Term
| Consistent, sacrificial giving is a non-optional component of spiritual vitality and maturity. We cannot be true disciples of Christ without this. |
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Definition
2 Corinthians 8:7
But just as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us - see that you also excel in this grace of giving. |
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Term
| God blesses bountiful financial giving in a variety of ways. |
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Definition
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Term
| Our financial giving should be regular and consistent. |
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Definition
1 Corinthians 16:2
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. |
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Term
| The desire to get rich endangers your walk with God. |
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Definition
1 Timothy 6:9
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. |
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Term
| It’s not wrong to be rich, but the rich have special temptations and unique responsibilities to use their money to have eternal impact on people. |
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Definition
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Term
| We need minds renewed by truth to be able to discern God’s will. |
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Definition
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. |
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Term
| We need to be willing to do God’s will to be able to discern his will. |
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Definition
John 7:17
If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. |
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Term
| We need to obey what we already know of God’s will to learn more of his will. |
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Definition
Matthew 13:12
Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. |
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Term
| Every believer is competent to instruct/admonish. |
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Definition
Romans 15:14
I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. |
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Term
| All believers challenged to admonish, encourage. |
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Definition
1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. |
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Term
| Consider how to encourage one another; don’t forsake meeting together. |
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Definition
Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching. |
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Term
| The Abrahamic covenant, in which God promised to provide his redemptive blessing to the world through Abraham’s descendants. Key elements of the promise: land, nationhood, personal blessing, and all the nations blessed through one of Abraham's descendants |
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Definition
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Term
| Jesus will return to establish his kingdom only after the Great Commission is fulfilled. |
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Definition
Matthew 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. |
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Term
| We honor or reproach God by how we treat the poor. |
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Definition
Proverbs 14:31
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. |
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Term
| God is committed to the cause of the afflicted and justice for the poor. |
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Definition
Psalm 140:12
I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. |
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Term
| We are ambassadors for Christ. |
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Definition
2 Corinthians 5:18-20
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. |
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Term
| Pray for open doors for the gospel. |
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Definition
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Term
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Definition
Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." |
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Term
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Definition
Missions is the central plot of the Bible
--- A human being
--- From Israel
--- From Judah
--- From David
--- Jesus
--- The church
--- Millennial, Eternal Reign of Christ |
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Term
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Definition
Top Line: When God blesses us
Bottom Line: Our responsibility to be a blessing |
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Term
| Are missionaries cultural imperialists? |
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Definition
a. Yes, but missionaries have done much good
b. Some elements in culture need to change
c. Cultures are in a constant state of change |
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Term
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Definition
| Presenting the gospel in ways which consider the worldview of the local culture. Adapting the Biblical message into forms that are true to the Scriptures but appropriate to the local culture. |
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Term
| 5 things we can do to help minister to the poor |
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Definition
1. Volunteer
2. Get others involved
3. Give to Xenos' general fund
4. Pray
5. Learn what the word says |
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Term
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Definition
1.He is out ahead, drawing all people to himself
2. He gives ample time, opportunity for repentance
3. He is able to connect you with those he is drawing
4. He is able to empower you as you share
5. He convicts people of the truth about Jesus that you have shared
6. He is creating an impulse in each of us for evangelism
7. He has gifted you in ways that not only enable you to build up other Christians, but also enable you to be his witness |
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Term
| The role of the hearer in evagelism |
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Definition
| Must choose whether or not to believe |
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Term
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Definition
| To present the message of salvation in a way that the hearer can understand |
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Term
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Definition
| Searches for people through the faithful proclamation of the Gospel, leaving the results between God and the hearer |
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Term
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Definition
| Finding and winning receptive people through faithful proclamation of an understandable Gospel, keeping an eye on results to determine effectiveness and future methods. |
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Term
| What happens if a church loses an evangelism focus? |
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Definition
1. Vitality and excitement wane
2. No home group plants/ No motivation for leadership
3. We get more self-focused
4. Relational conflict increases
5. Gets involved in minutia
6. "ivory-tower" Bible club mentality
7. Ghetto mentality
8. Becomes callous to the plight of the lost |
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Term
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Definition
| Materialism is a world view that defines identity, fulfillment, security, and success in terms of temporal things |
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Term
| What are two ways to struggle against and replace materialism? |
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Definition
1. Learn to trust God for your material needs
2. Pursue God's kingdom |
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Term
| How do we pursue God's kingdom? |
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Definition
1. Invest your time in God's kingdom
2. Invest your money in God's kingdom
3. If you are wealthy, give generously |
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Term
| How can you take practical action in dealing with material anxiety? |
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Definition
1. Don't rationalize material anxiety: Judge it as unbelief
2. Recall God's promises and His past record of material faithfulness and thank Him for this
3. Resist cultural indoctrination
4. Choose to be content
5. Ask God to meet our present material needs with the above attitude (contentment) |
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Term
| Seven Principles of Financial Giving |
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Definition
1. Motivated by Grace
2. Christians are Stewards
3. Giving is an Index of our Spiritual Vitality
4. Give according to what you have
5. The needs of others should have a moral bearing
6. God abundantly blesses the gracious giver
7. Responsibility to support your local church. |
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Term
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Definition
| The use of God-given resources for the accomplishment of God-given goals. |
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Term
| Owners ask: How much of my money will I give to God? |
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Definition
| Stewards ask: How much of God's money will I keep for myself? |
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Term
| Owners ask when purchasing "things": Will I enjoy this? and Can I afford it? |
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Definition
| Stewards ask: How will this purchase affect my ability to advance God's purposes? |
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Term
| Owners say: My finances and giving are my private business. |
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Definition
| Stewards say: I will seek wise counsel so I can be faithful with God's resources. |
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Term
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Definition
| Choosing to live well within your means so that as God prospers you in your earning power, you can give more and more (proportionately) to his purposes. |
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Term
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Definition
| Not in force (under the law), but its a good rule of thumb, and feasible for many. Under grace, giving should out-perform the law! |
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Term
| Four principles of guidance |
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Definition
1. Scripture- soak your mind in it
2. Willingness -- be willing to do God's will before you know it
3. Acting - Act on God's moral will that you already know about
4. Praying - Pray regularly for God's guidance |
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Term
| Road Signs (sometimes reveal God's will) |
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Definition
1. Common sense
2. Spiritual counsel
3. Personal desires
4. Gifts/ministry burdens
5. Intuition
6. Inner peace
7. Follow delegated authorities
8. Circumstances
9. Results |
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Term
| Areas of ministry uniformity |
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Definition
1. Intercessory prayer
2. Evangelism
3. Missions
4. Discipleship
5. Financial Giving |
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Term
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Definition
| God-given capabilities to serve others so that they are impacted for and/or built up spiritually in Jesus Christ. |
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Term
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Definition
| The use of spiritual gifts to serve others. |
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Term
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Definition
| The outcome of our ministries. |
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Term
| How do you discover your spiritual gifts? |
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Definition
1. Ask God to reveal your gifts.
2. Become a servant.
3. Develop foundational ministry skills in your home group.
4. Take steps of faith to try new ministries.
5. What kinds of ministry do you especially enjoy doing?
6. What kinds of ministry do you consistently notice?
7. What kinds of ministry do you experience consistent empowering for?
8. What kinds of ministry are you effective in (others' feedback; fruit)? |
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Term
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Definition
| Communication of God's truth in love in ways that strengthen Christians to go on following God's will. |
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Term
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Definition
| Moral correction through verbal confrontation which is motivated by love. |
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Term
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Definition
1. Expressing belief in one's position and potential in Christ.
2. Recognizing significant accomplishments.
3. Communicating God's faithfulness to fallen and hurting individuals.
4. Exhorting Christians to go on following Christ despite pain. |
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Term
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Definition
1. Value friends who care enough to reprove you
2. Be suspicious of fleshly defensiveness on your part.
3. Focus on the content of the admonition. |
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Term
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Definition
1. Requires wisdom and discernment.
2. People are more receptive to admonition from one who is general encouraging.
3. It should be one-on-one and in private.
4. It should be specific and direct.
5. It should appeal to scripture.
6. Be patient rather than insisting on immediate response.
7. It should be practical and constructive when possible. |
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Term
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Definition
"In here"
"Out there"
-- objective, not subjective
-- absolute, not relative
-- antithetical, no synthetic |
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Term
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Definition
Biblical -- personal respect and love for individuals
Contemporary -- includes old view, but adds that we must affirm the validity of all beliefs |
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Term
| 5 communication guidelines |
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Definition
1. Find common ground
2. Pick carefully what to disagree with.
3. Be patient. Our culture is biblically illiterate.
4. Seek to understand and tell your story.
5. Remember the witness of Christian community,. |
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Term
| How can you say that Christianity is the only valid religion? |
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Definition
1. Many religions are contradictory.
2. Even the pluralist doesn't accept all religions are true or valid.
3. It is condescending to say all religions are the same. |
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Term
| Why should I regard the Bible as God's Word? What about other scriptures? |
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Definition
1. Most other "scriptures" don't claim to be revelation from God.
2. Only the Bible is rooted in history.
3. Only the Bible provides predictive prophecy. |
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Term
| How can your religion consign people to hell if they have never even heard about Christ? |
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Definition
| 1. God gives a significant amount of revelation about himself to the person "without the Bible". |
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