Ministry Wk 2

Next week's How to Pray/Prepare for Ministry'Missionss (1.19) is going on the road again.  We will likely be in the Fireplace Room as we look at Teaching and Serving Helps and study 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John.

Last week's Pray and Prepare for Ministry/Missions post was about general ministry principles.

This week's post aims to share specific information and resources related to specific ministries.  Before looking at each specific ministry, we must remember that ministry to children, young adults, women, and men involves specific studies and activities for each age group.  At the same time, each of these ministries and every ministry needs to remind believers that their identity is in Christ,  the church is God's plan for growing His share and sharing the Gospel, and everything we do, no matter who we are, should be done for God's glory.

Children and Family Ministry:

Zealous:  7 Commitments for the Discipleship of the Next Generations, from Truth78, is a challenge to passionately disciple the next generation by telling them "the glorious deeds of the Lord and his might and the wonders he has done so that they should set their hope in God."  (Psalm 78:4, 7) 

About two years ago, the Christian Education team started reading Zealous.  Over several months, we would discuss one of the commitments, and I would share thoughts from the book at https://tbcgrkidz.blogspot.com/search/label/Zealous

The joke around Trinity is that I always have a book to share.  There is always a purpose behind recommended books.  Here is what I shared in February 2022.

I would love to see Trinity Baptist Church continue to grow in its zeal for God and the discipleship of one another.  As a church we need to pray tht God would grow this zeal in each of us. 

I hope and pray that not just the children's ministry but every ministry is growing and continues to grow in these areas.

1. Embrace a Biblical Vision for the Faith of the Next Generation
2. Foster a Robust Partnership Between Church and Home
3. Teach the Breadth & Depth of the Whole Counsel of God
4. Proclaim the Glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ
5. Disciple the Mind, Heart, and the Will
6. Prayerful Dependence on God's Grace
7. Inspire Worship of God, for the Glory of God

If you are interested in learning more about the 7 Commitments, here are three ways you can find out more

The Christian Education Committee

1. The Zealous podcast https://anchor.fm/truth78/episodes/Zealous-podcast-introduction-e13g46m/a-a60bhdg
2. Free PDF version of the book:  https://www.truth78.org/zealous
3. I have a couple of paperback copies of the book.  If you are interested in one, let me know.

Young Adults Ministry:

The goal of the church is the equipping of the saints "for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."  (Ephesians 4:12, 13)

There are many different ideas of what young adult ministry should look like.  Despite these many possibilities, the purpose of young adult ministry should be Ephesians 4 - helping young people glorify God, grow in love for the church and the whole church, and go into the world to share the hope in Christ they have.

Women's Ministry:

I just wanted to share the purpose of the women's committee and a couple of links because Julie Lee and I talked about Women's ministry and Women's Bible study on the Trinity Life podcast.  See the link below.

The Women's Committee desires to do the following

• Reach and encourage women in a socially or spiritually vulnerable stage
• Equip and replicate faithful and fruitful women - not relying only on a few people
• Incorporate evangelism and outreach to non-believers
• Support and pursue things congruent with the overall ministry philosophy of the church and its larger ministries.

For the Women's Committee & Women's Bible Study podcast with Julie Lee, go to Trinity Life Podcast with Julie Lee.

For more about the Women's Ministry at TBC, go to  https://trinitybaptistgr.churchcenter.com/pages/womens-ministry.

For more about Women's Bible Studies at TBC, go to trinitybaptistgr.churchcenter.com/groups

Men's Ministry:

Information Coming Soon.

Ministry

This past and next Sunday, the class will focus on "What is ministry?"  
January 5th class was on general ministries.
The January 12th class will focus on specific ministries, such as men's, women's, and children's ministry.

Some questions to consider are where, who, what, and why.

Where do we find out what discipleship is?

Where should we look for directions and wisdom on discipleship?  The Bible.  Passages like 2 Timothy 3:16 - 17 show that God's word contains everything needed to equip the man of God for every good work.  Here are some verses and what they say about discipleship.

• Psalm 115:1 
• For God's glory
• Matthew 28:16 - 20
• Teaching disciples to obey
• John 13:34 - 35
• Love others
• Hebrews 3:12 - 14
• Encouraging others
• Ephesians 4:12
• Done with humility, gentleness, patience and love

Crossway's link about 10 Key Bible Verses on Discipleship is a good resource.  
Spend some time reading and meditating on these verses.

Who is discipleship focused on?

The first and most significant "who?" is God.
Discipleship is done for God's glory.
Discipleship must be done God's way.
Discipleship brings us into a growing relationship with God.
Discipleship grows in us a desire to share God with others.    

The second person is people who need to grow in godly character and care for others. 

What does discipleship look like?

The Discipleship Plan at Trinity Baptist Church is dependent on God working in and through 
large group meetings,
smaller group meetings, and
individual relationships.

A church-wide small group ministry or a specific curriculum for adults or children are not silver bullets.

These meeting times and groups provide opportunities for people to connect.  The groups are not the end goal. The glorification of God and good for others is the goal.

Why disciple others?

The purpose of men's ministry, women's ministry, young adult ministry, youth ministry, and children's ministry are done for the glory of God and the good of others.

Devotional:  Paul Tripp's Lead Chapter 5:  Character

Biblical Productivity

"The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to
stop, look up, and get our bearings."
Don Whitney

Our class on Sunday focused on biblical productivity, a great concept to consider and implement at the beginning of a new year.  The world offers many different definitions, goals, and resources for productivity.  The problem with each is the anchor point, which holds the definition, implementation, and end goal together.  Personal satisfaction is the ratio of output to input of time, daily accomplishments, and other factors.

Balance is the theme of the fourth chapter of Paul Tripp's book Lead.  The common theme throughout the chapter is fleshed out in the following quote.  "It is only when God is in his rightful place in my heart that people and things are in their appropriate place in my thoughts, desires, and actions."  (p. 95)  Biblical productivity must begin with God in his proper place - Sovereign over all creation and Lord of my life.  

 

Most of the teaching time was spent working through the PRODUCTIVITY CATECHISM developed by Tim Challies.  A catechism is a set of questions designed for teaching, and this catechism is intended to teach what Biblical productivity is.

Q1.  Ultimately, why did God create us?

God created us to bring glory to Him.  (Romans 11:36; 1 Peter 4:11)

Q2.  How can we glorify God in our day-to-day lives?

We can glorify God in our day-to-day lives by doing good works.  (Matt.  5:16; 1 Peter 2:12) 

Q3.  What are good works?

Good works are works done for the glory of God and the good of others.  (Matt.  5:16; 1 Peter 2:12; 1 Peter 4:10—11) 

Q4.  As sinful people, can we actually do good works?

Yes, Christians are able to do good works because of the finished work of Jesus.  (Eph.  2:10; Titus 2:14)

Q5.  In what areas of life should we do good works?

We ought to do good works at all times and in all areas of life.  (1 Cor 10:31; Titus 2:7, 3:8; 1 Tim. 2:9—10; Gal. 6:10; Acts 9:36)

 Q6.  What is productivity?

Productivity is effectively stewarding your gifts, talents, time, energy, and enthusiasm for the good of others and the glory of God.  (Eph.  5:15—16)

Tim Challies, author of Do More Better, and Matt Perman, author of What's Best Next, share that understanding one's roles and responsibilities is a key part of living a Biblically Productive life.  The Biblical Counseling Coalition offers beneficial teachings on the circles of responsibilities and concerns HERE.

There are God-ordained responsibilities.  In these areas, God must be obeyed.
There are also areas of concern that are not my responsibility.  In these areas, God must be trusted.
The final step in thinking about these areas is recognizing areas needing change.

Resources

• Do More Better by Tim Challies
• What's Best Next?  by Matt Perman
• Lead by Paul David Tripp:  drodgersjr.blogspot.com/search/label/lead
• 10 Questions to Ask at the Start of a New Year:  www.crossway.org/articles/10-questions-to-ask-at-the-start-of-a-new-year/
• Class posts:  https://tinyurl.com/tbc-pray-prepare
• Church Ministries Conference, March 7, 8:  grchurchministriesconference.com/

Importance of Prayer in Ministry

Much of this content is from an earlier post related to a pastor's meeting on prayer.
Also, there is content in this post that was not presented in class.

We begin each class with a principle from Lead by Paul Tripp.  This week's principle is LIMITS.  Here is the Limits video.  One of the connections between Limits and Prayer is that we are limited and need to depend upon God.

Most of the material I presented was not original to me.  It was quoted or adapted from  Prayer:  How Praying Together Shapes the Church by Onwuchekwa, Praying with Paul by D.A. Carson, and The Praying Church by Paul Miller.  

The time began with three groups examining the following passages about prayer and how to pray.

• Daniel 2:17—23
• Psalm 13
• Philippians 1:9—11

Rather than sharing what we discussed, I want to encourage you and others in your church to study and pray these verses.

Here are other prayer passages from Ephesians 1:15 - 24, 3:14 - 19, 6:18 - 20.

I have been learning how praying prayers from the Bible helps with God-centeredness, specificity, and more.   Most, if not all, Bible-believing Christians would say prayer is important.  However, Bible-praying Christians see the need to pray more and live more God-dependent prayers.

"When prayer is sparse and sporadic when it's done just enough to ease the conscience and not much more, we've got a problem."  

Here are some faulty ideas about prayer.  Here are a couple of these ideas. 

• Seems like a waste of time.  
• Lie: Let's get working and doing something.
• Truth:  We are commanded to pray.  We need to grow in our dependence on God.  

• "I don't know how to pray."
• Lie:  There is an exact way that I need to pray.
• Truth:  Ask others to help you grow in your prayer life.  If you aren't sure how to pray, look to the Bible for examples of prayer.  
• If God is sovereign, why bother praying.
• Lie:  There is no reason to pray if God is sovereign.
• Truth:  We are commanded to pray.  The purpose of prayer is not to change God's mind.  
• Prayer does not work.
• Lie:  I have prayed for specific things and didn't get what I wanted.
• Truth:" Effective prayer is the fruit of a relationship with God, not a technique for acquiring blessings." D.A. Carson

KEYS TO PRAYER

• God and His Glory
• Man's dependence on God
• God's Word
• God's family, the church
• God's timing

Marks of a praying church?

• People pray more.
• Harmony and unity in Christ.
• Growing dependence upon God

• "Where prayer is abundantly present, it teaches the church that we need the Lord.  Where prayer is absent, it reinforces that we believe we are okay without God."

• Understanding that prayer is not ONE MORE activity of the church.  Prayer lies at the heart of all the church's ministry.  (The Praying Church, p. 28)
• Individuals pray for each other and ask others to pray for you. 

Pray for the Church, MInistries, and Missionaries.

Here are some ways you and others in your congregation can pray for our church, other churches, Christian ministries, and missionaries.
Following these helps are specific people and ministries to pray for.

1.  Pray they will keep their eyes on God.

King Jehoshaphat faced three combined enemy armies and did not know what to do except to lock his eyes on God. That’s the answer whenever we have no clue about the next steps.

“For we are powerless before this vast number that comes to fight against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to You.” (2 Chron. 20:12, HCSB)

2.  Pray they will not take a step apart from God's leading.

Moses prayed this prayer when God would send only an angel to lead His people after their fiasco with the golden calf. He would rather the people not start the journey if God Himself were not leading them.

“If Your presence does not go,” Moses responded to Him, “don’t make us go up from here.” (Exod. 33:15)

3.  Pray they will beware of relying on their own strength instead of God's

David, who knew the Lord is the one who fights for him (1 Sam. 17:47), trusted in his own might when he took a census of the Hebrew armies. Recognizing his sin, he prayed a prayer most leaders need to pray at some point:

“I have sinned greatly in what I’ve done. Now, Lord, because I’ve been very foolish, please take away Your servant’s guilt.” (2 Sam 24:10)

4.  Pray they will be wise in leading God's people.

When Solomon might have asked for much more, he instead asked God to give him a “listening heart” as he governed the people of God. All of us who lead congregations need this wisdom.

“So give Your servant an obedient heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who can judge this great people of Yours?” (1 Kings. 3:9)

Specific Churches, Ministries and Missionaries:

• Trinity Baptist Church's Supported Workers
• Bridge Fellowship (MARBC), the fellowship of churches we are a part of.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Importance of the Bible in Ministry

"The Bible is a story that preaches a message.  From the beginning to the end, the Bible tells a single story of salvation."  Sound Doctrine by Bobby Jamieson.

For example, those who wondered if The Trellis and the Vine and The Vine Project from Matthias Media discuss an every-member word ministry, a church ministry mindset in which every church member and every form of church ministry seeks to help each person hear the gospel, grow as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and become better equipped to share Christ with others.  

Payne and Marshall respond to the critique that this type of every-member work ministry would devalue expository preaching and the work of the preacher with the following.

In our view, the word ministry of pastoral leadership (especially in expository preaching) takes on an even greater importance when it is seen in relation to a flourishing ‘every member word ministry’. For the sermon is not just one word ministry among many; it is the foundational word ministry that feeds and regulates and builds all the others… In his preaching, a pastor sounds the tuning fork so that the whole orchestra knows in what key to play. He teaches and guards the sound deposit of the gospel so that all may know it clearly and thoroughly (for how else will they speak it?). He shows them not only what the Bible says, but how they can read and speak that truth for themselves. He constantly teaches the sound doctrinal framework that shapes the Bible reading and speaking of the whole congregation. (p. 117)

Ministry needs to be rooted in the Bible because the Bible is sufficient, clear, authoritative, and necessary.  The graphic below explains each of these.

To see the poster and more info, click on the image

What do we use the Bible for?  Many answers to this question exist, but we looked at three VERY BASIC uses in our class discussion.

1. Evangelism
2. Personal, spiritual growth
3. Corporate, spiritual growth

In teaching the lesson on Sunday morning, I wanted to allow those in attendance to encourage others with God's word.  Here is how this happened.

Each person was given one of the passages below and told to summarize what it says about the Bible.  Along with this assignment, each person shared a verse that has been an encouragement and help.

Here are short sentences explaining what each verse says about God's Word.

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17:  The Bible is from God and for the good of those who hear it.
• Romans 15:4:  The Bible was written for instruction and gives hope.
• Matthew 24:35:  The Bible will not pass away.
• Isaiah 55:11:  The Word of the Lord will not pass away.
• Hebrews 4:12—13:  The Bible is sharper than a two-edged sword.
• 2 Peter 1:19—21:  The Bible is a lamp shining in a dark place and comes from God.
• Galatians 3:21—22:  The Bible gives life and gives us Christ.
• 2 Peter 3:15—16:  The Bible can be challenging to read and used for sinful purposes.  
• Luke 24:27:  All of scripture points to Jesus Christ.
• Matthew 4:4:  The Bible gives life.

Resources:

• How Can I Get More Out of My Bible Reading by Jeremy Kimble
• Order book:  https://www.9marks.org/books/how-can-i-get-more-out-of-my-bible-reading/
• Free audiobook: https://www.crossway.org/articles/full-audiobook-how-can-i-get-more-out-of-my-bible-reading-by-jeremy-kimble/
• Why Trust the Bible? by Greg Gilbert
• Lead by Paul David Tripp—drodgersjr.blogspot.com/search/label/lead
• Class posts—https://tinyurl.com/tbc-pray-prepare
• Church Ministries Conference, March 7 and 8— grchurchministriesconference.com/