Unusually this message takes the form of notes rather than a full script. You may like to refer back to it after you have shared in the Zoom gathering, or watched the recording on Facebook which you can find here.
https://www.facebook.com/pbthomas1/videos/10158646871063426/
Different NEXT STEPS will be appropriate for each of us at different stages in our personal walk with God. This message explains 10 Ways God could bless you as you take your NEXT STEP in following Jesus. Prayerfully consider what will be right for you to do,
Jesus calls us to be his disciples. But what is the right NEXT STEP God has for you in your walk with him? There is a phrase from the world of education, “continuing the learning journey”. As discipkes we should all keep on learning and growing in our faith. We thought last week about seven ways we can all be growing up into Christ.
• Growing in our relationship with God
• Growing in knowledge and understanding
• Growing in witness and service
• Growing in the image of Christ
• Growing by deeper fellowship
• Growing in victory
• Growing in passion
What is the right NEXT STEP for you in your Christian life? HERE ARE 10 Ways God wants to bless you so that you can grow as a Christian – 10 possible next steps.
THREE WAYS OF GROWING BY MEETING TOGETHER
Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards 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. HEBREWS 10:19-25
Way 1 – All together at Church
Not so easy at the moment but in normal situations worshipping together should be our priority.
Way 2 – All together in Homes – Bible Studies, Prayer Meetings, Draw Near to God
Way 3 – All together Online
Zoom church on Sundays both morning and evening. Morning gathering and evening message are recorded and posted in the public Facebook Group of North Springfield Baptist Church. There are also other videos, such as from our Morning of Prayer, on Facebook too.
THREE WAYS OF GROWING IN TWOS AND THREES
“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19-20)
Way 4 – “2s and 3s for NEW CHRISTIANS”
A short course for new Christians meeting with an established Christian looking at these topics.
1. A new life has begun!
2. Being sure of our salvation
3. Getting to know God in Bible study and prayer
4. Belonging to God’s family, the church
5. Playing your part
6. Tug of war – the battle against temptation
7. Go and tell – the challenge of being Christ’s witnesses
8. The Holy Spirit – the Helper
Way 5 – “2s and 3s for ALL CHRISTIANS”
Meeting in “Spiritual friendships”, “Prayer pairs and triplets”, “Peer mentors”
Way 6 – “2s and 3s in FAN THE FLAME”
FAN THE FLAME is the Guided Course in Discipleship in Peter’s first book Making Disciples One-to-One
Fan into flame the gift of God (2 Timothy 1:5)
Never be lacking in zeal but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. (Romans 12:11 NIV)
Don’t burn out: keep yourself fueled and aflame. (Romans 12:11 The Message)
Five Units each with five Sections with introductory notes, Bible passages for study and reflection. After each Unit you meet with a guide to discuss and pray about what you are learning.
The topics covered in Fan the Flame are:-
1) Knowing God better
a) Loving God and enjoying your relationship with God
b) Devotional Bible reading and understanding the Bible, doctrine and ethics
c) Worship
d) Your devotional prayer life
e) Intercessory prayer
2) Becoming like Jesus
a) Repentance and Holiness
b) Christian Victory and Overcoming Temptation
c) The Renewed Mind
d) The Fruit of the Spirit and Mastering your Emotions
e) Total surrender to the Lordship of Christ
3) Living in Christ’s body
a) Amazing Grace! Forgiving yourself
b) Forgiving other people – wounds needing healing
c) Loving other Christians and sorting out relationships
d) Church – Living in Fellowship and Community
e) Belonging and Accountability
4) Becoming a servant
a) The Cross as our example of sacrifice
b) Serving in the church
c) Being a faithful Steward
d) Loving our neighbour
e) Our Witness to the World
5) Be filled with the Spirit
a) Sharing Christ’s resurrection life – the empowering Spirit
b) The gifts of the Holy Spirit – Serving in God’s strength
c) Signs and wonders – the surprising Spirit
d) Passion for God
e) “Be filled with the Spirit” – experiencing the Holy Spirit
If you would like to find people to join up with for “2s and 3s for NEW CHRISTIANS”, “2s and 3s for ALL CHRISTIANS” or to sign up for the FAN THE FLAME course, please tell Peter.
GROWING AS INDIVIDUALS
asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding … in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, COLOSSIANS 1:9-12
Way 7 – Individuals in your “PQR” Time of daily Prayer + Bible Reading = Quiet Time
Way 8 – Individuals in Workshops and Courses
e.g. Learning to preach, lead worship, run Zoom sessions, help people
Way 9 – Individual Study Plans
Collections of sermons, books and other resources for personal study on particular themes – a list of all of these will be available separately soon.
GROWING BY BEING EQUIPPED
It was CHRIST who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may
be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ. EPHESIANS 4:11-13
Way 10 – Equipped by the Pastor-Teacher
Ministers can be “spiritual trainers” – a one-to-one “spiritual checkup” with your minister. Let Peter know if you would like to arrange this, in person or over Zoom if you prefer.
So here are 10 Ways God Wants to Bless You
1. All together at CHURCH
2. All together in HOMES
3. All together ONLINE
4. 2s and 3s for NEW CHRISTIANS
5. 2s and 3s for ALL CHRISTIANS
6. 2s and 3s in FAN THE FLAME
7. Individuals – PQR Time
8. Individuals – Workshops and Courses
9. Individual Study Plans
10. Equipped by the Pastor-Teacher
WHAT IS GOD’S NEXT STEP FOR YOU?
