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Equipping The Body

Book: Total Church by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis

Two pastors outline and apply a pair of overarching biblical principles that call the current body of Christ to a deep restructuring of its life and mission.

“Church is not a meeting you attend or a place you enter,” write pastors Tim Chester and Steve Timmis. “It’s an identity that is ours in Christ. An identity that shapes the whole of life so that life and mission become ‘total church.’” With that as their premise, they emphasize two overarching principles to govern the practice of church and mission: being gospel-centered and being community-centered. When these principles take precedence, say the authors, the truth of the Word is upheld, the mission of the gospel is carried out, and the priority of relationships is practiced in radical ways. The church becomes not just another commitment to juggle but a 24/7 lifestyle where programs, big events, and teaching from one person take a backseat to sharing lives, reaching out, and learning about God together.

In Total Church, Chester and Timmis first outline the biblical case for making gospel and community central and then apply this dual focus to evangelism, social involvement, church planting, world missions, discipleship, pastoral care, spirituality, theology, apologetics, youth and children’s work. As this insightful book calls the body of Christ to rethink its perspective and practice of church, it charts a middle path between the emerging church movement and conservative evangelicalism that all believers will find helpful. (excerpted from Amazon.com’s website)

Why We Recommend It:

“I love this book because Total Church demonstrates that to understand the gospel we are actually forced to respond to it in community, and for community to flourish we must be deeply rooted in the gospel.” 

~ Ryan Donell, Grace Church Resident
 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: Grace Church has not received any compensation for writing this post. Grace Church has no material connection to the brands, products, or services mentioned. Grace Church is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Sunday Recaps – August 29, 2010

24Seven: “Faith, Hope, and Love” (Week 3)

Key Passage 1 Corinthians 13, 1 John 3:16, Matthew 22:34-35

Key Takeaways

  • The Christian life is marked by love.  Since Jesus has given us faith and hope through his death and resurrection, our response is to love.
  • Love is not self-seeking but instead is sacrificial.  Just as Christ gave his life for us, we are to give our lives and serve others for his glory.
  • Love is an active choice, a sacrificial love of the will.  Enjoy God’s love and respond to Him by loving others.

Application

Because of God’s incredible love for us, we are called to live a life of love in 3 different ways.

  • Love God
    Are you pursuing God?
    Are you obeying God?  (1 John 2:5)
  • Love the church – brothers and sisters in Christ.
    Are you loving other believers?
    How can you connect with the church and love other believers more?
  • Love the world – non-believers
    Are you carrying God’s message of reconciliation to the world?  (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)
    Who is a non-believer that God has given you a relationship with so that they could see Christ in your life?

Challenge

Read 1 John a few times over the next 2 weeks.  Underline every time it talks about love and examine your life to see how you are loving both God and your neighbor.

Wafuasi: “Kingdom Rhythms” (Week 3)

Key Passage Mark 2:23-28

Additional Texts Genesis 2:1-2, Exodus 20:8-11, Habakuk 2:18-20, Psalm 19:1-2

Key Takeaways

  • Sabbath is not:
    Church
    A nap
    A day of rules and regulations
  • Sabbath is an intentional break to reorient with Christ and his kingdom.
  • Sabbath consists of Reflection, Remembrance and Rejoicing
    Reflecting on how big God is and how small we are
    Remembering the gospel
    Rejoicing in our future

Application

1 – Schedule a 2 hour Sabbath for 4 straight weeks

(Include silence, solitude, bible reading, prayer and thanksgiving)

2 – Schedule a group Sabbath sometime in the next two weeks with a small group of Christians. (This time should be intentional. Pick a topic to discuss and have everyone come prepared. No technology. Do it outside)

3 – Commit to no technology one day a week for 4 straight weeks (no cell, no Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Wii, etc.)

*** Communicate your Sabbath choices to your D-Group leader before Wednesday.

Additional Resources

Long – The Rest of God by Mark Buchanan

Short – Silence and Solitude Blogs (handout available)

Dioko: “Rock Solid Faith” (Week 2)

Key Passage 1 John 1:5-2:2

Key Takeaways

  • Our attitude towards sin reveals whether or not we have rock-solid faith.
  • God is holy and cannot have fellowship with sin.
  • If we claim to have fellowship with God yet pursue sin, we are liars.
  • If we claim to be without sin, we are liars.
  • Rock-solid faith should lead us to confess sin, repent of sin, and find our hope in Jesus Christ.

Application

  1. Is your attitude toward sin dismissive and flippant?  What sin do you need to repent of?
  2. Do you try to hide your sin and pretend like you have everything together?  What sin do you need to confess?
  3. Does your sin cause you to be discouraged?  Are you trusting in Christ to take care of your sin?