April 22, 2003
Dear Partners in Ministry,
Two test churches are almost
done with the first module of the Guide.
Here are some of comments from Holy Trinity where the Guide has been helpful:
·
I
like the history and how it all fits together. Continued overview linking and
building on this and prior sessions. Reiteration is fundamental to learning.
·
I like that we continue to go back in sessions to bring each session together, which helps me realize things that I didn't at first. The covenant given to Abraham is the same all the way through.
·
The idea that Jesus' prophesy was an actual physical kingdom. Brings a better understanding of what Jesus was doing on earth. I enjoyed the bringing together of the Old Testament and explaining how Jesus fulfilled them. The heart transplant analogy really helped
tie it all together.
·
A
greater understanding of how Jesus went to the Jews first, then to Gentiles and
taught in parables.
Here are some
applications expressed by group members: Obey God more and let Him have more power. To make my life more conform to the growth as in the Ezekiel dry bones example. Understanding the whole geographical background to the story of Christ. How the ups and downs of life are incorporated into a coherent whole. Get more into God's Word to replace the bad things in my life. Reminded again of my spiritual relationship, which is not earned. I need to accept the gift. Try to get myself into devotions daily. Watch out for the people that try to trick us into believing what you don’t want to. Trying to take Jesus' yoke as my own.
Here are some of the evaluation comments by one of the Guide facilitators:
·
Times
of related (and sometimes unrelated) discussion have been very beneficial.
·
One
person (a chiropractor) used the term "spoon feeding," I think,
meaning that it's easy to
take in. He also said it's good nuts and bolts stuff. He sees that it
encourages additional discussion.
· We haven't been putting a great emphasis on application, but most of the class seems to have good changes going
on in their lives. I think it's a combination of exposure to God's word and the small group atmosphere that accounts for these changes.
Prayer Requests:
1.
Continued
development of the Lincoln Berean coaches I as shepherding as part of the
parents of adolescents
season of life.
2.
Salvation
for our neighbor Debbie and Chad who I meet with weekly.
3.
Discipline
in writing on the Guide as we start
editing the second module.
4.
God's provision of funds.
Sincerely in Christ,
One of the women in the class comes without her husband because he works late on Saturday nights and sometimes barely makes it to church.
Her husband is considering moving.
She doesn't want to, but she knows she must trust God to submit. Our assumption is that the small group atmosphere gave her freedom to express her struggle.
Real Men of Integrity
The one man with much church background commented that he likes "The Guide" because it's not just a fill in the blank, one-answer approach. He likes that it encourages thinking and discussion
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