Sara L. DeVol
Box 161
Discipleship and the Church
April 14, 2011
Outline
- Introduction
- The Ministry Defined
- Purpose of the Ministry
- Evangelizing to Hurting Families
- Sharing Biblical Principles of Spiritual Formation
- Using Christian Resources to Convey Truth
- Conclusion
Introduction
The American government does more for separating families and extinguishing symptoms than it does for supporting, treating, and encouraging a healthy family structure. By dismissing marriage vows, dissolving unwanted pregnancies, and distancing siblings, the United States has clearly defined it’s perspective on families. The strategy pursued by this student is intended to reach broken families that they might be reconciled and discipled to be leaders who can reach out other broken families in need of reconciliation.
The Ministry Defined
Purpose of the Ministry
It is the intention of this author to pursue a career in law, specifically working within the family court system to advocate for children and parents. Through the experience and knowledge gained, a specific organization should be formed. It should acknowledge the problem that society presents and actively work towards politically lobbying for changes within the governmental system using the testimonies of families who have found a divine peace that has restored their members. It should also become a community of believers who are willing to help others who are found in similar situations.
This organization should use a variety of methods that come along side of families and support them. Through parenting classes, family counseling, marriage seminars, and Bible studies that make Biblical principles for families clear to follow, a down and out woman who has never been shown how to be a mother can find instruction. Through the discipleship of those who have traveled the same road, she can find restoration. Lawyers could advocate her so that judges can see that she is ready to be reconciled to her children as a fully-functioning parent. This is only possible through the prayers of the community surrounding her.
It is vital that those participating in this ministry come to know Christ both personally and corporately. Becoming a supporting community of believers is patterned for us in the book of Acts. It is also commanded to the believer in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “ Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
This citizens of Heaven must learn to take care of those in the world (the immanent perspective) and by becoming dependent on God (the transcendent perspective).
Evangelizing to Hurting Families
During the formation of this project, the author intends to evangelize to the families she meets through the court room and clientele. After inviting them to church and sharing the gospel individuals may find the healing peace that Christ offers. These new followers can witness to their families and friends and start the momentum that revitalizes families. Reconciled families can be recruited to help out at the organization, whether it be babysitting, taking children in, or starting classes and Bible studies through the church or other venues.
Discipling the Leaders
It is the author’s desire to continue to disciple these leaders, along with her husband, and to train them into becoming mature ministers of the Gospel. These specific leaders can turn and train the parents that come up under them and so forth. These fathers/mothers and husbands/wives should be discipled one on one within the home, restaurant, or coffee shop.
It is defined in Mark 6:30 and Luke 9:10 that Christ had supervised His disciples. He checked in with them, and inquired of their ministries. Meeting regularly with His disciples gave Christ the opportunity to praise them for what they had done and had learned. It also gave room to constructively criticize or dissolve discrepancies among those who were ministering.
Sharing Biblical Principles of Spiritual Formation
Dallas Williams outlines two specific areas of spiritual disciplines that sustain the Christian life. These first area is in disciplines of abstinence: silence, solitude, fasting, frugality, chastity, secrecy and sacrifice. The second area is in disciplines of engagement: study, worship, celebration, serve, prayer, fellowship, confession, and submission.
When undertaken, these disciplines are “activities that make us capable of receiving more of his [Christ’s] life and power without harm to ourselves or others.”
Through learning the Bible and following its commands they will learn how to be good family members and will see the changing power that the Father himself has on families that are dedicated to His purposes.
Using Christian Resources to Convey Truth
Besides attending church and meeting one-on-one, these leaders need to meet as a group and follow a specific plan of Bible study at least once a week. The author intends to facilitate several groups where the Bible is accompanied by curriculum to clarify truths. There are numerous series of materials available to families through the church, bookstores, and catalogs. Several of them focus on finding victory of shame, deceit, fear, poverty or other strongholds and replacing them with standards of forgiveness, truth, and hope.
These studies should last about one month per subject and should be comprehended in such a way where the can turn around and teach the families that come after them.
Conclusion
The pivotal point of the whole organization rests on discipleship. Without it, a community of believers cannot be established to help carry out God’s love. Only when families become mature in their faith can they look back from where they have come to share a testimony that is powerful enough to change the system that our government holds tightly in its fists. True testimonies come from changed lives, and changed lives come from people who have tasted and seen met Christ and who have faithfully been shown how to live out Biblical truths practically.
Works Cited
Boa, Kenneth. Conformed to His Image: Biblical and Practical Approaches to Spiritual
Formation. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001.
Coleman, Robert E. The Master Plan of Evangelism. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 2001.
Kline, Sue, and Connie Willems. “DJ Picks: Read It, Watch It, Hear It, Click It.” Discipleship Journal. July/August 2007.
Willard, Dallas. The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives. San Francisco, CA: HaperCollins, 1991.
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