Download the Focus Booklet at these links:
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INTRODUCTION
“Yes!” was the energetic and unanimous answer in 2012 when we as churches asked the question: Should we do something about the poor condition of our churches and our witness in our communities?
At that moment, the living God in His infinite grace guided us with His own hand.
He showed us our horrible weakness and sin, but also His endless mercy and grace so that we can repent in the faith that He will guide us on this road of Semper Reformanda. Always reforming and realigning ourselves to His Word and work in the world.
This decision set us in motion to first study and understand our situation and prayerfully discern the road to take. When the results of this study was put before our churches in 2015 suggesting the way forward, the answer was once again unanimous: “Yes!”
All this resulted in this booklet you have in your hands. The purpose of this booklet is to bring all that has been done in the process right into the hearts and minds of every church member and every local church. There is no church out there somewhere that this booklet is for. The church is me and you. The process is for us. Our minds, our hearts and our hands as the body of Christ Himself and the temple of His Spirit in this world.
May you work and pray through this with an open heart willing to repent where needed and with the expectation of faith in the gospel that the risen Lord, Jesus Christ, will guide and shape you through His Word and Spirit.
Griffel van Wyk
Church Growth Ministry Deputies
2015
“Yes!” was the energetic and unanimous answer in 2012 when we as churches asked the question: Should we do something about the poor condition of our churches and our witness in our communities?
At that moment, the living God in His infinite grace guided us with His own hand.
He showed us our horrible weakness and sin, but also His endless mercy and grace so that we can repent in the faith that He will guide us on this road of Semper Reformanda. Always reforming and realigning ourselves to His Word and work in the world.
This decision set us in motion to first study and understand our situation and prayerfully discern the road to take. When the results of this study was put before our churches in 2015 suggesting the way forward, the answer was once again unanimous: “Yes!”
All this resulted in this booklet you have in your hands. The purpose of this booklet is to bring all that has been done in the process right into the hearts and minds of every church member and every local church. There is no church out there somewhere that this booklet is for. The church is me and you. The process is for us. Our minds, our hearts and our hands as the body of Christ Himself and the temple of His Spirit in this world.
May you work and pray through this with an open heart willing to repent where needed and with the expectation of faith in the gospel that the risen Lord, Jesus Christ, will guide and shape you through His Word and Spirit.
Griffel van Wyk
Church Growth Ministry Deputies
2015
CONTENT with LINKS
WEEK 1: THE MISSION OF GOD
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
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DAILY DEVOTIONS
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GROUP STUDY
>>> GROUP STUDY
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WEEK 2: REPENT!
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
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DAILY DEVOTIONS
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GROUP STUDY
>>> GROUP STUDY
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WEEK 3: PRAYER
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
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DAILY DEVOTIONS
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GROUP STUDY
>>> GROUP STUDY
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WEEK 4: GROWTH
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
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DAILY DEVOTIONS
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GROUP STUDY
>>> GROUP STUDY
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WEEK 5: EQUIP
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
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DAILY DEVOTIONS
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GROUP STUDY
>>> GROUP STUDY
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WEEK 6: ALIGN
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
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DAILY DEVOTIONS
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GROUP STUDY
>>> GROUP STUDY
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The Focus-time format
A magnifying glass is used to focus on the detail of something. This booklet and its format is like a magnifying glass. It helps a church to focus together on the topic of God’s mission and the calling and growth of His church. The format we will use can be called the ‘focus time’ format.
This focus time fits into six weeks. Every week we focus on a different topic. Every topic is explored in three ways: A sermon, daily devotions for home use and a group study.
A magnifying glass is used to focus on the detail of something. This booklet and its format is like a magnifying glass. It helps a church to focus together on the topic of God’s mission and the calling and growth of His church. The format we will use can be called the ‘focus time’ format.
This focus time fits into six weeks. Every week we focus on a different topic. Every topic is explored in three ways: A sermon, daily devotions for home use and a group study.
The six topics we will explore are: The mission of God (Soli Deo Gloria), repentance, prayer, growth, equipping and aligning.
The following table shows how the focus time is set up over six weeks:
WEEK 1: The mission God Sermon Daily devotions for 6 days Group study
WEEK 2: Repent Sermon Daily devotions for 6 days Group study
WEEK 3: Prayer Sermon Daily devotions for 6 days Group study
WEEK 4: Growth Sermon Daily devotions for 6 days Group study
WEEK 5: Equip Sermon Daily devotions for 6 days Group study
WEEK 6: Align Sermon Daily devotions for 6 days Group study
The following table shows how the focus time is set up over six weeks:
WEEK 1: The mission God Sermon Daily devotions for 6 days Group study
WEEK 2: Repent Sermon Daily devotions for 6 days Group study
WEEK 3: Prayer Sermon Daily devotions for 6 days Group study
WEEK 4: Growth Sermon Daily devotions for 6 days Group study
WEEK 5: Equip Sermon Daily devotions for 6 days Group study
WEEK 6: Align Sermon Daily devotions for 6 days Group study
If you know the format then you also already know the benefits of such a focus time for yourself and your church! If this is new to you, we want to encourage your church to introduce one focus time like this for your church every year to focus on any issue that is relevant to your situation.
Tools for exploring
The tools used to explore the topics in the booklet will now be explained briefly:
Tools for exploring
The tools used to explore the topics in the booklet will now be explained briefly:
Daily devotions
Daily devotions on the topic of the week are provided for Monday to Saturday. These can be used on your own or as a household. Decide on a set time and work it into your schedule. This may even help to get you or your household back into the rhythm of daily devotions if this is not yet a regular practice for you. |
Group study
You may have existing groups in your church or none at all. If you have existing groups, ask them to follow these studies provided for the six weeks. You may not have any groups or only very few groups. This focus time is ideal to establish new groups. Invite all your members to commit to meeting together in their wards under the guidance of their elder (or other leader) for the duration of the six weeks as part of the focus-time. It may be easier for them to commit for a shorter time and then they will hopefully enjoy it so much that they will continue to meet. Enjoy your focus time and move through it with prayerful expectation that the Lord will use it in your life and church because His Word never returns empty! |
WEEK 1
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THE MISSION OF GOD
The expression ‘Mission of God’ is used to talk about the big thing that God is busy with since before creation and will be busy with even after the recreation. Mission of God refers to the greater and bigger purpose He is busy with throughout all the ages into which God the Father calls man to participate. It is the reason He created Adam and Eve, it’s the reason Jesus Christ the Son saves lost sinners and calls them to be His disciples and it’s the goal towards which the church is called to work with the Holy Spirit until the end. Adam, Abraham, Paul and yóú were all called for this one purpose. This ultimate goal is: …The Glory of God! This is actually nothing new. This was also the great focus and driving force of the reformers of the reformation: Soli Deo Gloria! Everything, even nature, exists only for the glory of God. The purpose and therefore mission (goal) of everything is God’s glory. But it is exactly here that we struggle and fail horribly. Our sin has broken us and left us empty and hurting. Focusing on ourselves as the centre of our existence. The result is that we rather seek our own glory first and that we even resent God getting all the glory which belongs to Him forever. This is where we must start… Therefore, let us pray hard and work hard to once again get a clear focus on God’s Mission for God’s glory to understand with clarity where we fit in. |
Week 1
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SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Here are some helpful texts and tips for preaching on the Mission of God: The cradle of mission: the Trinity!
Salvation of man is not the main mission, God’s glory is!
Many missionaries one mission
Do they smell Christ, or you?
The mission of God is eternal!
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MONDAY
Week 1 |
The original mission
> How would man achieve this purpose It was never about you. Ever. God created man to be a representation of God in the way man interacted with creation. This contributed to God’s glory like art contributes to the fame of the artist. Looking at man, God should have been the first the observer would think about. Today, the purpose of man is aimed at himself. Even his interaction with creation is mostly for his own gain, pleasure or glory. Why is it so tough for people to not focus on themselves? Pray about this. |
TUESDAY
Week 1 |
Mission not aborted!?
> How is this directly in contrast to the purpose of man’s creation? > What is remarkable about God’s character and conduct in these events? Even after man’s fall, God pursues man because of His gracious nature and not because of man’s merit. This act in itself demonstrates the gospel of God’s grace in Jesus, promised as the seed of Eve that will demolish Satan. God persists with His mission and prepares for us to again join in glorifying Him. Even our devastating fall of unfaithfulness, causing such heartache and pain in our world today, would not stop God from drawing me and you into His presence and mission. Where can you feel Him pulling you? Adam, where are you? Pray about this. |
WEDNESDAY
Week 1 |
The scope of the mission
> Was God only interested in the family offspring of Abram? > How broad was God aiming with His mission? > How is God aiming at you? Being part of the mission of God is being part of the single greatest and longest running project on earth involving humans. It is not only over a long time, but also includes people from every nation on the earth. It is huge and actually just the right size to show off the might of God to all in heaven and on earth. The only requirement to be part of this is confessing sin and trusting in the saving grace of God to let us once again join in the same mission that God promised to start with Abraham. Are you part? Pray about this. |
THURSDAY
Week 1 |
The people of the mission: disciples
> Why is it significant that Jesus called these people? > Why did Jesus go and do the things in v23-25 just after calling these people? A disciple is like an apprentice. A person learns a trade from a master by watching him and practising what he sees. These men were not chosen to continue their religious studies as young Jewish boys. They became apprentices to their fathers in their fishing trade. Now Jesus invites these normal people to become apprentices in the biggest mission on earth. They simply trusted him and jumped at the opportunity to follow a Rabi. Then he takes them around, preaching about His kingdom and showing His kingship. They were watching and being trained. Are you following where Jesus calls you, watching and being trained? Pray about this. |
FRIDAY
Week 1 |
The tools of the mission
> Why is it important that words and deeds match? > What is the essence of the gospel that people need to hear? The tools of the mission are gospel words and gospel deeds. Words proclaiming the love of God in Christ, and deeds proclaiming the love of God in Christ. This is the reason that the whole disciple and his whole life are tools in the hands of the living Christ. Christ has especially grouped his disciples together in a local church to be this witness in how they gather around Christ, and follow Him into their communities. That is why his church is also called the body of Christ. Him active and present in your community. Are you a sharp tool? Is His body fit? Pray about this. |
SATERDAY
Week 1 |
The unexpected places of the mission
> What is important to understand about where God can be worshiped in Jesus’s words in vers 21-24? Samaria was off-limits for good Jews. Samaria was a province where people of mixed race and mixed religions lived. Many Jews travelled a longer road just to avoid the place. Jesus didn’t. He entered where nobody else wanted to go. He also spoke in public to a Samarian woman. This could cause him a lot of problems. But there he is able to reach into the heart of a woman that nobody else would have reached. An unthinkable person in an unthinkable place hears about unthinkable grace. Jesus shows her that anybody from anywhere can worship God in any unexpected place. Do not just avoid these places or people in your life… The mission of God may even be calling you there! Pray. |
Week 1
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GROUP STUDY
This study is intended for groups in your church to do together during the week focusing on the Mission of God.
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WEEK 2
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REPENT
After the focus of last week on God’s mission and glory, it may have become clear to you that you are actually on your own mission mostly for your own glory. You may need to repent of somethings but repenting is tricky. The human heart is so deceptive and self-righteous that it is very difficult for us to see our own sins, and very easy to see the sins of others! We do not even like to be told to repent. We are afraid of searching ourselves, seeing the dirt and looking up into the judging eyes of God. We are afraid of losing our lives. But here lies the beauty of the gospel. When we look up towards God in honest confession… we see the merciful eyes of God because of Christ’s sufficient work on the cross and only then start to truly live a life far more fulfilling than we had. (HC LD 33) Search your heart honestly, pray for clarity about your sin, bring your selfish sin to the light of the cross and discover the overwhelming joy of new life for God in the light of the gospel. |
Week 2
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SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Here are some helpful texts and tips for preaching on repentance: Nothing to repent?
Seeking life in sin, in rules or in Christ?
Conflict, Pride, Worldliness and the way back
The story of the unhealthy church
Broken enough yet?
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MONDAY
Week 2 |
Finding joy in the Word: Christ!
> Where does he rather seek His joy? > What is the effect of this in his life? > Who is the Word of God (John 1)? Knowing God deeply and growing in your knowledge of Him is joy-giving, life-enriching and fruit-bearing. Especially if it is not merely more facts, but heart touching joy-truths regarding His rich righteousness and grace in Christ for you. Are you growing in your knowledge of God and His purpose for creation and your life? What do you need to repent from in light of Psalm 1? Pray about this. |
TUESDAY
Week 2 |
Who is the boss?
> Why is the call in v 4,5 a remedy for this? > If you look at v9-10 what is the purpose of the church? > Is God then working for us, or are we supposed to be working for God? > What views of the church do you have to repent from? Many people experience conflict in church. They are dissatisfied with church life and their relationships with other believers because they forgot what the church is for. If it is a place for ‘getting’ you will be dissatisfied with what you get. If it is place to be seen and admired, all you will see is conflict. If you see God as working for you, you will never discover the joy of working for God. Where are you stumbling in your church life and from what attitude should you repent? Pray about this. |
WEDNESDAY
Week 2 |
Automatic or personal faith?
> If God had a covenant with Israel, why are they not then automatically saved? > What is then necessary for salvation? Being baptised as a baby doesn’t guarantee salvation. Not even memorizing a lot of Scripture and merely confessing your faith publically in ‘n worship service. Repenting from your personal sin, trusting in the work of the Lord Jesus in such a way that it leads to a life bearing fruit – saves. This can be good news to you now, then rejoice! …or something to make you think deeply about personal repentance and your lack of trusting faith in the Lord Jesus. Pray. Further reading: Mathew 25:31-46; James 2:14-26; LD 23 Q&A 60; LD 31 Q&A 84. |
THURSDAY
Week 2 |
Are you sitting back?
> How central is this act to your life? (v1c) > Think about vers 5&6 – would you say you have gifts to serve to rest of the body with? > If every member is involved with these ministries what should the elders and deacon then do? (Eph 4:12) Everybody is needed to build the church for effective witness in the world. If you are not there in some way, your church is less effective than it could be in glorifying your loving God. The core of your life-sacrifice to God is absent. Only you can know if your excuses for merely consuming and not contributing to ministry are valid. Your minister, elders and deacon should also work toward this, and not merely try doing everything themselves. Seek your heart if you need to repent from something and pray about it now. Further reading: 1 Cor 12; 1 Pet 4:10; BC (Belgic Confession) art 28; LD 21 Q&A 55. |
FRIDAY
Week 2 |
Enemy love
> What will you be seen as, when you love them? (45) > Does God discriminate in sharing general grace? > Is it foolish to think they will change when we do not give them the love they lack? We are quick to point out the wrong things in the people or situations we do not like. Collecting reasons why we can avoid or even fight them: They hurt us; They made their own wrong decisions; They treated us unfairly. How many reasons would God have to avoid you? Maybe this is your attitude to others. But God had a different attitude to you. Where can you better follow Him in this as His child? Pray about this. |
SATERDAY
Week 2 |
Forgiveness of sins, not approval of sins.
> How strongly does Jesus seem to feel about this? > What was the mistake the Pharisees made with the law? Everyone has to decide their own truth. It is not tolerant to judge others. This is how the world chose to deal with sin. Respecting sin as ways people find joy and comfort. Jesus deals with sin in another way. The righteous law shows us our ugliness and desperate need for true comfort like a mirror, causing us to run to the beauty of Christ’s sacrifice (Rom 10:4). Keeping the law for salvation is not enough, following it’s arrows to Christ is more than the Pharisee did. But… no law… no sin. No sin… no need for Christ. No Christ… no salvation. No salvation… no true peace. Christ brings forgiveness of sins, not approval of sins. What sin do you have to break with and run to Christ with for true fulfilment? Speak to God about this now. |
Week 2
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GROUP STUDY
This study is intended for groups in your church to do together during the week focusing on repentance.
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WEEK 3
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PRAYER
Conversation is necessary for any relationship to grow. Also for our relationship with God. A married couple not having meaningful conversation will have a weak and crumbling relationship. We hear God in His Word and to pray to God is to communicate back and to encounter God Himself, it is not merely asking God for things. We even see Jesus regularly drawing away from the crowds to spend time alone with His Father in prayer. Maybe this is the starting point for us in revitalising our prayer life. To intentionally spend time alone without cell phones, radios, music or other people. Praying out loud can help you to focus your attention. Keep a prayer list. Pray with others. As someone has once said: “We must know the awe of praising His glory, the intimacy of finding His grace, and the struggle of asking His help, all of which can lead us to know the reality of His presence”. |
Week 3
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SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Here are some helpful texts and tips for preaching on prayer: First things first!
Christ’s gifts runs on prayer
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MONDAY
Week 3 |
Our Father, bread, forgives and protection
> How is bread, forgiveness and protection an ‘our’ issue? Mostly we think of prayer as something between me and God - individual. Jesus teaches us that I am never isolated, even if I pray on my own. Also the answers to my prayer are not isolated. I am part of a faith community. Together seeking Him and His glory, and together receiving from Him to share and serve together. Are your prayers and faith life only an ‘I’ and ‘me’ or an ‘us’ and a ‘we’? |
TUESDAY
Week 3 |
After the prayer?
The small parable about the neighbour teaches that after praying… we should pray again! To not let pride stand in the way of us persevering in humbly asking in utter dependence. Then, after praying, we should proceed and tackle the issue. First asking around for solutions or advice, secondly to move around actively looking for what can be done and finally putting your hand to the problem and opening the doors that can be opened. Participate in the solution! But what if still nothing happens? Rest trustingly in your Fathers goodness to not give you harmful things that looked like fantastic things to you. |
WEDNESDAY
Week 3 |
Prayer and worldliness
> What is the guaranteed way to not get your prayers answered? God and the world are not on mission in the same direction. And you cannot pray in both directions! Having a divided heart between God and the world leads to selfish prayers. Selfish prayers leads to unanswered prayer. This leads to me taking up the fight myself to get what I truly believe to be a blessing: the things of God and not God in Himself anymore. But when I humbly submit my whole being to God and resist the temptations to divide my heart, Satan will flee and my Lord will lift me up out of the confusion! |
THURSDAY
Week 3 |
Asking AND thanking ensures peace
> What does it mean that Christ will keep watch over your heart and mind? There will always be reasons to be concerned. But there are always things to be thankful for. We do need the Lord desperately, but we also already have His blessing in many other ways. Naming both my needs and His blessings in my prayer helps me to realize He is already active in my life. He knows my needs and what is good for me. This puts the fire of anxiousness out. I can rest in the fact the grace of Christ is sufficient every time that my heart and mind wants to run away with me again. He hears me, He has already blessed me with many other things… and bigger than that, He has Redeemed me to be His own! |
FRIDAY
Week 3 |
Persistence in outreach prayer
> How do you pray for evangelism? (v3) > How is attitude in your prayer carried into your life? Praying is hard work. It is like climbing a high mountain. One foot before the other. That is why we are encouraged to continue watchfully… because it is so easy to give up. The other thing that will help is to pray with thanksgiving. Remembering with thanks before the Lord where He has already showed His hand in your life and answered previous prayers. This strengthens your heart for more prayer. But prayer is not selfish. We can even pray for opportunities to share the gospel clearly, by others and also by ourselves. But prayer also shapes the heart that I walk into my life with. Not just praying …but then in faith using the opportunities that the Lord opens up for me. |
SATERDAY
Week 3 |
Intimate focus of prayer
> Why do you think prayer is foremost an intimate thing between you and God? Even the most beautiful things can be messed up by our unsure hearts. With a heart not resting in the gospel, prayer can be abused to glorify yourself. You can even be praying hard for the glory of God while actually seeking your own glory in being seen and heard by others! Rather understand the intimacy of prayer. You may pray in public and with others as we see in other places in the Bible, but foremost it is my heart before God, not my image before men. The other trap for my heart is to try and persuade God with many words to give what I need, rather than sharing my heart plainly, trusting that He is good and His answers best. Here we discover your approach to prayer is important… with what heart and purpose are you entering into prayer? |
Week 3
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GROUP STUDY
This study is intended for groups in your church to do together during the week focusing on prayer.
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WEEK 4
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GROWTH
Growing a body of Christ starts with growing the individual members of the body in Christ. It is not a system that has to grow. People need to grow rooted in Christ (Col 2:7). You need to grow. In what do we need to grow? Love coming from a pure heart, a good conscience and a sincere faith (1 Tim 1:5). Our minds, hearts, attitudes and deeds are to be shaped by the work of God’s Word and Spirit as we are conformed to the image of Christ. This is what the command of Jesus to become His disciples (apprentices) is about. People following the way of Christ on Gods mission. Listening to Him and testing in practical faith all they have learned. Along this road of individual growth and obedience to Christ in my life’s choices and priorities, He uses me to also disciple others in following Him. This results in churches growing in depth, in health and with His blessing in numbers – all contributing to the Glory of God who are able to bring a dead selfish sinner like me to a life of service in Christ (Ephesians 2:1+10). |
Week 4
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SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Here are some helpful texts and tips for preaching on growth: An apprentice of Jesus
Rock in a pond
> Then in Samaria – where you would not think to go > Unto the whole world – where you would not know how to go
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MONDAY
Week 4 |
Stay in Jesus!
> How does that help us grow and bear fruit? Growing and bearing fruit only happens when we keep our focus and attention on Jesus and His completed work on the cross. The good news about who Jesus is and what He has done is like the life giving sap continually flowing through the branches. This ‘abiding’ makes it possible for us to grow and serve those around us with useful fruit. Are there other activities that you are busy with, hoping it would revitalise your heart and life? How can you refocus to practically abide in Christ? |
TUESDAY
Week 4 |
Do you know Gods destination for you?
Many things happen in our lives that we sometimes feel are obstacles to our progress. Setbacks, accidents or pain caused by others. But here we are reminded that God will reach His goal with us: He is continually shaping and moulding us into people who resemble Christ. This is where disciples of Christ are heading. And God promises to even use the painful things of life to get you there. What is the area where God may be working on you now? How does this change your attitude to suffering and life? |
WEDNESDAY
Week 4 |
Growing asks effort!
People sometimes think that growing in faith and a changed life is an automatic process. This is not at all true – although God has already given every ingredient needed! We need to make every effort with what He has provided. Here we find a list of things in the disciples life and how they enrich each other. Working on the one causes the other to grow. Think about how each of these aspects of life in the list influence the other. Also see that all of this is still on the foundation: God’s unconditional love (agape) for all people – rooted in the gospel. Being busy with these things leads to you bearing more fruit and coming to know Jesus Christ even better. |
THURSDAY
Week 4 |
Christ leads you to others
> What does Christ promise you for this task? We share in the same mission as Christ. When we eventually start to resemble Him having been freed of our selfish desires and self-absorbance … we will be lovingly involved in the lives of others. Christ will lead you to become involved with people around you to play the same part in their lives that others have played in your faith and spiritual development. This may be people you already have relationships with, or a neighbour that you do not know that well yet. Being a disciple… you should end up making more disciples and help them to join the family of God. Pray that God will lead you and show you where you can become lovingly involved in the lives of others. |
FRIDAY
Week 4 |
Your role in the body of Christ
> What is needed for the body to grow? You as a disciple of Jesus is not meant to work as a lone ranger. One person cannot alone touch a community or town. Even Jesus depended on the love, prayers and support of His disciples. Every disciple has received gifts and opportunities to enable others to serve Christ better. When every disciple in God’s family understand their unique contribution and delivers it - it is then that Christs body is healthy and will be built up. Is your local church suffering bad health or decline because you are not there, serving sacrificially? Are you losing out on the healthy input where others could serve you? |
SATERDAY
Week 4 |
Tired and hurting?
> How is this encouraging to you? People disappoint you. Projects fail. People you have helped turn back to their old ways. Your work at your church is not recognised. You are working for your own growth and that of others… but it does not go as you hoped for. You are even met with open resistance or threatened. Well, then you are in good company. Faith in Jesus as his disciple is to persevere in situations that feel hopeless. Look beyond the suffering that may be part of your calling where you are and see Christ, His finished work and how He also looked beyond His suffering to the joy that would be His with His Father in the future. He will finish His good work in you that He has started. Remember this… lift your head, keep your eyes of Jesus, not men, and persevere. Joy is waiting! |
Week 4
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GROUP STUDY
This study is intended for groups in your church to do together during the week focusing on growth.
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WEEK 5
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EQUIP
A wonderful privilege for each and every disciple to serve in the mission of God! But who will support, encourage, serve, guide, lead, help, teach, assist, coach and equip the members of a church to follow and serve Christ with their lives in their communities? To enhance the participation of each member in the mission of God for His glory? For this purpose Christ has gifted every believer to serve and support each other. He furthermore called some to serve their church specifically as elders (included are ministers/pastors) and deacons. With different roles, the elders and deacons are given to a church to equip the believers there for the work of their service by which the body of Christ is built up. These people are not those elected to do the ‘church work’ on behalf of the rest. Elders and deacons work for the maturity of the disciples. Mature in their faith in Christ and mature in their service to Christ. |
Week 5
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SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Hier is 'n paar nuttige tekste en wenke vir prediking oor toerusting: Everybody has a gift
Your gift is not yours
Your maturity in Christ – the aim of pastors, elders and deacons
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MONDAY
Week 5 |
What have you received?
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TUESDAY
Week 5 |
Unhappy about what you received?
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WEDNESDAY
Week 5 |
What do you need?
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THURSDAY
Week 5 |
Your relationship with your elder(s)
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FRIDAY
Week 5 |
Your relationship with your deacon(s)
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SATERDAY
Week 5 |
The Word and Sacraments
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Week 5
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GROUP STUDY
This study is intended for groups in your church to do together during the week focusing on equipping.
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WEEK 6
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ALIGN
The foundation has now been laid to help you clearly understand God’s mission for the church. It is to glorify Himself in your community as you follow Christ obediently in the power of His Spirit. As in many areas of life and with many things, over time we develop habits and ways of doing things that are not helpfully supporting this mission any more. Things, plans and structures that may have worked in the past may not be as effective any more or effective in every context. It may even be an obstacle. The truth did not change but our country, cultures and communities are always changing and we need to continually reform (semper reformanda) and align our ministry structures and systems to serve our calling better. Aligning a church may mean that some changes could follow in your church. Mostly change makes us feel afraid and unsure. But let your only comfort be in Jesus Christ to lead your church faithfully rather than finding false comfort in familiar structures and habits. |
Week 6
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SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Here are some helpful texts and tips for preaching on aligning Let us consider!
> ‘let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering’ v23 > ‘let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works’ v25
Think!
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MONDAY
Week 6 |
Beware!
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TUESDAY
Week 6 |
Your only comfort?
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WEDNESDAY
Week 6 |
True Religion?
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THURSDAY
Week 6 |
Handling different approaches to Christian life and ministry
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FRIDAY
Week 6 |
Living in love and peace
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SATERDAY
Week 6 |
What about the others?
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Week 6
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GROUP STUDY
This study is intended for groups in your church to do together during the week focusing on aligning.
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