenon-ChristianscometoknowGodandacceptChristastheirSavior.ChurchesplayanimportantroleinhelpingpeopletounderstandthegospelandinnurturingnewChristians.

2. TeachthecommunitytoliveinobediencetoGod

Aswelearnt,GodmadeusandHeknowswhatisbestforus.HehasrevealedhowweshouldliveintheBible.WecanalsoteachothersbasicBibleprinciples.Asachurchyoucanstarttolookforopportunitiestohelppeopletoliveinobedienceineveryaspectoftheirlives.

EventhosewhoarenotinterestedinChristianitymaybeinterestedinlearningabouthealth,howtohaveastrongmarriage,orhowtomanagemoneywisely.Thesetypesoftrainingsbothhelppeopletoimprovetheirlivesastheyliveaccordingtobiblicalprinciplesandhelptobuildgoodrelationshipsbetweennon-Christiansandthechurch.

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3. HelptheircommunityliveasGodintendsthroughserviceprojects

INSMALLGROUPS

Answerthefollowingquestions:

• Matthew20:28-WhydidJesuscome?• Phil2:4-9-HowdoesPauldescribeJesus?• Jesuscametoserve.Infact,whentheBiblesays,“beinginverynatureGod,”itcanalso

read,“becauseHewasGod,HedidnotconsiderequalitywithGodsomethingtobegrasped,butmadeHimselfnothing,takingtheverynatureofaservant.”Imagine,becauseHewasGodHemadeHimselfnothing,takingonthenatureofaservant.ThenatureofGodistoserve.AsthechurchisthebodyofChrist,thenatureofthechurchshouldalsobetoserve.

• James1:27-WhattypeofreligionispleasingtoGod?• Mark12:31-WhatdoesGodcommandustodo?

OurloveforGodandforourneighborshouldcauseustoserve.InthesamewayasChristcametoserve,thepurposeofthechurchistoservebyhelpingpeopletoknowandgrowinChristandbydemonstratingHislovetoothers.

Asweserveourcommunitieswewillseethemtransformed.Readthestorybelowofacommunitythatwastransformedasthechurchservedit.

TheCommunitySchool

Kagishu,ashantytownslumwithhomesmadefromdiscardedsheetmetalandbrokenwood,hadafifteen-memberchurch.ThischurchreceivedaninvitationtoattendawholisticministrytrainingconferenceandselectedMeshack,a21yearoldmember,toattend.Meshackreturnedwithanewvision:“IlearntobeyingJesusisnotoptional!”SoMeshack,Dismus(anelder),thepastorandhiswifeprayed,askingGodforaprojecttodemonstratetheloveofGodtotheircommunity.Theanswercame:beginaprimaryschoolforchildreninthechurch.

Immediatelytheybegantalkingtochurchmemberswhohadchildrenbutcouldnotaffordthesmallfeeforpublicschool.Severalagreedtosendtheirchildrentothisnew“school.”Withnotraining,Meshack,thepastorandthepastor’swifebeganteachingthirteenchildren,agessixtotwelve,intheone-roomchurchwithnodesks,booksorequipment.Thevillagepeopledidnotwanttoassociatewiththeschoolandcameatnighttostealthebuildingmaterials.Meshacks’sfirstsalarycameduringtheseventhmonth—oneUSdollarpaidbyfeesandofferingsfromchildren’sparents.

MeschackandDismusinvitedneighborhoodchildrenandtheschoolgrew.Soontherewereforty-fivestudentsofvaryingagesinoneroom.Asecondteachervolunteeredbythesixthmonthandathirdbytheeighthmonth.With100students,theteachersstoodbacktobackinthemiddleoftheroom,facingtheirclasses.Soontheneighborsmovedout.Astheydidtheschoolgainedmorespace.Bythetimetheschoolwastwoyearsoldithadtwobuildings,withmorethantenroomsthatcouldalsobeusedforchurchonSunday.

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ThenextyearthechurchboughtapieceoflandinnearbyKawangware,purchasedapermanentbuilding,andrelocated.Initssixthyeartherewereseventeenpaidteachers,fivenon-teachingstaffand445children.

Thisisonlythebeginningofthestoryforthecommunity,theschoolandthechurch.Asadirectresultofthiseffortthereisanewsecondaryschoolinanearbyvillagewithtenstaffandsixtystudents.Anotherchurchstartedadaycarefortwentychildrenwhosemothersmustwork.Theoriginalchurchfellowshipgrewintoacongregationofsixtymembersandhasplantedanotherchurchofmorethanfortymembers.Eachofthesechurcheshasproducedtwonewchurchesindifferentareas.

Sixyearsaftertheobedientsacrificeofaverysmallchurchanditsmembersthereisalargevisibleeffectinthecommunitiesandchurchesinthisarea.InfacttransformationinKagishuwasverifiedascommunitymemberssuggestedrenamingthecommunityfromKagishu(whichmeans“theknife”)toRuita(whichmeans“removingsomethingdangerous”).


• Whathappenedinthisstory?• Howbigwasthechurch?• Whatwastheimpactoftheiractions?

Inonevillageitwasthetraditionwhenthecropswereharvestedthatthecommunitymemberswouldgathertogethertohelpineachother’sfields.However,thepersonwhosefieldwasbeingharvestedhadtoprovidealargemealanddrinksforeachofthedaysthecommunitymemberswerehelpingwiththeharvest.Unfortunately,thecostofthemealmeantthatoftenthelandownerwouldmakeverylittleprofitfromtheirharvest.

ThechurchdecidedasanActofLovetheywouldhelpsomeofthepoorestfamiliesinthecommunitytoharvesttheirlandwithoutrequiringanythinginthewayofpayment.Insteadtheywouldbringtheirownfoodtoeatatlunchtime.Asothercommunitymembersstartedtoseethewaythechurchwasservingthepoor,theydecidedtheyshouldalsohelponeanotherwithoutrequiringalargemealanddrinks.

Nowadayseveryonehelpseachothertoharvesttheircrops.Noonehastoprovideanyalcoholorfood.Theprofitthefarmersmakefromtheirlandhasincreasedsignificantly,andasaresult,theynowhaveenoughtoeatforthewholeyear.

• Whatdidthechurchdotohelpinthiscommunity?• Whatwastheimpact?Whatchangesdiditmaketothewholecommunity?

SMALLGROUPDISCUSSION

• Whataresomethingsourchurchcoulddotoservethecommunity?• HowcanourchurchhelpindividualstobeabletoliveaccordingtoGod’sintentions?

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Lesson 7: The Truth Centered Transformation Program

KeyObjectives

1. TheTruthCenteredTransformationProgramisaboutequippingchurchestotransformtheircommunities.

Materials

1. ProjectVision2. ChurchTransformsCommunityposter3. FutureTrainingTopics

Introduction

Havetwovolunteersstandatoppositeendsofatable.Askthemtopullthetableinoppositedirections.Afteraminuteortwo,askthemtocarryitinthesamedirection.

• Whichwaseasier—goinginthesamedirectionorinoppositedirections?

ForthelastfewlessonswehavetalkedabouttheKingdomofGod.OurdesireasanorganizationistohelpbuildGod’sKingdomhereonearth.Ourvisionfortheprogramis(holduptheposterorwriteontheboard):

EquippingChurchestoTransformTheirCommunity

Ourvisioniswhatwewanttoseeasaresultofpartneringwithyou.Asyoulisten,thinkaboutwhetherthisissomethingwithwhichyoualsowanttobeinvolved.Remembertheexampleofthetable.Whenwasiteasier?Whenthepeopleweregoinginthesamedirection.Itisthesamewithpartneringtogether.Ifwearetryingtoachievedifferentgoalsthenwearegoingtogetfrustratedwitheachother.Wewouldnotbegoodpartners.IfweagreeonthesamegoalofbuildingGod’sKingdomthenweareallpullinginthesamedirection.Wewouldbegoodpartners.

ProjectVision

EquippingChurchestoTransformTheirCommunity

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Lesson7:TheTruthCenteredTransformationProgram

EquippingChurches

Asmentionedinourlastlesson,thechurchplaysaveryimportantroleinbuildingGod’sKingdom.Thechurchpassesonthevisionandteachesandsupportsthepeoplewhodothework.Wedesiretohelpchurchestofulfilltheirrole.Wearenottryingtotakeoverfromthechurchortodotheirrole.(ShowPoster5)

Equippingthechurchdoesnotmean:

1. Wehavealltheanswers—eachareaandsituationisunique.Wewilllearntogetherhowbesttohelpyourcommunity.

2. Youarelackingordon’thavetheability—weallhaveuniquetalents,skillsandability.UsingallGodhasgivenyou,youcantransformyourcommunity.Wewillbringyouideasandskillsthatyoumayneed.

3. Weareincontrolofwhathappens—thisisyourchurchandyourcommunity.Youknowbestwhatneedstobedone.InthesamewayaswesuggestedActsofLove,wewillmakesuggestions.However,aswiththeActsofLove,wewillnottellyouexactlywhattodo.Youdecidewhatprojectswouldbebestforyourarea.

4. (THISMAYNOTBEAPPROPRIATEEVERYWHEREANDCANBESKIPPED)Wearestartingadenominationorwantyoutochangedenominations.Theoppositeistrue.Webelievethatyoushouldnotchangedenominationsorgoagainstyourleader.LookatthewaythatDavidactedtowardsSaul:DavidstayedandplayedtheharpforSaulevenwhenSaulwasthrowingspearsathim.Whenhewasindangeroflosinghislife,thenheleft,BYHIMSELF.HedidnottryandtakeSaul’spositionoraskotherpeopletoalsoleave,eventhoughGodhadpromisedhimthathewouldbethefutureking.Whenhewasgiventheopportunity,hedidnotkillSaulbutlethimlive.

WeencouragepeopletofollowDavid’sexample.Evenifyouthinkyourleaderisterribleyoushouldcontinuetoservehimandprayforhim.Ifthingsbecometooterriblethenyoucanleave,ALONE.Don’ttakeanyoneexceptyourwifeandyoungchildren.Don’ttrytoattackyouroldleader.LikeDavid,weshouldfearevenspeakingagainstaleader.

Asleadersinthisorganizationwearedisappointedatthewaysomechurchesandleadersquicklychangedenominations.Wedon’tbelievethatithonorsGod.Wedefinitelydon’twantyoutochangedenominations.PleasetrytobeaDavidandstayfaithfultoyourleadersevenifitseemsdifficult.ThishonorsGod.

Asanorganizationwedonotfavoranydenominationorbelongtoanydenomination.Weworkwithmanydifferentdenominations.Themembersofourleadershipteambelongtodifferentdenominations.WewanttoseeallchurchesbecomeallthatGoddesires.WebelieveGodcanbuildHisKingdomthroughallsortsofdenominations.

Whatitdoesmean:

1. Wewilltrainyoutotransformyourcommunity.Wearenotgoingtosendourstafftoyourcommunitytotransformyourcommunity.WebelievethatthechurchisGod’sinstrumentforbringingreconciliationsowewanttohelpandsupportyouasyoufollowHisintentionsinthisway.

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2. Itisyourvisionandyourplan.Wewillintroducemanyideas,butitisuptoyouwhichideasandplansyouimplementatyourchurch.Youarenotforcedtodoanyofthem,althoughifyouareseriousaboutseeingGod’sKingdombuiltinyourcommunity,thenwewouldencourageyoutoimplementasmanyaspossible.Aswehavevisitedchurchesintheprogramwehaveseenthattheoneswhoappliedasmuchaspossiblehaveseendramaticchangesintheircommunity.Theoneswhodidjustafewthingshaveonlyseenafewchanges.It’suptoyouwhatyoudesire.Seeingyourcommunitytransformdoestakehardwork.

TransformingtheCommunity

Thefirstpartofourvisionistoequipthechurch.Thenextsectioniswhatweareequippingthechurchtodo:transformtheircommunities.

Transform

• Whydoyouthinkthatweusethewordtransform?Whatdoesthewordtransformmean?

Whensomethingtransforms,itchangescompletelyinawaysoitcannotbechangedback.Forexample,thinkaboutacaterpillarandbutterfly.Thecaterpillartransformsintoabutterfly.Itcannotchangeback.Itisacompleteandirreversiblechange.Wealsowanttoseetransformationincommunities.WewanttoseecommunitiesthathavecompletelychangedtoliveasGodintendsanddonotgobacktohowtheywereafterafewyears.

TransformedCommunity

RegionalCoordinators

WorkwithCommunity

Serve

Model

Teach

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AreasofTransformation

SMALLGROUPS

Askeachgrouptothinkofwhatchangestheywouldliketoseehappenintheircommunityundereachoftheheadings—spiritual,social,mentalandphysical—asaresultofthisprogram.Remindthegroupthatsocialisrelatedtoourrelationships;forexample,marriage,parenting,relationshipsbetweenneighbours,unity,etc.Physicalincludesthingslikemoney,work,health,etc.TheycanalsoreferbacktotheideasthattheygeneratedinLesson1.

Whenthegroupshavefinishedhaveeachgrouppresent.Isthereanythingthateverygroupwroteormostgroupswrote?What?

Writethefollowingchartontheboard.Askthegroupjusttostartbylookingatthetopicsundertheheadingssocial,mental,physicalandsocial.Gothrougheachareadiscussingthesetwoquestionsforeachtopic.


• Whatarethedifferencesbetweenthegoalsthatyoucreatedandthegoalsthatwementioned?

• Arethereanygoalsthatwementionedthatsurpriseyouorwithwhichyoudisagree?

Onceyouhavelookedateachofthefourareasdiscuss:

• Asyoulookatthetwolistsofgoalsdoyoufeellikethereisenoughsimilarityforustobeabletoworktogether?

Spiritual

IncreasedNumbers-Evangelism

IncreasedMaturity-Discipleship

Physical

IncreasedIncomes•Agriculture•BetterMoneyManagement

ImprovedHousing

ImprovedHealth

Social

HelpingOneAnother

ImprovedMarriages

ImprovedParenting

Mental

Education

Literacy

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Method

Thisisatrainingprogram.Wedon’tgivechurchesmoneytoimplementprograms.Aswewilllearninthenexttraining,muchofthereasonthatwearepoorisnotbecausewelackresources.Andthewaysthatwewillgetoutofpovertywillnotbebyreceivingresources.IfyoulookatthelifeofJesus,Heneverhadanythingtogiveintermsofmaterialpossessions.AsPetersaidinActs3:6,“SilverandgoldIdonothave,butwhatIhaveIgivetoyou.”InourcasewhatwehavetogiveisknowledgeandideasthatwebelievewillhelpyourcommunitymoveclosertohowGodintendedittobe.Webelievethatthistraining,yoursacrificesandefforts,andGod’sincrediblemultiplyingpowerwillbringchangetoournation.

Weoffertrainingtoanyoneinthechurchtohelpyouhavetheideasandskillsthatyouneedtohelptobringchangetoyourcommunities.

FutureTrainingTopics

Holduptheposter7outliningthenexttrainingtopics.Explainthesearetopicsweareplanningtoteach,althoughtheremaybechanges.

Module3–HowSatan’sLiesAffectUsandHowtoOvercomeThem

Module4–Health

Module5–MarriageandFamily

Module6–MoneyManagement

Module7–SaltandLight

Module8–Agriculture

Module9–Evangelism

Module10-LivingasGodIntended

Someofthetopics—forexample,Health,MarriageandFamily,AgricultureandMoneyManagement—includesmallgrouptrainingthatcanbedonewiththerestofthechurchandcommunity.Asyoudoeachofthetrainings,wewillteachyouhowtoapplytheseideastoyourchurchandcommunity.Wewillgiveyouvariousideasforyoutoimplement.

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Lesson 8: Next Steps

KeyObjectives

1. Weneedtomakeplansandtobeintentionalaboutourwork.

Materials

1. Handout8.1ActofLovePlanningSteps

WhyPlanningisImportant

MrLim,afarmer,wentouttopreparehispieceoflandforplantingbutwhileonhisway,herememberedhiswifehadaskedhimtofeedthechickens,sohewenthome,gotthechickenfoodandwenttofeedthechickens.Whilehewasfeedingthechickens,helookedatthegoatpenandnoticedthatitwasbroken.Hefeltworriedthatifitwasn’trepairedimmediatelythenthegoatmayescape.Hereturnedhometolookforwiretofixthegoatpen.Ashedidn’thavetherighttools,hewenttohisneighbor’s,Mr.Son,andaskedtoborrowtoolsfromhim.SincehewasalreadyvisitinghedecidedtotakeanextrafewminutestotalktoMr.Son,whowasanewChristianinthechurchandwhomheheardwashavingadifficulttime.

At11:30Mr.Son’swifeaskedifhewouldliketojointhemforlunch.Realizingthetimeheapologizedandreturnedhomequicklyforlunchwithhisfamily.Afterashortnaphewenttofinishrepairingthegoatpen.Whilecompletingthatjob,hiswiferemindedhimthatthepumponthewellwasn’tworkingandsaidthatwhilehehadMr.Son’stoolsheshouldfixitaswell.Asthedayfinished,hehadalmostfinishedfixingthepump.Yetagain,hehasn’tmadeittothefieldforplanting,buthefeltsomewhatsatisfiedinknowingtomorrowmorninghejustneedstofinishfixingthepumpandreturnthetoolsandthenhecangetstartedonplanting.

• Whathappenedinthisstory?• Werethethingshedidbadthingsornecessarythings?• Whatwillbetheendresultifthefarmercontinuestomanagehisfarmlikethisandnever

getstheplantingdone?• Doyoueverhavedayslikethis?• Howcanweensurethatthisdoesn’thappentous?

Manyprojectsrunlikethisfarmer’sday.Wearesobusydoinggoodthings,goingfromoneproblemtoanotherthatsometimesthemostimportantthingsdon’tgetdonebecausewearesoconsumedbydoingtheurgentthings.Asaresult,wefailtoaccomplishtheimportantthingsinlife.Evenmoreworrying,someofourlivesarerunlikethisfarmer’slife.Wearesobusyrushingfromoneplacetoanotherwithouttakingtimetodeterminewhatisreallythemostimportantanddoingthat.Thefirstthingthatweneedtodecideiswhatarethemostimportantthingstobedoing.Ifweknowwhatisimportantthenithelpsustomakegooddecisionsabouthowtospendourtime.

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Whatdoyouthinkaresomeofthekeythingsyouneedtodointhenextthreemonthstobesuccessful?

• Teachingothers–ifwewanttogetmorepartsofthebodyservingweneedtoteachsomeofthelessonsthatwehavealreadylearnt.

• CoordinatingActsofLove–weneedtocontinuetodoActsofLoveonaregularbasis.• Meetingtogetherregularly.

Meetings

YouneedtochooseagrouptogettogetherregularlytoplanActsofLove.Typicallythisisthechurchcommitteeandcanhappenduringtheusualcommitteemeetingsifthechurchcommitteealreadymeetsafewtimesamonth.

• Whatthingsshouldyoudowhenyoumeettogether?o PRAY–itisonlybyGod’sstrengththatwewillseeourcommunitiestransformed.

Weneedtospendtimetogetherinprayerifweareseriousabouttransformation.o MakedecisionsaboutnewActsofLove.o Thinkofideasforthingsthatyoucoulddotohelpyourcommunity.

Atyourmeetingsyoushouldtaketimetoprayanddiscusscommunityneeds.Prayaboutifyoushouldhelpandhow.AdditionallyyoushouldtaketimetoexaminethelastActofLoveanddeterminewhatwentwellordidn’tgowell.Askyourselfwhatyoucoulddodifferentlynexttime.

ActsofLove

LookatthepicturesofyourcommunityyoumadeinLesson1.

Lookingatallthepictures,makealistofallthemajorchangesthatneedtohappentomakeeachpictureareality.

Asagroup,prayabouthowyoucanstarttomakeoneofthosechangesareality.ChooseoneofthechangesandtogetherplananActofLovetohelpbringthisabout.

ReviewtheActsofLoveplanningform(nextpage)andprepareaplan.

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ActofLovePlanningSteps

Step1:PrayerThefirstthingtodoistopray.Taketimenowtopray.AskGodtoshowyouwhatyoushoulddoforyourActofLove.Step2:SelectinganactivityAsagroupdecidewhatyoucoulddotoshowGod’slove.LookatsomeoftheideasthatyoulistedinLesson1andagreeonwhatyoufeelGodisleadingyoutodo.Onceyouhaveselectedatopic,makesurethatitissomethingthatyoucandoinjustoneortwodays.Ifitisn’t,thencanyoujustdooneortwosteps?Step3:DecidewhatisneededThenextstepistostartplanning.Firstweneedtodecidewhatweneedtodotheproject–whatpeoplearerequired,whatmaterials,whatpermission,etc.Tohelpyouthinkaboutthis,youcanusetheworksheetinyourstudentbook.Onceyouhavefilledinthefirstcolumnwitheverythingthatyouwillneed,thenyoucandecidewhowillberesponsibleandwhatdateitneedstobecompletedby.Step4:WritethePlanOnceyouhaveplannedeverythingthatneedstobedone,youcanwriteyourplanindateordersothatyouknowwhoisresponsiblefordoingwhatbywhen.Chooseonepersontobetheprojectleader.Thatpersonisresponsibleforcontactingthepeopleonthedaybeforetheyneedtocompletetheirtasktofindoutifitisbeingdone,ifthereareanyproblems,andiftheyneedanyhelp.Step5:PrayOnceyouhavefinishedwritingtheplantaketimetoprayagain.AskGodtohelpyoutocompletetheactivityandtomultiplytheresults,thatHisnamemaybeglorified.DuringthenextweekortwowhileyouarepreparingforyourActofLoveyoushouldbeprayingthatGodwouldhelpyouwiththeactivity.Step6:DotheActofLoveThenextstepistodotheActofLovethatyouplanned.StartthedaywithprayeranddedicateyoureffortstoGod.RememberthatyouaredoingthistodemonstrateGod’slovetoyourcommunity.Trytomaintainanattitudethatmatchesthisgoal.Step7:EvaluateandReportThefinalstepistoreportandevaluate.Whydoweneedtoevaluate?Becauseithelpsustolearn;wecanthinkaboutwhatwedidwellandwhatcanweimproveonnexttime.Itdoesn’tneedtobealongprocess;youcanjusttakeafewminutestodiscussthesequestions:

• Whatwentwell?• Whatdidn’tgowell?• Whatimprovementscouldyoumakenexttime?• Wastheresponseasyouintended?Ifnot,whynot?• WasGodglorified?

Thetrainerhasareportformforyou.Whydowedoareport?InMark6:30weseethatthedisciplesreportedtoJesusallthattheyhaddone.Wereportasamatteroffaithfulnessandgratitudetothosethathavetaughtusandpreparedmaterialsandtrainersforus.ReportinggivesyoutheopportunitytosharewhatyoudidandgivetestimonytohowGodusedyourefforts.Italsogivesthetrainerstheopportunitytoseeiftherewereanyproblemsandtobeabletoserveyoubetterinthefuture.

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