Review and Application of The Disciple Making Church

Introduction:
1. We are concluding our study: The Disciple Making Church – subtitled: 10 Habits of Highly Effective Churches! – [tie this into our theme for 2006: Gearing Up for Greater Effectiveness]
- now it’s time to ‘put our money where our mouth is’ – to do what is recorded in Daniel 11:32
 Daniel 11:32 ". . . but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.”
- it’s time to seriously consider some steps to do what James records:
 James 1:22 But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
2. It’s important for us to PAUSE and answer the questions, “Now that we’ve spent the past 11 weeks studying 1 Thessalonians: The Disciple Making Church, SO WHAT? or NOW WHAT?
- what does God want us (you) to DO as a result of what we’ve studied?
3. In a sense, we’re taking a high speed ‘fly-by’ at an altitude of 500 ft! – which isn’t much wiggle room, but it gets us up close and we can SEE what we need to accomplish!
4. OPEN IN PRAYER – asking the Lord to help us to be DOERS of the Word and not HEARERS only – and that each person would examine his/her own life and ask the question, “How do I need to grow and change and ‘gear up for greater effectiveness’?
5. Let’s take a few minutes on each subject and consider some personal application to your life, our ABF, and/or church family!
#1: Focused – 1:1-10
- This church was focused on the right goal – the MAJOR themes of life
- Paul complimented them for their: work of faith, labor of love, and steadfast hope
Summary: They not only responded to the MESSAGE of salvation, but the modeled the RESULTS of salvation:
 1 Thessalonians 1:9 For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,
$Million Q: In what ways are you willing to serve in FBC that would reflect your disciple statues and your disciple-making desires?
Application (our ABF) – we need to finalize the following positions:
 Team Leaders
 Human Resource Coordinator
 Class Coordinator – pending TBA
 Men’s Ministry – replace Danny!
 Women’s Ministry  Outreach Coordinators – Larry/Kathy Williams
 Activities Coordinator – Darrell/Linnette Woodman
 Missions Rep – Jim & Debbie Bryan
Application to FBC:
 Moving Coordinator [i.e. changing houses/apts.] AND a “Need Ride to Church” coordinator
#2: Integrity – 2:1-12 Summary: We need to fulfill the responsibilities God has given to us
 …as a faithful steward (2:4)
stewardship = God given responsibility with accountability
Q:: What do we need to DO be good stewards of the resources He has given us?
 People – train them, deploy them in serving positions
NOTE: Mention there are OVER 100 people taking the Leadership Class (FBI)
 Land/building
 Finances:
[Note: Offering TOTAL for March = General offering = $196,062.66 – our budget each week is $37,002 (148,000) -- $48,054 ABOVE our estimated income!]
> This does NOT include the Community center gifts of = $48,085.50, NOR the Deacons Fund giving = $4,909.10
[PAUSE AND THANK THE LORD FOR HIS BLESSINGS!]
 …as a gentle mother (2:7) and responsible father (2:9-12)
- the picture of a parenting relationship is powerful
- the dependency of the child on the parents, and the love and care of the parent, along with the responsible teaching/disciple communicates a strong message of a PROCESS . . . like parenting called DISCIPLESHIP
#3: Receptive to the Word– 2:13-20 Summary: Accepting it not as the word of man, but as the Word of God!
Q:: What does that look like in Worship Services? ABF?
[study the passages before you come, be prepared in your heart]
Q:: How do you measure you receptiveness to the Word? – OBEDIENCE!
Q:: What should our studies lead you to DO after the services are over?
[study / read / memorize / apply it on your own!]
#4: Endurance –3:1-10a – Summary: The true result and evidence of a person who has ‘received the Word’
- Standing firm in our faith – implying that if you don’t ‘receive it properly; you’re probably not going to ‘stand firm’!
Q: What do we need to DO to stand firm in our compassion to each other? Community?
 Hospitality – who are YOU reaching out to? When is the last time you had someone over to your house that you didn’t know very well?
 Prayer for one another
 Serve one another or be kind to one another
Point: Evangelistic Impact – they will know you are my disciples if you have love one for another! – John 13:35
Apply to the upcoming EASTER message and the “Is God Mad at Us?” series
#5: Growing Stronger – 3:10b-13 Summary: Growing in our daily walk with the Lord in our faith in God and love for God:
- Paul emphasizes again the need to grow stronger in LOVE for one another, and for ‘all people’
Q: Are you willing to serve as a mentor for another couple/individual?
> Keeping them accountable for attendance, bible study, growth, serving, solving problems?
HIT THIS HARD! [some of you have been growing long enough to DO this – are you willing?]
> are you going to live by faith and ‘get out of the boat’ so you can ‘walk on water’ or are you going to be ‘comfortable’ and have no faith that God can/will use you in His service?
Q: What do you need to DO to improve your evangelistic efforts?
VERY IMPORTANT EMPHASIS: * Idea: Fall FBI Class – Personal Evangelism – how many of you are willing to take that class?
- many of you need to grow stronger in your fear of God instead of your fear of man
- you need to grow in your love for God for the redemptive work of Christ on the cross – THAT will translate into greater and more effective evangelistic efforts
* Ministry Option Nights – use for evangelistic times w/neighbors, include someone else from our ABF – do it together – have the unsaved person meet one of your ABF friends!
#6: Holiness – 4:1-12 – Summary: ‘for God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification’ (4:7)
Q: What are some ways (thinking and actions) that will either help us to grow in holiness and/or avoid committing sexual sin?
 Being accountable to each other
 Recommend: The Pursuit of Holiness, by Jerry Bridges
Apply to your home, personal life:
 TV – movies you watch – internet access -- Rom. 13;14 – READ
#7: Hope – 4:13-18 – Summary: ‘so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope’ and ‘comfort one another with these words’ (i.e. the immanent return, the resurrection of those who ‘believe that Jesus died and rose again’)
If we really believe in that 2nd coming (i.e. rapture of the church) could happen TODAY, we will _______________ (fill in the blank – what will you DO if that is a sincere belief that Jesus is coming either in the clouds or to the earth!)
#8: Informed – 5:1-11 – Summary: Knowing about the coming Day of the Lord, and living in such a way to reflect the truth that they were ‘children of the light’
Q: Since we are ‘sons of light’, what are some outreach events/ideas that we as an ABF can do to provide an opportunity to win people to Christ?
1) Passion Play – EACH PERSON SHOULD INVITE 5 PEOPLE PER WEEK – do the math for your ABF – how many invitations would that be?]
2) Easter Service – more people come on Easter than any Sunday!
3) Is God Mad at Us?– EACH PERSON INVITING 5 PEOPLE PER WEEK -- do the math!
#9: Action –5:12-22 – Summary: Obedience to all the commands!
Q: On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate yourself on each one of those commands? [READ them]
Q: Which command do you struggle with the most?
#10: Thorough – 5:23-28 – Summary: Progressive Sanctification
- God will do His part (the God of peace Himself, faithful is He . . . also will do it) – the question is: Will you do yours?
Q: What is the next level of your Christian growth?
Example: I’m working hard at my administration skills to take more things off Viars plate to free him up to do other things – I need God’s grace, but I also have to make different decisions!
SO WHAT? – are you going to ‘talk about it’ (yackitie yack) or are you a person of ACTION?

ABF Series: The Disciple Making Church
FINAL REVIEW & APPLICATION
Introduction:

SO WHAT? or NOW WHAT?: What does God want you to DO as a result of what you’ve studied?

#1: Focused – 1:1-10 – Summary: They not only responded to the MESSAGE of salvation, but the modeled the RESULTS of salvation:
Q: In what ways are you willing to serve in FBC that would reflect your disciple statues and your disciple-making desires?

Application (our ABF)
 Team Leaders
 Human Resource Coordinator
 Class Coordinator – pending TBA
 Men’s Ministry – replace Danny!
 Women’s Ministry  Outreach Coordinators – Larry/Kathy Williams
 Activities Coordinator – Darrell/Linnette Woodman
 Missions Rep – Jim & Debbie Bryan
Application to FBC:

#2: Integrity – 2:1-12 Summary: We need to fulfill the responsibilities God has given to us
 stewardship = God given responsibility with accountability
Q: What do we need to DO be good stewards of the resources He has given us?

#3: Receptive to the Word– 2:13-20 Summary: Accepting it not as the word of man, but as the Word of God!
Q: What does that look like in Worship Services? ABF?

Q: How do you measure you receptiveness to the Word?

Q: What should our studies lead you to DO after the services are over?

#4: Endurance –3:1-10a – Summary: The true result and evidence of a person who has ‘received the Word’
Q: What do we need to DO to stand firm in our compassion to each other? Community?

#5: Growing Stronger – 3:10b-13 – Summary: Growing in our daily walk with the Lord in our faith in God and love for God:
Q: Are you willing to serve as a mentor for another couple/individual?

Q: What do you need to DO to improve your evangelistic efforts?

* Idea: ____________________________________

#6: Holiness – 4:1-12 – Summary: ‘for God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification’ (4:7)
Q: What are some ways (thinking and actions) that will either help us to grow in holiness and/or avoid committing sexual sin?

Apply to your home, personal life:

#7: Hope – 4:13-18 – Summary: ‘so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope’ and ‘comfort one another with these words’ (i.e. the immanent return, the resurrection of those who ‘believe that Jesus died and rose again’)
* If we really believe in that 2nd coming (i.e. rapture of the church) could happen TODAY, we will _______________ (fill in the blank)

#8: Informed – 5:1-11 – Summary: Knowing about the coming Day of the Lord, and living in such a way to reflect the truth that they were ‘children of the light’
Q: Since we are ‘sons of light’, what are some outreach events/ideas that we as an ABF can do to provide an opportunity to win people to Christ?

#9: Action –5:12-22 – Summary: Obedience to all the commands!
Q: On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate yourself on each one of those commands?

Q: Which command do you struggle with the most?

#10: Thorough – 5:23-28 – Summary: Progressive Sanctification
Q: What is the next level of your Christian growth?

SO WHAT?

ABF Series: The Disciple Making Church
FINAL REVIEW & APPLICATION

Introduction:
 Daniel 11:32 ". . . but the people who know their God will display strength and take action.”
 James 1:22-25
SO WHAT? or NOW WHAT? What does God want you to DO as a result of what you’ve studied?
#1: Focused – 1:1-10 – Summary: They not only responded to the MESSAGE of salvation, but the modeled the RESULTS of salvation:
 1 Thessalonians 1:9
Q: In what ways are you willing to serve in FBC that would reflect your disciple statues and your disciple-making desires?
Application (our ABF)

Application to FBC:

#2: Integrity – 2:1-12 Summary: We need to fulfill the responsibilities God has given to us
stewardship = God given responsibility with accountability
Q:: What do we need to DO be good stewards of the resources He has given us?
 People
 Land/building
 Finances:
#3: Receptive to the Word– 2:13-20 Summary: Accepting it not as the word of man, but as the Word of God!
Q: What does that look like in Worship Services? ABF?
Q: How do you measure you receptiveness to the Word?
Q: What should our studies lead you to DO after the services are over?
#4: Endurance –3:1-10a – Summary: The true result and evidence of a person who has ‘received the Word’
Q: What do we need to DO to stand firm in our compassion to each other? Community?
 Hospitality
 Prayer
 Serve one another
#5: Growing Stronger – 3:10b-13 Summary: Growing in our daily walk with the Lord in our faith in God and love for God:
Q: Are you willing to serve as a mentor for another couple/individual?
Q: What do you need to DO to improve your evangelistic efforts?
* Idea: Fall FBI Class – Personal Evangelism
#6: Holiness – 4:1-12 – Summary: ‘for God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification’ (4:7)
Q: What are some ways (thinking and actions) that will either help us to grow in holiness and/or avoid committing sexual sin?
Apply to your home, personal life:

#7: Hope – 4:13-18 – Summary: ‘so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope’ and ‘comfort one another with these words’ (i.e. the immanent return, the resurrection of those who ‘believe that Jesus died and rose again’)
* If we really believe in that 2nd coming (i.e. rapture of the church) could happen TODAY, we will _______________.
#8: Informed – 5:1-11 – Summary: Knowing about the coming Day of the Lord, and living in such a way to reflect the truth that they were ‘children of the light’
Q: Since we are ‘sons of light’, what are some outreach events/ideas that we as an ABF can do to provide an opportunity to win people to Christ?
#9: Action –5:12-22 – Summary: Obedience to all the commands!
Q: On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate yourself on each one of those commands?
Q: Which command do you struggle with the most?
#10: Thorough – 5:23-28 – Summary: Progressive Sanctification
Q: What is the next level of your Christian growth?
SO WHAT? – Are you going to ‘talk about it’ or are you a person of ACTION?