VIDEO SERIES STUDY GUIDE

The Episcopal Diocese of AlbanyDisciples Making Disciples

MARKS OF DISCIPLESHIP

The Diocese of Albany is One Church fulfilling the Great Commandment and Great Commission, moving from membership to discipleship; equipping, emboldening, and sending disciples to make disciples.

Marks of Discipleship and Diocesan ValuesPrayer and Worship• WorshippingtheLorddaily(Psalm95:1-7,Psalm96:1-9,Acts2:46,Romans12:1)• GatheringweeklyastheBodyofChristinremembranceandthanksgiving(Acts2:42,

ICorinthians11:23-26)• Prayingcontinuously&intercedingforallinneed(Romans12:12,IThessalonians5:16-18,

ITimothy2:1)• PrayingwithandintheSpirit(ICorinthians14:1-25)Scripture – The Word of God• StudyingtheHolyScripturesdaily;orderingourlivestoGod’sWord;andproclaimingtheGoodNews

throughBiblicalPreaching(Luke4:16-21,Acts2:42&17:1l,Romans12:2,IITim.3:14-17,IITimothy4:1-2)• AcknowledgingthattheOldandNewTestamentistheveryWordofGod,“containingallthingsnecessary

tosalvationandasbeingtheruleandultimatestandardoflife”(BCP853and877)

Catholic Structures of Anglicanism• CommittingtoTheBodyofChrist,TheUniversalChurch,acrossspaceandtime(Matthew16:18,Romans

12:5,ICorinthians12:27-28,Ephesians4:4-16)• Honoringthethree-foldministryofBishop,PriestandDeacon(Acts2:21-26,Ephesians2:19-22,ITimo-

thy3&4,IITimothy2:2,BCP510,BCP517-519,BCP531-532,BCP543-544)

Christian Education• TeachingyoungandoldalikeinSundaySchool&BibleStudytoknowGodandfollowJesus(Psalm27:11,

Matthew28:20,Mark1:21-22,Mark10:13-16,Luke24:27&45,John14:26,Acts17:11,Titus2:1)• TeachingtheCatechism&preparingforConfirmation(BCP845-862)

Christian Fellowship• CommittingtobeingintheBodyofChrist-theChurch,andusingourSpiritualGiftsforitsbenefit(Acts

2:42-47,ICorinthians1:9,ICorinthians12,Ephesians4,Colossians3:1-17).• LovingOneAnotherascommandedbyChrist(John15:12,Romans12:10,IJohn1:3-7)

Spiritual Gifts & Healing• LearningtoidentifyandusetheSpiritualGiftsGodhasgiveneachpersonfortheworkHehaspreparedfor

themtoaccomplishinHisname(Romans12,ICorinthians12,IPeter4:10)• FollowingJesus’commandtoHisdisciplestohealthesick(Matthew4:23,Luke9:1-2&10:9,James5:14-15)

Christian Service• ServingtheLordfaithfully(Deuteronomy10:12,Joshua24:14,Romans12:11,Philippians2:3-8,Colossians3:17)• Servingothersinabrokenworld(Matt.25:31-40,Luke10:30-37,John13:1-17,Galatians5:13,IPeter4:10)

Generosity in answering God’s call as Stewards of His Creation• EmbracingtheBiblicalstandardoftithingandworkingtoachieveit(Malachi3:10,IICorinthians9:6-8)• Contributingtotheneedsofthesaints(Matthew6:2-4,Acts20:35,Romans12:13,IICorinthians8)• GrowinginstewardshipofallGodhasgivenus(Genesis1,Luke21:1-4,IPeter4:9-10)

Evangelism – Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ• IntroducingpeopletoJesus(Matthew28:18-20,John17:18-26)• Encouragingthenextgenerationtopassforwardthefaith(Deuteronomy6:6-9,Psalm78:1-8,2Timothy2:2)

Mission at Home and Abroad

• RestoringallpeopletounitywithGodandeachotherinChrist(BCP855,John14:6,ITimothy2:3-6)• WitnessingtothetruthofJesusChrist,goingintotheworldandmakingdisciplesofallnations

(Matthew28:18-20,Mark16:15-16,Luke24:46-48,Acts1:8)

Diocese of Albany Vision

WELCOME

Welcome to the Episcopal Diocese of Albany’s Marks of Discipleship DVD Video Series!Thisserieshasbeendesignedtohelpyouandyourparishgrowinfaithanddeepenyourunderstandingofdiscipleshipbyexploringthe12MarksofDiscipleshipthatareinclud-edinourDiocesanVisionStatement.TheseriesbeginswithavideomessagefromBish-opLove,andthenisdividedinto12individualvideos,eachfeaturingaBishop,Priest,Deacon,orlaypersonfrom(orconnectedto)theDiocesespeakingononeoftheMarksofDiscipleship.Additionally,thisbooklethasbeenproducedtoassistyouasacompan-ionstudyguideforthevideos.WehopeyouwillfindthisvideoserieshelpfulandpraythatGodwillblessyouthroughit.

Note to Study Leaders. Inordertogainthemaximumbenefitfromthisstudy,itisbestundertakenasagroup.Groupdiscussionisakeyingredient.ThestudycouldbeusedduringyouradulteducationhouronSundayorasanadditionalparishBiblestudy.Here’showitworks.Begineachsessionwithabriefopeningprayer,askingtheHolySpirittocomeandguidethegroup.Thenwatchoneofthevideos.Mostofthevideosarebetween12-15minuteslong,withoneexception(Scripture)whichrunsabitlonger.Asyouwatch,besuretourgeeveryonetotakenotesandpayattentiontothequestionsinthecorrespondingbookletsection.Afterthevideoends,askthegroupiftheyhaveanyinitialthoughtsorquestionsthatthevideomayhavesparked.Thenyoucanusethestructureofthebooklettohelpguideyourdiscussion.

Eachsectionofthebookletisdividedintofoursubsections.“Explore”,“Read”,“Apply”and“DigDeeper”.The“Explore”sectioncontainsquestionstohelpgenerategroupdiscus-sion,whileeach“Read”sectioncontainsabriefBiblestudyonapassageorpassagesofScripturethatarerelevanttothatday’stopic.The“Apply”sectionisdesignedtohelpgroupmembersapplythatday’sconceptstotheirpersonallives.Finally,the“DigDeeper”sec-tionofferswaysforindividuals,iftheysodesire,tofurtherexploreandapplyeachMarkofDiscipleship.

Acknowledgements.TheDiocesewouldliketowarmlythankBishopLoveforhisclearvisionforgrowingdisciplesinthisDioceseandforhisenthusiasticsupportofthisproject;allofthepresenterswhoappearintheDVD’s;DeanDavidCollumforhiscoordinationofthisseries;Fr.BruceandShayMasonwhoassistedDeanCollumintheproductionofthisseries;KevinKallsenofAnglicanTVwhofilmedandeditedthevideos;andTheCathedralofAllSaints,TheSpiritualLifeCenter,andChristChurch,Gilbertsvillewhoprovidedthelocationsforfilming.

CONTENTS

PrayerThe Rt. Rev. Daniel Herzog

Page5

WorshipThe Venerable David Collum

Page7

ScriptureThe Rev. Dr. Grant LeMarquand

Page9

Catholic Structures of AnglicanismThe Very Rev. Canon Dr. Christopher Brown

Page11

Christian EducationThe Rev. Laurie Garramone-Rohr

Page13

Christian FellowshipThe Rev. Lynne Crimi

Page15

Spiritual GiftsThe Rev. Canon Robert Haskell

Page17

HealingThe Rev. Nigel Mumford

Page21

Christian ServiceThe Rev. Joseph Acanfora

Page23

StewardshipMrs. Maggie Hasslacher

Page25

EvangelismThe Very Rev. Derik Roy

Page27

MissionThe Rev. Canon Dr. Ian Montgomery

Page29

PRAYER

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Explore

Read

Apply

Dig Deeper

1. BishopHerzogstatesthatprayerisrootedinrelationship.Whatdoeshemeanbythis?WhatistheroleofprayerinourrelationshipwithGod?

2. PrayerisourprimarywayofcommunicatingwithGod.Whattypesofprayerarethere?Whattypesareyoudrawnto?

3. HowdidJesuspray?CanyouthinkofanyexamplesintheGospelsofJesuspraying?

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

1. WhatdoesScripturetellusalwaystobeanddo?

2. Howisitwecanbejoyfulinallsituations?

3. Whatdoesitmeantopraycontinually?

OurabilitytobemorejoyfulandthankfulandtopraycontinuallyisrelatedtothedepthofourrelationshipwithGod.Doyouhaveadailyprayerdiscipline?WhatmightyouaddtoyourdailydisciplinetostrengthenyourrelationshipwithGod?

TryprayingthePsalms.ReadthemasiftheywereyourprayertoGod.Ifaparticularversestandsouttoyou,taketimetomeditateonitfurtherandthenpraybacktoGodwhatyouarethinking,feeling,andexperiencing.

Therearemanywonderfulbooksonprayer.Hereareajustafewsuggestions:

• Prayer for Beginners --byPeterKreeft• Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home--byRichardFoster• The Simple Power of Prayer--byJoyceMeyer• With Christ in the School of Prayer--byAndrewMurray• Praying God’s Word--byBethMoore

NOTES

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WORSHIP

Explore

Read

Apply

Dig Deeper

1. Whatcomestoyourmindwhenyouheartheword‘worship’?2. Whydomostpeopleattendworshipservices?3. Foryoupersonally,whatdrawsyoumostintoworshippingGod?

Romans 12:1-2

1. WhyisworshiparesponsetoGod’smercy?

2. God’smercyisshowninthefactthatwhileIwasasinner,Christshowedhisloveformebydyingonthecross.Worshipismyresponse.Accordingtothispassage,whatdoesthiswor-shiplooklike?

3. God’sWordtellsusthatourspiritualactofworshipistoofferourlivestohimbynotconformingtothewaysoftheworld.Whatarethewaysthattheworldtriestocon-formus?AretherethingsthatappeartobegoodinthisworldthatmayactuallyleadusawayfromGod’sperfectwill?

7

ReadThe MessageparaphraseofRomans12:1-2:

So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offer-ing. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your atten-tion on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Askyourself:HowdoesmyownlifecomparewithPaul’sinstructions?DoIseemylifeasanactofworship?WhatpartsofmylifemightImorefullyoffertoGod?

Whenyouattendyournextworshipservice,payparticularattentiontothethingsyousayanddoduringtheservice.Askyourself:Whyarethesethingsimportant?Whatdotheymean?WhatamIsupposedtobelearningfromthem?Howaretheprinciplesbehindthemsup-posedtobeappliedtomydailylife?

NOTES

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SCRIPTURE

Explore

Read

Apply

Dig Deeper

2 Timothy 3:16-17

1. TheApostlePauldescribesScriptureas“God-breathed.”Whatdoyouthinkthisdescriptionmeans?

2. OurCatechismexplainsthattheHolyScriptureswerewrittenbyhumanauthorsundertheinspirationoftheHolySpirit(BCP853).WhatdoesthissuggestabouttheauthorityofScripture?HowdoesPaulsaythatScriptureistobeusedbytheChurch?

3. Throughoutitshistory,theChurchhasviewedtheScripturesashavingauthorityoverallmanneroflifeandasausefultoolforstrengtheningtheBodyofChrist.ArethereanywrongwaystouseScripture?

HowoftendoyoureadtheBible?Ifyoudon’treaditveryoften,whatmightthereasonsbe?TheBibletellsusthatallScriptureisGod-breathedanduseful.WhatstepswillyoutaketoincorporatetheScripturesmorefullyintoyourdailylife?

ConsidertakingtheEssential 100 (E100) Bible Reading Challenge.E100isasystematicapproachtoreadingScripturethatguidesyouthrough50passagesfromtheOldTesta-mentand50passagesfromtheNewTestament.ThesepassageshavebeenselectedtohelpyouunderstandthefullstoryoftheBible.FormoreinformationcalltheDiocesanOfficeorvisittheE100websiteatwww.e100challenge.com.

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1. Howdoyouunderstandthephrase“TheWordofGod”?

2. InScripture,JesusiscalledTheWord(John1:1).WhydoChristiansalsocallHolyScripturetheWordofGod?WhatisthepurposeofHolyScriptureinrelationtoJesus?

3. Rev.LeMarquandtellsusthatScriptureis“ourprimaryreferencepointwhenitcomestounderstandingGodinJesus.”Italsotellsusawiderstory.Whatisyourunderstandingofthatstory?

NOTES

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CATHOLIC STRUCTURES OF ANGLICANISM

Explore

Read

Apply

Dig Deeper

1. IntheNiceneCreedweaffirmthat“WebelieveinoneholycatholicandapostolicChurch.”Whatdoyouthinktheword“catholic”meansinthiscontext?

2. The“catholic”churchismadeupofallChristians,bothpresentandpast.WhataresomewaysthatAnglicansareconnectedwithotherChristians?HowareAnglicansconnectedwiththeearlychurch?

3. WhatdoesFr.Brownmeanwhenherefersto“apostolicsuccession”?Canyouthinkofwaysinwhichapostolicsuccessionmightrelatetodiscipleship?

2 Timothy 1:6-14

1. WhatdoesPaulmeanbythe“layingonofhands”(NIV)?WhatdidTimothyreceivethroughthelayingonofhands?

2. Accordingtoverse7,whatdoestheHolySpiritgivetobelivers?WhyarethesethingsimportantfordisciplesofJesus?

3. WhatdoesPaulinstructTimothytodo?IsthereanyrelationshipbetweenwhatPaultellsTimothytodoandwhatPaulhimselfhasbeendoing?Whatdoesthistellyouabouthowdiscipleshipissupposedtowork?

Readthroughtheordinationservices(Bishop,Priest,andDeacon)foundonpages512-547inThe Book of Common Prayer.Whatroledoesthelayingonofhandsplayineachservice?Howdoyouunderstandwhathappensatthelayingonofhands?Inwhatwaysdotheservicesseektolinktheordinandwiththeuniversal(catholic)church,bothpresentandpast?Whatistheuniqueworkthatbishops,priestsanddeaconsaregivenbyGod?

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Thinkbacktoabishop,priest,ordeaconthatwasespeciallyimportantinhelpingyougrowspiritually.Whatkindofthingsdidthatpersondotohelpyougrow?Howcanyousupportyourcurrentbishop,priestordeaconastheydisciplemembersofyourchurch?

NOTES

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CHRISTIANEDUCATION

Explore

Read

Apply

Dig Deeper

1. Rev.Garramone-RohrstatesthatChristianEducationisdistinctfromothertypesofeducationinthatitisfirstandforemostaboutrelationship.Howisthisso?HaveyoueverthoughtofChristianEducationinthisway?

2. HowdoesChristianeducationnotjusteducatethemindbutfeedtheheartandinspirethespirit?

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

1. TheDioceseofAlbanyplacesgreatemphasisontheGreatCommandment,whichJesusgetsfromthispassage.Accordingtothispassage,whereisthiscom-mandmenttobelocatedinourbody?

2. IfGod’scommandmentsaretoresideinourhearts,whatdoesthepassagesug-gestabouttherolethatGod’scommandmentsaresupposedtoplayinourlives?

3. Inadditiontoobeyingthem,whatarewesupposedtodowithGod’scommand-ments?

God’sintentionisnotjustforustoknowaboutHim,butratherforustoknowHimpersonally.AreyoucurrentlymakinganefforttogettoknowGodbetter?Inhowmanyofyourchurch’sBiblestudiesandothereducationalopportunitieshaveyouparticipated?AreyoutakingtimeeachdaytoreadandstudytheBible?

• ReadandstudyTheCatechism,foundonpage843ofthe1979BookofCommonPrayer.

• PurchaseanduseaStudyBible,suchastheESVorNIVStudyBibles,foryourdailydevotions.

• BuyaCommentaryonyourfavoritebookoftheBibletohelpyouunderstanditbetter.CommentariesfromtheIVP’s“TheBibleSpeaksToday”seriesandTomWright’s“TheNewTestamentforEveryone”seriesareeasytoreadandunderstand.Askyourpriestifyouneedhelpwithchoosingacommentarythatisrightforyou.

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NOTES

14

Explore

Read

Apply

Dig Deeper

1. Therearemanybenevolentfellowshiporganizations(Rotary,LionsClub,etc.)thatdogoodworksofcharityandservice.WhatisdifferentanduniqueaboutChristianFellowship?

2. DeaconLynnesuggestedthatChristianFellowshipinvolvessharinginacommonspirit?Whatisthisspirit?

I Corinthians 1:9; Acts 2:42-47

1. WheredoesChristianFellowshipbegin?Onwhatrelationshipisitmodelled?

2. ChristianFellowshipisaresponsetoourfellowshipwithJesus.WhatdidtheChristianfellowshipoftheApostleslooklike?

3. TheScripturesrevealthattheearlychurchwasdevotedtoGod’sWord,sacramentsandeachother.Howcaneachofthesestrengthenandenlivenourfellowship?HowisfellowshipasignofdevotiontoGod?

InvolvingourselvesasthechurchinChristianFellowshipisanimportantwaythatweloveothersandshareourfaith.SuchfellowshipisawitnesstoothersofGodworkingthroughustoadvanceandaccomplishHispurposes.HowisGodcallingyoutoservehimandothersthroughChristianFellowship?

Read1Corinthians.Paulwritesthislettertoaddress,inpart,problemsthathaveledtoabreakdownofChristianFellowshipintheCorinthianChurch.Whataretheseprob-lems?Whataretheconsequences?WhatdoesPaulexhorttheCorinthianstodoaboutthisfellowshipbreakdown?

CHRISTIANFELLOWSHIP

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NOTES

16

Explore

Read

Apply

Dig Deeper

I Corinthians 12:4-7, I Corinthians 14:1, Romans 12:3-8, Ephesians 4:7-16

• St.Paulsaysyoushould“eagerlydesirethespiritualgifts”(ICorinthians14:1).Asyoulookatthegifts,arethereanyyouwouldliketohavethatyoudon’thaveatthistime?

• FinishbyprayingthatGodwouldfillyoumoreandmorewiththeHolySpiritandequipyouwithmoregiftsforministry.Therearedifferentwaysyoucandothis.IfapriestordeaconisinyourgroupheorshecouldanointeveryoneandpraythattheybefilledwiththeHolySpiritandgivengiftsforministry.

• Discover Your Spiritual Gifts -- byC.PeterWagner,Ph.D.• Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow--byC.PeterWagnerPh.D.• Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow Small Group Study Guide

--byC.PeterWagnerPh.D.• Spiritual Gifts: Their Purpose & Power--byBryanCarraway

SPIRITUALGIFTS

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NOTE: This session’s questions relate to the Spiritual Gifts Checklist on pages 19-20.

EveryChristianisgivenatleastonespiritualgift.Inyourgroup,trytoanswerthefollow-ingquestionsbasedonyouranswerstotheSpiritualGiftsChecklist:

1. Whichgiftsdidyoumarkasoccurring“often”inyourministry?2. Sharehowyouhaveusedthesegiftsinaministry.3. Howcouldyouuseyourgiftstoministertopeopleinwaysyouarenotdoingnow?4. Lookingatthepeopleinyourgroup,doyouthinkanyofthemhaveagiftwhichtheydid

notidentifyashaving?Youcouldhelpthembytellingthemwhatgiftsyouthinktheyhave.5. Asagroup,gothroughthelistofgifts.Canyouidentifyatleastonepersoninyourchurch

foreachoneofthegifts?6. Lookatthegiftsyoumarkedas“never”occurringinyourministry.Pickoneofthemout

anddescribehowyoumightfindoutwhetheryouhavebeenequippedwiththatgift.

NOTES

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(continued on next page)

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Marks  of  Discipleship  “Spiritual  Gifts”  

 SPIRITUAL  GIFTS  CHECKLIST  

 Directions:  Mark  whether  the  statement  after  each  gift  is  true  in  your  life  often,  sometimes,  or  never.                         Often   Some-­‐   Never                         Times  Gifts  which  reveal  God’s  will      1.  PROPHECY  (Romans  12:6,  Eph  4:11,  I  Cor  12:10,  28)         _____   _____   _____       I  speak  supernatural  messages  of  encouragement  or  guidance  from  God.    2.  TESTING  OF  SPIRITUAL  THINGS  (I  Cor  12:10)           _____   _____   _____     I  know  whether  the  things  people  say  and  do  are  from  God  or  not.    3.  TEACHING  (Romans  12:7,  Eph  4:11,  I  Cor  12:28)         _____   _____   _____     People  like  to  listen  to  me  teach  from  the  Bible,  either  at  church  or  informally.    4.  WISDOM  (I  Corinthians  12:8)               _____   _____   _____     I  supernaturally  know  what  God  wants  done  in  certain  situations.                        5.  FAITH    (I  Cor  12:9)                 _____   _____   _____     I  have  confidence  that  the  prayers  God  gives  me  to  pray  will  be  answered.      6.  TONGUES  (I  Cor  12:10,  28)               _____   _____   _____     God  gives  me  messages  to  speak  in  languages  I  don’t  know.    7.  INTERPRETATION  OF  TONGUES  (I  Cor  12:10)           _____   _____   _____     I  know  the  English  meaning  of  messages  in  unknown  languages.      Gifts  which  help  and  support  Christians  and  non-­‐Christians    8.  SERVING      (Romans  12:7)               _____   _____   _____     I  organize  people  to  help  people  who  have  practical  needs.    9.  HELPING      (I  Cor  12:28)               _____   _____   _____     I  like  to  personally  help  people  who  have  practical  needs.    10.  EXHORTATION  (Romans  12:8)             _____   _____   _____     God  gives  me  words  of  encouragement  or  comfort  for  people  who  need  them.    11.  ACTS  OF  MERCY  (Romans  12:8)             _____   _____   _____     I  cheerfully  do  things  for  the  sick  and  hurting.    12.  CONTRIBUTING  (Romans  12:8)             _____   _____   _____     I  cheerfully  give  the  money  and  things  I  have  to  others.        

 Often   Some-­‐   Never  

                      times    13.  PASTOR  (Ephesians  4:11)               _____   _____   _____     I  love  other  Christians  and  I  like  taking  care  of  them  and  talking  to  them  about  Jesus.    14.  WORKING  OF  MIRACLES  (I  Cor  12:10,  28)           _____   _____   _____     I  have  prayers  answered  in  ways  that  defy  natural  laws.    15.  HEALING  (I  Cor  12:9,  28)               _____   _____   _____     My  prayers  are  quickly  answered  when  I  pray  for  sick  people  to  be  well.    16.  KNOWLEDGE  (I  Corinthians  12:8)             _____   _____   _____     God  gives  me  supernatural  knowledge  about  what  is  going  on  in  peoples’  lives.    17.  HOSPITALITY  (I  Peter  4:9)               _____   _____   _____     I  provide  an  open  house  and  warm  welcome  to  those  in  need  of  food  or  lodging.      Gifts  which  provide  God’s  leadership  for  his  people    18.  ADMINISTRATION  (I  Corinthians  12:28)           _____   _____   _____     Christians  follow  my  direction  as  I  tell  them  God’s  vision  for  his  church.    19.  APOSTLESHIP  (Ephesians  4:11,  I  Cor  12:28)           _____   _____   _____     Many  churches  look  to  me  for  leadership  and  direction.    20.  RULING  (Romans  12:8)               _____   _____   _____     I  lead  other  Christians  by  loving,  serving,  and  teaching  them.      Gifts  which  allow  the  message  about  Jesus  to  be  spread  to  new  people  and  places    21.  EVANGELISM  (Ephesians  4:11)             ____   _____   _____     I  enjoy  talking  to  non-­‐Christians  about  Jesus  and  they  frequently  become  disciples  of  his.    22.  CELIBACY  (I  Cor  7:7)                 _____   _____   _____     I  am  single  and  enjoy  being  that  way  so  I  have  more  time  to  serve  God.    23.  MARTYRDOM  (I  Cor  13:3)               _____   _____   _____     I  display  a  joyous  and  victorious  attitude  when  I  suffer  for  Christ.    24.  VOLUNTARY  POVERTY  (I  Cor  13:3)             _____   _____   _____     I  renounce  material  comfort  and  luxury  so  I  may  be  free  to  serve  God  better.    25.  MISSIONARY  (Eph  3:7,  I  Cor  9:22)             _____   _____   _____     I  am  able  to  minister  in  a  culture  different  from  my  own.  

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HEALING

Explore

Read

Apply

Dig Deeper

1. ThroughouttheGospels,JesusisseenpreachingtheGoodNewsandhealingthesick.Howarethesetwoactivitiesrelatedtooneanother?(hint:seeLuke10:9)

2. Jesus’actionsshowusthathealingismeanttogohandinhandwithproclaimingtheGos-pel.However,Fr.Mumfordsuggests,theChurchhastoooftendoneapoorjobofhealingthesick.Whymightthisbe?

3. Fr.MumfordquoteshismentorFrancisMacNuttwhohassaid,“Peoplearedyingbecausepeoplearen’tprayingforthem.”Whatmightkeepsomeonefromprayingforthesick?

Luke 9:1-6; Luke 10:1-9

1. WheredoesJesussendthe12andthe72?Whoseauthorityaretheygiven?

2. Jesussentoutthe12and72,empoweredbytheHolySpirit,toeverytownandplacethathe,himself,wastogo.Whatweretheytodowhentheyarrived?

3. JesusencouragedhisdisciplestostayinthecommunitiesandbewiththepeopleastheyprayedforthesickandtaughtaboutthekingdomofGod.HowdoeshealingthesickhelpmakedisciplesandgrowthekingdomofGod?

Fr.Nigeltellsusthateveryonecanandshouldprayforhealing.Thewaywedothisistosimply“listen,love,andpray.”Haveyoueverprayedforsomeonetobehealed?DoyoubelievethatifyouprayforhealingthatGodwillansweryourprayers?

Ifyouwouldliketolearnmoreabouthowtoprayforothers,orreceiveprayerforyourself,visittheDiocesanHealingCenterwebsiteformoreinformation:http://www.christ-the-king-center.org/Healing/TherearemanygoodbooksonHealing.Herearesomesuggestions:

• Healing --byFrancisMacNutt• The Forgotten Touch: More Stories of Healing--byRev.NigelMumford• Post Trauma Healing, After the Trauma, the Battle Begins--byRev.NigelMumford• Your Healing is Within You--byCanonJimGlennon• Christ the Healer -- by F.F. Bosworth

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Dig Deeper

1. Whenyouhearthewords“ChristianService”,whatcomestoyourmind?

2. ChristianserviceisawayofservingGodthroughservingothers.WhatdoyouseeastheultimategoalofChristianService?HowdoesChristianServicedifferfromsocialservice?

3. Throughservingothers,JesusdesiresthatwebringpeopleintoalivingrelationshipwithHimselfastheirLordandSavior.HowdoesthisgoalofChristianServicecom-parewithyourunderstandingandyourchurch’sunderstanding?

John 13:1-17

1. WhydidJesuswashhisdisciples’feet?

2. Aftergivingthemanexampletofollow,Jesusthencommandshisdisciplestodothesame.WhatdidJesusmeanwhenhesaidthat“noservantisgreaterthanhismaster”?

3. GivenwhatJesussaidanddidinthispassage,doesyourchurchhaveanyexcusenottoengageinChristianService?

Asagroup,askyouselves:Whatarethegreatestneedsinyourcommunity?WhataretheparticulargiftsthatGodhasgivenyourchurch?ThenpraytogetherandaskGodtoshowyouhowyourchurch’suniquegiftsmightbebestusedtohelpmeetthoseneeds.WhenGodshowsyou,thinkaboutwhatstepsneedtobetakentoprepareyourselfandyourchurchforthisservice.IsyourchurchreadytoexpressitsfaiththroughChristianService?(James2:14-18)

ReadEphesians2:8-9andJames2:14-18andconsiderthefollowingquestions:

CHRISTIANSERVICE

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• Whatistherelationshipbetween‘faith’and‘works’?• Canfaithandworksexistindependentlyofoneanother?• ConsiderthelifeandministryofJesus.Howdidhisfaithandhisworksrelate?• HowarefaithandworksimportantforChristiansastheyengageinChristian

Service?

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STEWARDSHIP

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1. Itisnaturaltodesireanabundantlife.Isthereadifferencebetweentheworld’sun-derstandingofabundanceandtheChristianunderstanding?

2. Whatisthetithe?DoyouagreethatChristiansshouldbetithing?WhydoyouthinkthatGodasksustotithe?Whoownsthefinancialresourceswehave?

3. Howisfaithrelatedtostewardship?

4. “Noonewhoisfinanciallyboundcanbespirituallyfree.”Whatdoyouthinkthisstatementmeans?

2 Corinthians 9:6-12

1. Godisconcernedabouttheattitudeofourhearts.Inverses6and7,howmucharewecalledtogive,andwhatisourattitudetowardsgivingsupposedtobe?

2. WhatdoesGodpromiseforusifwearegenerousandcheerfulgivers?

3. IfGodwillprovideforallofourneeds,thenwhatdoesthissayaboutGod?WhatarewesayingtoGodwhendon’tpracticeChristianStewardship?Whatarewesayingwhenwedo?

• Debt Proof your Marriage--byMaryHunt• Financial Peace--byDaveRamsey• Giving & Tithing, and Debt-Free Living--byLarryBurkett• Crown Financial: Family Budgeting and or Debt and Credit–www.crown.org

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ThefollowingaresomehelpfulresourcesonChristianStewardship:

God’spromiseofgraceandabundancetotheobedientandcheerfulgiverawaitsus.Whatstepsdoyouneedtotakeinyourownlifetobecomeabettersteward?

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EVANGELISM

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1. “Christianityisonegenerationfromextinction.”Doyouagreeordisagreewiththisstatement?Why?

2. Whenyouheartheword‘evangelism’,howdoesitmakeyoufeel?AccordingtoFr.Roy,whataresomeofthereasonsthatmanyChristiansdon’tevangelize?

3. Whetheritbefearofrejection,afeelingofinadequacy,oramisunderstandingofhowtoevangelize,manyChristianschoosetokeeptheirfaithtothemselves.IsChristianfaithaprivatematter?WhatdoestheBiblesay?

John 20:19-22; (Acts 1:7-8)

1. Whatwasthedisciples’reactionwhentheysawtherisenJesus?Whydidtheyreactthisway?Whatdoesthisreactionsayabouttheirrelationshipwithhim?

2. Afterthedisciplesreceivehimwithgreatjoy,Jesussendsthemouttoevangelize(alsoseeMt.28).Whatdoesthissuggestaboutthepropermotivesforevangelism?AccordingtoFr.Roy,whataresomewrongmotives?Also,whodoesJesusgivehisdisciplestohelpthemintheirwork?

3. ThedepthofourcommitmenttoevangelismisdependantonthestrengthofourpersonalrelationshipwithJesus.Howcommittedtoevangelismareyou?

WhenandhowdidyoufirstbecomeaChristian?WhatdoesbeingaChristianmeantoyou?Taketimenowtowriteaparagraph(ormore)aboutyourexperience.Thisweek,takeastepoffaithandsharewithanotherpersonwhoisnotaChristianaboutwhyyoufollowJesus.Itcanbeafamilymember,afriend,orastranger.PraybeforeyoushareandthenallowGodtouseyou.

TaketheTheAlphaCourse(acourseinthebasicsoftheChristianfaith)and/orhelplaunchacourseinyourchurch.Invitemembersofyourcommunitytocome!Seehttp://www.albanyepiscopaldiocese.org/ministries/alpha.htmlformoreinformation.

Somesuggestedreading:

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• The Gospel in a Pluralist Society--byLeslieNewbigin• Out of the Saltshaker & into the World: Evangelism as a Way of Life--

byRebeccaManleyPippert

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MISSION

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1. Whenyouheartheword“mission”,whatdoyouthinkabout?Whoiscalledtomission?

2. Rev.CanonMontgomerystatedthatmissionisa“non-negotiable”.IntheGreatCom-mission(Mt.28:19-20),JesuscallsallChristianstomission.Whereisthemissionfield?

3. ThereisopportunityformissionanywherethatChristianslive,workandcantravelintheworld.Haveyoueverconsideredyourselftobeamissionary?Whyorwhynot?

Luke 4:16-21

1. GivenJesus’decisiontoreadfromthescrollofIsaiah,whatwasJesus’understandingofHisownmission?Whatwashisroletobe?

2. JesussawhismissiononearthasafulfilmentofOldTestamentprophecyasrecord-edinIsaiah(andelsewhereintheOT).WhenyoulookatJesus’lifeandministry,inwhatpracticalwaysdidhefulfillthisprophecy?Towhomdidhego?Whatkindofthingsdidhedo?

3. Jesusministeredprimarilytotheoutcastsandtheneedy(physicallyandspiritually).WhoaretheoutcastsinyourcommunitywhoneedtobereachedwiththeloveofChrist?

HowwillyourespondtotheGreatCommission?Rev.CanonMontgomeryex-plainsthatinmissionthereare“sendingpeopleandsentpeople.”WhichmightGodbecallingyoutobe?

Ifyoudon’talreadyhaveone,talktoyourclergyaboutstartingaMissionsCommitteeinyourchurch.Ifyouneedhelpformingacommittee,contacttheDiocesanMissionsBoardbyvisitinghttp://www.albanyepiscopaldiocese.org/ministries/missions/.Atthissiteyoucanalsolearnmoreaboutwhatshort-termmissionstheDiocesecurrentlyoffers.Participatinginashort-termmissionisawonderfulwaytoblessotherswiththeloveofChristandalsotogrowinyourownfaith.Ifyouareunabletogoonashort-termmissionyourself,thenconsiderfinanciallysupportingamissiontriporamission-aryfamily.

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The Episcopal Diocese of AlbanyDisciples Making Disciples