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The Spiritual Formation Weekend
Designer’s
Guide
What is the Spiritual
Formation Weekend?
This unique weekend
assimilates your new and existing members into your cell group ministry as a
“base camp” for cell life, discipleship and membership in
your church.
Many churches have made it their new member’s orientation, replacing the
typical (and often poorly attended) 6-8 week Sunday a.m.
schedule.
Because
the content of this weekend is unique to your church, vision, leadership style
and goals, there is nothing to buy from our ministry and use “as
is.”
This
guide will help you design your first weekend and give you the basics from
which to build and refine. After you do two or three with your first design,
you’ll see ways to increase communication and ministry, making the
weekend an exciting experience for everyone.
What impact will this
weekend have on my congregation?
The Spiritual Formation
Weekend achieves numerous goals for
new members in your church:
• It establishes a
bonding connection between new members and church
leadership.
• It fully
communicates the vision and direction of your church.
• It verifies the
salvation experience and schedules water baptism (if
necessary).
• It places the new
member in a cell group, and assigns a mentor for the first months of group
life.
• It helps new members
see what active participation in your church will look
like.
This Weekend will also help
your existing congregational
members in the following areas:
• It casts a vision
for the future direction of your church and removes gray areas of doubt or
question.
• It will assimilate
members into your cell group ministry and remove many unwanted
expectations.
• It will help your
members understand that cell groups are evangelistic, everyone is considered a
future leader, and accountability is expected and
encouraged.
What should be covered
in this weekend?
Friday
Evening:
• Pastoral staff
introduction and roles.
• The vision and
mission of your church.
• A word of
encouragement (live or via video tape) from the senior
pastor.
•
Salvation.
• Lordship
of Christ.
•
Baptism.
•
Stewardship.
• Assessment of
spiritual maturity & Bible knowledge (many churches use The Journey
Guide for New Christians and The
Journey Guide for Growing Christians for
this portion).
• The
Lord’s supper
(teaching on what this is, followed by a time of confession and the taking of
the bread and the cup).
Saturday
Morning (and possibly afternoon):
• Your cell ministry
structure (ie. number of groups per coach, number of coaches per congregation,
etc.)
• The composition of
your cell groups (leaders, interns/apprenctices, worship leaders, core members,
hurting persons, new believers, unbelievers, etc.)
• The
discipleship/equipping track your church has adopted for all cell
members.
• The weekend events
and retreats all cell members attend throughout their first year in
cell life.
• Cell leadership
opportunities.
• Other ministry,
leadership and missions opportunities at your church.
What is the typical
time frame for this weekend?
Typically, this weekend
begins after dinner on a Friday night at 7 pm and runs until 10 pm. On
Saturday, the morning sessions begin at 9 am and conclude after lunch in the
afternoon. Each church develops different content and some make the weekend
last through dinner on Saturday, others through lunch on Saturday. It’s
up to you and moreover, what you’re new members are willing to
do.
How much ground should
I cover in this weekend?
Some churches add more
content to this basic list, and you should feel free to do
so.
With
this said, be sensitive to your audience! Your members will reach
“information overload” faster than you think. The best way to
determine if you’ve added too much content is to ask each person to fill
out a survey at the completion of the weekend the first few times you do it.
Ask straightforward questions such as:
1. Was this weekend helpful
to you?
2. What was the one thing
you learned or experienced that helped you the most?
3. Was the amount of
information received: a) too little b) just right c) too much (circle
one)
4. We value your opinion.
How could we make the Spiritual Formation better for new cell
members?
Do you have any design
tips for me?
Each person that attends
your Spiritual Formation Weekend will need time to process what they are learning throughout the weekend.
Discussion time at regular intervals during the event is critical to success
and long-term memory reinforcement. So, after you teach on a particularly
challenging subject, ask each person to share with his or her mentor
or accountability
partner. Some questions you might pose are:
1) From what has just been
presented, what changes will you need to make in life to begin walking in this
new direction?
2) Does what we just
discussed concern you? Take a moment to talk about it with your partner and
pray about it.
3) Share the most important
thing you just learned and why it’s important to
you.
Appendix
This information is supplied
to you to as an example of what can be presented at the Spiritual Formation
Weekend. Use it to create your own, unique sessions!
The information below was
taken from TOUCH’s Advanced Cell Training Module 2. While this training
is no longer offered, TOUCH has a number of assessment-based training modules
for pastors. Call us or check our web site for more
details.
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION 1
Salvation
A. Introduction
1. Welcome to God’s family!
“Consequently,
you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s
people and members of God’s household . . .” (Ephesians
2:19).
2. Our dilemmas:
Sin,
dissatisfaction with life, blurred goals, the pursuit of these goals,
disappointments, physical and spiritual bondage (Romans 3:12, 17, 23). (What
was your dilemma?)
3. God’s solution was to give us abundant life (John
10:10).
a.
The abundant life is an eternal experience (John
6:50-51).
b.
The abundant life is a present experience of joy and triumph (John
15:10-11).
B. What
does it mean to be “newborn?”
1. It means having a new personal relationship with God through Jesus
Christ. God has only children and no grandchildren.
2. This new relationship
with God is established when:
a.
God convicts us of sins (John 16:8-11).
b.
We turn to God in repentance and place our faith in the Lord Jesus (Acts
20:21).
c.
We confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead
(Romans 10:9-10).
d.
We receive Jesus Christ through faith (John 1:12, Ephesians 2
:8-9).
C. What happens when we are
newborn?
1. Redemption; i.e., we
have the penalty of our sins paid for and the power of sin is broken in our
lives (Ephesians 1:7).
2. Cleansing; i.e., we
have our sins washed away (Titus 3:5b).
3. Regeneration; i.e., we
are born anew (John 3:5).
4. Justification; i.e., we are seen by God as if we have
never sinned before and thus have peace with God (Romans
5:1).
5. Adoption; i.e., we
become one of God’s children (Romans 8:15).
6. Acceptance; i.e., we are received by the Father
(Romans 15:7).
7.
Eternal life (John
5:24).
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION 2
Baptism
A.
Introduction
Baptism
follows conversion in the New Testament. There were no unbaptized believers
(Acts 2:38, 41; 8:35-38; 16:14,15, 33; 18:8).
B. Understanding
Baptism
1.
Baptism is a command (Matthew 28:19), not an option.
2.
Baptism does not save us but publicly declares that:
a.
We are saved by grace from eternal death (Romans 6:3-4).
b.
We receive salvation without cost (Ephesians 2:89).
c.
We are identified with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection (Romans
6:1-14).
3.
Baptism is a positive declaration of Jesus Christ’s lordship over our
lives (Romans 6:16-18). This act of obedience becomes a gateway to greater
spiritual blessing.
4. Baptism is a physical
experience.
5. Baptism becomes a marker in our spiritual
walk with the Lord.
6. Baptism is only administered to individuals who
have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
C. The Mode
of Baptism
1.
The mode of baptism is by immersion.
2.
Usage of the Greek in secular literature means “to dip,” as in
dipping a cup into a bucket of water; “to plunge,” as in plunging a
piece of cloth into a container of liquid dye or used in the context of a
sinking ship.
3.
Immersion was the practice of the Jews who administered the tebilah (ceremonial
washing) on gentiles who converted to Judaism.
4.
The context in which the word occurs verifies this: i.e., “coming up, out
of the water” (Matthew 3:16, Acts 8:39).
5.
The effective use of symbolism in relation to the context requires immersion:
e.g., Romans 6.
6.
The outcome of church history verifies it to be the proper mode of baptism. It
was several hundred years before sprinkling replaced immersion. Baptismal pools
have been found in the ruins of fourth century churches.
D. Some Implications
For Us
1.
Since baptism by immersion is the proper mode, this will be the practice of
this church.
2.
While recognizing that immersion is the proper mode, the spirit of baptism and
commitment to the Lord is of more importance than the
form.
3. Thus baptism by other forms (sprinkling,
pouring) administered upon believers is recognized.
E. The Different Ways to Join
the Church
1. By baptism.
2. By transfer from another church through
means of a church letter.
3. By statement.
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION 3
Lord’s Supper
A. What is the
Lord’s Supper?
1.
It is a visible and tangible means of remembering the person and work of
Christ.
(1
Corinthians 11:23-34, Matthew 26:17 30, Mark 14:12-26, Luke
22:7-20).
2. It is a public witness
to:
a.
the unity of members;
b.
the fact of Christ’s second coming.
B. What do the
elements represent?
1.
The bread represents Christ’s body.
2.
The cup represents His blood.
C. How often do we
have the Lord’s Supper?
“As
often as you do it.”
D. Where do we observe
the Lord’s Supper?
1.
In our worship celebrations.
2.
In our Cell Groups.
E. Who administers the
Lord’s Supper?
1.
The Pastors.
2.
Cell Leaders.
F. Who may
partake?
1.
Members of our church.
2.
Baptized members from other churches who have a personal relationship with
Jesus Christ.
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION 4
The Lordship of Christ
There are two important decisions in the life of the
Christian:
A. The Decision to be adopted.
1. We are born as
Adam’s children.
a.
This birth provides the abilities to live in this world.
b.
However, through our father Adam, death reigns.
2. We’re born
again as the children of God.
a.
This involves my adoption into God’s family.
b. I now have eternal
life.
•
I have an inheritance.
•
I enjoy the Father’s provisions.
•
He cannot disinherit me.
c. I am provided with the
spiritual abilities to live forever!
d. This means I have
become a part of the spiritual Kingdom of God.
e. The “Kingdom of
God” is a term also translated the “Reign of
God.”
B. My adoption makes me not only the child of God, but
also the servant of God!
1. The Greek word pais is translated as child and also as servant.
Sometimes even the context does not reveal which is the better
translation.
2. Thus, to become the child of God is to accept the Lordship of
Christ. I am to surrender to His reign over my life.
C. Have you made the all-important second
decision?
1. It is the decision to
become the servant of God.
a.
In the Bible, there is no difference between the word “servant” and
“slave.”
b.
The word means, “I wholly belong to my
Master.”
c.
Unlike forced slavery, this word refers to a voluntary surrender to Christ. I
deliberately choose to come under His reign over my life.
D. Have you said in your heart, “Jesus, I receive
you not only as my Savior, but also as my Lord! I am Your servant. I choose
Your will in the place of my own will in each decision I
make.”
1. How to make the decision to be a “slave” of Jesus
Christ:
a.
First of all, realize that only God’s children can become His
slaves!
b.
God’s character is involved!
2. Mark 10:42-45: “Jesus called them together and said,
‘You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it
over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with
you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and
whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not
come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for
many.”
a.
The greatest level of fellowship with Jesus is
followship!
b. In Romans 1:1, Paul calls himself “a
slave of Jesus Christ . . .”
E. The choice is deliberate:
read Exodus 21:5-6. The Lordship of Christ is not forced upon
us.
1.
Example: Jesus, the Son, was a slave. It was His choice.
2.
He will always be a Servant, even in eternity. In Luke 12:37, we see Him at the
final supper of the Lamb serving those who are at His
table!
3.
Are you a pais? Are you not only
the child of God, but also His “wholly owned
slave?”
F. Illustration: Imaginary
conversation between Joseph & Pharaoh.
As
you know, Joseph was Pharaoh’s slave. He was given great power by
Pharaoh. Let’s imagine Joseph gives Pharaoh a golden chariot for his
birthday. Pharaoh becomes very angry! Why? Because a slave owns nothing. In
order for Joseph to give that gift to Pharaoh, he first had to steal
from him!
G. HAVE YOU MADE
THE SECOND DECISION?
Have
you made the decision to let Jesus Christ be the Lord of your life? Have you
prayed, “Lord, I choose Your will in place of my will in every decision I
face.” If not, will you do it now?
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION 5
Stewardship: The Relationship Between Your Ministry and
Your Finances
A.
Stewardship:
1.
The Greek word for “Steward” is oikonomos, a “household servant.” This slave is
entrusted with the wealth of his master. He is commissioned to provide proper
rations at the proper time to all who are in the master’s
household.
2. Thus, a steward is one
responsible for another’s property.
3.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 tells us that when we become the children of God, the
servants (pais) of God, we are
not to consider ourselves as being self-owned. We are
stewards.
B. Illustrations of a
Steward’s Management Responsibilities
1.
Luke 12:20: “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your
life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for
yourself?’”
2.
Matthew 25:26: “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So
you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not
scattered seed?’ ”
3.
Matthew 25:21 and 23: “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and
faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in
charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
”
C. Tithing: The Step
for Financial Security
1.
Malachi 3:10: a Steward tithes what God has entrusted to
him/her.
2.
Matthew 22:15-22: We are not only to honor our obligations to the governments
of this world by paying our taxes, but we must also honor our responsibility to
God by paying our tithes.
3.
Robbing God is the worst kind of thievery. Like all thieves, there are serious
consequences to be faced sooner or later.
4.
God honors our obedience with His blessing.
D. The Tithe Predated
Moses
1.
Genesis 14:17-22
2.
Genesis 28:18-22
Fill
in the blanks from this scripture passage:
“If
God will be ________________________ and will ____________________
and will
________________
and I return ____________ and of all that thou gave me I
will
surely give _________________ to Thee.”
3.
The Tithe is an expression of love and gratitude for what God has
done for you!
E. The Tithe was
prescribed by Moses. (Look up each of these scriptures and underline them in
your Bible:)
1. The Tithe demanded: See
Leviticus 27:30: “All the tithe of _____________,
of
the __________________ of the land, of the
__________________
is the Lord’s, it is holy to the land.
2.
Underline Leviticus 27:32.
3.
Underline Numbers 18:26.
4. Giving is desired; underline
these verses:
Exodus
25:1,2
Exodus
35:5
Exodus
35:21, 22, 24, 26
Exodus
35:29
5. The Tithe is not just
an Old Testament pattern. It was preserved by our Lord. Underline the following
scriptures:
Matthew
5:17
Matthew
23:23
6.
The Tithe was preached by the Apostles. Underline these
verses:
•
Tithing was an expected act of believers:
1 Corinthians
16:1-4
•
It was to be done on the first day of the week: “On the first day of
every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his
income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be
made.”
7. Giving was encouraged
in these passages (underline in your Bible):
•
2 Corinthians 8:9
•
2 Corinthians 9:7
F. Conclusions
(Underline these verses):
1.
Malachi 3:8-10
2.
Philippians 4:17
3.
God does not need your money, but you need to tithe.
4.
See Romans 13, Mark 12:17: Pay taxes in
__________________________ and
on
__________________.
5.
Save _________of net income.
6.
Live on ________________ of net income.
7.
Set aside ______________of net income for debt or future
needs.
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION 6
The Fullness of the Holy Spirit
Read Ephesians 5:18 and
complete these comments:
A. The Fullness of the
Holy Spirit is _________________________
which
must be ____________________________.
B. The Fullness of the
Holy Spirit is a
_____________________________
to
be ________________________________.
C. The Fullness of the
Holy Spirit is to be ______________________
D. Important questions
for you to answer:
1.
Have I received the Holy Spirit?
2.
Have I been filled with the Spirit?
3.
How can I be filled?
T______________(John
7:37-39)
D______________
(John 12:24)
A__________
(John 11:9-13)
E. Am I being
filled with the Spirit?
SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION 7
Growing As A Spirit Being
Introduction
The Lord is teaching us to minister to one another as a whole person. He
is teaching us to minister supernaturally.
1. We Are Primarily Spirit Beings.
A. God has created us
to be spirit beings:
• Genesis 2:7: “the LORD God formed the man from the
dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the
man became a living being.”
•
1 Thessalonians 5:23: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you
through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
B. We are dead in our
spirit before salvation:
•
Ephesians 2:1: “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and
sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of
the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who
are disobedient.”
C. Our spirit comes
alive in Jesus Christ:
•
Romans 8:10: “But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin,
yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.”
•
Romans 8:16: The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are
God’s
children.
•
1 Corinthians 6:17: “But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with
him in spirit.”
D. We need to learn to
operate in the Spirit:
•
Galatians 5:16: “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify
the desires of the sinful nature. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in
step with the Spirit.”
•
Note: It is interesting that the Bible is not clear in many places if
“spirit” refers to the human spirit or the Holy
Spirit.
2. Learning to operate in the Spirit
To experience
spiritual communication, most Westerners will have to do the
following:
DETHRONE THE MIND (RATIONALISM) ENTHRONE THE
SPIRIT
1. True reality is the
physical world. True
reality is the spirit world.
2. Reality is perceived through the
mind. Reality
is perceived through the spirit.
3. My goal
is to develop my mind. My
goal is to develop my spirit.
4. I live
out of what my mind is telling me. I
live out of what my spirit is telling me.
5. My mind
directs thru calculated thought. My
spirit directs me through spontaneous,
cognitive
and analytical thoughts, flowing
thoughts
that are placed in it by
the
Spirit of God.
6. My mind
is cultivated by using it in My
spirit is cultivated by using it in
academic study. communication
with God.
7.
Direction is received from my mind Direction
is received from my spirit by
by analysis of stored
knowledge . waiting
quietly upon the Lord, allowing
Him
to spontaneously inject into my heart
His
thoughts, burdens, and visions.
8. Out of the mind flows the Written Word. Out
of the spirit flows the specific word of God for the now.
9. A
Christian who has only developed A
Christian with a developed spirit
his mind, flows with a
knowledge of flows
with the power of the Spirit and
the written word. is
grounded in a knowledge of the
living
as well as the written Word.
3. Going Beyond Rational Christianity
RATIONAL
CHRISTIANITY SPIRITUAL
CHRISTIANITY
1. Code of Ethics. The
power that works within.
2. Laws. Intimacy
(Abba, Father).
3. Works. |