Year One Handbook - C.S. Lewis Institute

C.S. Lewis InstituteFellows Program

Year OneHandbook

C.S. Lewis Institute Fellows ProgramYear One Handbook

© 2015 C.S. Lewis Institute8001 Braddock Road, Suite 301

Springfield, VA 22151

Phone: (703) 914-5602 • (800) [email protected]

www.cslewisinstitute.org

Original Author: Thomas A. Tarrants, III, D.Min.Revised by: Joel S. Woodruff, Ed.D.

ISBN: 978-1-939477-01-9

Please note: Every effort has been made to ensure the contents of this handbook are accurate, but websites, links, and availability of resources can change over time. If you find errors, encounter difficulties in accessing or obtaining study materials, or have any other questions about this handbook, please email [email protected].

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risennot only because I see it but because by it I see everything else.C.S. Lewis - Is Theology Poetry?

http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risennot only because I see it but because by it I see everything else.C.S. Lewis - Is Theology Poetry?

Michael Ramsden, Director of the Oxford Center for Christian Apologetics, calls the C.S. Lewis Institute Fellows Program “the most effective discipleship program I’ve seen anywhere in the world.”

Fellows Program Themes:• Creating Margin & Restructuring Our Time

• The Fatherhood of God

• God’s Grace

• True Conversion

• Our Conversion & Biblical Literacy

• Following Jesus Christ

• Living a Life of Love

• Growing in Humility

• The Holy Spirit

• Growing in Prayer

• Being Transformed Through Scripture

• Living a Life of Faith & Obedience

• Pursuing God’s Call on Your Life

• Our Mission—Making Disciples

iv |

Developing Disciples Who Will Articulate, Defend, and Live Their Faith in Christ

How to Grow Through the Fellows Program ...........................................................................................1

Time Management .................................................................................................................................3

Obedience ..............................................................................................................................................3

Prayer ....................................................................................................................................................3

How the Fellows Program is Designed ....................................................................................................4

Monthly Themes and Assignments ........................................................................................................4

Bible Study First .....................................................................................................................................4

Articulate, Defend, and Live Your Faith in Christ ...................................................................................5

The Role of Apologetics in the Curriculum .............................................................................................5

Monthly Response Paper .......................................................................................................................6

Conversational Apologetics/Evangelism Assignments ...........................................................................6

How to Obtain Required Books and Other Resources ...........................................................................7

Required Resources List ........................................................................................................................8

Apologetics Resources by Subject ......................................................................................................10

Additional Recommended Resources ..................................................................................................10

Structure and Schedule for the Year ...................................................................................................... 11

Summer Orientation and Assignments ................................................................................................ 11

Fall Weekend Retreat .......................................................................................................................... 11

Winter Apologetics Mini-Retreat ........................................................................................................... 11

Monthly Lectures .................................................................................................................................. 11

Monthly Meeting with Mentor ...............................................................................................................12

| v

C.S. Lewis Institute Fellows Program Year One Handbook

Table of Contents

Monthly Meeting with Small Group ......................................................................................................13

Special Meetings ..................................................................................................................................14

Program Costs ..........................................................................................................................................14

Putting What You Learn into Action .......................................................................................................15

Disciple-Making Plan ...........................................................................................................................15

Using the Fellows Curriculum as a Ministry Resource .........................................................................15

Assignments to Complete Before Orientation: Creating Margin & Restructuring our Time .............18

Assignments to Complete Before Kickoff Meeting: The Fatherhood of God .................................................22

June Summer Assignments: God’s Grace .............................................................................................25

July Summer Assignments (No Meeting): True Conversion ................................................................39

August Summer Assignments (No Meeting): Our Conversion & Biblical Literacy ............................51

September Assignments to Complete Before October Meeting: Following Jesus Christ ................65

October Assignments to Complete Before November Meeting: Living a Life of Love ......................81

November Assignments to Complete Before December Meeting: Growing in Humility ...................97

December Assignments to Complete Before January Meeting: The Holy Spirit ............................. 113

January Assignments to Complete Before February Meeting: Growing in Prayer ..........................131

February Assignments to Complete Before March Meeting: Being Transformed Through Scripture ... 147

March Assignments to Complete Before April Meeting: Living a Life of Faith & Obedience .........163

April Assignments to Complete Before May Meeting: Pursuing God’s Call on Your Life ...............177

May Assignments to Complete Before June Meeting: Our Mission—Making Disciples .................193

“Mere change is not growth. Growth is the synthesis of change and continuity, and where there is no continuity there is no growth.”C.S. Lewis - Selected Literary Essays

How to Grow Through the Fellows Program

Our goal is to understand God’s amazing grace both intellectually and experientially. It is the basis for our salvation and also frees us to respond in obedience to His lovingkindness. The Fellows Program is designed to create a grace-based community.

2 |


“Now the proper good of a creature is to surrender itself to its Creator—to enact intellectually, volitionally, and emotionally, that relationship which is given in the mere fact of its being a creature. When it does so, it is good and happy.”C.S. Lewis - The Problem of Pain


| 3


Time Management

If we want to know God more intimately, we must make time for God and give attention to God. He does not give Himself to casual seekers but rather to those who earnestly seek Him in faith, for “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:6).

Therefore, you will want to commit yourself to a full engagement of mind and heart in the pursuit of God and make the time necessary to do so. On the critical issue of time, it is important to recognize that modern life is far too busy, fragmented, and stressful to be healthy for the soul. While God expects us to give a day’s work for a day’s pay, our work is not to be our first priority in life. God insists on being our first priority and expects us to devote time to

seeking to know, love, and serve Him. He says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Through weekly worship and daily quietness before Him in prayer, study, and meditation, we can come to know Him better.

Therefore, manage your schedule ruthlessly or it will manage you. Re-order priorities to eliminate things of lesser value. This will almost certainly mean that you need to give up various things in your life to create the time you need for this pursuit. Remember, anything you say “yes” to means that you are saying “no” to something else.

Obedience

God wants us to be truthful before Him in our innermost being (Ps. 51:6). To grow we must open ourselves to Him and remain open, asking Him often to free us from self-deception, to enlighten our ignorance, and to search our hearts and reveal anything we must change or forsake, especially our sins (Ps. 139:23–24).

We will grow only as we respond to whatever truth God shows us, with “the obedience of faith.” Obedience is the fruit of loving Jesus Christ (Jn. 14:15) and a “key that opens all doors” (C.S. Lewis). To be sure, our obedience must flow from love for God and not from servile fear and dread. But we must obey, nonetheless, or by contenting ourselves with unlived truth we will become increasingly self-deceived (Jas. 1:22–25). If we are living in deliberate disobedience to God’s word in any area of our lives, we will not grow until we have dealt with that sin.

Prayer

As you go through the program, pray often for God the Holy Spirit to teach you. Pray before you read the Bible, books, or articles. Pray before you listen to lectures.

Ask God to help you have “ears to hear.” Also pray often that God will work into you (and your group) a genuine love for Him and a desire and determination to do His will from the heart, a courage to face and forsake all that is displeasing to Him, a readiness to embrace all that is good, a prompt, cheerful and trusting obedience, and a passion to see His purposes for your life fulfilled for His glory.

If you do this, you can be sure that God will answer you, because you will be praying His will (Matt. 7:7–11) and asking for the good things He wants to give you (1 John. 5:14–15).


4 |


Ask two praying friends to be regular intercessors for you during the program. Each month, email them the introductory descriptive paragraph for the month so they will know how to pray in general. Then update them periodically with specific requests and areas of needed growth.

How the Fellows Program is Designed

Monthly Themes and Assignments

To gain the full benefit of the Fellows Program, it is important to understand the rationale for its design. The program is built around a series of biblical themes which lie at the heart of the Christian life/discipleship. You might think of these themes as collectively representing the “radioactive core” of biblical truth. They are the foundational building blocks upon which a healthy relationship with God is built and sustained over the long haul.

The program focuses on only one of these building blocks per month in order to immerse you in the truth. Giving attention to one subject for a sustained period of time, without distractions and pondering it from different angles can help you to engage with it much more deeply, with life-changing effects.

The monthly assignments for each theme draw on classic resources: books, articles, movies, etc., that have proven themselves over the years. View them as a banquet of gourmet spiritual foods. The assignments also take into account different learning styles. So you will find the subject matter addressed in written, audio, and video formats, along with action assignments.

Each assignment serves a particular purpose in the overall learning process for the theme and the combination of all has a synergistic effect that enhances the learning and transformation process. For each study theme, a checklist is provided to help you track and complete all assignments. Everything listed in the monthly assignment checklist is required. Please be prepared to report on the level of assignment completion each month to maintain accountability.

Reminder: Please do not speed-read or rush through the books and articles, lest you lose the full impact. Rather, plan your time to allow for thoughtful, reflective engagement with the author’s ideas. It is particularly important to pray before you read and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you through the material you are reading.

If you find that you are not able to keep up with program requirements, you will need to drop out and reapply when your time allows for full engagement.

Bible Study First

Reading, meditating upon and memorizing assigned Scriptures will help to establish the foundation for the monthly theme. The Bible study questions included each month will help you mine the texts for the riches they contain. We recommend that you set apart a couple of hours and work through the questions in one session.


| 5


After you’re grounded in what the Bible has to say on the topic, move through the other materials, returning often to Scripture. The Bible, prayer, and choice books/articles will form a powerful combination for instructing the mind and shaping the soul, and will play an important role in the overall process of your spiritual and theological growth.

An important part of the program is taking the time to store God’s word in your heart and mind through monthly Bible verse memorization. You are encouraged to use a 3 x 5 spiral card notebook on which you can write out the monthly verses. This small notebook can be carried around with you throughout the day for review, or placed in a strategic location (i.e., next to the toothbrush) so that you can review the verses daily.

Articulate, Defend, and Live Your Faith in Christ

Founded in 1976 by Dr. James Houston and James R. Hiskey, the C.S. Lewis Institute has focused on providing leading teachers who can address important issues of the day from the perspective of Biblical orthodoxy and also on discipling of individuals in small groups. The name of C.S. Lewis was chosen because of his focus on core essentials of the faith that reach across denominational boundaries. He was also an outstanding example of a lay person who came to Christ and lived out his faith in a secular calling. As a major figure in 20th century Christianity, he has been able to communicate his faith in a profound way. In his legacy, the Institute endeavors to develop disciples who will articulate, defend, and live their faith in Christ in personal and public life.

With this mission statement in mind, the assignments in the Fellows Program are divided into three sections:

ARTICULATE: Assignments that help you understand and clearly commu-nicate biblical faith in Jesus Christ.

DEFEND: Assignments that prepare you to graciously give a reason for your faith through the study of Christian Apologetics.

LIVE: Assignments that put your faith into practice through spiritual disci-plines and action-oriented exercises designed to encourage you to better love God and love your neighbor.

The Role of Apologetics in the Curriculum

Apologetics is simply presenting reasons for what you believe and can be done at many levels, ranging from that of an illiterate peasant to that of a brilliant intellectual. Apologetics has two main values: first, to address your personal questions and doubts so that you are more solidly grounded in your own faith, and second, to be better able to explain the reasons for your faith to those who ask, especially in evangelistic conversations.

By engaging with this part of the program, you will grow stronger in your beliefs and become more effective in sharing the gospel. The growing attacks against biblical faith by atheists today means that all believers need to become better equipped to offer appropriate answers to the questions raised.


6 |


Monthly Response Paper

Each month, you will write a Response Paper that describes the most notable effects of the theme study on your thinking, your feelings, and your actions (or the call to action you sense from the Lord). Don’t attempt to cover all you’ve read. Select the key idea(s) that have resonated most deeply and have the most relevance to your life.

It may be helpful to include a carefully chosen quote or two, and/or to contrast ideas presented by different sources. One to three pages will probably be sufficient to express your response to each monthly theme. You may want to formulate your Response Paper as a letter to a good friend or prayer partner sharing with them what you believe God has been saying to you, showing you, and teaching you through the Fellows Program.

Your Response Paper will help you focus on and crystallize your understanding of key areas where you need to grow and prepare you to discuss what you’ve learned with your group and with your mentor. It will also be useful as a type of journal to which you can return in the future to observe and give thanks for the work of the Lord in your spiritual formation and fruitfulness. (The “Issues to Ponder” assignments may help you identify areas for discussion.)

At the end of your Response Paper for each theme, write your growth goal in a short paragraph. This will be one of the things you’ll want to discuss with your mentor, and it will help him/her pray for you. Be sure to either email your paper in advance or bring a hard copy to give to your mentor at the end of the monthly meeting.

Conversational Apologetics/Evangelism Assignments

All followers of Jesus are called to make disciples in the name of Jesus. In order to do this we must share the good news (The Gospel) with non-Christians. In order to encourage all Fellows in this endeavor, the program will be teaching conversational apologetics and evangelism as an approach to reaching our friends with God’s truth. We will use several tools to accomplish this goal.

APOLOGETICS / EVANGELISM ASSIGNMENTS: Each month, Fellows will read, watch video, or listen to audio that addresses an apologetics theme or question, then develop a short, one-page outline using bullets or talking points. These talking points can be used to give a reasonable answer to apologetics questions. There will also be an action assignment given as an opportunity to reach out to others. These assignments will be discussed in Fellows’ small groups in order to receive accountability, prayer support, and encouragement.

CONVERSATIONAL APOLOGETICS MINI-RETREAT: In February, a special mini-retreat (Friday night, Saturday morning) will focus on developing our conversational apologetics skills. The retreat will include role play, case studies, and other forms of active participation. Bring your Apologetics Notebook and your apologetics books to this retreat.


| 7


How to Obtain Required Books and Other Resources

You may obtain the books and materials needed for the Fellows Program through a variety of sources including those listed below. You may purchase used or new books. We urge you to order well in advance to be sure your books are on hand when you need them. Some of the books are available in other formats such as Kindle, E-book, as well as Audio books. We encourage you to use whatever format works best for you.

IMPORTANT: Please review Assignment Check Lists for each month before purchasing. Some books and movies are optional choices. Some books appear in multiple assignments throughout the year.

C.S. Lewis Institute Amazon Associates Bookstore:http://astore.amazon.com/cslewisinstit-20 - Many of the books, Kindle, e-book, audio & film options for resources are available at this link. A percentage of the purchase price is given back to CSLI.

Christian Book Distributors:1-800-Christian www.christianbook.com

Audio Books: www.audible.comA good source for audio books used in the Fellows Program.

Year One Fellows Online Resource Library: www.cslewisinstitute.org/Fellows_CenterYou will find a number of the required resources needed to complete the assignments in this handbook in a password-protected area of the Institute’s web site. You will be given a login name and password to access these resources. If you encounter difficulties accessing resources or find errors, please email [email protected].

Knowing & Doing:www.cslewisinstitute.org/Knowing_and_Doing A number of articles needed for assignments will be found on the Institute’s web site in the archives of Knowing & Doing, the Institute’s teaching quarterly.

How to Obtain Required Books and Other Resources

http://astore.amazon.com/cslewisinstit-20

http://www.audible.com/

http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Fellows_Center

8 |


Required Resources List IMPORTANT: Please review Assignment Check Lists for each month before

purchasing. Some books and movies are optional choices. Some books appear in multiple assignments throughout the year.

Summer Books:

Ordering Your Private World Gordon MacDonald

Transforming Grace Jerry Bridges

Questioning Evangelism Randy Newman

Thirty Days to Understanding the Bible Max Anders

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Donald Whitney

Knowledge of the Holy A.W. Tozer

Beginnings: Understanding How We Experience the New Birth Stephen Smallman

Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis

Tactics Greg Koukl

Books for October Meeting:

The Cost of Discipleship Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Books for November Meeting:

The God Who Loves You Peter Kreeft

Studies in the Sermon on the Mount D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Audio For November Meeting:

The Four Loves (also available as a book) C.S. Lewis

Books for December Meeting:

Humility Andrew Murray

The Screwtape Letters C.S. Lewis

The Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness Timothy Keller

The Christian Life Profile Assessment Tool Workbook Randy Frazee

Books for January Meeting:

The Holy Spirit Billy Graham

Finding Your Spiritual Gifts Inventory C. Peter Wagner

Resource List

| 9


Movies For January Meeting:

Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008) Ben Stein

Books for February Meeting:

A Praying Life Paul Miller

The Pursuit of God A.W. Tozer

Books for March Meeting:

RZIM Critical Questions: Can I Trust the Bible? Darrell Bock

Meditating on the Word Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Book for April Meeting:

The Autobiography of George Müller ed. by Diana Matisko

Books for May Meeting:

The Weight of Glory C.S. Lewis

Cure for the Common Life Max Lucado

Books For June Meeting:

The Master Plan of Evangelism Robert Coleman

The Reason for God Timothy Keller

Movies For June Meeting:

Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead? (2008) Ignatius Press

Resource List

Apologetics Resources by Subject

This section appears at end of the handbook and describes useful resources on a variety of apologetics topics for further study.

Additional Recommended Resources

At the end of many of the assignment tables, you will find a list of additional recommended resources. These are valuable materials to expand and deepen your study of a particular subject, but are not required.

10 |


Notes:

Resource List

| 11


Structure and Schedule for the Year

Summer Orientation and Assignments

The Year One Fellows Program formally commences in June and is preceded by pre-orientation assignments, then an orientation meeting. This is followed by summer readings and assignments which are done independently without meeting together.

In the fall, there is a mandatory weekend retreat. The following months after the retreat include monthly meetings to hear a lecture on the material studied, to meet with your group, and to discuss the assignments.

Fall Weekend Retreat

The fall portion of the program kicks off with a weekend retreat that begins on a Friday morning. (You will need to take off from work all day on a Friday to attend.)

The retreat is an enjoyable time of getting to know new friends, having good fellowship, becoming oriented to the program, and receiving sound teaching.

Winter Apologetics Mini-Retreat

In February, a special mini-retreat (Friday night, Saturday morning) will focus on developing your conversational apologetics skills. The retreat will include role play, case studies and other forms of active participation.

Monthly Lectures

After the fall retreat, Year One Fellows meet as a group once a month on a Saturday morning from 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (except for the month of November, when we participate in a day-long service project).

Because we have so little time together, and as a courtesy to your colleagues and instructors, please arrive by 8:15 am in order to get situated and be in your seats by 8:30. Also, please do not plan to leave before 12:30 pm. We ask of you a high level of commitment to the program, which includes attendance at all scheduled meetings. Please contact the Director of the Fellows Program if you are ill or have mandatory work-related travel.

Remember, readings, response papers, and other monthlyassignments need to be completed prior to meetings.


12 |


The Saturday morning meeting schedule will typically be:

If you’re married, your spouse is welcome to attend the lecture portion of all monthly meetings. We encourage you to bring friends to the lecture on Saturday morning in order to expose them to the program. Please do not bring the same person more than twice.

Monthly Meeting with Mentor

Many Fellows find that having a mentor is one of the highlights of the program. CSLI mentors are committed to helping all Fellows grow in their personal understanding of and love for Christ, and to equipping them to make a defense to anyone who asks for a reason for the hope within (1 Pet. 3:15).

Mentors are mature believers who are well-grounded in Scripture. They study the same materials as Fellows in order to facilitate discussions at monthly meetings and to help apply what is learned to individual Fellows’ lives in monthly one-on-one mentoring sessions.

By the conclusion of the fall retreat you should choose the mentor in your group with whom you’d like to work, and arrange for your initial meeting with them. (Preferences can almost always be accommodated, though it’s occasionally necessary to balance the number of Fellows carried by each mentor.)

Meetings with mentors are scheduled for a time and place convenient to both parties. Often the meetings take place over a meal or coffee and typically last 1–1 ½ hours. The topic of discussion in one-on-one sessions will normally be related to understanding and applying the most recent study theme. However, there is freedom to discuss any other matter that may be important to you as well.

One of the most important things your mentor will do is pray for your growth in Christ-likeness in the midst of the specific circumstances of your life, so feel free to share any needs or concerns you may want them to pray for. Transparency and trust will enhance the effectiveness of your mentoring relationship. All matters discussed with mentors will be kept in the strictest confidence.

Confer early in the year with your mentor to establish your personal growth goals for the overall program, and revise them in January, if necessary. Each month it will be your responsibility to schedule your next session with your mentor. Be sure to bring your calendar to all Fellows gatherings, as you’ll frequently use those meeting times to schedule future appointments.


8:15AM Arrive, get coffee, be seated—program will begin promptly at 8:30 AM

8:30AM Lecture, Q&A10:15AM Break (Coffee, juice, fruit, pastries, etc. will be available)

10:45M Group: personal update and discussion of pre-class learning12:10PM Group Prayer12:30 PM Adjourn

| 13


Monthly Meeting with Small Group

Building spiritual friendships (koinonia) with those in your group is an important part of the process of spiritual growth in the Fellows Program. This takes time outside of class, which is why the time commitment you’ve made to the program includes a monthly gathering with your group for fellowship and prayer with a triplet (or quad).

At the retreat, you should discuss when and where you’d like to meet for fellowship/potluck with all Fellows in your group. It is a good idea to set a recurring time and place for this. A suggested format is to meet at someone’s house from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. for a simple meal during which you enjoy fellowship for 1 ½ hours.

Minimize time spent in preparation and clean-up by ordering pizza or doing salad-by-committee, etc. Afterwards, the group should break into triplets or quads, the members of whom will continue as a group throughout the year, for ½ hour of prayer.

Spiritual growth is enhanced when Fellows participate in these smaller discipleship groups of three or four people. You are free to choose from within your group the Fellows with whom you’d like to form such a triplet/quad. During the retreat you’ll have opportunity to learn where other Fellows live and work, what common interests might draw you to particular people, etc. Before you leave the retreat, be sure you’ve linked up with two or three others to form a triplet or quad.

The recommended format for the triplet portion of monthly fellowship meetings is:

• Share accountability requests (such requests should be specific) and follow up on any prior month’s requests (15 min.)

• Pray for each other (10 min.)

• Pray for lost people on each person’s prayer list (5 min.)

Before you leave the retreat, be sure to agree on meeting time/place for each month, Oct–June and add to your calendar.

Finally, we strongly encourage each of you to take initiative to have breakfast, lunch, or dinner with other Fellows, either individually or in groups.

Gatherings such as concerts, theater performances, movies, sporting events, etc. are also good opportunities to get better acquainted and have fun at the same time, whether one-on-one, as a group, or as subsets of groups. Some groups will watch one of the assigned movies together as a group over a meal and/or popcorn. Each year rich, meaningful friendships develop in this way.

As you become better acquainted, we encourage you to make prayer central to your support for one another in the challenges and opportunities of life. This will take your fellowship to an even deeper level.


14 |


Special Meetings

During the year we occasionally offer special optional meetings. These may be informal, private gatherings with visiting scholars and leaders who are in town to do a conference or lecture series for the Institute. They will give a teaching and then take questions. This gives you a chance to interact with such people on a personal basis and ask questions that are of particular concern to you.

These meetings also will bring together C.S. Lewis Fellows from all years and classes and provide a great opportunity to get acquainted with the larger fellowship. While not required, we strongly encourage you to attend for your own benefit.

Program Costs

Fellows often ask how much it costs to participate in the C.S. Lewis Institute Fellows Program. The value of the program is estimated to be $3,500 per person (not counting books and retreat costs which are incurred by the Fellows themselves). Costs incurred by the Institute include: curriculum development, web site hosting, honoraria for speakers, adminstrative and personnel salaries, meeting space rental, and other expenses. However, it has been our policy not to charge a set tuition. Our reasons are as follows:

• Neither Jesus nor the church ever charged a fee for teaching, discipling, or spiritual mentoring;

• We want to keep the program open to anyone God leads to participate, regardless of their ability to pay;

• We want to encourage those who give to the Institute to do so cheerfully on the basis of grace, not out of obligation.

However, this approach presents us with a significant financial and faith challenge, as contributions fall far short of our costs. This means that we have to raise substantial funds to subsidize the program in order to pay staff and overhead. As you can imagine, it is not easy to raise funding to subsidize programs for well-educated, well-paid professionals, which is an apt description of most Fellows.

Our approach to funding the program is to let you know there is a cost to offer this program and ask you to help financially. Most Fellows find that the program makes a substantial impact in their lives and they wish to support it because they have benefited, and because it is a good investment in God’s kingdom. Without this support we would not be able to offer the program. Some will be able to give more than the cost of their participation and others less, but everyone should be able to contribute at some level.

We would be very grateful if you would consider making the Institute one of the ministries you support each month. Some people do this in an occasional larger gift but most find it easier to contribute on a monthly basis. Feel free to follow whatever approach best fits your circumstances. All gifts are tax-deductible.

Program Costs

| 15


Putting What You Learn into Action

By taking to heart and applying the guidelines in this handbook, you’ll enjoy edifying discussions, significant spiritual growth, and fellowship with others—all of which are central to the purposes of the Fellows Program. But it must not stop there! This curriculum has been carefully planned not only for spiritual formation and koinonia, but also to equip you to engage the world for Christ.

Throughout the year, ask yourself what you will do with what you are learning, how you will carry it to your workplace, to your involvement in your church, perhaps even to starting a new outreach or ministry. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you, to give you discernment in how you can apply the Fellows Program to the hurting world around you.

Brainstorm with your small group, with your triplet/quad, share ideas for ways in which you can translate learning into action. Allow others to suggest aptitudes and strengths for ministry that you may not see in yourself.

Resolve not to “put it on the shelf” when you graduate, but rather to move forward with an action plan that glorifies God and builds up the body of Christ as a result of your having completed the Year One Fellows Program.

Disciple-Making Plan

Toward the end of the year, consult with your mentor in developing a written, S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-Bound) disciple-making plan for how you will apply what you have gained in the program to your life and ministry after completion. Your disciple-making plan is required for graduation and should be presented to your mentor and to the Fellows Program Director at the last Fellows meeting.

Using the Fellows Curriculum as a Ministry Resource

After completing the Fellows Program, you will be well equipped to lead a small group of your friends through the themes of the program. You can do this in a variety of ways, depending on how much time you have available and how comfortable you are with your mastery of the program content. Options include:

• Leading a 10-week CSLI Heart and Mind Discipleship study

• Leading a 10-week CSLI Conversational Apologetics Course

• Bible study group, using the monthly questions

• Discussion group using the monthly articles

• Reading group, processing/discussing assigned books for each month

• Discipleship group using some combination of the above

Putting What You Learn into Action

“You can’t get second things by putting them first; you can get second things only by putting first things first.”C.S. Lewis - God in the Dock

Assignments to Complete Before Orientation: Creating Margin & Restructuring our Time

The goal for this section is to examine our lives in order to meet the requirements of the Fellows Program each month. Otherwise our current routines and the busyness of life will keep us from completing our assignments and experiencing the life-changing impact they can produce.

18 | Assignments to Complete Before Orientation: Creating Margin & Restructuring our Time


q Psalm 90:12

Read, Reflect, Memorize: Make your first memory card using a 3 X 5 spiral notebook & review daily.

1 v.

q Time Audit for a typical week CSLI Online Resources 1 wk

q

Margin: Space Between Ourselves and Our Limits

by Lou WhitworthCSLI Online Resources 9 pp.

qTyranny of the Urgent

by Charles E. HummelCSLI Online Resources 5 pp.

qWhen Your Life is Breathless

by Gary CollinsCSLI Online Resources 1 p.

qLife Management Skills: Stress Test

by Scott MortonCSLI Online Resources

qHolmes and Rahe Life Change Scale Stress Test

CSLI Online Resources

http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/webfm_send/346

http://www.cslewisinstitute.org//webfm_send/4144





http://www.actsweb.org/stress_test.php

http://www.actsweb.org/stress_test.php

q

Ordering Your Private World

by Gordon MacDonald

Read Preface, Chs. 1–7, 14

Bookstores116 pp.


Recommended Articles: CSLI Online Resources

• Stressed? How to Experience a Calmer Life by Scott Morton

• Take a Load Off by David Henderson

“Where, except in the present, can the Eternal be met?”C.S. Lewis - Christian Reflections

Assignments to Complete Before Orientation: Creating Margin & Restructuring our Time | 19




“God loves us; not because we are loveable but because He is love, not because He needs to receive but because He delights to give.”C.S. Lewis—Letter of Lewis

Assignments to Complete Before Kickoff Meeting: The Fatherhood of God

Knowing God as our Father is foundational to our spiritual life and is essential for faithful and fruitful discipleship. However, many people have a distorted view of God that cripples their experience with Him. The assignments in this section will help us build a closer relationship with God as Father.

q Luke 15: 11–32Read and reflect on this story slowly each day & meditate on it until first meeting.

Notes on your Bible Reading:

q

Seeing God in New Ways: Recovering from Distorted Images of God

By Juanita RyanCSLI Online Resources 5 pp.

22 | Assignments to Complete Before Kickoff Meeting: The Fatherhood of God




q First Lecture & Discussion 4.5 hrs


Highly Recommended Books: CSLI Online Resources

• The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen (139 pp.)

• The Prodigal God by Tim Keller (150 pp.)

“[Writing of George MacDonald] An almost perfect relationship with his father was the earthly root of all his wisdom. From his own father, he said, he first learned that Fatherhood must be at the core of the universe. He was thus prepared in an unusual way to teach that religion in which the relation of Father and Son is of all relations the most central.”C.S. Lewis - George MacDonald: An Anthology

Assignments to Complete Before Kickoff Meeting: The Fatherhood of God | 23


“Man approaches God most nearly when he is in one sense least like God, for what can be more unlike than fullness and need, sovereignty and humility, righteousness and penitence, limitless power and a cry for help?”C.S. Lewis - The Four Loves

June Summer Assignments: God’s Grace

Our goal is to understand God’s amazing grace both intellectually and experientially. It is the basis for our salvation and also frees us to respond in obedience to His lovingkindness. The Fellows Program is designed to create a grace-based community.

Bible Study

q

Ephesians 2:1–10

Titus 2:11–14

Romans 3:9–26

Read and reflect on these verses slowly and regularly throughout the month.

q Bible Study Questions: Grace - Ephesians 2:1–10

1. Read Ephesians 2:1–4. God warned Adam that death would be the result of faithless disobedience. After reading these verses, describe in your own words what it means to be dead.

2. Traditionally, it has been said that a follower of Jesus has three enemies: the world, the flesh and the devil. How are all three present in these verses?

26 | June Summer Assignments: God’s Grace


3. Although there are many in our culture today who dismiss Satan as a myth, Paul says that he is very active in the world, encouraging the pursuit of selfish desires. In what ways do we see his influence in our culture today?

4. Look at Ephesians 2:3: “Those who are disobedient” could be translated as those who have no passion for God. What do they have a passion for?

5. As a Christian, in what ways do you discern a passion for God within you? How is that passion experienced and expressed?

June Summer Assignments: God’s Grace | 27


6. Reflecting on vv. 4–10, what is God’s role and what is the human role in moving from a condition of death to life?

7. Paul lives and writes with an eye both to this present age and the one to come. According to Paul, what is God’s purpose in saving us (vv. 7 & 10)?

8. Read Ephesians 2:5–10. Why might Paul twice write that we are saved by grace? What is he concerned that we understand?

9. Union with Christ is an underlying theme throughout the letter to the Ephesians. What three specific blessings from God come through being with Christ (vv. 6, 7)?



10. God has made us alive through Jesus Christ as an expression of His grace. What difference will the knowledge of God’s grace make in the way you face the pressures of today?

11. Martin Luther led the Reformation of the church by recovering Paul’s teaching that we are justified by grace through faith alone. He was uncomfortable with the statement in James that “a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.” How might you use vv. 8–10 to respond to Luther’s concerns?

12. This passage has been described as one of the most succinct yet complete expressions of the Gospel in all the Scriptures. How might you use this passage to explain to someone why Jesus Christ is the only way back to a relationship with God?

q

Psalm 103:1–5

Write these verses out in your 3 x 5 spiral card notebook & repeat daily.

You will be asked to recite these verses from memory in your small group at the fall retreat.



Articulate

q

Transforming Grace

by Jerry Bridges

Chs. 1 – 4, 9, 10, 12

Bookstores132 pp.

q

Thirty Days to Understanding the Bible

by Max Anders

Section 1

Bookstores100 pp.

qUnduly Protracted Infancy

by J. Oswald Sanders

Knowing & Doing

Fall 20054 pp.




Notes:



Defend

q

Questioning Evangelism

by Randy Newman

Read Intro & Ch. 1

Bookstores 23 pp.

q Apologetic Question & Answer: After you read the resource above, use it to create a bullet-point outline about The Importance of Audience and Why Ask Questions?

q

Action Assignment:

1. List 10 non-Christians (non-relatives) that God has placed in your life.

2. Make another list of non-Christian relatives.

3. Develop and start a plan to pray for these people on a consistent basis.



Notes:



Live

q

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

by Donald Whitney

Chs.1-2: Intentionally practice hearing, reading, and studying God’s word daily.

Bookstores24 pp.

q

Knowledge of the Holy

by A. W. Tozer

Read one chapter/wk for the next 23 weeks. Take time to reflect upon these readings.

Bookstores20 pp.

q

10 Questions to Make Sure You’re Still Growing

by Donald S. Whitney

Discipleship Journal, 97, 1997.

CSLI Online Resources 6 pp.

Notes:





q

Texture of Your World

Write a short paper following the instructions but omit Question 6 in Part 1 as you will answer this in your Spiritual Autobiography later in the summer.

CSLI Online Resources

q

Issues to Ponder:

Please take time to quietly think and reflect on the broader or deeper implications/meaning of the questions below as they apply to your life.

1. Is my life overloaded? If so, what do I need to do about it?

2. What changes do I need to make in order to have a daily time of Bible reading, meditation, and prayer?

3. Do I have a clear and correct idea of who God is?

4. Do I have a hunger to know God more intimately?

5. Am I willing to seek Him earnestly?





Recommended Movies:

• Luther, 2003 - Joseph Fiennes (124 min.)



“Usually it is those who know Him that bring Him to others. That is why the church, the whole body of Christians showing Him to one another, is so important.”C.S. Lewis - The Weight of Glory



“Continue seeking Him with seriousness. Unless He wanted you, you would not be wanting Him.”C.S. Lewis - Letters of C.S. Lewis

July Summer Assignments (No Meeting): True Conversion

Our goal is to understand the biblical basis of salvation by grace through faith alone and the nature of true conversion. This will provide a framework for examining our lives and becoming more aware of how God has been at work in us over the years. It will also help us move toward an assurance of salvation if we lack it. Further, it will give us valuable perspective and insights for evangelizing and discipling others.

Bible Study

q

Luke 19:1–10

Acts 9:1–31

Acts 16:11–34


q

Bible Study Questions: Acts 9:1–31

A “crisis” conversion—that of a sudden change—is a transforming experience in a series of events that precedes and follows the crisis. The conversion of Saul is one of the most graphic and significant in all of Christian history. Chapter 9 of Acts is the most complete record we have of that conversion. The stages of Saul’s conversion might be described as:

1) Saul’s commission (vv. 1–2) 5) Saul’s conviction (vv. 20–22)

2) Saul’s confrontation (vv. 3–9) 6) Saul’s controversy (vv. 23–25)

3) Saul’s new commission (vv. 10–16) 7) Saul’s chaos (vv. 26–30).

4) Saul’s confirmation (vv. 17–19)

1. Saul was and would always be a man with a mission. What was his mission initially and how did it change after his conversion?

2. Character transformation is the heart of conversion. In one sense Saul’s character stays the same, in another sense it is completely transformed. In what ways did his character stay the same? What was different about him after his conversion?

40 | July Summer Assignments (No Meeting): True Conversion


3. Jesus prefaced his message of the Kingdom of God in the Gospels with the word repent which literally means “change your mind.” How did Jesus bring about repentance in Saul?

4. What evidence is there that Saul changed his mind?

5. Conversion not only produces a change of mind, it also produces a change in behavior. How are Saul’s actions different before and after his conversion?

6. Conversion also brings about a change of relationships. How are Saul’s relationships different before and after his conversion?

July Summer Assignments (No Meeting): True Conversion | 41


7. Conversion to Christ is a personal commitment but not something to be kept private. What is public about Saul’s conversion?

8. What pressures might Saul have experienced to keep his conversion quiet?

9. The confrontation with Jesus is the source of Saul’s conversion. What does Ananias contribute to Saul’s conversion process?

10. Ananias is a representative of Christ and the church as he welcomes Paul. What would have been missing in Paul’s conversion if Ananias had not been responsive to the Lord’s call?



11. How else was the church active in Saul’s conversion?

12. What is the role of the church today in the conversion process?

q

Part 1 of the “Romans Road to Salvation.” Memorize these verses as a way to share the Gospel.

Romans 3:23 Romans 6:23 Romans 5:8 Romans 10:13


You will be asked to recite these verses from memory in your small group at the fall retreat.



Articulate

q

In Christ: The Meaning and Implications of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

by John Stott

Knowing & Doing

Summer 20074 pp.

qConversion

by David WellsCSLI Online Resources 4 pp.

q

Beginnings: Understanding How We Experience the New Birth

by Stephen SmallmanBookstores

160 pp.

q


by Max Anders

Section 2

Bookstores 42 pp.

Notes:






Notes:



Defend

qI’m Smart, but I’m No C.S. Lewis

by Joel S.Woodruff

Knowing & Doing Spring 2014

4 pp.

q Apologetic Question & Answer: How do you feel about sharing your faith with others and answering apologetics-type questions?



http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Im_Smart_but_Im_No_CS_Lewis_page1

q


by Randy Newman

Chs. 2 & 3

Bookstores 31 pp.

q Apologetic Question & Answer: After you read the resource above, use it to create a bullet-point outline about How to Use Questions in Personal Evangelism.

q

Action Assignment:

Identify one person on your list who may be likely to respond well to your initiating a conversation about faith. Before the Fellows’ retreat, take one step toward a gospel-conversation with that one person (e.g. email him and set up a time for coffee or lunch, ask her if she ever thinks about spiritual things, invite them to some event that addresses worldview topics, etc.).

Name of Person: ________________________________________________



Live

qTime with God

by J.I. Packer

Knowing & Doing

Winter 20082 pp.

q


by Donald S. Whitney

Ch. 3, Do biblical meditation exercise

Bookstores 23 pp.

q


by A. W. Tozer

Continue to read one chapter/wk. Take time to reflect upon your reading.

Bookstores 20 pp.

Notes:




q

Issues to Ponder:


1. Do I clearly understand the meaning of Grace? Conversion?

2. Is there evidence in my life that I have experienced saving grace?

3. Do I have assurance of salvation?

4. Are there areas of resistance in me to this teaching?


Recommended Movies:

• The Life and Faith of C.S. Lewis: The Magic Never Ends (2006) (85 min.)



“‘Please—Aslan,’ said Lucy, ‘can anything be done to save Edmund?’‘All shall be done,’ said Aslan.”C.S. Lewis - The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

August Summer Assignments (No Meeting): Our Conversion & Biblical Literacy

Our first goal is to gain a sufficiently clear grasp of our own conversion so that we will be able to develop an outline of our personal testimony and use it (when and where appropriate) in reaching out to others. Our second goal is to grasp the unity and the overarching story and themes of the Bible—God’s special revelation to us.

Bible Study

q2 Timothy 1:5

2 Timothy 3:14–15


q

Bible Study Questions: 2 Timothy 1:5 & 2 Timothy 3:14–15

Familial Conversion: Many conversions are not as sudden and dramatic as that of Paul. Often people come to faith over time and in quiet circumstances. Timothy, who was led to Christ through his mother and grandmother, is such a person. Gradual conversions are more common than sudden ones.

1. Paul’s conversion took place when he was a mature adult. Timothy came to faith as a young person under the influence of his mother and grandmother (v. 1:5). What benefits come with “inheriting” faith from your family?

52 | August Summer Assignments (No Meeting): Our Conversion & Biblical Literacy


2. Paul, though his experience of conversion was very different, describes Timothy’s faith as “sincere,” (v. 1:5). Why might that be a significant word for someone with an “inherited” faith?

3. Paul affirms that Timothy was taught the Scriptures from childhood on (v. 3:15). How might such a lifelong exposure to Scriptures be an asset to living the Christian life?

August Summer Assignments (No Meeting): Our Conversion & Biblical Literacy | 53


4. How might that be a drawback?

5. Paul encourages Timothy “to continue in what you have learned and become convinced of” (v. 3:14). What insight do each of the three verbs, “continue,” “have learned,” and “convinced” provide for someone who has come to faith within a family context?



6. The influence of faith came through the maternal side of Timothy’s family. What insight might that provide into Timothy and Paul’s relationship?

q

Part 2 of the “Romans Road to Salvation.” Memorize these verses as a way to share the Gospel.

Romans 10:9–10 Romans 8:1 Romans 8:38–39


Be ready to recite these verses from memory in your small group at the fall retreat.



Articulate

q

Mere Christianity

by C.S. Lewis

Book 1, Ch. 1-5; Book 2, Ch. 1-5

Bookstores 47 pp.

qWhat We Mean When We Say It’s True

by Timothy George

Knowing & Doing

Fall 20077 pp.

qHow Accurate is the Bible?

by Kenneth Boa

Knowing & Doing

Winter 20093 pp.

q


by Max Anders

Section 3

Bookstores 89 pp.





Notes:



Defend

q

Tactics

by Gregory Koukl

Chs. 1 & 2

Bookstores 22 pp.

q After you read the assigned text above, create a bullet-point outline of the main ideas:

qAction Assignment:

Brainstorm a list of 3–5 “starter questions” that you would be willing to ask as a way of initiating a gospel-conversation. (e.g. “Do you ever think much about spiritual things?” “What kinds of issues are you most interested in?” “What are some of your favorite books or movies?” “Why do like them?” “Do they address the big issues of life?” etc.) Have you taken that first step with one person on your list yet?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.



Notes:



Live

q

Issues to Ponder:


1. What kind of response do I need to make to what I have learned about grace? Conversion?

2. What have I learned from C.S. Lewis that has helped my understanding of my faith?

q

Response Paper:

In the last week of August, take some quiet time to reflect on your readings, exercises, and writing, then write a one to three page paper about what has spoken most powerfully to you. You may want to formulate it as a letter to a good friend or prayer partner sharing with them what you believe God has been saying to you, showing you, and teaching you through the program.

qSpiritual Autobiography

Write your Spiritual AutobiographyCSLI Online Resources

q

Spiritual Discipline:

Using this How to Share Your Testimony resource, develop a brief (5 minute) version of your testimony. Ask God to give you an opportunity to share it. Report your experience to the group.






q


by A. W. Tozer

Continue to read one chapter per week and take time to reflect on them.

Bookstores 20 pp.

q


by Donald S. Whitney - Ch. 4 - Discipline yourself to be a person of prayer.

Bookstores 17 pp.

q Notes:




Recommended Audio:

• Basic Apologetics Course, Does God Exist? The Cosmological Argument, by Art Lindsley (1 hour)

Recommended Books:

• Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper (160 pp.)

• The Contemporary Christian by John Stott, pp. 11–98 (88 pp.)

• Knowing God by J.I. Packer (312 pp.)

• Turning to God by David Wells (148 pp.)

• The Reason for God, Chapter 8, by Tim Keller (15 pp.)

• Surprised by Joy, Chapters 1, 9, 13-15, by C.S. Lewis (40 pp.)

• The Reason for God, Chapter 8, by Mike Harder (15 pp.)


• Assurance from Holiness by J.C. Ryle

• Personal Narrative by Jonathan Edwards

• Les Misérables: A Story of God’s Hospitality, Grace & Redemption by Joel Woodruff (4pp.)

Optional/Recommended Movies:

• Les Misérables, 2012 - Musical, Hugh Jackman (158 min.)

• Les Misérables, 1998 - Drama, Liam Neeson (134 min.)



http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Cosmological_Argument_Audio

http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Cosmological_Argument_Audio




Retreat Preparation Checklist

Collect in one file folder and bring for your Mentor:

q Life Management Skills: Stress Test Results

q Holmes & Rahe’s Life Changes Stress Test Results

q Time Audit (Legibly Printed)

q Texture of Your World paper

q Spiritual Autobiography

q Response Paper

q Checklist of Assignments completed

Be prepared to:

q Repeat memory verses with small group

q Share how you came to saving faith in Jesus Christ

q Discuss the Summer reading/assignments with small group

Bring to retreat:

q 3 x 5 spiral notebook of memory verses

q Bible

q Summer reading books—this helps in discussion

q Personal Planner/Calendar – helps to schedule meetings with mentors, triplets and small group



“The principle runs through all life from top to bottom. Give up yourself, and you will find your real self. Lose your life and you will save it. Submit to death . . . and you will find eternal life.”C.S. Lewis - Mere Christianity

September Assignments to Complete Before October Meeting: Following Jesus Christ

This study will help to clarify the nature and implications of Jesus’ call to discipleship, its relationship to conversion and its cost. Here we see the path everyone is called to follow when they accept God’s grace and love: the lifelong pursuit of Christ-likeness.

Our goal is to come to the place of making a total commitment of ourselves to Jesus Christ and His purposes for our lives. Or, if we have already made that commitment, to reaffirm it.

Bible Study

q

Mark 8:27–9:1

Luke 14:25–35

Romans 12:1–2


q Bible Study Questions: Mark 8:27–9:1

1. Jesus has a surprise for the disciples, one they didn’t like at all. What is on Jesus’ mind at this point in His ministry?

2. Concerning Jesus’ identity, there were three options proposed by the people of His day: Elijah, John the Baptist, and a prophet (v. 8:28). What options are proposed today?

3. Peter’s answer to Jesus’ question (v. 8:29) was based on his time with Jesus in ministry. What is your answer to Jesus’ question and upon what is it based?

66 | September Assignments to Complete Before October Meeting: Following Jesus Christ


4. In response to Peter’s insight about His identity, Jesus now uncovers the upcoming events of the cross. What is going to happen to Him (v. 8:31)?

5. Jesus hadn’t spoken of His cross until now. Why do you think He waited to reveal it? The announcement of the events of the cross were shocking to Peter and created an unpleasant encounter (vv. 8:32–33). What do you think is going on between Jesus and Peter?

6. The cross was shockingly counter to Peter’s expectations. So was Jesus’ call to discipleship (vv. 8:34–9:1). What does Jesus reveal about His expectations for discipleship?

7. How does the way of the cross address issues of life and death?

September Assignments to Complete Before October Meeting: Following Jesus Christ | 67


8. Jesus raises the issue of His identity earlier in this passage (vv. 8:27–30). What does our attitude toward Jesus have to do with discipleship?

9. Jesus is aware that social pressure has an impact on our discipleship (v. 8:38). What would you say is the impact of social pressure on the quality of your discipleship?

10. How does this way of the cross change your understanding of Christian discipleship?

11. Jesus says that the kingdom is about to come in power (v. 9:1). Based on what He has just revealed about the cross and His mission, what do you think He means?



12. The kingdom of God creates an expectation of a new way of living in a better world than this one. How does the discipleship of the cross make for a better world?

13. If the cross is the means by which the kingdom of God comes in power, how might that change the way you live as a disciple of Jesus Christ?

q

Mark 8:34–38


Memorize and formulate into a prayer to offer daily this month.



Articulate

qThe Call to Discipleship

by Tim Keller

Knowing & Doing

Winter 20115 pp.

qFollowing Jesus Christ

by Tom Tarrants

Knowing & Doing

Fall 20115 pp.

q

The Discipleship Deficit: Where have all the Disciples Gone?

by Greg Ogden

Knowing & Doing

Spring 20115 pp.

q

The Cost of Discipleship

by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Introduction–Chapter 6

Bookstores 79 pp.

q

Mere Christianity

by C.S. Lewis

Book 3, Ch. 1-7, 9-12; Book 4, Ch. 5-11

Bookstores 125 pp.

Notes:



http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/The_Call_To_Discipleship_page1

http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Following_Jesus_Christ_Tarrants_page_1

http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/The_Discipleship_Deficit_page1

http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/The_Discipleship_Deficit_page1

Notes:



Defend

q

Tactics

by Gregory Koukl

Chs. 3 & 4

Bookstores 29 pp.

q After you read the assigned text above, create a bullet-point outline of the main ideas:

q

Action Assignment:

• Report to your small group how your prayer plan for unsaved people is going.

• Have you been able to be fairly consistent in prayer? What adjustments do you need to make?

• Report to your group about how your first step toward a gospel conversation went.

• Pray for one another as you take steps to grow in evangelism.



Notes:



qSpiritual Development Inventory

Give to mentorCSLI Online Resources

q Lordship Living Inventory CSLI Online Resources 2 pp.

q


by A. W. Tozer

Continue to read one chapter per week and reflect upon these short readings.

Bookstores 20 pp.

q


Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney

Ch. 9, Fasting (practice some form of fasting this month)

Bookstores21 pp.

Notes:






q

Issues to Ponder:


1. Do I understand the meaning and implications of Jesus’ call to discipleship?

2. When, where and how did I fully give myself to Jesus as His disciple?

3. Have I embraced the call but drifted from it?

4. What fears do I have that hinder my response (opinions of others, risks to reputation, career, comfort, lifestyle)?

5. What response is God calling me to make to this teaching?

6. Do I seek to live daily in obedience to Jesus’ word? What is the evidence of obedience, what are the marks in my life:

• Use of time, talent, treasure?

• Sexual purity?

• Career an idol?

• Pleasure, comfort, etc.



q

Action Assignment:

Find a time and place where you can be alone with God and free from distractions for several hours. Review what you have learned about God’s grace and Christ’s call to discipleship and evaluate your life in light of it. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see if you have committed yourself unreservedly to Christ. Be ruthlessly honest with yourself.

Read the following prayers then compose your own prayer of surrender to Christ and commit yourself to faithfully following Him for the rest of your life.

• Prayer of Francis deSales

• Prayer of John Wesley

• Prayer of Hannah Smith

If you have fully committed yourself to Christ at some point in the past, you can re-commit or reaffirm your earlier commitment. Print a copy, sign and date, and keep for future reminder.

q Response Paper Include growth goal 1–3 pp.

q Small GroupDate: _______________

Time: _______________2–3 hrs

q TripletDate: _______________

Time: _______________2–3 hrs

q MentorDate: _______________

Time: _______________1.5 hrs






q Monthly Lecture & Discussion4.5 hrs

Lecture Notes:




Recommended Audio:

• Basic Apologetics Course, Does God Exist? The Argument from Desire by Art Lindsley (1 hour)

• Bearing the Weight of Glory: The Cost of C.S. Lewis's Witness by Christopher Mitchell

• Living the Christian Life by Rob Norris

Highly Recommended Books:

• The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, particularly Intro through Ch. 6 (80 pp.)

• Radical by David Platt (240 pp.)

• Follow Me by David Platt

• In His Image by Michael Wilkins

• The Life of God in the Soul of Man by Henry Scougal (161 pp.)

• Crazy Love by Francis Chan (192 pp.)


• Mere Christianity, Book 1, Chapters 1 - 5, by C.S. Lewis (24 pp.)

Additional Recommended Books:

• The Radical Disciple by John Stott (144 pp.)

• Charity and Its Fruits, Lecture XII, by Jonathan Edwards (17 pp.)

• The Contemporary Christian by John Stott (pp. 99–157)

• The Adventure by Gerald Sittser (236 pp.)

• Following the Master by Michael Wilkins (360 pp.)

• Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life by John Calvin (94 pp.)

• Discipleship Essentials by Greg Ogden (223 pp.)



http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Argument_from_Desire_Audio

http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Argument_from_Desire_Audio

http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/node/438



• Transforming Discipleship by Greg Ogden (202 pp.)

• The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn (90 pp.)

• The Master Plan of Discipleship by Robert Coleman (160 pp.)


• The Muscular Christianity of Eric Liddell by Eric Liddell

• Looking Like Jesus by Dallas Willard

• Costly Grace by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

• Ambition by Jerry Harvillz

• Let Us Throw Off Everything that Hinders by Paul Thigpen

• Doing the Will of God by Jane de Chantal

• The Expulsive Power of a New Affection by Thomas Chalmers

• Others May, You Cannot by G.D. Watson

Recommended Movies:

• Bonhoeffer: Agent of Grace, 2000 with Ulrich Tukur (88 min)




http://www.dwillard.org/articles/artview.asp?artID=105







“Christian Love, either towards God or towards man, is an affair of the will.” C.S. Lewis - Mere Christianity

October Assignments to Complete Before November Meeting: Living a Life of Love

Jesus Christ lived a life of perfect love toward God and others. As Christ’s disciples, we are called to follow His example and make love of God and our neighbor the great goal of our lives. As we do so, the Holy Spirit will empower us to become increasingly like Jesus. In this section we will distinguish the agape love which God calls us to from the sensuous and the sentimental ideas of love that permeate American culture. We will explore how agape is manifested in grateful obedience toward God and the humble service of our neighbor, and how we grow in this love.

This month we will have a special hands-on opportunity to “love not in word only, but in deed and truth,” as we participate in a potentially life-changing service project. We’ll serve people in need, have an opportunity to share the good news of Jesus Christ, enjoy fellowship, then process our study theme and the day’s experiences.

Our goal is to commit ourselves to loving God wholeheartedly and loving our neighbor as the proper expression of discipleship.

Bible Study

q

Deuteronomy 6:1 –9, Matthew 5:43–48, 7:12, 22:34–40, Luke 10:25–37, 1 John 3


q

Bible Study Questions: Matthew 22:34-40

Jesus is asked, “What is the greatest commandment in the law?” The Jewish law, the Torah, with the Ten Commandments as a preamble, had hundreds of commandments in it. This question, put to Jesus by the religious experts, is intended to be a trap. Can you imagine being asked to say which of the Ten Commandments is the most important? Whatever Jesus said would surely be used to discredit Him. Try this exercise yourself. Choose one of the Ten Commandments and tell which one is the most important and then of course say why the others are of lesser importance.

1. How does Jesus’ answer avoid their trap?

2. At the heart of the Jewish law is not a set of legalistic rules for behavior, but a covenant—sworn committed relationships. How does Jesus’ answer put the commandments back into a covenantal perspective?

82 | October Assignments to Complete Before November Meeting: Living a Life of Love


3. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength is the great “Shema” of Deuteronomy 6:4. When Jesus quotes it He adds the word “mind.” What difference does this make? Why might He have made the addition?

4. The command to love God is for a whole-hearted, not a half-hearted love. Religion elicits a great deal of emotion on the one hand and a great deal of coldness on the other. Think about a media portrayal of a traditional Victorian Anglican worship service in the middle of the 19th century. What is the difference between a religion of love and a religion of duty?

5. Think about an evangelical revival service out on the fields in America during the same period. What is the difference between love and fanaticism?

October Assignments to Complete Before November Meeting: Living a Life of Love | 83


6. More than one person has observed that the heart can’t be commanded. And many in the course of counseling have discovered that a managed heart is a frozen heart. How then should we think about commandments which require love of God and neighbor?

7. Augustine wrote that the essence of ethics was “to love God and do what you want.” How does the commandment to love God and neighbor as the heart of the Jewish law impact both the practice of religion and moral conduct?

8. Jesus not only adds another word, “mind,” to the Shema, He offers another great commandment which He says is, “love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus pulls this commandment from a list of do’s and don’ts that echo the Ten Commandments in Leviticus 19:18. How does Jesus’ addition of the second greatest commandment affect the first one?



9. Jesus often made His points with parables. Read Matthew 25:31–46. How does the parable of the sheep and goats illustrate Jesus’ teaching on the Great Commandments?

q

Matthew 22:36–40



Notes:



Articulate

q

The God Who Loves You

by Peter Kreeft

Introduction, Chs. 1–6

Bookstores 126 pp.

q

The Four Loves

by C.S. Lewis

(one of the few remaining audio recordings of C.S. Lewis)

iTunes or Bookstores on CD

2 hrs.

qHow Do You Love?

by J. Oswald SandersCSLI Online Resources 6 pp.

q

Studies in the Sermon on the Mount by Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Vol. 1, Ch. 29-30

Vol. 2, Ch. 19

Bookstores 27 pp.

qThe Miniature Earth Project

(presentation on world poverty)http://www.miniature-earth.com/

3 min.




http://miniature-earth.com/

http://www.miniature-earth.com/

http://www.miniature-earth.com/

Notes:



Defend

q

Tactics

by Gregory Koukl

Chs. 5 & 6

Bookstores 22 pp.

q Read the assigned text above, then create a bullet-point outline of the main ideas:

q

Action Assignment:

Will your plans for celebrating Thanksgiving provide some opportunities for evangelism with family or others?

How do you feel about that?

Share your thoughts about this with your group.

Pray for each other to take appropriate steps with family or others when you’re together with them at the end of this month.



qQuestioning Evangelism

by Randy Newman: Chs. 5–6Bookstores 23 pp.

q Apologetic Question & Answer: Create a bullet-point outline of a reasonable argument that answers the question How Could a Good God Allow Evil and Suffering?



Live

q


by A. W. Tozer

Continue to read one chapter per week and reflect upon these short readings.

Bookstores 20 pp.

Notes:



q

Issues to Ponder:


1. What has been my understanding of love?

2. Where does the view I have held differ from the biblical view of love?

3. Do I seek to obey God’s commands in my daily life?

4. Do I obey God out of love, gratitude, fear, guilt or social pressures?

5. How and where do I express love for others in concrete deeds of servanthood?

6. What do I need to change in my life to love God and my neighbor more than I do now?

7. Am I expressing love for the poor and needy through financial giving?



q

Action Assignment:

This assignment has two parts:

1. Pray and ask God what you can do to help someone who is poor/needy, and respond accordingly. This could take the form of giving them some money, buying them a meal, taking them to a doctor’s appointment, etc.

2. As a group, ask God to show each of you how much money you should contribute to a common purse to be used to help a poor person or family at Christmas. Pray and then discuss ideas of who God might want you to help.

Do not simply write a check to a charity, get involved personally with someone in need. (Giving should be done in a way that ensures the amount of each person’s gift remains anonymous.)

q Response Paper Include growth goal1–3 pp.


Time: _______________

2–3 hrs


Time: _______________

2–3 hrs

q MentorDate: _______________

Time: _______________

1.5 hrs



q Day-Long Service Project: Urban Plunge Details to be announced12 hrs

Notes on Urban Plunge Service Project:




Highly Recommended Audio:

• A Man Called Norman by Mike Adkins

• Basic Apologetics Course, The Problem of Evil, by Art Lindsley (1 hour)

Highly Recommended Books:

• Theirs is the Kingdom: Celebrating the Gospel in Urban America by Robert Lupton (144 pp.)

Recommended Books:

• The Mark of a Christian by Francis Schaeffer (38 pp.)

• Charity and Its Fruits, by Jonathan Edwards (368 pp.)

• Love: The Ultimate Apologetic by Art Lindsley (162 pp.)

• The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis (141 pp.)

• Bold Love by Dan Allender and Tremper Longman III (318 pp.)

• Love Beyond Reason by John Ortberg (211 pp.)

• Testaments of Love by Leon Morris (279 pp.)

• On Loving God by Bernard of Clairvaux (214 pp.)


• The Problem of Pain, Chapter 2 & 3, by C.S. Lewis (25 pp.)

• Mere Christianity, Book 3, Chapter 1 - 7, 9 - 12, by C.S. Lewis (89 pp.)


• Love Without Limits by Bernard of Clairvaux

• Loving by Serving by Jerry Bridges

Optional/Recommended Movies: CSLI Online Resources

• The Blindside 2009 (126 min.)

• Saving Sarah Cain, 2007 (102 min.)



http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Problem_of_Evil_Audio



“The rule for all of us is perfectly simple. Do not waste time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbour; act as if you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him.”C.S. Lewis - Mere Christianity



“If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realize that one is proud. ...If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.”C.S. Lewis - Mere Christianity

November Assignments to Complete Before December Meeting: Growing in Humility

Pride, the root of sin, caused the fall of the devil and his angels and of Adam and Eve. Pride alienates us from God and others and is our greatest problem as well. Humility is the path to deeper fellowship with God and others, as well as true Christ-likeness and fruitful ministry. Christ’s love was expressed in humble servanthood—in deliberately taking upon Himself the role of a servant—and those who would follow Him are called to do the same. However, forsaking pride is essential in order to embrace humility and servanthood. In this section we will explore the nature of pride and how to grow in humility.

Our goal is to discover at least some of the pride that infects our lives and commit ourselves to forsaking it and pursuing a lifestyle of humility, following the example of Jesus.

Bible Study

q

2 Chronicles 26:1–21

Daniel 4:1–37

Luke 14:7–11, 18:9–14

Philippians 2:3–11

1 Peter 5:5–6


q Bible Study Questions: Philippians 2:3–11

1. In order to help the Philippian church overcome its conflicts, the Apostle Paul calls for humility, the quality of being deferentially respectful. He instructs the members of the church to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit” (v. 2:3). What’s the difference between ambition and selfish ambition?

2. We are to do nothing out of “vain conceit.” What does “vain” add to the idea of conceit?

3. There was a popular motivational book a number of years ago entitled, Looking Out for #1. Paul’s instructions are quite contrary to this contemporary piece of advice. What are some of the reasons why we might want to put ourselves first when we are in difficult relationships?

98 | November Assignments to Complete Before December Meeting: Growing in Humility


4. What problems does putting self first create personally?

5. What problems does putting self first create in relationships?

6. Paul names two of the people who were in conflict within the Philippian church (v. 4:2). How would following Paul’s advice address personal tensions between people in a church?

7. Putting others first may sound noble, but it is notoriously difficult to do. What are some of the difficulties of following Paul’s instructions?

November Assignments to Complete Before December Meeting: Growing in Humility | 99


8. Whatever our relational difficulties, Christ Jesus is our standard (vv. 2:5–11). What is there about Him that addresses our hesitations and reservations about valuing others above ourselves?

9. Paul’s advice makes us vulnerable and sets us up for certain frustration if we are giving way to others. From within the framework of the Christian faith, what provision is made that our interests and needs are met?

10. When have you experienced this quality of humility from another and how did it affect you?

11. Is there someone with whom you have tensions or even conflict? What will it look like to look out first for that person?



12. Paul’s advice is for conduct with the Christian community and should characterize all our relationships. What impact might Paul’s advice have on a marriage relationship?

13. How might this advice affect a work environment?

14. Paul admonishes the Philippians to have the “same attitude” or “same mind” that Christ Jesus had. What can you do to make this mindset or attitude of humility the norm by which you live?

q

Philippians 2:3–5





Articulate

qHumility

by Andrew Murray

Free Online Version

Bookstores70 pp.

q

Mere Christianity

by C.S Lewis

Book 3, Ch. 8

Bookstores 8 pp.

q

The Screwtape Letters

by C.S. Lewis

Ch. 14

Bookstores 5 pp.

q

Studies in the Sermon on the Mount

by Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Vol. 1, Ch. 4, 6

Bookstores 18 pp.

qThe Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness

by Tim KellerBookstores 39 pp.



http://faculty.gordon.edu/hu/bi/ted_hildebrandt/spiritualformation/Texts/Murray_Humility/Murray_Humility.pdf

Notes:



Defend

q

Tactics

by Gregory Koukl

Ch. 7-10

Bookstores 48 pp.

q


by Randy Newman

Ch. 4

Bookstores 25 pp.


q

Action Assignment:

Brainstorm (by yourself and with your group) about ways you can take advantage of Christmas gift-giving for the purpose of evangelism. Are there people on your gift-list who might benefit from a gift of an evangelistic book?

Make a list of people and possible evangelistic gifts (e.g. C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity, Tim Keller’s The Reason for God or The Prodigal God, etc.). Share your plan with your group and send those gifts.

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________



Notes:



Live

q

Perfectionism Test

http://psychologytoday.tests.psychtests.com/take_test.php?idRegTest=3262

Discuss results with mentor.

20 min.

q

Type A Personality Test


Discuss results with mentor.

20 min.

q


The Christian Life Profile Assessment Tool Workbook

by Randy Frazee (pp. 6-33, pp. 46-49)

Discuss this inventory with your small group and mentor.

30 pp.

Notes:



http://psychologytoday.psychtests.com/cgi-bin/tests/transfer_ap.cgi?partner=pt&part=1&test=perfectionism&AMT=9.95&item=Perfectionism%20Test





q

Issues to Ponder:


1. Do I have a critical or judgmental attitude toward others?

2. How do I react to proud people?

3. Whom do I look down on? Why?

4. Do I treat people of lower social, educational, and financial status differently from the way I treat those of higher status?

5. Where do I have too high an opinion of myself? (Ask someone who will tell you the truth.)

6. How do I typically seek to exalt myself? (Ask spouse or even an enemy.)

7. Do I consciously seek to serve other people without any thought of gain?

8. What is the relationship between pride and perfectionism? Pride and a Type A personality?



q

Action Assignment:

Identify one area where you are prideful and act in the opposite spirit next time the opportunity arises. Then do it again, and again, and again, until it becomes a habit. Do not choose the hardest thing you can imagine, rather, begin with something less difficult. And don’t tell anyone about it. As you see change in that one area, start working on another. Look for opportunities to serve others, take a lower place, do menial things.



Time: _______________2–3 hrs


Time: _______________2–3 hrs

q MentorDate: _______________

Time: _______________1.5 hrs

q Monthly Lecture & Discussion 4.5 hrs



Lecture Notes:




Recommended Audio:

• C.S. Lewis on Pride and Humility by Tom Tarrants

• Basic Apologetics Course, Abolition of Man by Art Lindsley (1 hour)

Recommended Books:

• Humility: True Greatness by C.J. Mahaney (176 pp.)

• The Steps of Humility and Pride by Bernard of Clairvaux (89 pp.)

• A Guide to Living in the Truth by Michael Casey (225 pp.)

• Charity and its Fruits, Lecture VII by Jonathan Edwards (29 pp.)


• The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis (24 pp.)


• Humility by Jonathan Edwards

• Pride, Humility and God by John Stott

• Here Comes the Pride by David Henderson

• Haughty or Humble by Howard Baker

• At the Foot of the Cross by Joni Eareckson Tada

Recommended Movies:

• To Kill a Mockingbird, 1962 (128 min.)

• It’s a Wonderful Life, 1946 (130 min.)



http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/CS_Lewis_on_Pride_Humility_Audio

http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/The_Abolition_of_Man_Audio






If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realise that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed.C.S. Lewis - Mere Christianity



“I don’t doubt that the Holy Spirit guides your decisions from within when you make them with the intention of pleasing God.” C.S. Lewis - Letters of C.S. Lewis

December Assignments to Complete Before January Meeting: The Holy Spirit

It is impossible to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ unless you are empowered to do so by the Holy Spirit. The New Birth, fellowship with God, inner transformation, gifts for ministry, and power for mission are each the work of the indwelling Spirit. In some circles the Holy Spirit is overemphasized and in others He is largely ignored. As a result, many believers lack the understanding and power to live as faithful and fruitful disciples of Jesus. In this section, we will seek to understand what the Bible teaches about the Holy Spirit and experience all that is offered by the Holy Spirit.

Our goal is to recognize the necessity of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence to empower us for obedient living and effective ministry and to be filled with the Spirit.

Bible Study

q

John 3:1–8, 14:15–31, 16:5–15

Romans 8:1–17

Galatians 5:16–25


q

Bible Study Questions:

John 14:15–31—As Jesus is preparing the disciples for His departure, He highlights the ministry of the Holy Spirit. The title Jesus used for the Spirit is paraklaton (a compound word literally meaning “called alongside”). It is translated with a number of different words: advocate, counselor, advisor, guide, companion, or helper.

1. Which word would you choose as you read Jesus’ instructions?

2. The Spirit’s relationship with the disciples is about to change from being with them to being in them. What difference will that make (vv. 18, 20, 23, 26, 27)?

114 | December Assignments to Complete Before January Meeting: The Holy Spirit


3. According to Jesus, what is the relationship between love and obedience (vv. 21, 23, 24)?

4. In what ways is obedience a key to the disciples’ future relationship with Jesus?

5. How has obedience affected your relationship with Jesus, the Spirit and the Father?

6. It is often said that God’s love is unconditional, yet it appears that Jesus makes both God’s love and the gift of the Spirit conditional upon obedience (vv. 15, 21). How can you explain this?

December Assignments to Complete Before January Meeting: The Holy Spirit | 115


7. According to this passage, what would Christians be missing without the ministry of the Spirit?

8. The Spirit is neither physically visible nor acoustically audible. How do we discern His ministry in each of us individually and among us as a community?

9. In what different ways have you experienced the ministry of the Spirit?

10. In what further ways would you like to experience the ministry of the Spirit?



Romans 8:1–17—As Paul preached the gospel of the free grace of God it raised serious questions. Opponents asked, “If we are no longer judged by the Law, are we free to sin?” Paul’s answer is “Of course not!” Throughout this passage, Paul makes a contrast between a person who lives in the freedom of the Spirit and a person who lives in slavery to the sinful nature. (Note the Greek word translated “sinful nature” is sarx—flesh, that which is merely an outer covering.)

11. What are the chief characteristics of a person who lives in the freedom of the Spirit (vv. 5, 6, 15)? Who comes to mind when you think of a person who lives in the freedom of the Spirit?

12. What are the chief characteristics of a person who lives in slavery to the sinful nature (vv. 5, 6, 7)? Who comes to mind when you think of a person who lives in slavery to sin?

13. John Wesley believed that a person filled with the Spirit was free from sin. George Whitefield, Wesley’s contemporary and also a great evangelist, disagreed and taught that Spirit-filled Christians still struggled with temptation and did struggle against and even commit sin. After reading this passage, what would you say?



14. What would you appeal to in this passage to support your position?

15. What might be the difference in committing a sin and being controlled by the sinful nature (v. 6)?

16. What role does the mind have in a Spirit-led life (vv. 5–8)?

17. What role does the will have in a Spirit-led life (vv. 12, 13)



18. What evidence can you appeal to in order to assure yourself that you have received God’s Spirit?

19. If you become conscious of sin or convicted of sin in your thoughts, attitudes, or actions, what comfort, hope, and guidance does this passage offer?

20. If you allow the ongoing attitudes and acts of sin to be present in your life, what guidance does this passage provide?

q

John 14:15–17





Articulate

q

The Spirit’s Witness: Empowered to Speak

by John YatesCSLI Online Resources

35 min.

qThe Holy Spirit

by Billy GrahamBookstores

284 pp.

q

Obedience: The Key That Opens All Doors

by Tom Tarrants

Knowing & Doing

Winter 20112 pp.

Notes:





http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Obedience_The_Key_That_Opens_All_Doors_Page1

http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Obedience_The_Key_That_Opens_All_Doors_Page1

Notes:



Defend

q

Action Assignment:

Share with your group one lesson you have learned from your apologetics/evangelism reading that has relevance to your conversations with non-believers over the past few months.

Try one of your starter questions out on someone on your list (someone other than the person you’ve already begun the evangelism process with back in July).

Notes:



qExpelled: No Intelligence Allowed

with Ben Stein (2008)90

min.

q Apologetic Question & Answer: Create a bullet-point outline of the main ideas from Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.



Live

q


Finding Your Spiritual Gifts Inventory

by C. Peter Wagner

Complete Spiritual Gifts Inventory.

Discuss with small group & mentor.

Bookstores 20 pp.

Notes:



q

Issues to Ponder:


1. Do I have a clear grasp of what the Bible teaches about the Holy Spirit’s role in the new birth, personal transformation, spiritual gifts, and power for mission?

2. What evidence do I see in my life of the Spirit’s power in my life to overcome sin, resist the devil, and reach out to others with the gospel?

3. How do I consciously seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit each day?

4. What fears do I have about allowing the Holy Spirit to have full control of my life?

5. What do I need to understand or do to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit in my life?



q

Action Assignment:

After prayerfully reviewing this month’s assigned Scripture passages, examine your life to discern where and how the Spirit has been working in you. Also seek to discern where you need to move to a new level of experience with the Spirit. Prayerfully re-read chapter 9 in the The Holy Spirit and follow Billy Graham’s suggestion on seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to fill you afresh with His Spirit and empower you to do His work in the world.

Notes:


q

Small Group:

Discuss Spiritual Gifts Inventory with your small group. First mention gifts you see in each other, then share your personal inventory findings. Lay hands on one another, one at a time, and pray that God would fill each of you with His Holy Spirit and equip you to share your gifts with the community.

Date: _______________

Time: _______________

2–3 hrs


Time: _______________

2–3 hrs

qMentor - Review overall program goals and your personal growth so far.

Date: _______________

Time: _______________

1.5 hrs




Lecture Notes:




Recommended Audio:

• Basic Apologetics Course, Understanding Atheism by Art Lindsley (1 hour)

Recommended Books:

• How to be Filled with the Holy Spirit by A.W. Tozer (58 pp.)

• Experiencing the Spirit by Henry Blackaby (216 pp.)

• The Baptism and Fullness of the Holy Spirit by John Stott (40 pp.), updated and republished as Baptism and Fullness: The Work of the Holy Spirit Today (153 pp.)

• Keep in Step with the Spirit by J.I. Packer (256 pp.)

• I Believe in the Holy Spirit by Michael Green (350 pp.)

• More: How You Can Have More of the Spirit When You Already Have Everything in Christ by Simon Ponsonby (272 pp.)


• Miracles, Chapter 7-8, by C.S. Lewis (22 pp.)

Optional/Recommended Movies:

• Chariots of Fire, 1981 with Eric Liddell (124 min.)

• The Inn of the Sixth Happiness, 1958 with Ingrid Bergman (158 min.)



http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Understanding_Atheism_Audio

You may ask, ‘if we cannot imagine a three-personal Being, what is the good of talking about Him?’ Well, there isn’t any good talking about Him. The thing that matters is being actually drawn into that three-personal life, and that may begin any time - to-night, if you like.C.S. Lewis - Mere Christianity



“Prayer in the sense of petition, asking for things, is a small part of it; confession and penitence are its threshold, adoration its sanctuary, the presence and vision and enjoyment of God its bread and wine.” C.S. Lewis - The World’s Last Night and Other Essays

January Assignments to Complete Before February Meeting: Growing in Prayer

God calls us to grow in grace and has provided certain means through which we can do so. Prayer is one of the primary means of growing in grace He has given to us and is a great and powerful privilege. To live without prayer is to live without God, to be content with little prayer ensures a weak spiritual life. Because many believers struggle with prayer, in this section we will explore the pathway to a deeper and more effective prayer life.

Our goal is to develop our prayer life, using the pattern of the Lord’s Prayer given by Jesus.

Bible Study

qMatthew 6:5–14, 7:7–11

Luke 18:1–8


q

Bible Study Questions: Matthew 6:5–14

In verses 5–8 Jesus begins His teaching on prayer with two correctives: don’t pray like hypocrites or like pagans. Both had the wrong focus, wrong manner, wrong place and wrong motivation.

1. Looking over the Lord’s teaching in verses 5–15, what is the right focus, right manner, right place, and right motivation for prayer?

2. The pagans evidently thought that the number of words and the form of prayer increased the chances that it would be answered. What’s wrong with that way of thinking?

3. The Lord’s Prayer could be divided in half: verses 9–10 and 11–13. What are the themes of each half?

132 | January Assignments to Complete Before February Meeting: Growing in Prayer


4. What does each half have in common?

5. Read verse 8. God knows our needs before we ask, but evidently He wants us to ask anyway. How is asking for our needs good for us?

6. Look at verse 9. Jesus begins His prayer with the little word “Our.” Looking over Jesus’ prayer, in what ways does it touch on relationships?

7. Read verses 9–13 again. What specific things are we asking for when we pray the Lord’s Prayer?

January Assignments to Complete Before February Meeting: Growing in Prayer | 133


8. How does the first petition (v. 9) connect us to God and shape the tone of our prayer?

9. Jesus proclaimed the kingdom of God and teaches His disciples to pray for its coming (v. 10). How does this second petition shape the way we are to think about prayer and Christian ministry?

10. The third petition of the Lord’s Prayer (v. 11), a request for daily bread, would remind every Israelite of manna given daily in the wilderness. If God gives us food, why would He teach us to pray for it?

11. The fourth petition (v. 12) is a request for “conditional forgiveness.” How does this request embody the message and ministry of Jesus?



12. The fifth petition (v. 13) is a contrasting parallel with the first petition—seeking the holiness of God and seeking to be delivered from unholy evil. How does the consciousness of temptation and evil shape your prayer life?

13. Including Jesus’ instructions before and after His model prayer, what personal guidelines for prayer can you draw from this passage?

14. In what way does this prayer give us a sense of identity, mission, provision, and protection?

q

Matthew 7:7–11

Memorize The Lord’s Prayer

(Use whichever version you prefer.)




Articulate

q

A Praying Life

by Paul Miller

Parts 1 - 3

Bookstores148 pp.

qSeries: The Lord’s Prayer 1995

by Tim Kellerwww.gospelinlife.com

qThe Prayer-Obedience Relationship

by W. Bingham Hunter

Knowing & Doing

Winter 20084 pp.

Notes:




Notes:



Defend

q

Tactics

by Gregory Koukl

Chs. 11 & 12

Bookstores 18 pp.




q


by Randy Newman

Chs. 8 & 9

Bookstores 45 pp.

q Apologetic Question & Answer: Create a bullet-point outline of a reasonable argument that answers the question Are Christians Homophobic & Prudish About Sex?



Live

q Bible Reading and Prayer Inventory CSLI Online Resources

qThe Pursuit of God

by A.W. TozerBookstores

81 pp.

q


Incorporate one thing that you’ve learned about prayer into your practice of prayer this month.

Notes:




q

Issues to Ponder:


1. Is prayer a burdensome duty to me or a delight?

2. Do I pray with expectation that God will answer my prayers?

3. Am I spending enough time in prayer? What most hinders my prayer life?

4. What kind of discipline do I need to develop in order to have a regular daily prayer time?

5. What actions do I need to take in order to move into a deeper prayer life?





Time: _______________

2–3 hrs


Time: _______________

2–3 hrs


Lecture Notes:



q

Action Assignment:

Establish your own personal plan for daily prayer at a set time and in an undistracted place. If you are a morning person, it is probably best to do it in the morning, if you are a night person, you may want to try the evening. Try using the Lord’s Prayer as a pattern to guide you.

Most people find it helpful to read the Bible before praying. You may want to use a One Year Bible or a Bible-reading plan. (See the You Version App.) Throughout history, God’s people have found it helpful to read through the Psalms, one or more each day, in canonical order. Or you could read through one of the gospels, a chapter a day. Whatever you select, read slowly and in consecutive order to understand Scripture in context. Before you read, ask God to speak to you through His word. Avoid random sampling. Discuss your plan with your mentor.

Notes:




Recommended Audio:

The Prayer Life of C.S. Lewis by Jim Houston

Recommended Books:

• The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence (63 pp.)• Daring to Draw Near by John White (162 pp.)• The God Who Hears by W. Bingham Hunter (199 pp.)• Prayer by O. Hallesby (176 pp.)• With Christ in the School of Prayer by Andrew Murray (192 pp.)• A Simple Way to Pray by Martin Luther (62 pp.)• Prayer Power Unlimited by J. Oswald Sanders (155 pp.)• Rees Howells, Intercessor by Norman Grubb (263 pp.)• A Layman Looks at the Lord’s Prayer by Phillip Keller (155 pp.)• Handbook to Prayer: Praying Scripture Back to God by Kenneth Boa• Autobiography of George Müller by George Müller (237 pp.)• Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer Chapter 1-2, 4-5, 7-8, 11, 13, 17-18, 21 by C.S. Lewis

(62 pp.)


• Prayer by J.C. Ryle

• Forgive us Our Debts by Kent Hughes

• The Lord’s Prayer Revisited by Chuck Mylander

• Lead Us Not into Temptation by Paul Thigpen

• Commentary on the Lord’s Prayer by John Wesley

• If God is Sovereign, Why Should We Pray? by C.S. Lewis

• Persevering Through Dry Seasons in Prayer by Ugolino Boniscambi

• The Fruits of Intercession by William Law

Recommended Movies:

• The Power of Prayer, DVD distributed by Questar

• Fireproof, 2008 (122 min.)

• Faith Like Potatoes, 2006 (116 min.)












Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.C.S. Lewis - Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer



“If only one had time to read a little more: we either get shallow and broad or narrow and deep.” C.S. Lewis - The Letters of C.S. Lewis to Arthur Greeves

February Assignments to Complete Before March Meeting: Being Transformed Through Scripture

Holy Scripture, like prayer, is also a primary means of growing in grace in the life of the believer. And as with prayer, we often neglect to make time for God’s word. As a result, our growth is stunted. This section will also examine the role of Scripture in transformation and suggest ways to grow in knowledge of truth and to encounter God in His word.

The authority of Scripture has been under attack since the time of the Enlightenment by those outside and those inside the church. If Scripture is not authoritative, then it is of little help as a spiritual or moral guide. On the other hand, if Scripture is authoritative, it has decisive significance in all areas of our lives. This month will first focus on the reliability and trustworthiness of Holy Scripture.

Our goals are to address any personal questions we may have about the Bible’s truthfulness and reliability and come to a confident assurance of its inspiration and authority for our lives and to pursue spiritual transformation by committing ourselves to regularly read, study, and meditate on God’s word.

Bible Study

qJoshua 1:8

Psalm 1:1–6, 119:1–176


q Bible Study Questions: Psalm 1 (Focus is on meditation, not inspiration)

1. Meditation begins with perceptive reflection. Look for several contrasts (both stated and implied) and express the contrasts in your own words.

2. What do you think it means to walk in the counsel of the wicked (v. 1)?

3. The wicked suppress the knowledge of God and ignore His law. In what ways are we exposed to the counsel of the wicked in our day and time?

148 | February Assignments to Complete Before March Meeting: Being Transformed Through Scripture



February Assignments to Complete Before March Meeting: Being Transformed Through Scripture | 149

4. Meditating on the law of the Lord day and night results from delighting in the Scriptures. What do you think it means to delight in the Scriptures (v. 2)?

5. How would you describe your own mental and emotional interaction with the Scriptures?

6. What are the benefits of constant meditation (v. 3)?

7. What personal benefits do you experience from spending time in the Scriptures?



8. Although not everyone is comfortable with it, many find that meditation can be enhanced through their imagination. Imagine that you are a tree whose roots are reaching down to the life-giving water of the Scriptures (v. 3). Now describe your impression of what that was like.

9. The wicked are described as lightweight chaff (vv. 4–5). If you were to examine a well-watered tree and dried up chaff, how would they look and feel different?

10. How do these descriptions help you grasp the differences between the wicked and the godly?

11. Focus for a minute on the way of the wicked. What do you think that way looks like in our culture today?



12. Now focus on the way of the righteous. What might that look like in our culture today?

13. Meditation is far more than gathering information or having stimulating spiritual experiences. How do you think meditation helps us live a life that is pleasing to God (v. 6)?

14. How might your life need to be adjusted or changed to allow for times of biblical meditation?

q

Psalm 1:1–2

2 Timothy 3:16-17



Articulate

qMeditating on the Word

by Dietrich Bonhoeffer Bookstores 134 pp.

q

Can I Trust the Bible?

RZIM Booklet

by Darrell L. Bock

http://rzim.christianbook.com/can-i-trust-the-bible/darrell-bock/9781930107028/pd/07037x?event=ESRC

64 pp. (.99 ¢)

qOur Lifeline

by J.I. PackerCSLI Online Resources 4 pp.

q

Conversational Apologetics Mini-Retreat

(A Friday night/Saturday morning retreat, check program calendar)

Bring:

• Apologetics Books

• Paper & Pens

Be prepared to:

• Practice evangelism & apologetics questions & tactics

• Role-play, participate in case-studies, and other activities

• Be creative & have fun











Notes:

Defend

q

Tactics

by Gregory Koukl

Chs. 13 & 14

Bookstores 23 pp.

q

Basic Apologetics Course

by Art Lindsley: Authority of Scripture: Can the Gospels Be Trusted?

Audio or Video 1 hr

q


by Randy Newman

Ch. 7

Bookstores 19 pp.

qRead the assigned text above, then create a bullet-point outline of the main ideas:



http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Authority_of_Scripture_Audio

http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Authority_of_Scripture_BAC_Video

qConversational Apologetics

by Michael Ramsey

Knowing & Doing

Summer 20025 pp.

q

Action Assignment:

Easter and Passover are coming. It’s time to make evangelistic plans. In similar ways that you sent gifts at Christmas time, are there friends who might benefit from an Easter gift related to the resurrection? Sending them a book or DVD might advance the conversation. Try this with at least one person on your prayer list. (You are still praying for the people on your prayer list, right?)

Do you know any Jewish friends? This is a good time of year to consider evangelistic efforts with Jewish people. Perhaps your church is sponsoring a Messianic Seder or perhaps you might want to give them a book like Moishe Rosen’s Christ in the Passover. Check out the websites of Jews for Jesus and Chosen People Ministries for resources and guidance in Jewish evangelism.

Notes:




Live

q


Each week of this month, select a different passage of Scripture which addresses a concern that is important to you. Do some basic Bible study on the passage so that you have a clear understanding of what it means in context. Then read it slowly over several successive days at least twenty times. You may even want to memorize it.

Finally, make time on a Sunday afternoon (or some other convenient time) to meditate on the passage for 20–30 minutes using the Lectio Divina approach. An overview of Lectio Divina, a Bible meditation discipline by J.I. Packer, can be found in the CSLI Online Resources. Discuss your experience with your mentor.

Notes:







q

Issues to Ponder:


1. What is the difference between Bible reading and Bible meditation?

2. How might meditating on Scripture improve my spiritual life?

3. Do I spend enough time in God’s word?

4. What changes would I need to make in my life in order to begin meditating on God’s word?

5. Am I convinced that the Bible is the authoritative, divinely inspired, Word of God? Why or why not?




q Small Group Date: _______________

Time: _______________2–3 hrs


Time: _______________2–3 hrs

q MentorDate: _______________

Time: _______________1.5 hrs


Lecture Notes:



Lecture Notes:




Recommended Books:

• Growing in God’s Spirit, ed. T.M. Moore,

• A Divine and Supernatural Light by Jonathan Edwards (72 pp.)

• The Contemporary Christian, Part III: The Bible by John Stott (60 pp.)

• Celebration of Discipline Chapter 2, Meditation by Richard Foster (19 pp.)

• Meditating as a Christian by Peter Toon (187 pp.) • Is the Bible Intolerant? by Amy Orr-Ewing (127 pp.)• The Reason for God Chapter 7, by Tim Keller (17 pp.)


• Staying Faithful Through the Years by Jerry Bridges

• Listening in the Great Silence by Richard Foster

• How to Read the Psalms by Tremper Longman III

Recommended Movies:

• The Forbidden Book: The History of the English Bible, hosted by Craig Lampe (58 min.)

http://www.anglicanbooksrevitalized.us/Peter_Toons_Books_Online/Meditation/MeditChristian.htm






“A young man who wishes to remain a sound Atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. There are traps everywhere—‘Bibles laid open, millions of surprises,’ as Herbert says, ‘fine nets and stratagems.’ God is, if I may say it, very unscrupulous.”C.S. Lewis - Surprised by Joy

“He cannot bless us unless He has us. When we try to keep within us an area that is our own, we try to keep an area of death. Therefore, in love, He claims all. There’s no bargaining with Him.”C.S. Lewis - The Weight of Glory

March Assignments to Complete Before April Meeting: Living a Life of Faith & Obedience

Am I able to trust God with all areas of my life? My career, personal life, family, finances, and future? Am I willing to take steps of faith in obedience to what I believe God is calling me to do? These are some of the questions that surround this theme of living a life of faith and obedience.

One example is that Scripture reveals that everything belongs to the Lord, including our time, our talents, and our treasure. Most followers of Christ believe this in theory, but when it comes to being faithful stewards of God’s gifts, we often want to control how these gifts are distributed and used. However, true freedom and joy comes when in faith we are able to relinquish control of our time, talent, and treasure to the Lord.

Bible Study

qMatthew 25:14-30

Luke 12:13-21


q Bible Study Questions: Matthew 25:14-30

1. Why would the master entrust his talents to his three servants?

2. Was it fair that the master distributed the talents unevenly? Why do you think he did this?

3. How long did the first and second servants wait before investing their talents? Does this have any implication on how long we should take to begin investing our talents?

164 | March Assignments to Complete Before April Meeting: Living a Life of Faith & Obedience


4. What motivated the third servant to bury his talent? Can you relate to his concern? Is the master too harsh on the servant who buried his talent? Why were the master’s words and actions so strong?

5. Talents refer here to a unit of coinage but they can also refer to one’s gifts and abilities that can be offered in service to others. What responsibility do you have to God and others regarding your talents?

6. Have you ever invested your God-given talents in a way that increases them? What obstacles did you overcome?

March Assignments to Complete Before April Meeting: Living a Life of Faith & Obedience | 165


7. Have you ever experienced “the joy” (v. 23) of someone in a position of authority over you—perhaps a parent, teacher, coach, supervisor, or even God—someone who expressed pleasure with a “well done” investment of your talents? What impact did this have on you?

8. Some have argued that Jesus’ parable presents a “law of use and neglect” that has widespread application, not just spiritually—but physically, athletically, educationally, scientifically, and economically. Do you agree or disagree that there is a universal law of use?

9. In light of this passage promising “to everyone who has will more be given” (v. 29) and from “the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away,” what should we do—as individuals, church and our broader society—when we see the rich get richer and the poor get poorer? Is this just? How should Jesus’ repeated commands to serve the poor factor into our analysis?



10. How can we encourage the children in our lives to identify and invest their God-given talents?

q

Matthew 6:19-21





Articulate

q

The Autobiography of George Müller

ed. by Diana MatiskoBookstores 94 pp.

qVideo: Work Like a Doctor, Live Like a Nurse with Dr. Renee Lockey

http://vimeo.com/40037656

9 min.

qProfile in Faith: V. Raymond Edman

by Joel WoodruffKnowing & Doing Winter 2011

5 pp.

q

Eric Liddell: Muscular Christian and Olympic Champion

by Joel Woodruff

Knowing & Doing Summer 2012

6 pp.

qStewardship Ministries

Watch two of these videos.

http://www.stewardshipministries.org/resources/life-stewardship-small-group-study/

12-16 min.

qVideo: Where is Your Finish Line? with Alan Barnhart


15 min.





http://cslewisinstitute.org/Profile_In_Faith_V_Raymond_Edman_page1

http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Profile_In_Faith_Eric_Liddell_page1

http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Profile_In_Faith_Eric_Liddell_page1








Notes:



Defend

q

Mere Christianity

by C.S. Lewis

Book 4, Ch. 1-4

Bookstores 20 pp.

q Apologetic Question & Answer: Create a bullet-point outline of a reasonable argument that answers the question: How Can Jesus Be the Only Way?



q

Action Assignment:

It’s time to evaluate. With how many people have you initiated evangelistic conversations since the Fellows Program began? How has it gone? Is it easier or harder than you expected? Or is it about what you expected? What are the toughest obstacles? Share this with your small group.

• Brainstorm your next steps with those with whom you’ve already begun the process.

• Take at least one of those steps.

• Try to initiate the process with one more person on your list.

Notes:



Live

q


Keep a daily journal this month, listing ways you have taken steps of faith and lived generously i.e., acts of kindness, giving to someone in need, increased service, kind words, etc. Ask God daily to show you in what ways He would like you to step out in faith in obedience to His Word.

q

Action Assignment:

Review your finances. What percentage of your finances goes to you, to others, to God? Pray and ask God if He would like you to adjust it.

Give money or something else to someone anonymously this month and ask God to bless that person with the gift. Ask God to lead you.

Notes:



q

Issues to Ponder:


How are you living a life of trust in God in relation to all areas of your life? This includes ultimately trusting Him to provide your finances, career, personal relationships, family, children, salvation of your friends and family, etc. Take time to ponder to what extent you are placing your faith in Him regarding each of these areas.





Time: _______________2–3 hrs


Time: _______________2–3 hrs

q MentorDate: _______________

Time: _______________1.5 hrs


Lecture Notes:




Recommended Audio:

• Basic Apologetics Course, Is Christ the Only Way? by Art Lindsley (1 hour)

Recommended Books:

• The Reason for God, Chapter 1, by Tim Keller (18pp.)

Recommended Movies:

• The Ultimate Gift, 2006 by Jim Stovall (114 min.)



http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Is_Christ_the_Only_Way_Audio

“Be sure that the ins and outs of your individuality are no mystery to Him; and one day they will no longer be a mystery to you.”C.S. Lewis - The Problem of Pain

April Assignments to Complete Before May Meeting: Pursuing God’s Call on Your Life

Our first and foremost calling from God is to Him. Contained within that call is a call to His service in the world. Our goal is to recognize God’s call on our lives and commit ourselves to following His will and purpose for us above all else.

Bible Study

q

Bible Study Questions:

General Calling:

• Romans 1:6 – calling of Jesus Christ

• Romans 1:7 – called as saints

• Romans 8:28 – called according to His purpose

• Romans 8:30 – whom He called He justified

• 1 Peter 2:9–10 – called out of darkness

Particular Calling:

• 1 Corinthians 7:17–24

• Daniel Chapters 1–6

• Nehemiah Chapters 1–2 (see 2:12)

1. We have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light in order to do what?

178 | April Assignments to Complete Before May Meeting: Pursuing God’s Call on Your Life


2. What are the titles of those thus called?

3. How does our new identity shape the way that we proclaim His excellence?

4. How does our new identity as the people of God relate to our ethnic or racial identity?

April Assignments to Complete Before May Meeting: Pursuing God’s Call on Your Life | 179


5. What are the implications of our general calling? (Rom. 1:6, 7, 8:28, 8:30)

6. What does it mean to remain “in the same calling in which he was called?” (1 Cor. 7:20, NKJV)

7. What’s the meaning of the first and second use of “call” in this phrase? (see context)



8. How did Daniel work out God’s call upon him in the difficult context in which he was placed (or called)?

9. How did Nehemiah find the unique calling (burden of concern) for his life?

q

1 Peter 2:9–10





Articulate

qWork: A Holy Calling

by Jerram Barrs

Knowing & Doing

Fall 20082 pp.

q

The Weight of Glory

by C.S. Lewis

Ch. 4 - Learning in War Time Sermon

Bookstores 11 pp.

q

Cure for the Common Life

by Max Lucado

Read Chs. 1-5, then complete Part 1, Sweet Spot Discovery Guide, pp. 147-172. Then read Chs. 6-15 in tandem with corresponding Chs. in Part 2, pp. 173-214.

Bookstores 214 pp.

qSeminar Audio: The Call

a seminar given by CSLI Atlanta

The Call

(Os Guiness) – 80 min

The Call to Civility

(Os Guinness) – 79 min

qWhy Work?

by Dorothy SayersCSLI Online Resources 10 pp.







Notes:



Defend

q

Basic Apologetics Course

by Art Lindsley

Argument from Agape: Can Love Lead You to Knowing God?

Audio or Video 1 hr

q Apologetic Question & Answer: Create a bullet-point outline of a reasonable argument that answers the question: How Could a Loving God Send People to Hell?



http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/The_Argument_from_Agape_Audio

http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Argument_from_Agape_BAC_Video

q

Action Assignment:

Now it’s time to make long term plans:

• What have you learned this past year about evangelism?

• What do you still need to learn?

• What steps can you take to make progress in personal evangelism after you finish the Fellows Program?

Establish some kind of accountability so that you will continue to push yourself to develop in this area. Perhaps it is best to do this through your church. Maybe you can be the Evangelism Advocate in a small group in your church?

Notes:



Live

q

Spiritual Discipline: Silence & Solitude

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney

Ch. 10

Practice in some way, the discipline of silence & solitude during the month.

Bookstores 22 pp.

Notes:



q

Issues to Ponder:


1. How does your own specific “call” relate to God’s general call on your life?

2. Given your specific gifts, how can you use how God has made you in your work, church, family, community, and as a citizen?

3. To what degree has your work made it difficult to be faithful to what the Lord calls you to in other areas?

4. Do you have a specific calling on your life that has emerged over time? (such as Daniel, Nehemiah, Wilberforce, etc.)



q

Action Assignment:

Discuss your calling with others as discerned through Cure for the Common Life.

Re-examine your priorities. See if you are giving the appropriate proportion of time to each area (relationship to God, relationships with others, work, marriage, family, church, sleep, exercise, nutrition, etc.)


q

Small Group

Discuss your “STORY” calling analysis with the group

Date: _______________

Time: _______________2–3 hrs

q

Triplet

Discuss your “STORY” calling analysis with the group

Date: _______________

Time: _______________2–3 hrs

q MentorDate: _______________

Time: _______________1.5 hrs




Lecture Notes:




Recommended Books:

• Your Work Matters to God by Douglas Sherman and William Hendricks (288 pp.)

• Finding a Job You Can Love by Ralph Mattson and Arthur Miller (192 pp.)

• Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado (240 pp.)

• Joy at Work by Dennis Bakke (314 pp.)


• The Great Divorce, Preface, by C.S. Lewis (25 pp.)

Recommended Movies:

• Amazing Grace 2006 with Loan Gruffudd (111 min.)

• One Night with the King 2006 The Story of Queen Esther (123 min.)



“One never can see, or not till long afterwards, why any one was selected for any job. And when one does, it is usually some reason that leaves no room for vanity.”C.S. Lewis - Perelandra



“It is so easy to think that the church has a lot of different objects—education, building, missions, holding services . . . The church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs.”C.S. Lewis - Mere Christianity

May Assignments to Complete Before June Meeting: Our Mission—Making Disciples

Jesus calls all of His followers to the commission He gave to His first disciples: Matthew 28:18-20, “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.”

We are not alone in this endeavor, as the Lord has given us the Holy Spirit to empower and equip us to accomplish this exciting mission.

Our goal this month is to understand the mission Jesus has given us and to embrace His call as a disciple of Jesus—to make disciples for Christ in your Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Bible Study

qMatthew 28:16–20

Acts 1:8, 2:1-47


q Bible Study Questions: Acts 2:1–47

1. The events on the day of Pentecost begin to fulfill Jesus’ promise of church growth (Acts 1:8). What amazed those gathered in Jerusalem (2:1–12)?

2. Living in our secularizing culture, while the church has a mixed reputation, God is still at work. What is it about Christianity and the church that amazes you?

194 | May Assignments to Complete Before June Meeting: Our Mission—Making Disciples


3. Peter begins his first sermon by quoting a prophet from the Old Testament (vv. 17–21). What do you see in this experience that laid the foundation for the church to be multicultural, multigenerational, and multinational?

4. In what ways could the church today learn from this Spirit-inspired “multi” vision from the prophet Joel?

5. The mission of the church is to proclaim the message: “Jesus, whom you crucified, [is] both Lord and Christ” (v. 36). What reasons does Peter offer for believing that message (vv. 22–41)?

May Assignments to Complete Before June Meeting: Our Mission—Making Disciples | 195


6. Thousands responded to Peter’s sermon (vv. 22–39). Why do you think his message was so convincing to the people gathered in Jerusalem? How convincing is that message in our culture today? Explain.

7. Read verses 42–47. The church’s mission and message created a fellowship. How would you describe that first fellowship of believers?

8. “The Lord added to their number daily” (v. 47). What is our role and what is God’s role in the growth of the church?



9. The Holy Spirit, the gift of the Father sent by Jesus, lit the flame of mission in the fireplace of the church. What is your role in tending the flame of mission in the fireplace of the church?

q

Matthew 28:18–20



Notes:



Articulate

q

Spiritual Discipline: Pray and ask the Lord how you can begin immediately to obey His call on your life to make disciples. then develop a written disciple-making plan using the S.M.A.R.T. outline below:

Resources that you might use in your plan:

• CSLI Heart and Mind Discipleship 10-week DVD based program

• Discipleship Essentials by Greg Ogden

• Your local church: See if there are ways that you could assist your pastor in making disciples through programs established in your church. Or establish a new program.

• Christian missions or other Christian organizations: Ask how you might get involved.

• Specific: What tools, people, and methods will you incorporate into your plan?

• Measurable: How many people will you invite, speak to, teach, disciple? At what cost?

• Attainable: Start small and increase as God guides you with clear goals.

• Relevant: Relate to the sphere of influence and people that God has given you at work, neighborhood, and church.

• Time Bound: Include short-term and long-term plan with dates and lengths.



qTurn in your written disciple-making plan to your mentor and your Fellows Program Director. This may be your most important assignment in the program!

q

Read and/or Watch:

The Master Plan of Evangelism

by Robert Coleman

Bookstores

Video on CSLI website

150 pp.

3 hrs

q

The Reason for God

by Tim Keller

Ch. 14, & Epilogue

Bookstores 27 pp.

q

The Weight of Glory

by C.S. Lewis

Ch. 1, The Weight of Glory Sermon

Bookstores 15 pp.

Notes:



http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/node/1435&type=recent

Defend

q

The Reason for God

by Tim Keller

Chs. 12 & 13

Bookstores 27 pp.

qDid Jesus Really Rise from the Dead? (DVD, Ignatius Press)

60 min.

q Apologetic Question & Answer: Create a bullet-point outline of a reasonable argument that answers the question Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?



Notes:



Live

q

Issues to Ponder:


1. Why is the mission of the church important to Jesus? To the church? To you, the disciple of Jesus?

2. What does the mission of the church say about God’s character? His approach to humanity?

3. What gifts has the Holy Spirit given to you to carry out this mission?

4. How have you seen your God-given passions connect with the needs around you?



5. Where has the Lord used you in mission in the past?

6. Where do you believe you are called to serve in mission now? In the future?

7. How much time do you spend praying and thinking about the mission to which God has called you?

8. How can you encourage other disciples and your church to make the mission of the church a priority?

Notes:



q

Action Assignment:

Meet with a pastor at your church again. Let him know that you have almost completed the Fellows program. Ask if there are ways that you could serve in the future at the church.

Date: _______________

Time: _______________.5 hr



Time: _______________2–3 hrs


Time: _______________2–3 hrs

q MentorDate: _______________

Time: _______________1.5 hrs




Lecture Notes:




Recommended Audio:

• Basic Apologetics Course, Case for the Resurrection, by Art Lindsley (1 hour)

Recommended Books:

• Eternity in Their Hearts by Don Richardson

• From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya by Ruth A. Tucker

• Bruchko by Bruce Olsen

• Through Gates of Splendor by Elizabeth Elliot

• Culture Shift: Communicating God’s Truth to Our Changing World by David Henderson (256 pp.)

• The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog by James Sire (252 pp.)

• Lifeviews by R.C. Sproul (220 pp.)

Recommended Movies:

• Peter & Paul, 1981 with Anthony Hopkins (198 min.)

• The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry, 2008 (96 min.)

• Soul Surfer, 2011 (106 min.)



http://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Case_for_Resurrection_Audio

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.” Matthew 28: 18–20 NIV



Year One Handbook - C.S. Lewis Institute

Documents

Transcript of Year One Handbook - C.S. Lewis Institute