From Hopscotch To Holiness by Aldersgate Renewal Ministries

FROM HOPSCOTCH TO HOLINESS GROWING UP IN CHRIST

MARGIE BURGER

TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction

Chapter 1 Growing in grace

Chapter 2 Growing in wisdom

Chapter 3 Growing in favor with God and man

Chapter 4 Growing in love and compassion

Chapter 5 Growing in holiness

Chapter 6 Growing in freedom and healing

Chapter 7 Growing in supernatural ministry

Chapter 8 Growing the church

Other Resources

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Aldersgate Renewal Ministries The UNITED METHODIST RENEWAL SERVICES FELLOWSHIP, Inc. Aldersgate Renewal Ministries (ARM) is a movement of Christians committed to equip the Body of Christ to minister to the world in the power of the Holy Spirit. ARM’s passion is to educate through learning experiences designed to equip individuals to pray, worship and share their faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit.ARM also seeks to strengthen the local church by providing a strategy of team-led renewal events tailored to the spiritual needs of the congregation. ARM offers tools to help a church establish a vibrant prayer, worship and faith-sharing life fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit.ARM also provides ministry to ministers and leaders through unique events and experiences designed to renew and refresh those who have committed their lives to serve in ministry. Established in 1977, ARM functions as a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation sustained by the grace of God through the gifts of individuals and churches who have caught the vision of ARMMinistering locally, nationally and internationally, we invite you to become involved in what God is doing through Aldersgate Renewal Ministries..” Aldersgate Renewal Ministries 121 East Avenue, Goodlettsville, TN 37072 Phone: 615-851-9192 Fax: 615-851-9372 Email: Info@AldersgateRenewal.org AldersgateRenewal.org Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Cover Design and Interior Production: Tyler Mattingly

From Hopscotch To Holiness

Introduction

hy hopscotch? Hopscotch is a wonderful children’s game. Children learn chalk drawing, counting, hopping dexterity and rule

following. Many of us are familiar with the rules and the fun of the game of hopscotch. However, God recently began to paint a picture for me of the relationship between hopscotch and my personal spiritual journey. There seemed to be many lessons to be learned. This book is the result of processing some of these areas of growth in my own life. I’ve grown in my walk with Christ and my prayer is that you will as well. We know that when playing hopscotch you must throw your small stone at a number on a grid and then hop on one foot following the pattern of numbers in the game. At the midway point, you turn around and return to the starting place. Easy enough, right? The analogy to life became clearer to me with some probing questions from the Lord. For example, “What are you aiming at when you pray? Did you hit the target? Are you living a balanced life as you move through your day? Or are you only hopping on one foot, wobbly and out of balance?” Sometimes we’re growing spiritually and for whatever reason we turn around and move in the opposite direction. “What causes you to turn around and retreat from your passionate pursuit of God? Where is your focus?” On any given day, I would probably answer these questions differently. But maturity in Christ requires consistency. God is looking for perseverance

Introduction

rather than perfection in our daily walk with the Lord. Our heart should always be intent on growing in Christ. The key verses that exemplify the scope of this resource are Ephesians 4:14-16. “Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” We will strive to become in every respect the mature body of Christ. As you study this book with others in the body of Christ, you will be consistently challenged to grow up into the likeness of Christ. That means to me, to look like Christ, to act like Christ, and to react like Christ. But this resource is meant to be more than a Bible study. It will be a means for you to share your own testimony of growing in Christ and to share your honest questions with others. To reap the benefits of this small group experience, you are challenged to read, pray, and worship together. The eight chapters in this resource are each designed to highlight an area of growth in the believer’s life. You will be challenged and encouraged as you study the many scriptures related to becoming like Christ. By God’s grace you will come to a better understanding of the things that hinder your growth and those things that spur you on to grow into the likeness of Christ. But beyond that you will be changed and transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Prayerfully expect to encounter God. The adventure begins as you delve into the scriptures and participate in the group discussions. The study deepens as you participate in prayer and worship activities together. But the real work of the Spirit begins as

From Hopscotch To Holiness

you commit yourself to continue to grow in the Spirit daily and allow the Holy Spirit to use you in ministry to the world.

All references to rules of hopscotch were taken from Hopscotch Rules â&#x20AC;˘ ehow.com/how_2044144_play-hopscotch.html â&#x20AC;˘ askville.amazon.com/basicruleshopscotch All definitions are adapted from Microsoft Word 2010 thesaurus and dictionary.

Chapter 1

Growing In Grace

From Hopscotch To Holiness Hopscotch Rules:

How to win the game of hopscotch: Be the first to hop all the

way through the grid.

GRACE: a gift of God to humankind; in Christianity, the infinite love, mercy, favor and goodwill shown to humankind by God. Grace is a fundamental tenet of Christianity. Romans 3:23-24 states a key understanding of our faith: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” There is not another world religion like Christianity that embraces the grace of God. Christianity teaches us that everything we receive from God – salvation, provision, wisdom, the gift of the Holy Spirit, power to obey, forgiveness of sins etc. – is a result of God’s unmerited favor. We cannot earn grace; we do not deserve grace. But God freely gives us his grace out of his unconditional love for us. God’s grace truly is amazing. 2 Peter 3:18 says: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” Why do we need to grow in grace? Good question. Grace must be received in order for us to walk in this truth. And that’s the point at which we often need to grow. Especially in our self-centered, “I can do it myself” world, freely receiving salvation or any unmerited favor from the Lord often seems incongruous. After we receive Christ as our personal Savior, we still need to grow in many areas of our spiritual life. God freely gives us everything we need for life and godliness, but we must learn how to receive each precious gift from the Lord. Many things can hinder our ability to receive God’s grace.

Growing In Grace

HINDRANCES Many common hindrances derail us from experiencing God’s grace. The following descriptions will help you to find the healing necessary to grow in grace. Ask God to reveal and to heal any hindrances uncovered. Receive God’s grace to practice self-examination. Remember God’s conviction is not condemnation! Whatever the Lord reveals, he desires to heal. Poor self-esteem is very prevalent in the body of Christ. Many people feel unworthy to receive God’s grace because of past trauma in their lives. Often they have buried the reason for their feelings of guilt and shame rather than dealing with the need to find healing. Unconsciously, they say no to God’s grace at just the point they need it most. Only God’s healing grace enables us to know who we are in Christ. Grace and healing is the answer to this very common hindrance. Having our identity and destiny in Christ completely changes our self-esteem. If you see yourself in this stronghold, as I have, understand that God only reveals the hindrance in order to bring healing. Press in, beloved, to know the overwhelming love of the Father. Self-centeredness hinders many people from experiencing God’s grace. For some people, their world revolves around themselves. Their ideas, their plans and desires are paramount. The self demands to be protected, satisfied, and in control. Perhaps unconsciously, they live in a world centered on their needs. The idea that God wants to be the center of their lives is irrelevant at best. Even after we become Christians, we can still have strongholds of self-centeredness. When we receive Christ as our personal Savior, our spirits are made new in an instant. We are new creations in Christ. Consider 2 Corinthians 5:17. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” That is not true of our soul – our mind, our will and our emotions. The

From Hopscotch To Holiness

process of healing of the soul is sanctification, as God changes us from the inside out to become more like Him. Consider 1 Thessalonians 5:23. “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” God desires to replace our self-centeredness with a God-conscious lifestyle. This transformation is the remedy for this crippling hindrance. Simply recognizing and admitting your selfcenteredness is a good first step in finding healing. A stronghold of fear appears in many people as well. Fear hinders them from truly trusting the Lord with every aspect of their lives. Fear leads to worry, anxiety over circumstances, and much striving and stress. Where fear lingers, grace cannot abound. Too many Christians are still operating out of a mindset of fear. But there is a remedy. Praying for inner healing, the healing of memories, can often uproot long-standing fear. Make 1 John 4:18 your prayer. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” Jesus is perfect love and he wants to perfect his love in us. God’s healing presence drives out all fear. By the grace of God, you can say no to fear today. A spirit of religion is another common hindrance. Unfortunately, some religious teaching focuses on works righteousness rather than freely receiving the grace of God. Many churched people have believed false teaching about grace. The truth of Ephesians 2:8-9 is not their experience. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is

not

from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” In addition, I suspect many who are disenfranchised from church suffer from this stronghold as well. Therefore they find themselves on a never-ending treadmill of working to find God’s approval, often through constant religious activity. Rest and receive are not strong concepts in

Growing In Grace

their vocabulary. They have replaced the delight of a personal relationship with Christ with the rules of religion. Because they often have a distorted image of God the Father, they question the grace of God. A loving God who cherishes them completely, regardless of their performance, is foreign to their experience. But again, God always has a remedy. We can find healing and freedom in Christ. If you see yourself, as I have, needing healing from distorted images of God you must tear down the lies of the enemy systematically and replace them with the truth of Christ.

GRACE FREELY RECEIVED Regardless of the hindrances we may face, God’s grace is freely available to each of us. Consider 1 Corinthians 2:12: “What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.” Through the Holy Spirit we can come to know this free gift of God. This understanding will never come from the world; it is imparted to us through the Spirit. This truth about grace is amplified in John 1:17: “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” Grace comes through Jesus Christ! We no longer live under the law. Because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross, we can freely receive God’s grace. As grace-given believers, we are empowered to give grace to others. That is our mandate from the Lord.

GRACE FREELY GIVEN What does receiving and giving grace look like in our daily lives? Consider Matthew 10:8: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” I’m the first to admit this verse rocks my world. It is a directive from the Lord concerning the supernatural ministry every believer should be involved in. It is a command wrapped up in God’s grace. Everything we have received from the Lord, we should freely give to others. Beloved,

From Hopscotch To Holiness

is that how you live your life? Those that have received freely from the Lord should be the most grace-filled givers the world has ever seen. Since God’s grace is limitless, we have unlimited ways to reach out to a hurting, dying world with grace, compassion, love and power. Healing and deliverance are some of the important ways God’s grace manifests through believers. Pause a moment and pray with me. Spirit of the living God, fill me and empower me. I want to be a vital witness of your love and grace in my family, my church, and my community. Lead me by your Spirit to opportunities to share with others. I commit myself to be fully surrendered to your will and your way. Make me a conduit of your healing and deliverance ministry. Amen. Grace feely given to others also affects all our relationships with people. Have you noticed how important our attitudes are in building and maintaining relationships with others? As grace-filled believers we will not succumb to pride, judgmentalism, or criticism. But the reality is I often do just that. My pride can dismiss people before I even get to know them. My tendency to judge people can lead to snap decisions about them without knowing any of the reasons behind their behavior. My tendency to criticize rather than to love people unconditionally shows my need to grow in grace.

GRACE TO OBEY Living a grace-filled life is a daily choice. It requires a daily surrender, a complete abandoning of self, to Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives. One key way to gauge our maturity in Christ is through our obedience. 1 John 2:3-6 provides a key understanding of God’s grace to obey. “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him:

Growing In Grace

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” Living like Jesus did can only happen when we are filled with God’s power and his grace to obey. We are powerless in our own strength to obey the Lord. But if our hearts are actively seeking to obey the Lord, he will faithfully provide the opportunities to demonstrate his grace. Pause and pray once again. By your grace and according to your mercy, empower me, Lord, to be obedient to your will in my life. Come Holy Spirit, fill me that I may be poured out to a hurting world. Amen

GRACE FOR UNANSWERED QUESTIONS From my perspective, being obedient to God’s will in our life seems easiest when we understand God’s will for our future. Absolute, unreserved trust in the Lord is an entirely different challenge. Perhaps that’s why Habakkuk 3:17-18 is so meaningful to me. “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Trusting God enough to rejoice in the Lord even when every circumstance in our lives would scream otherwise is a choice the prophet understood. How do we live like that? We rely on the grace of God. There is grace for unanswered questions. Truthfully, we all have some unanswered questions. When God’s provision seems delayed, when his healing is not forthcoming, when relationships dissolve because of sin or self-centeredness, we all have honest questions for the Lord. He understands. That’s when we need to rely on God’s grace the most. God’s grace enables us to persevere with a heart of thanksgiving and praise to God, perhaps especially when we do not understand God’s ways. Living a life saturated in God’s grace today gives us hope for tomorrow. Receiving and giving grace becomes our daily experience. That’s how to live a Spirit-filled life.

From Hopscotch To Holiness

WINNING AT HOPSCOTCH AND LIFE There are rules for the game of hopscotch. In order to win the game, everyone must agree to the rules and understand how to win the game. The goal of the game of hopscotch is to be the first to hop all the way through the grid. The rules don’t leave any space for grace. The goal is simply to win. In our daily lives, we can also get so caught up in the world’s rules that we forget what our true goal as Christians is. Knowing your goal in life has real impact on your daily decisions. Have you thought recently about your goal in life? So much of my spiritual life revolves around prayer. So, my first thoughts centered on evaluating my goals in prayer. What is your goal in prayer? That is not an idle question. How you define prayer will dramatically affect your practice of prayer. Some people define effective prayer by the results they attain. If they pray and receive the results they desire, they feel affirmed in prayer. Perhaps you’ve experienced that mindset: “I prayed for healing, a new job, a change in my marriage, etc. and God answered my prayer just as I desired.” I love answered prayer as much as anyone. But I choose not to define effective prayer in that light. In life, we win or lose by the choices we make. I choose to define prayer as a relationship with God that grows and matures over time. The practice of prayer, for me, emphasizes intimacy with God. I make seeking God’s presence my ultimate goal. When I encounter God in prayer I am always changed and transformed. By God’s grace, I am daily becoming more like Christ. What is your goal in life? That is a challenging question. I’d answer it this way. I want to live a life that exemplifies Christ. I want to live like Christ, love like Christ, and give sacrificially like Christ. I want to be an example to others that leads them to Christ’s power for their own lives.

Growing In Grace

And ultimately, I want to spend eternity with my Lord and Savior. In other words, I want to live a grace-filled life that gives all glory to the Lord. Heavenly Father, we stand in need of a fresh outpouring of your grace. Amen

PERSONAL REFLECTION AND GROUP SHARING 1. Discuss the hindrances to receiving Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grace mentioned in this chapter. What other hindrances have you experienced in your faith journey? How did you find healing and victory? Where do you need healing today?

2. Everything we have received from the Lord, we should freely give to others. Beloved, is that how you live your life? Discuss ways you personally, or your church together, can better reflect Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grace to others. Recall strategies already in place to reach out to others and prayerfully consider other possibilities for growth.

3. Discuss how the grace of God affects your relationships with others.

4. What is your goal in life? Has it changed as your faith journey has matured? How has knowing your goal as a Christian shaped your ministry?

Growing In Grace

ACTIVITIES FOR SMALL GROUPS 1. Prepare a five minute testimony of your own experience of growing in grace. Perhaps it will begin with how you first accepted God’s grace for yourself and how you’ve come to understand the need to consistently live in grace. Be prepared to share this testimony with your small group.

2. Study the scriptures outlined in this chapter related to grace. Consider some further study on your own. Luke 2:40, Acts 4:33, Acts 13:43, Romans 11:6, 1 Corinthians 15:10 and 2 Corinthians 12:9 are excellent examples for further study on grace.

3. Pray 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 for each other. “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Consider sharing with your small group an area of weakness in your own life where you know you need the grace of God. Then pray for God’s strength to be made perfect in the face of your weakness.

From Hopscotch To Holiness

Chapter 2

Growing InWisdom

From Hopscotch To Holiness

Hopscotch Rules:

Instructions: Draw a hopscotch pattern on the ground or use

masking tape on a floor and number each square in order. Each

player has a marker such as a stone, shell, etc. There are a

variety of grids to choose from.

How to play hopscotch: Stand at the beginning and toss your

marker in the first square. Hop over square 1 (you must skip any

square that has a marker in it) to square 2.

Hop to the end, jump and turn around 180° without leaving the

grid, and hop back.

Pause in square 2 to pick up the marker, and hop out.

Toss the marker in square 2, hop through the same way, then

square 3 and so on.

WISDOM: good sense; the ability to make sensible decisions and judgments based on personal knowledge and experience. Hopscotch seemed like such an easy children’s game until I began to research all the rules. Maybe that is the way you first looked at the concept of wisdom. When beginning the game of hopscotch, you must first draw the pattern on the ground. So that’s where we’ll start our study of wisdom, drawing a basic pattern from the scriptures. Wisdom is not complicated as much as it is many-faceted. Wisdom is good sense. Are we born with good sense? I think not. I think our ability to make sensible decisions and judgments is shaped by our

Growing In Wisdom

parents, our education, our life experience, and our growth. As we look at both the Old and New Testament scriptures for clarity and understanding take special note of the true source of wisdom. Ultimately, all wisdom comes from God. Consider Proverbs 2:6. “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

BEGIN WITH JESUS Our journey of growing in wisdom begins with the example of Jesus. Scripture calls Christ “the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:24) Jesus Christ is the wisdom of God. He embodies the wisdom of God in human form because he took on the role of a servant. He was the wisdom of God and yet during his early life Jesus grew in wisdom. Amazing. Scripture tells us only a few facts about the early life of Jesus. We see references to Jesus as an infant and then at the age of 12. Mary and Joseph presented the infant Jesus at the Temple according to Jewish custom. Consider Luke 2:39-40. “When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.” At the age of 12, Jesus’ family returns to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover. Jesus spends time with the leaders of the temple and they are amazed at his wisdom. Consider Luke 2:46. “Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.” God’s wisdom was already very evident in Jesus’ life. Then Jesus returns to Nazareth with his parents and continues to live in obedience to them. It is during this time that the scriptures say that “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52) I believe there are some life lessons to be extracted from this simple scripture for all of us. Certainly we can learn

From Hopscotch To Holiness

that if Jesus grew in wisdom, we should as well. In addition, it is through obedience to those in authority over us that we often learn wisdom. It is in living our daily lives, often during mundane circumstances, that God enables us to grow in wisdom. Jesus’ example gives us much hope for ways to grow in wisdom.

JESUS’ MINISTRY CHARACTERIZED BY WISDOM Jesus’ ministry was characterized by wisdom. However, not everyone was able to receive his teaching, even when it was accompanied by remarkable miracles. Some judged Jesus by what they knew of his background and family. The scriptures describe Jesus as a prophet without honor in his hometown. Consider Mark 6:1-3. “Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. ‘Where did this man get these things?’ they asked. ‘What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?’ And they took offense at him.” God’s wisdom will offend some. It happened to Jesus and it will probably happen to us. Some people’s hearts may not be open to the truth. Jesus left his hometown amazed at their lack of faith. I’m sure his heart was truly burdened by their unbelief. I’m sure he prayed earnestly for them. But he then went on to other places where his ministry was received more openly. Perhaps there is a life lesson here as well. When we are guided by the Holy Spirit, like Jesus was, we can expect that not everyone will be open to sound biblical teaching. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will direct us to stay and sometimes the Holy Spirit will show us it’s time to move on. By God’s grace we can move on to other places where ministry will be more fruitful. That’s what Jesus did.

Growing In Wisdom

EXAMPLES OF WISDOM IN THE OLD TESTAMENT The Old Testament also gives many examples of God’s wisdom being poured out in the lives of individuals. We’ll look at a few scriptures that clearly show that God is the source of this wisdom. Consider Exodus 31:2-4. “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze.” Even before the New Testament example of Pentecost where believers were filled with the Holy Spirit, God poured out his Spirit on individuals for certain tasks. Bezalel is a great example of the Spirit of God giving wisdom, knowledge and practical skills. Bezalel was chosen to create the designs of gold, silver and bronze works for the tent of meeting. The Lord gave him everything he needed to fulfill this calling. Beloved, when you are called by God for a task, the Lord will always equip you. Perhaps your ministry will be working with your hands or creating artistic designs. Regardless of the task God calls us to, we all stand in need of the empowerment of the Holy Spirit for ministry. King Solomon is a challenging example of someone who was filled with wisdom. He received God’s wisdom because he asked for it. He knew that the task God was calling him to would require much wisdom and he felt inadequate for the task. Consider 1 Kings 3:7-9. “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong.” Meditate on this scripture a moment. I see a strong correlation between

From Hopscotch To Holiness

God’s wisdom and a discerning heart that is able to distinguish between right and wrong. This truth is further exemplified in 1 Kings 4:29 where it is acknowledged that insight and understanding are aspects of God’s wisdom. “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.” When you need wisdom, where do you turn? Is turning to the Lord your first response? That is a growth step for each of us. Growing in wisdom requires a daily dependence on the Lord. When we freely acknowledge our need for more of God’s wisdom, the Lord will freely give us all that we need. He delights in answering that prayer. Beloved, do the challenges of your life require a fresh outpouring of God’s wisdom? Pause for a moment and pray. Gracious Lord, give me a discerning heart to fulfill the tasks you have called me to and the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. Fill me with wisdom, discernment, and understanding. I need you, Lord. Amen

THE FEAR OF THE LORD AND WISDOM The fear of the Lord is often misunderstood. However, the scriptures are clear that there is a definite correlation between the fear of the Lord and wisdom. Consider these scriptures. Psalm 111:10: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.” Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Let’s take a short side trip to investigate the fear of the Lord with the understanding that this study will enhance our growth in wisdom. John Wesley said, “Fear only God and hate only sin.” There are 131 references in the scriptures to fear God or the fear of the Lord. Here are just a few tidbits to whet your appetite for further study.

Growing In Wisdom

Isaiah 33: 5-6 “The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness. He will be a sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.” Do you want the key to salvation, wisdom, and knowledge? I do! The fear of the Lord is that key. Here are some helpful definitions taken from Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. The fear of the Lord is reverence for God that leads to obedience because we realize his power and love. The fear of the Lord is reverence for God as the controlling motive of life. In addition, it is a desire to please God because of reverence for who he is and a wholesome dread of displeasing him. We can infer from these definitions that fear of the Lord is biblical, healthy, and vital. It will enable us to focus on living a life that pleases the Lord. Another helpful scripture is Deuteronomy 10:12-13. “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?” From this added definition, we see that fear of the Lord includes walking in God’s ways, loving him and serving him with all your heart and with all your soul. In addition, our obedience to the Lord comes out of love because we understand that obeying God is for our own well-being. Understanding the connection between the fear of the Lord and wisdom will promote our growth in the Lord.

From Hopscotch To Holiness

WISDOM NEEDED FOR MINISTSRY What is your definition of ministry? In the context of the church, ministry was never meant to be the sole responsibility of ordained clergy. Scripture indicates that every believer is equipped by God for some type of ministry. Consider 1 Corinthians 12:21-26. “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’ On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” All believers are of great importance in the eyes of the Lord. No aspects of ministry should be looked upon as more important than others. However, we sometimes stumble when putting this truth into practice. In the book of Acts we see the apostles dealing with this issue. They felt called to devote their time to prayer and the ministry of the word. That was their primary calling and ministry. They were confident in that leading from the Lord. But they also knew the very real need to care for widows and oversee the daily distribution of food. They needed others in ministry with them who were called and equipped for this ministry of service. Clearly, they needed God’s wisdom to solve their dilemma. Consider Acts 6:2-3. “So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them.’” Who did they

Growing In Wisdom

choose for the ministry of food distribution? Seven people who were full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. Beloved, when you are recruiting individuals for ministry, even seemingly mundane tasks of service, who do you look for? What are your criteria for ministry? The lesson from this scripture is that every believer needs to be full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom for ministry. Whether up front or behind the scenes it does not matter. The only way the body of Christ will be healthy and effective in ministry to the world is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Beloved, do you need wisdom for your ministry? Pause a moment and pray. God of wisdom, pour out your wisdom into my life. I recognize that my ministry has great value in your eyes. Thank you for using me in the body of Christ. Lead and guide me with your wisdom. Amen

HUMAN WISDOM VERSUS GOD’S WISDOM Wisdom comes from many sources. There is wisdom that comes from the world culture and education. Early in life, Moses experienced this type of wisdom. Consider Acts 7:22. “Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.” In the world’s eyes, Moses was powerful because of the wisdom and training that he received from the Egyptians. Human wisdom sometimes comes from education or life experience. But God’s wisdom is in direct contradiction to the wisdom of the world. We know that God humbled Moses in the wilderness and gave him godly wisdom, understanding, and insights that would eventually make him a leader God could use mightily. The story of Moses teaches us that some things have to fall away if we are going to grow in God’s wisdom. Many of us have also walked that difficult path of learning to rely on God’s wisdom that comes through a variety of trials and tribulations. While the journey may be challenging, the rewards of learning wisdom from the Lord are worth every hardship. Looking back, I

From Hopscotch To Holiness

cherish the life-lessons learned during the most difficult times of my life. I would not trade these vital growth experiences. I know I grew in wisdom. I Corinthians 1:22-26 is another great example of the difference between human wisdom and God’s wisdom. “Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.” According to this scripture, God is always wiser than human wisdom. Tapping into God’s wisdom for our daily lives is the key. We do that by humbly asking the Lord for wisdom moment by moment. I’m especially encouraged that all of us can appropriate God’s wisdom. Few of us are of noble birth, influential, or wise by the world’s standards. But God promises to freely give us wisdom that will supersede anything the world has to offer. How do we know if we are operating in God’s wisdom in ministry? Perhaps we look more at the results and less at the messenger or the rhetoric. Consider 1 Corinthians 2:1-5. “And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” Even as a well-educated man

Growing In Wisdom

of his day, Paul did not rely on eloquence or human wisdom. His message relied on a demonstration of the Spirit’s power. He had no other plan. Paul was totally committed to ministry that transformed individuals. And he knew that conviction, change, healing, transformation, and restoration were supernatural works of the Holy Spirit. Paul’s teaching was full of God’s wisdom and power because of his resolve to know nothing except Jesus Christ. What can we learn from Paul’s example? What would it mean in your church if you resolved to make a demonstration of the Spirit’s power your highest priority? Would it change how you pray? Would it change how you worship? I choose to make God’s presence and his power my highest priority. That understanding fuels my prayers on a daily basis. I believe this priority is a key to the renewal of the church and the transformation of individuals.

GOD’S WISDOM REVEALED BY THE SPIRIT God’s wisdom is revealed by the Holy Spirit. The role of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Christ. And the Spirit of wisdom and revelation will lead us to a deeper understanding of Christ. This truth is clarified in Ephesians 1:17-18. “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you.” I want to know Christ more. I’m convinced I need to grow in wisdom and revelation. That’s a great reason to make this scripture our prayer. God of wisdom, I stand in need of your wisdom and revelation. Enlighten the eyes of my heart. Thank you for the calling on my life. Empower me to walk in your wisdom. Amen

From Hopscotch To Holiness

LESSONS FROM HOPSCOTCH FOR LIFE Someday we may outgrow our desire to play hopscotch; but we’ll never outgrow our need for wisdom. In hopscotch the rules are more complicated than I first envisioned. In life, wisdom is deeper and more complex than I first realized. There is no “one size fits all” answer to growing in wisdom. We can easily go through life daily growing older without growing wiser. Growing in wisdom involves learning dependence on the Father just as Jesus did. It means seeking God’s wisdom for all our decisions in life and ministry. Never be confused; God is the source of wisdom. Looking to Jesus rather than the world is the answer. God’s wisdom comes to us in the power of the Holy Spirit. His wisdom will be many-faceted. It’s tailor-made for our daily circumstances. God knows everything we’ll face today and is a rich storehouse of wisdom for our every need. God of wisdom, pour out your perfect wisdom into my life today. Amen

Growing In Wisdom

PERSONAL REFLECTION AND GROUP SHARING 1. Reflect on the ways Jesus grew in wisdom. Are you growing in wisdom? Reflect on the past year. Where have you seen growth? Where do you need to grow?

2. “God’s wisdom will offend some.” Have you found that to be true? Did some people’s response cause you to pray fervently? Give an example where you may have moved on because your ministry was not accepted. Perhaps God has called you to stay and pray. Give an example of God’s perseverance in the face of offense.

3. Moses learned godly wisdom by being humbled in the wilderness. Have you experienced a similar journey? Share how your trial helped you learn the difference between God’s wisdom and human wisdom. At what point in your journey did you truly begin to rely on God’s wisdom?

From Hopscotch To Holiness

ACTIVITIES FOR SMALL GROUPS 1. Study further about the fear of the Lord. Here are some benefits of fearing the Lord: • WISDOM—Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” • PROTECTION – Psalm 34:7 “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” • PROVISION – Psalm 34:9 “Fear the Lord, you his holy people, for those who fear him lack nothing.” • HEALING AND REFRESHMENT – Proverbs 3:7-8 “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

2. Pray for one another to grow in wisdom according to James 1:5. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Share an area in your life where you need wisdom then pray together with thanksgiving for God’s presence. 3. Affirm the ministry of one another. Consider 1 Corinthians 12: 4-6. “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” Take time to speak words of affirmation to the members of your small group. Recognize the gifts of the Spirit you see in them. You may be surprised that others see God at work in you in ways you may not even be aware of.

Chapter 3

Growing In Favor With God And Man

From Hopscotch To Holiness

Hopscotch Rules

How to play hopscotch: Hop through the grid on one foot unless

there are two squares side-by-side, then you jump landing with

one foot in each square.

FAVOR: kind act – an act of kindness performed or granted out of goodwill; approval, support, kindness; token of loyalty – something given or worn as a token of love, allegiance, or goodwill. Take a moment and reflect on the game of hopscotch. Picture yourself jumping on one foot through the hopscotch grid. Are you wobbly as you jump on one foot? Do you plant your feet squarely in the two side-byside numbers on the grid? Practice helps us build balance and dexterity during the game of hopscotch. Likewise, we can grow in favor with God and man through practice. Have you ever thought of the events of your life as practice for growing? In games, we build physical muscles with practice. In life, we also need to build our spiritual muscles in order to grow. More than once, I know I complained to the Lord. “Father, haven’t I learned this lesson yet?” Looking back, it seems obvious that I’m learning life lessons with an ever-increasing intensity. I believe that’s a sign of God’s favor. God’s favor is an action word, but it is definitely not a game. God is constantly affirming our love relationship with him. When God shows his favor, he is demonstrating his kindness and love for us. But we must be aware of God’s goodness if we are to recognize his favor. It’s at exactly this point that some of us may need to grow. Admittedly, sometimes I wobble in my understanding and experience of the favor of God. I know I do not always walk in confidence, receiving the favor of God.

Growing In Favor With God And Man

FAVOR VS. FAVORITISM God’s favor is not favoritism. Consider Acts 10:34 from the story of Peter and Cornelius. “Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism.’” The Good News of Christ is that God does not play favorites. What he does for one, he will do for all. Favoritism is often rooted in partiality and prejudice. It is the way of the world. However, God’s favor is available to all his children. He always acts with righteousness and uprightness. The father-heart of God loves to display his goodwill to us. Beloved, the Lord approves of you. Receive that truth as medicine for your weary soul. Find rest and peace in knowing God’s approval. Allow yourself to meditate on God’s Word and grow in your understanding and acceptance of God’s favor.

FAVOR AND HONOR There is a scriptural connection between favor and honor. Consider Psalm 84:11. “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” The Lord delights in bestowing honor (respect, admiration, esteem) to his children. Sometimes I just stand amazed at the Lord’s favor and goodness in my life. His love for me is often more than I can take in. My response to his favor is simply an intense sense of thanksgiving and a desire to live before the Lord a life that is blameless. All by his grace, my sins are forgiven. I stand before the Lord today blameless because of the blood of Christ that cancels my debt. I remain under the blood of Christ with a lifestyle of forgiveness towards others and that pleases the Lord. I challenge you to make this faith affirmation with me today. I am empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk blameless before you. Thank you, Lord, for not withholding any good thing from my life. I receive your favor today.

From Hopscotch To Holiness

FAVOR AND THE WORLD Your choice to walk blameless before the Lord will have dramatic effects on those around you. Consider the example of Noah from Genesis 6:6-8. “The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, ‘I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.’ But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.” We know that Noah’s desire to please the Lord enabled him to build the ark that saved many from the coming destruction of the world. Admittedly, there was a cost to Noah. He experienced criticism and derision for his stand. He was ridiculed and misunderstood by many during the building of the ark. However, Noah remained faithful and was greatly used by God. God’s favor rested on Noah. In our day, where can God use the bold faith of a Noah to change the course of the world? Everywhere we look, the need is tremendous. I think of many who work tirelessly to rescue those trapped in human sex trafficking and those who consistently work to eradicate hunger and human suffering due to poverty and disease. Surely the favor of the Lord rests on these precious servants of God. Whatever ministry God calls you to, the Lord will establish the work of your hands. His favor is for you! Pause a moment and make Psalm 90:17 your prayer. “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.”

FINDING FAVOR WITH GOD Scripture indicates that there were many individuals who found favor with God. We can learn much from their example. Here are two brief stories from scripture that highlight God’s favor.

Growing In Favor With God And Man

Ruth found favor with God. Consider Ruth 2:13. “’May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,’ she said. ‘You have put me at ease by speaking kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servants.’” Ruth displayed a servant’s heart and a humble spirit. We know that “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (James 4:6) These attributes are keys to finding favor with God. Ruth’s prayer was that she would continue to walk in God’s favor throughout her life. We can live a lifestyle of humility, while constantly receiving God’ favor. Mary, the mother of Jesus also found favor with God. Consider Luke 1:30. “But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.’” Mary was chosen because of her submission to the Lord, a heart attitude that finds favor with God. We also see from Mary’s example that even if God calls us to unbelievably new and challenging ministry, we need not be afraid. God’s favor and grace will sustain and equip us. Mary grew in favor with God as she faithfully lived out her calling and destiny. We can do likewise.

FINDING FAVOR WITH PEOPLE The early church found favor with God and favor with man. Consider Acts 2:46-47. “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” This scripture shows us how God’s favor upon our lives will often spill over into favor with people. The early church was being obedient to what God called them to do. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and ministering with joy and thanksgiving. Awe came upon the church and signs and wonders were prevalent among all the believers. Even their enemies could not find fault with their ministry. They were enjoying the goodwill

From Hopscotch To Holiness

of all the people. Their message was being heard loud and clear. New converts joined their ranks daily. I want to be part of a church like that. Perhaps our life lesson from this story is also a key to church growth. Grow in favor with God and man.

THE YEAR OF THE LORD’S FAVOR I believe there are ordained seasons of growth for individuals and for churches. Isaiah 61 gives us a scriptural understanding of the year of the Lord’s favor. This scripture speaks prophetically of the ministry of Jesus. Consider Isaiah 61:1-4. Take special note of the results of proclaiming the year of the Lord’s favor. “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.” My short list of transformation that results from God’s favor includes freedom, comfort, beauty, joy, praise and righteousness. In addition, God’s favor affects communities of faith as well as individuals. There will be rebuilding, restoration, and renewal of cities, even those long devastated. I yearn to be a part of that type of widespread renewal and revival. Take a moment and pray with me. Gracious Father, enable me to be a conduit of your grace and favor in this world. Use me to rebuild ancient ruins, blessing those parts of the church and the community devastated for generations. Amen

Growing In Favor With God And Man

LESSONS FROM HOPSCOTH AND LIFE The scriptures say that Jesus grew in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:52) Therefore, I have hope for growth and maturity in my walk with Christ. In the game of hopscotch, we grow stronger and more balanced with practice. Our aim becomes steadier as we continue to play and our accuracy increases. We have more joy in playing the game of hopscotch as we experience greater success. Our joy overflows as we interact with others. These are good life lessons for each of us. May your life be a reflection of growth in favor with God and man. Heavenly Father, help us to grow in favor with God and man. Amen

PERSONAL REFLECTION AND GROUP SHARING 1. Discuss the difference between favor and favoritism. Where have you experienced favoritism in the world? How have you experienced Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favor?

2. What does it mean to you to find favor with God? How do the examples of Mary and Ruth help you understand growing in favor? What growth steps do you need to take today? Use the space below to write out these steps.

3. The early church found favor with God and man. How does their example compare with the ministry of your local church today? What is something you personally, or your church together, might consider doing differently to grow in favor with God and man? Make a faithdriven plan in the space below.

From Hopscotch To Holiness

ACTIVITIES FOR SMALL GROUPS 1. Pray for one another according to Psalms 90:17. “May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.” Ask God to establish the work of your hands.

2. Study Isaiah 61 in more depth. Make a list of the ways your church is proclaiming the Good News to the poor, or binding up the brokenhearted or proclaiming freedom to the captives. Pray together asking the Lord to fulfill his kingdom priorities in your church. Ask God to give you his strategy to fulfill this mandate.

Chapter 4

GrowingIn Love And Compassion

From Hopscotch To Holiness

Hopscotch rules: Watch out! You’re out if: • Your marker fails to land in the right square. • You hop on a space that has a marker in it.

LOVE: adoration, devotion, feel tender affection for, hold dear; God’s love for humanity – in Christianity, the mercy, grace and charity shown by God to humanity. COMPASSION: sympathy, especially for the suffering of others, often including a desire to help, empathy, concern, kindness. The love and compassion of Christ is paramount to our understanding of how to live our lives as believers. Consider Ephesians 5:1-2. “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Do you know, really know at the core of your being, that you are a dearly loved child of God? That question cannot be answered flippantly. Many believers need to grow specifically at this very point. This was certainly an area of growth in my life. I came into faith in Christ with a lot of baggage from my past. I experienced feelings of insecurity and unworthiness that hindered me from receiving the love of Christ. I certainly did not think of myself as a dearly loved child of the King. But I learned how to tear down the lies of the enemy and replace them with the truth of who I am in Christ. Beloved, you can do likewise. Knowing your identity in Christ is an important key to growing in the love and compassion of Christ.

Growing In Love And Compassion

The game of hopscotch contains many rules that will put you out of the game. And the enemy of your soul would love nothing more than to sideline you in life. Hopefully, this study will empower you to say no to the enemy and yes to the love and compassion of Christ in new and profound ways.

IMITATING GOD Let’s take another look at Ephesians 5:1-2 from the Message. “Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” Which comes first? Imitating God or knowing that we are dearly loved children? I contend that we must first come to know, really know, that we are dearly loved children of the Lord. Then, and I believe only then, can we truly be imitators of God. When we have a healthy view of who we are in Christ we will want to be like our Father, to imitate Him. Imitation is really a high form of flattery. We imitate those we admire and love. We all instinctively want to be like our parents. From a very early age, we watch our parents and often we desire to do the things they do. Did your Dad like to work on cars, for example? If so, you probably watched him and yearned for the day that you could help him with his projects. Take a moment to remember the ways you wanted to imitate your parents. Our children sometimes imitate us even when we wish they wouldn’t. Bad habits, unhealthy patterns of behavior, are often passed unconsciously to our children. Watch a young child playing house, for example, and you’ll

From Hopscotch To Holiness

often recognize how they see your marriage or your styles of discipline. Honestly, sometimes we cringe at those pictures. I know I did. There was a time in my life when I had a terrible temper and that temper often spilled over into how I disciplined my children. I regret many of those incidents. I remember one painful example of losing my temper with my eldest son when he was very young. His response brought me to tears. He simply said, “That’s OK Mom, I’ll pray for you.” And he did. I believe his prayers were instrumental in God’s transforming work in my life. Praise the Lord. But the good news is healthy choices and loving patterns of behavior can also be passed on to our children. If your children see you making a choice to serve the poor, or exercise your body to maintain your temple of the Holy Spirit, or give generously to those in need, they will likely follow your example. Healthy imitation by our children is delightful. Do you imitate Christ in the way that you talk? Are you conscious of building up others rather than tearing them down? Do you ever participate in gossip, criticism, sarcasm, or unhealthy joking? If so, I pray that today you will take those habits to the cross. Allow the Lord to change you by the power of the Holy Spirit. We can also grieve the Holy Spirit when we fail to obey his promptings in love. Our failure to make that phone call or reach out with love to someone in need when we hear God’s whispered directions, makes the Holy Spirit sad. Perhaps you’ve grieved the Holy Spirit with your reactions to situations. Have you been guilty of anger, rage, or bitterness? If you have grieved the Holy Spirit in any way, the remedy is repentance. Forgiveness will restore you to a right relationship with the Lord. His arms are open wide, waiting for you today.

Growing In Love And Compassion

GOD IS PERFECT LOVE God’s love is an essential ingredient for everything we do and say each day. We need to be filled with the character and nature of God, who is perfect love. Paul makes this clear in his instructions to the church at Colossae. Consider Colossians 3:13-15. “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Forgiveness, forbearance, unity, and all of the attributes of God culminate in perfect love. In this world, only God’s love is perfect. However, we are always growing towards the perfection of Christ. Let’s consider three important attributes of Christ’s love. This is how God expects us to love others. God’s loves is unconditional. Consider Romans 8:38-39. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Nothing can separate us from the love of God! That is extravagant love. When you hold up the mirror of God’s Word, we easily recognize how far short we fall of love that is unconditional like God’s love for us. More often than I’m willing to admit, the love that I show to others has conditions. I’ll love you if; I’ll love you when. If you fulfill my expectations. When you love me back. If you agree with me. When it suits my schedule and my agenda. If you clean up your act, then I’ll love you. I have a long way to go to love like Christ unconditionally. How about you, Beloved? God shows me unconditional love even when I stumble and fail to love. Even when my performance falls abysmally short of God’s standard of love, my position in Christ remains unchanged. The Lord continues to affirm our position in him despite my failures. And amazingly, God loves me enough to provide a way for me to

From Hopscotch To Holiness

change. Day by day, I’m growing in God’s love. That’s good news. Second, God loves perfectly. Consider 1 John 4:7. “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” True love comes from God. Only when we are born of God and know God can we love like Jesus. God’s perfect love does not bring condemnation. That’s a vital truth. Condemnation means censure, judgment, blame, criticism, or attack. Condemnation is the specialty of the enemy. The Lord is not shaking his finger at us in accusation. Rather, God’s love brings conviction and his invitation to us to grow up into Christ. Conviction is God’s way of showing us we need to change. But God’s conviction always comes with hope. Condemnation never does. Mature love like Christ has for us will make all the difference in the way we relate to others. Take a moment and ask God to evaluate your relationships with others according to 1 John 4:7. I know I fall short. My prayer is: Help me, Lord! God also loves sacrificially. Consider Romans 5:8. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The death of Christ on the cross is the supreme demonstration of his sacrificial love for us. Amazingly, he was willing to die for us while we were lost in sin. Jesus didn’t wait for us to clean up our act to love us. Perhaps that’s the greatest lesson of true love for each of us. What would sacrificial love look like in your daily life? Are you willing to sacrifice time, financial resources, or personal plans to show love to others? How would Christ’s sacrificial love change the way you dialogue with others? I believe the words from our mouth are a direct result of the love or lack of love in our hearts. For me, it’s a true picture of my maturity in Christ. Pause for a moment and pray with me. Loving Father, empower me to follow your example of extravagant, sacrificial love. Allow all of my plans and decisions today to be saturated in the love of Christ. Allow me to live in love and to speak out of love. Amen

Growing In Love And Compassion

RECEIVING GOD’S LOVE God’s word seems clear that we are to walk in love and purity. Without exception, Jesus always walked in purity and love. Because he was a pure vessel, the power of God flowed through Jesus unhindered. How can you follow Christ’s example? Honestly, how do we do that? Hopefully, by now we are assured that God’s grace gives us everything we need for life and godliness. Love and purity must come through the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5 is a powerful scripture and a wonderful example of how to receive God’s love. “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Clearly, we receive God’s love by the power of the Holy Spirit. I love the imagery of this verse. Visualize God’s love being poured out into your heart. What does the container look like in your vision? The container the Holy Spirit uses is LARGE. It is big enough to overflow the heart of every believer. I stand in need of that experience today and every day. Thankfully this experience of being filled with God’s love is repeatable. Whenever we need God’s love to overflow into our hearts, we can stand under the fountain of his love. The supply is endless. And it’s a free gift to be freely received. God’s love is given to us, Beloved. What’s your response to this amazing gift? Open your heart today and receive a fresh infilling of God’s love.

GROWING IN LOVE We can all grow in love. Regardless of how much we currently understand and receive God’s love, there is always more. Paul understood our need to grow in love as he prayed for the church in Philippi. Consider Philippians 1:9. “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more.” Abound is an interesting word. Synonyms are thrive, flourish, prosper, and overflow. God’s love is boundless and only the Holy Spirit can enable

From Hopscotch To Holiness

us to love others with the love that comes from God. I recognize that my own attempts to love others are so shallow and selfish. When I look at the example of Christ I easily recognize my need to grow in love. The world is waiting for a demonstration of true love that reflects the nature of Christ. Only as we are immersed in the Holy Spirit can we live in love and touch people with perfect love. The reality for many of us is we base our relationship with God on performance. I know I’ve done that. And sometimes the harder we try to live the Christian life in our own strength, the more frustrated and dejected we become with our failures. We become convinced that God is scowling at us, turned away in disgust. We become human doings rather than human beings. We’re always trying a little harder, doing a little better to earn God’s approval. That is my testimony. I lived in that predicament for a long time. What’s the remedy? The answer is in knowing the truth. Our worth must be established on the truth of who we are as dearly loved children of God rather than what we do. As we experience the indwelling presence of God through the Holy Spirit and divine healing of our past we are better able to reflect God’s love and worth in our own life. And the more we are assured of the truth of our identity in Christ the more we will live in a God-dependent relationship with the Father, imitating what he does. “Love like that.” (Ephesians 5:2, The Message)

LOVE AND COMPASSION There is an important connection between love and compassion. I’m challenged by the definition of compassion that includes sympathy, especially for the suffering of others, often including a desire to help. A call to action is wrapped up in that definition of compassion. The desire to help must be played out in our relationships with others. We must do more than think about compassion; we must act with compassion. That

Growing In Love And Compassion

means, for me, every day, with everyone, and in every relationship I need the compassion of Christ. My prayer must be: Holy Spirit, fill me with the fruit of your Spirit which is love. Enable me to show love and compassion to all.

LOVE ONE ANOTHER Many times throughout scripture we are admonished to love one another. Romans 13:8-10 is a good example. “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,’ and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” It seems so clear. When we love, we are like Christ. When we love, we please God. When we love as Christ expects us to, we fulfill the law. All of scripture is summed up in love. Loving others is our mandate from the Lord. Consider 1 Peter 1: 22. “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.” This scripture reminds us that purity develops as we obey the truth of Christ. Even after we’ve grown to sincerely love others, there is more. Peter is encouraging the believers to love one another deeply, from the heart. There’s always room for growth. We need to continually ask the Lord to teach us to love from the heart, not from the head. Not just with words, but also with actions. Not just what shows on the surface, but with every fiber of our being. To know and embrace God’s love probably means that we have some things to learn and some things to un-learn. I know that’s true in my life.

From Hopscotch To Holiness

Who modeled the love of God in your life? All of us have probably experienced some healthy examples and several unhealthy examples. If your experience of love did not line up with scripture, you probably have some obstacles to overcome. But don’t be discouraged. We are all learning to love from the example of Jesus. There is healing for any hindrance to love you may face. Ask the Lord today.

LESSONS FROM HOPSCOTCH AND LIFE The game of hopscotch contains many rules that will put you out of the game. And the enemy of your soul would love nothing more than to hinder your witness for Christ. The enemy cripples you with fear and sidetracks you with hurts and pain in relationships. The enemy has trapped many of us too long in feelings of unworthiness, guilt, shame, and bitterness from our past. These all hinder us from freely receiving the love of God for ourselves and displaying that love to others. Beloved, don’t let the enemy win. He’s a defeated foe. Claim your victory in Christ. Allow his love to fill you today. God of love, fill me today with your love. Cleanse me of anything that hinders me from living a life of love. I am a trophy of your grace, empowered to love others with your sacrificial love. Amen

Growing In Love And Compassion

PERSONAL REFLECTION AND GROUP SHARING 1. Discuss Ephesians 5:1-2 from the Message. What insights about love did you glean from this version? How will these truths help you “Love like that”?

2. God loves us unconditionally. Discuss some of the ways outlined in this chapter that we put conditions on love. Where is your greatest failure? Where is your greatest victory?

3. What would sacrificial love look like in your daily life? Discuss ways you showed sacrificial love to someone this week. Where do you need to grow?

4. Discuss the visualization of Romans 5:5 suggested in this chapter. Share with the group what you saw and experienced. How have you experienced the Holy Spirit pouring out his love into your life? What were the circumstances that caused you to cry out for more of God’s love?

5. Discuss Romans 13:10:“Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.” Do you see the link between the Old and New Testament in this verse? How did Jesus fulfill the law?

From Hopscotch To Holiness

ACTIVITIES FOR SMALL GROUPS 1. Each of us needs to know that we are dearly loved children of God. Share with each other some reasons why this may be difficult for you. Pray Ephesians 5:1-2 for each other. Ask God to grow you up in love.

2. Consider Ephesians 4:32 again. Write out examples of acts of kindness and compassion that you have participated in. Be prepared to share these with your small group. Spur each other on to love like Christ with your testimonies. Use the space below to begin your testimony.

3. Pray Philippians 4:8, “ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Practice faith confessions this week that will strengthen your understanding of God’s love and compassion for you. Here are some confessions to get you started. • I am blessed because I am a unique creation of the King of Kings. (Psalm 139:14) • I am loved by Jesus. (1 John 4:9) • I am adopted into God’s royal family. (Luke 15:10) • My past is washed away and I have a completely new identity in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Chapter 5

Growing In Holiness

From Hopscotch To Holiness

Hopscotch rules:

Watch out! You’re out if:

• You step on a line.

• You lose your balance when bending over to pick up the

marker and put a second hand or foot down or hop outside

the grid.

• You hop into a single space with both feet.]

HOLINESS: sanctity, sacredness, godliness, purity, consecrated or set apart for the Lord. Throughout scripture we see glimpses of the holiness of God. In both the Old and New Testament, the character of God is absolute holiness. God is worthy of praise simply because he is entirely holy, pure, and righteous. Faith enables us to believe in a God who is always perfect. He never makes a mistake. The Lord far outshines any earthly examples of goodness we may think of. My heart cries with the scriptures, “Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you—majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” (Exodus 15:11)

BE HOLY Our holy God calls each of us to be holy. Consider Leviticus 19:1. The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the entire assembly of Israel and say to them ‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.’” What does this scripture mean in our daily lives? How do we learn holiness? How do we grow to be more like our holy God? That is our focus for this chapter.

Growing In Holiness

Take note of the rules of hopscotch included in the introduction. These are more rules that will put you out of the game. There are some parallels from these rules of hopscotch to lessons for our life. For example, we may have focused so much on the things in our life that are not yet made holy that we are living defeated lives. We’re “out” before we even realize, mostly because of our own unhealthy attitudes. Some of us develop a mindset that only God is holy and we can never measure up to his desires for our lives. We live as sinners saved by grace, but believe we are destined to sin every day in thought, word, and deed. The idea that God calls us to holy living seems so far-fetched. We become self-centered rather than God-centered. We never think of ourselves as saints (Romans 1:7), called by God to live a holy life. We’ve long ago given up the idea of growing into the likeness of Christ. Beloved, that should not be. Saints, you can live a holy life, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

LEARNING HOLINESS God has abundant resources at his disposal to teach us the priority of holiness. And the Lord will use them all to help us draw nearer to him. Consider Hebrews 12:6. “My child, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, or lose heart when you are punished by him; for the Lord disciplines those whom he loves, and chastises every child whom he accepts.” God does discipline us because he loves us. Much like a faithful parent chastises a child, God disciplines us. But he never wants us to lose heart. The purpose of God’s discipline is emphasized in Hebrews 12:9-10. “Moreover, we had human parents to discipline us, and we respected them. Should we not be even more willing to be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share his holiness.” God desires for us to share his holiness! The Lord builds godliness into our character because he is preparing us to live with him

From Hopscotch To Holiness

in eternity. But more than that, he needs us to exhibit the holiness of God each and every day to a hurting world. As we devote ourselves to the Lord in worship and prayer, God shapes us with the divine qualities of our Heavenly Father. The world is eager to see the holiness of God in our everyday witness.

A PERSONAL JOURNEY As you pursue holiness, have you experienced the discipline of the Lord? Did you sense it was for your good? Those are important questions for you to reflect on. Each of us has a personal journey with the Lord. And the path we take toward holiness may vary greatly. But our pursuit of godliness and holiness will invariably contain elements of trials and tribulations. As we are in training with the Lord, we should remember 1 Timothy 4:8. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.â&#x20AC;? Especially as we endure trials, we need to ask the Lord for his eternal perspective. Godliness has great value in this present life and is required for eternity. Our mandate from the Lord is to pursue godliness by allowing the Lord to strip away anything in our lives that does not reflect the divine qualities of God. My testimony is that I resisted God and his discipline often before I understood that the Lord was always working for my benefit. I looked more at my circumstances than I did at the character of Christ being developed in me. Often I allowed grumbling and complaining to seep into my daily walk. Or worse yet, I sometimes compared my circumstances to others and became bitter or resentful. I found peace only when I consistently asked God to reveal more of his love for me.

CONDITION OR POSITION Sometimes I looked at my current condition in Christ and I felt like giving

Growing In Holiness

up. I saw so clearly my lack of holiness that I felt defeated. During that time I remember hearing some good teaching about the difference between a Christian’s position in Christ and our condition. At any given time, our condition may be that we have sinned. But our position in Christ remains unchanged. The truth is I have been “chosen and destined by God the Father and sanctified by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with his blood” (1 Peter 1:2). I carry the righteousness and holiness of God within me because I have been filled with the very Spirit of God. That is my position in Christ. My condition may change daily, but my position in Christ never does.

THE WORLD’S WAY OR GOD’S WAY Living a life of holiness and godliness often means laying aside the ways of the world. We are constantly bombarded with choices. And choosing God’s way will sometimes be a challenge. Consider 1 John 2:15-17.“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” Simply put, we cannot love both the world and the Father. The church must be vigilant. It is entirely too easy to adopt the perspectives, values and attitudes of our culture. As Christians, we are called to sift everything we think and do through the lens of God’s Word. However, we must admit that the allure of the world can be very powerful. The pull to respond with the world’s solutions to problems can be our downfall. Our culture says stress can be alleviated, at least temporarily, by buying or accumulating material possessions. The world invites us to indulge our body’s desires and wants or escape from our responsibilities with addictive behaviors. Too many carnal Christians have neglected to follow Luke 9:23. “Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever

From Hopscotch To Holiness

wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’” However, God offers a remedy. We can live our lives from the perspective that our citizenship is now in heaven as we eagerly await Christ’s return. (Philippians 3:20) Christ’s way is the answer to living a holy life.

JESUS IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS Our understanding of holiness must center on Jesus Christ. Consider 1 Corinthians 1:30. “He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.” Jesus alone is our source of righteousness. That is the good news of the gospel. Any attempts we make to be holy or righteous before God apart from the finished work of Jesus on the cross will fail miserably. Beloved, that should free us up from all striving and stress. We must just receive the holiness that comes from the Lord. Only when the holiness of Jesus lives within us can we live a righteous life.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE SPIRIT OF HOLINESS The Holy Spirit changes and transforms us from the inside out. Consider 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24. “May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.” Sanctification is the powerful process that the Lord uses to make us more and more like him. God does this solely because he is faithful. Take a moment and pray for the work of sanctification in your life. Loving Father, you amaze me with your grace and faithfulness. Thank you for changing me from the inside out to become more like you each day. As I pursue godliness, allow the things of the world and the flesh to be stripped away. Empower me to be holy because you are holy. Amen

Growing In Holiness

The Holy Spirit also refines us with fire. Consider Malachi 3:2-3. “For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.” The purification process of the Holy Spirit is never enjoyable, but it certainly is necessary. Just like a metallurgist turns up the heat in order to remove impurities from silver, the Lord turns up the heat in our lives to bring the dross of the flesh to the surface so that he can remove it. The pain of the process is best overcome by remembering the love of the Father and his desire to see us become like him. Truly, our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:29) Beloved, what does he need to consume in your life? Will you give him the freedom to refine you with fire? Can you trust his love for you enough to totally surrender to the process? It is a key to growing in holiness. I remember a time in my life when God put his finger on my life and clearly showed me that I had a pattern of lying. Lying was so entrenched in my life that I truly was unaware how much I failed to tell the whole truth. I needed to change, but felt powerless to do so. I needed to know God as a consuming fire. I am so grateful for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to live a holy life. When I first came to know Christ, I had little or no understanding of the person and work of the Holy Spirit. The Christian life for me revolved around human effort to change and much disappointment as I saw myself make little true progress toward holiness. I’m deeply grateful for the Spirit-filled believers God used to teach me the truth of God’s Word and to model the Spirit-filled life. Consider 2 Corinthians 6:16-18. “For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome you, and I will be your father, and you shall be my sons

From Hopscotch To Holiness

and daughters’, says the Lord Almighty.” God promises to live in us in the power of the Holy Spirit. That’s why the Lord can call us to be set apart from the world for his holy purposes. Sin can and will be uprooted in your life by the power of the Holy Spirit. God is calling each of us, and the church worldwide, to a greater understanding and experience of holiness and submission. These are strategic days in God’s kingdom. The Lord is returning for his church. And he promises that it shall be “holy and without blemish.” (Ephesians 5:27) Beloved, make a conscious choice to embrace God’s work of holiness in your life. It’s worth the price. By God’s grace, you’ll radiate the love and holiness of God every day. Then you will be ready for his return.

HOLINESS AND OBEDIENCE Romans 6:17-18 clarifies the connection between holiness and obedience. “But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” Once, before we knew Christ, all of us were slaves of sin. Sin dominated our lives. Living a holy life was a total impossibility. But thanks to our personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we have now becomes slaves of righteousness. We don’t just obey God out of duty. Instead, we have become “obedient from the heart.” We now have an honest desire to obey the Lord in all things and walk in his holiness. Daily, we’re growing in holiness and obedience.

Growing In Holiness

LESSONS FROM HOPSCOTCH AND LIFE In hopscotch you are out if you lose your balance and accidentally hop outside the grid. In our spiritual life, we can easily get out of balance as well. The challenge for each of us is to stay centered in the holiness of God. Many forces can draw our attention away from the Lord and cause us to lose our balance. Certainly, that is the goal of the enemy. And numerous temptations in the world may cause us to stray from the path marked out for Christians in the Bible. We need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to walk in victory. But even Spirit-filled Christians can get out of balance concerning the role of the Holy Spirit. Scripture makes it clear (John 16:14) that the role of the Holy Spirit is to glorify Jesus. Beloved, pray that you will always maintain balance in your spiritual walk. Then you will live a holy life that pleases the Lord and lead others to Christ. Holy God, empower me to live a holy life, centered in the truth of your Word. Amen

From Hopscotch To Holiness

PERSONAL REFLECTION AND GROUP SHARING 1. What does holiness mean in your daily life? How do you learn holiness? How do you grow to be more like our holy God? What spiritual disciplines might add to your growth? 2. How have you experienced the discipline of the Lord in your life? Did you feel it was for your own good? Did you experience growth in holiness as a result of God’s discipline? 3. Discuss the difference between condition and position for a Christian. How might this understanding help you to grow in holiness? 4. Discuss what it means to you to lay aside the ways of the world and choose God’s way. How have you followed God’s Word to make those choices? How are we to respond to the world? 5. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of holiness. Discuss how the Holy Spirit changes us from the inside out. How have you experienced the refining fire of the Lord?

Growing In Holiness

ACTIVITIES FOR SMALL GROUPS 1. Pray Ephesians 5: 25-27 for your church. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” Intercede that you will be holy and blameless at Christ’s return. Ask God for ways you might prepare for his return. 2. Spend time in prayer worshipping God for his holiness. Use these scriptures to shape the themes of your prayers. Worship in spirit and truth will break down any barriers and help you walk in holiness. •“Who among the gods is like you, LORD? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” (Exodus 15:11) •“Your decrees are very sure; holiness befits your house, O Lord, forevermore.” (Psalm 93:5) •“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” (Isaiah 6:3) •“To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (I Timothy 1:17) •“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” (Revelation 7:12) 3. Pray Romans 6:17-18 over the members of your small group. “But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” Trust that Jesus will be Lord over every area of your life, making you holy from the inside out. Pray that you will truly desire holiness of heart and life.

From Hopscotch To Holiness

Chapter 6

Growing In Freedom And Healing

From Hopscotch To Holiness

Hopscotch rules:

Play until you are “out.” If you lose your balance or put your foot

in the wrong place, you lose your turn to the next player.

FREEDOM: Liberty, lack of restrictions, free will, release from captivity or slavery, right to act or speak freely, absence of something unpleasant. HEALING: Recovery, restoration, wholeness, medical treatment, the process of curing or becoming well. Do you think of your spiritual journey more as a sprint or a marathon? When you consider growing into the likeness of Christ, are you tempted to give up or are you committed to persevere to the end? In hopscotch, we are told to play until you are “out.” During the game there are many things than will cause you to put your foot in the wrong place and lose your turn. Most of us hate to lose. Therefore, we play to win. Competitiveness, even in children, will often keep us playing the game. But what about winning in life? What spurs us on to continue to run the race all the way to the end? In this chapter we’re looking at growing in freedom and healing. Christ exhibited total freedom and he walked in divine healing and health. Because of his great love for us, God always desires us to walk in greater freedom from our past, from our sins, or from anything that would hinder us today. And the Lord is the source for this transformation. In this context, the ability to walk in freedom is given to believers to demonstrate the miraculous power and love of God. As we are set free, we are then empowered to minister God’s freedom and healing to others. Freely we receive and freely we give to others. Therefore, walking in the freedom and healing of God will always spur us into action. It is a key to our effectiveness in ministry.

Growing In Freedom And Healing

WHERE DO WE FIND FREEDOM? Freedom is found in Jesus Christ. Consider John 8:36. “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Christ is our source. Often, we experience freedom as a process that the Lord brings us through. So we have to trust the Lord in that process and submit to his work in our lives. This is often a growth step for each of us. Freedom is found in the Lord’s presence. Consider 2 Corinthians 3:17. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” Through the Holy Spirit’s presence, freedom and healing will be manifest as we worship and pray and live our lives in passionate pursuit of the things of God. Freedom is a natural by-product of spending time in the Lord’s presence. We are set free from past condemnation. Chains that bind us begin to be loosed in God’s presence. We find freedom from struggles with our true identity as God’s presence surrounds us and fills us. We receive a fresh understanding of our worth in God’s kingdom while worshipping in God’s presence. We learn what it means to worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth. (John 4: 23-24) Worshipping in the Spirit means to be led and directed by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit enables us to worship the Lord unhindered. Jesus continually beckons us to come to him. Worship sets our thoughts on things above, where Jesus is seated, and opens our spiritual eyes to the very presence of God. From the place of worship and prayer, we are able to cast our cares upon the Lord and receive his joy, strength, healing, and restoration. Prayer and worship are two vital keys to transformation and walking in the freedom of the Lord.

OUR ATTEMPTS TO FIND FREEDOM We often attempt to find freedom through human effort. For example, the world offers a variety of self-help books, seminars and mentors that claim to make our life better. They promise freedom and happiness.

From Hopscotch To Holiness

Unfortunately, human effort often leads to greater bondage. How does this happen? Entrenched self-centeredness and willful disobedience to God’s ways gives the enemy a foothold in our lives. Human effort to change is in direct contradiction to surrender and dependence on the Lord. God’s way is totally different. True freedom is experienced when we understand that we belong to God, the one who sets us free. We willingly choose to belong to the Lord; therefore, we are free. Romans 6:18 tells us Christians are now “slaves to righteousness.” True freedom lies in a life fully committed to God, lived as God originally intended from the example of Adam in the Garden of Eden. The paradox is we find freedom in dying to self. We choose to empty ourselves of selfish thoughts and actions in order that we might fully depend on the Lord. Consider Philippians 2:3-4. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Only the power of the Holy Spirit can enable us to live out this truth.

DYING TO SELF Now consider Philippians 2:3-6 from the Message. “Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn’t think so much of himself that he had to cling to that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privilege of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human!” Scripture indicates that Jesus set us an example of being a servant. He taught us to do nothing from selfish ambition. Nothing! This word challenges us to set our own needs and desires aside for the good of others. In order to make this instruction a reality, we must be

Growing In Freedom And Healing

empowered by the Holy Spirit to think and respond like Christ. How are you doing, Beloved? These probing questions may be helpful in determining your need to die to self. • How do I react when I am forgotten and neglected? • What is the reaction of my heart when I am insulted or spoken evil of? • Do I rise up with anger or the need to defend myself when my wishes are disregarded or my advice is not heeded? • Have I learned to be content in any circumstance, even when food, clothes, climate, or people may be challenging? When you truly never care to exalt yourself in conversation or experience the need for acclamation from others, that is death to self. When you can see others prosper and honestly rejoice with them from the heart, that is death to self. When you can receive correction from someone you consider a subordinate and can still submit humbly, that is death to self. Dying to self is an ongoing decision. Yes, we can make a first-time commitment to the Lord and specifically ask the Lord to purge us of our selfish, self-centered desires. You are encouraged to do that today. But we must also die to self on a daily basis. Every day, we are confronted with the temptations of self. Without that realization, we will constantly fall victim to the enemy’s attacks. The pit of self-pity is always waiting and ready for us to fall into. The key to victory is submission to the Lord and his ways. When the temptations come to exalt ourselves or feel angry or anxious because of our circumstances, we must be quick to cry out to the Lord. He will rescue us. He will strengthen us. His power will enable us to fight the good fight of faith. He will give us the victory over the enemy.

From Hopscotch To Holiness

Coming to the cross is the answer. God gives us a new nature which is the result of Jesus’ finished work on the cross. Our part is simply to admit our inadequacy and accept God’s gift of redemption. Beloved, we need freedom from anything hindering our fellowship and intimacy with God. Perhaps you see yourself in this picture. You truly want to know freedom from bitterness, resentment, broken relationships, sinful behaviors, and feelings of unworthiness, but the cycle of bondage continues. How is our freedom accomplished? Only through total surrender at the cross. And interestingly, when we’ve tasted the true freedom that comes from God we will always want more. That’s the process of growth. Then the cycle continues as our growth in freedom spurs us on to more surrender and more growth.

STAND FIRM The process of growth involves standing firm in the victories Christ establishes in our lives. Consider Galatians 5:1. “For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” The Holy Spirit enables us to act contrary to our sinful nature and natural impulses. That’s the joy of the Spirit-filled life. When we learn to walk by the Spirit we are released from hatred, jealousy, rage, envy, selfishness and all manner of sinful behaviors. The fruit of the Spirit begins to grow strong in our lives. However, remaining free is a choice. Slaves can choose to live in slavery even after they are emancipated. I can relinquish my freedom. How does that happen? By choosing to return to my old ways. For example, when I insist on being in control, even after I’ve tasted the freedom of the Lord, I am in danger of becoming enslaved again. When I revert to self-centeredness, demanding my own way, I am in danger of building walls around my heart that keep God out. Even though I have the power to lay aside these encumbrances, I may choose

Growing In Freedom And Healing

not to. Because of Christ, I no longer have to be a slave to sin, to self, or to others. But I must stand firm in God’s mandate to love. Consider Galatians 5:13-14. “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” God’s freedom is not a release from all restraint. It is not a license to indulge our sinful nature. Rather, freedom is the believer’s opportunity to choose to serve one another in love. God’s love flowing freely through us will cause us to willingly serve one another. Amazing! Jesus understands our temptations. As long as we live in this world, we will sometimes fail. God does not accuse us when we fail. The voice of accusation belongs to the enemy. The Lord cherishes and accepts us. Because of his unconditional love for you and me, the Lord is constantly at work to help us live in victory and freedom. Consider Hebrews 2:18. “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” Jesus makes it possible for us to lay aside our old nature. The Lord wants to empower us to live righteously. One key to overcoming temptation is to “hide God’s Word in our hearts.” (Psalm 119:11) This stores the truth away so that the Lord can remind us of his promises when we need them the most. When we meditate on God’s Word and allow the truth to saturate our mind we are strengthened in our faith. Then when the enemy sits on your shoulder and screams in your ear you’ll be ready with the sword of the Spirit to defeat him. Consider Ephesians 6:17. “Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” God has instructed us in his Word to put on the whole armor of God. The battle in our thought life is real. But the enemy is a defeated foe. Learn to enforce that victory from God’s Word. It is a key to standing firm in the Lord.

From Hopscotch To Holiness

FREEDOM IN RELATIONSHIPS Freedom in relationships is another area of growth for many. We can easily get ensnared in unhealthy relationships where we are always attempting to please people. Consider 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6.“For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our a u t h o r i t y.” I n this scripture, Paul demonstrates freedom in relationships. He did not seek the approval of man, but only sought to please the Lord. He did not use flattery, hidden agendas or impure motives in his relationships with others. He was free to be vulnerable and yet intimately involved in the lives of others. Beloved, we can experience that same freedom in Christ. I see a real need in my own life in this area. I am growing in freedom in my relationships with people. I am no longer paralyzed by my inability to please everyone. Negative evaluations do not hold the weight of devastation they once did. I am less likely to yield to peer pressure because of my need for approval. I am better able to receive my approval and affirmation from the Lord. I celebrate my progress and recognize the need to continue to grow in the Lord. Paul also emphasizes freedom in relationships in Galatians 1:10. “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Paul considered himself a servant of Christ. He laid aside pleasing men and any natural bent to live for people’s approval. Unfortunately, we sometimes live as hostages to other people’s opinions. People’s approval

Growing In Freedom And Healing

can become an insatiable need. Healing may be a process of learning new ways of thinking and reacting, but we can and must be set free from unhealthy relationships. Take a moment and pray for greater freedom in your relationships with people. God of freedom, set me free from my need to please people. Help me to serve and please you, Lord. Change me from the inside out. Amen

WHY DO I NEED HEALING? Every believer likely needs healing in some area of his or her life. Perhaps you see yourself in this description of a wounded believer. Your life is a constant uphill battle. You are legitimately trying to live the Christian life without experiencing victory. You are feeling discouraged and defeated. You are not experiencing joy or peace. You feel trapped. The burden of living the Christian life weighs you down. I can identify with that description because I once lived like that. But thanks to the prayers of many faithful Christians and the Lord’s healing power, I know greater freedom daily. Denial of past hurts will only impede our progress. We must acknowledge both our losses and our hurts. Don’t minimize, justify or deny them. Beloved, face them in the power of the Holy Spirit. My prayer for you comes from Galatians 4:19. “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.” Paul understood the power of persevering prayer. He had introduced the Galatians to Christ. He knew their walk with the Lord and had prayed with them from the beginning. But he was again in “the pains of childbirth” over their need to grow up into Christ. From Paul, we learn that we persevere in prayer until Christ is formed in us and in our loved ones. How long does that take? Often, a very long time. Prayer and healing truly is the answer. Don’t give up until Christ is formed in you and your loved ones.

From Hopscotch To Holiness

PRIDE MAY BE OUR DOWNFALL Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction.” Pride may be our downfall. Often, we need healing from the independence and pride that hinder our walk with the Lord. Pride may be at the root of both an inflated ego and a damaged, frail ego. Pride is so pervasive that either way we tend to fall into a preoccupation with our performance. When our walk with Christ is performance-based, we will always lack peace in our relationship with the Lord. Consider the example of Peter in Matthew 26 when Jesus predicts Peter’s denial. Peter boldly proclaims, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” Before we’re too quick to judge Peter’s pride in this situation, think about the ways you’ve thought or said, “I’ll never do that.” For example, if your family of origin displayed some hurtful, unhealthy behaviors, you may have made a vow, “I’ll never be like that.” Unfortunately, that may be just the place you fall into bondage. Pride can also be demonstrated in false humility. We have a very frail ego. Because we’ve been wounded, we find it difficult to receive a true compliment. Instead, our old self will constantly tell us we’re not valuable. We believe something is wrong with us. We always feel personally inadequate. Pride is at the root of that thinking because ultimately it is all about me. But we can find healing from the damage done by pride. Healing doesn’t mean the damage never existed. It means the damage no longer controls our lives. I love the honesty of the Scriptures. Remember Moses’ call to confront Pharaoh. (Exodus 4:10-14) Moses had an extreme case of feelings of inadequacy. He was immobilized in ministry. In addition, consider Paul’s quandary in Romans 7 when he bemoans the dilemma of the struggle with his old nature. In each example, prayer and healing is the answer,

Growing In Freedom And Healing

combined with a true understanding of the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8). I find hope in these examples to persevere in prayer “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13) God is in the business of freedom and newness. We can experience Christ’s liberty. Christ offers hope and gives us a burning desire to be like him.

MINISTERING OUT OF REST How can we discern if we are moving in freedom and healing? There are probably many ways, but one in particular stands out in my life. I know I’m experiencing wholeness when I minister out of rest. That has not always been my goal or my experience. In the past, I’ve often stayed too busy because of my inability to say no. If I’m honest, busyness made me feel useful and needed. Busyness was also sometimes a means of masking my real need for healing. If I stayed busy enough, I didn’t have the time or the energy to truly seek the Lord in the areas of deep need in my own life. But I’m thankful that the Lord has ways of breaking down the walls we erect against intimacy with him. God’s rest can be ours. It comes as we learn to abide in his love. Abide has the connotation of putting our roots down deep in Christ’s love. It reminds me to stand under the waterfall of God’s love daily. Then when we say yes to ministry opportunities we’ll have confidence they are truly divine assignments. There is rest and peace in that type of Spirit-directed ministry. From a position of rest, I can clearly hear and receive the Lord’s guidance. And I can truly leave the results of ministry in God’s hands.

From Hopscotch To Holiness

LESSONS FROM HOPSCOTCH AND LIFE Childhood games like hopscotch are more fun when we play with others. Likewise, life is more satisfying and joy-filled when we experience freedom and healing, especially in our relationships with people. God placed us in families and communities of faith. And the Lord expects us to grow and thrive in those relationships. Freedom is free. Jesus paid the price. He made the sacrifice for your liberty. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commit ourselves to receive the gift of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s freedom today. Heavenly Father, thank you for paying the price on the cross for my freedom. Empower me to walk in freedom and healing so that I can touch others with your love and grace. Amen

Growing In Freedom And Healing

PERSONAL REFLECTION AND GROUP SHARING 1. In what areas of your life do you long to be free? How would your life be different if you experienced freedom in those areas?

2. Discuss the paradox of finding freedom in dying to self. Have you ever sought freedom through human efforts? What was the result? Evaluate your progress of dying to self by using the questions in this chapter.

3. How do you stand firm in the victories of Christ in your life? What helps can you offer the members of your group?

4. Reflect on your approval-seeking patterns. In what ways do you struggle in relationships with people? What do you see in 1 Thessalonians 2:3-6 that will help you walk in greater freedom?

5. Discuss the issue of pride. Have you seen examples of pride causing both an inflated ego and a damaged ego? Give an example of a time when God convicted you of pride. How has the Lord helped you learn humility?

From Hopscotch To Holiness

ACTIVITIES FOR SMALL GROUPS 1. Pray Galatians 4:19 for the members of your small group. “My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.” Share some ways you may need “Christ formed in you.” Then intercede for loved ones that may also need this powerful promise.

2. Study further what it means to minister out of rest. Here are some additional scriptures to get you started. • Deuteronomy 33:12 • Psalm 62:1-7 • Psalm 91:1 • Isaiah 32:18 • Matthew 11:28-29 • 2 Corinthians 12:9

Chapter 7

Growing In SupernaturalMinistry

From Hopscotch To Holiness

Hopscotch Rules

Continue the game of hopscotch: When you are “out”, you then

place your marker in the square where you will resume playing

and the next player begins.

SUPERNATURAL: unnatural, unearthly, not of the natural world – relating to or attributed to phenomena that cannot be explained by natural law; relating to deity. MINISTRY: office; work of religious minister; period of service. Hopscotch teaches us to take turns. Many children can play the game together, but when there are multiple players you often have to wait a long time while others take their turns. In addition, nobody can jump into a square with a marker already in it. Sometimes that means you have to jump a long distance over more than one square. As a child, my imagination often came into play as I was waiting for my turn in hopscotch. I remember thinking I wish I had super powers to help me jump further. That was just wishful thinking. However, I now believe that we need “super powers” to daily live a victorious Christian life and minister in power. Christ is our provision; he has all the power we need. Beloved, we really do have super powers available to us through the Holy Spirit that lives within us and ministers through us. In this chapter we’re focusing on growing in supernatural ministry. As we grow up into Christ, more and more we take on the character and nature of God. We will look like Christ, act like Christ, react like Christ and we will do the things Jesus did. God has ordained each of us to be equipped for ministry in his name. Scripture clearly shows that Jesus did miracles, signs and wonders

Growing In Supernatural Ministry

throughout his ministry. Miracles and signs and wonders abound throughout the stories of Jesus. Therefore, growing up in Christ enables us to do likewise. We should expect no less.

MIRACLES Miracles are supernatural events or acts of God that cannot be explained by natural laws. They amaze us because they are outside our natural world experience. Scripture says the mark of a true apostle is signs, wonders and miracles. Consider 2 Corinthians 12:12. “I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.” Paul was following Jesus’ example of supernatural ministry. The first public miracle in Jesus’ ministry when he turned water into wine demonstrated his heaven-sent power and his glory. Consider John 2:11. “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” Throughout his ministry, Jesus restored sight, made the lame walk, brought the dead back to life, fed thousands with what was at hand, and consistently demonstrated the power and love of God. When the early disciples saw Jesus’ miracles they believed. They put their faith in Christ. Personally, I consider faith the most significant miracle of all. Faith in God and the resulting transformation of individuals’ lives stands as a true miracle of the Lord. Faith represents a spiritual healing as we understand eternal life. As believers change the whole church will also be transformed. When every believer begins to co-labor with Christ in supernatural miracles, the world will be dramatically changed. Unbelievers will come to know Christ. Multitudes will put their faith in the living God. Personally, I press into that vision for the church and the world with fervent prayer.

From Hopscotch To Holiness

SPIRITUAL HEALING AT THE CROSS Spiritual healing is a vital move of God in the life of believers. Have you ever thought of repentance as a gift from the Lord? I’m not sure I had. But it really is a gift to be received and cherished. By God’s grace and his forgiveness, we can truly turn from our sins and live under God’s control in every area of our lives. Consider Psalm 51:1-12. “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Like David in this psalm we must come to grips with our sin and cry out to God for mercy. David says, “I know my transgressions.” That’s the first step. David also took responsibility for his own sin. He did not pass blame to others or make excuses. He said to the Lord, “Against you, you only, have I sinned.” That’s also an important step in receiving God’s gift of repentance. Then David asked God to cleanse him with hyssop. Hyssop was the name given to a family of plants found in Israel. Hyssop was

Growing In Supernatural Ministry

used in some of the sacrifices and purifications of the Jews. The priests used the hyssop branch to sprinkle the items in the Temple as a means of purification and consecration. The ordinary implements in the Temple became holy and set apart for God’s use when purified. We also see from this psalm that David had assurance of God’s forgiveness. He knew God was faithful to cleanse him completely. That is vital. Do you have that assurance? Finally, David prayed beyond forgiveness to restoration of relationship and a return to joy. Restoration and joy were so necessary in my life. I found them in Christ. Joy and restoration are the result of the true gift of repentance. For some, we have a love/hate relationship with the cross. As Christians, we readily receive the benefits of Christ’s death on the cross. We love the cleansing that comes to us because of Jesus’ shed blood. But sometimes we hate coming to the cross. It is a mirror for everything that is out of order in our lives. If we’re honest, approaching the cross of Christ in a spirit of repentance is often not our first response to sin or strongholds in our lives. Often we prefer denial or delay in dealing with the issues God wants to highlight in us. When that is our reaction, we often miss out on the victory over the enemy that the Lord provides. Have you ever thought of repentance and coming to the cross as a sign of weakness? Some may think that way. A better way to think about repentance is the recognition that we have a holy desperation for God’s ways. When we embrace the gift of repentance we come to the place in our heart where we are desperately dependent on God. Then we come to the end of our own strength and the beginning of the Holy Spirit’s power over sin. Those who do not admit their sin, see no need for forgiveness. Those who will not admit their spiritual sickness, admit no need for the Great Physician. Only those who admit their need for God’s grace can truly receive it. That’s how God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. And that, Beloved, is supernatural ministry.

From Hopscotch To Holiness

PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL HEALING Physical and emotional healings are prime examples of the supernatural ministry of believers. Praying for healing of body and soul is our mandate from the Lord. Matthew 10:7-8 is very clear. “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” Only the Lord can bring someone to wholeness in body, soul or spirit. Only the Lord can raise the dead. Only the Lord can deliver those in bondage to the enemy. But our part is to engage fully in this call to action. We cannot pull out certain parts of these verses and embrace them while totally neglecting other parts. I know I’ve done that. That’s been a challenging part of my own growth in believing God for supernatural ministry. Pause a moment and pray for the fulfillment of this powerful promise. Jehovah Rophe, we acknowledge that you alone are the Lord God our healer. Fill us with your power and love for people so that we will courageously fulfill all aspects of this mandate from the Word. Manifest your healing, cleansing, freeing power through us today. Amen

PROPHETIC MINISTRY Prophetic ministry is another example of the supernatural ministry of believers. Prophecy is often defined as a spontaneous speaking forth under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit for the encouragement, strengthening, or comfort of the hearers. Prophecy is speaking forth the mind and counsel of God’s word for a specific situation. This gift is the special ability to receive and communicate an immediate message of God to his people through a divinely anointed utterance. Many people lack experience with prophetic ministry, therefore, they resist what they do not know. However, prophecy is scripturally sound and a vital part of supernatural ministry.

Growing In Supernatural Ministry

Ephesians 4: 7-13 includes prophets among those that Jesus gave the church to equip believers for ministry. How do those who operate in prophetic giftings accomplish this supernatural ministry? Intimacy with God is a key to hearing God’s voice and being able to speak forth these words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. From the place of intimacy with the Father, Jesus speaks through the power of the Holy Spirit to us. His words change us, guide us, and sustain us. Therefore, it is imperative that we learn to recognize God’s voice. By God’s grace, we can all become better listeners, more able to discern the voice of the Lord. Here are two examples of prophetic words given during our Aldersgate Conference. They personally blessed my life and I trust they will be meaningful to you as well. I include them to give some specific examples for those that may not be familiar with prophetic words. “Beloved children, My love is being poured out on you as you gather together to worship Me. It is the power of My love that causes you to shine, that causes your radiance to flow from Me to those in darkness. Fear not the darkness in the world, shine, O church, shine. This is your first hour. Shine on! You will rise up with wings as eagles. You will soar with Me in the power of my love!” “You fear the known, the familiar because you think things can never change. I desire for you to enjoy your daily life as much as you do the adventures I take you on. You see your limits in your day to day and I see all My potential that I want to release even in the mundane and practical. I am always at work and I am always ready to reveal My love, My power and My purpose. Open your whole life to Me and let Me show you how vast I am even in what you call simple and ordinary. I long to reveal My glory in and through every aspect of your life. Open wide every closed or walled place

From Hopscotch To Holiness

and let Me fill your life with meaning and transform your ordinary into My extraordinary.”

All believers need to stay open to hearing from God and sharing prophetic words with the body of Christ. Be careful of putting limits on God. The truth is Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:3-5) and we are his beloved sheep. That reality is part of God’s covenant relationship with us. It is not based on your feelings or your circumstances. You can hear the Lord’s voice and follow him. Praise the Lord! Have confidence in the Holy Spirit’s work in you. Those are not idle words. They are my sincere prayer for you and a key to your moving in the miraculous. Remember, we are not praying to a reluctant God. Our Lord made humanity to be the object of his love. God has always desired intimacy with us and he has made that provision through Jesus. We can know the mind and heart of Christ, Beloved. Then, we can prophesy effectively. Praise the Lord! Prophecies of today will be consistent with the general principles of the Bible, such as the sovereignty of God, the never-failing love of God, the need for salvation found only in Christ, and living and relating to others according to the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. Of course we are always called to test the word of the Lord according to 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22. “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.” You can continue to pray over and discern the truth of God’s prophetic word. Some parts of the word may speak directly to your current circumstances and other parts may require more prayer and discernment to understand. We should ask God to confirm the prophetic word through other means like counsel from trusted friends and the Holy Scriptures. But when you test the word, and if you discern it is from the Lord, you must obey.

Growing In Supernatural Ministry

Obedience is the only way to see God’s Word come alive in our lives. I believe one of the major hindrances to moving in prophetic ministry and other supernatural gifts of the Spirit is a fear of failure. We often discern a word from the Lord, for example, and then hesitate to share it even when directed by the Lord. We can easily succumb to fear, especially thoughts like “What if I’m mistaken?” The truth is we will all fail sometimes. But even if we are mistaken, God will be with us helping us to grow from the experience. Beloved, we must not fear failure. Fear will immobilize us. Instead, God has made provision for us to be restored and to move toward maturity when we fail. I miss it sometimes and so do you. Don’t give up. We can use each mistake as a teachable moment. God is using you. He will continue to use you.

WALKING IN THE AUTHORITY OF CHRIST Growing in supernatural ministry requires that we learn to walk in the authority of Christ. Consider Luke 4:18. “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” The Spirit of the living God is on you today. The Lord has anointed you to walk in the authority of Christ. Believe that vital truth and walk in it today. When that truth takes root in the core of your being, you will be divinely prepared to see the oppressed set free. Bold prayers for recovery of sight for the blind (both spiritual and physical) will be common manifestations in your ministry. God will lead you to those who need to experience a demonstration of freedom. Don’t be surprised when it happens. These divine appointments are all a part of the kingdom work God has ordained for you. Walk in the boldness and authority that Christ has given you. Meditate on Luke 10:19. “I have given you authority to trample on snakes

From Hopscotch To Holiness

and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” Consider Matthew 28:18. “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.’” Allow these scriptures to motivate and equip you to walk in authority.

THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST TODAY John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, said, “God does nothing apart from believing prayer.” I believe that! It remains true today. Prayer is the fire that empowers the supernatural ministry of Christ today. God is stirring an ever-growing desperation for God throughout the church – an acknowledgement that nothing of eternal significance happens apart from Christ and his power. Prayer and intimacy with the Father enables us to constantly be filled up so that we can be poured out in the world. We stand in need of a constant infilling of the Holy Spirit. This emphasis on prayer is growing throughout the world. There is a worldwide resurgence in the power of prayer. But we’ve only begun. I believe this intensity of prayer will continue to grow until Christ comes again. God is constantly doing a new thing in our midst. He works in times and seasons and we must be alert to the move of the Holy Spirit in ministry. As leaders of today, we have the responsibility to affect the leaders of tomorrow. One move of the Spirit I recognize today is that God is raising up children and youth with powerful supernatural ministries. I trust you see that in your experience as well. My examples come mostly from our Aldersgate Conference, which is a multigenerational experience for adults, children and youth. I’ve witnessed young people who are falling passionately in love with Jesus and their capacity to believe God for the impossible outdistances many adults. These children and youth are not just the church of tomorrow. They are a vital aspect of Christ’s ministry today. Celebrate that God is on the move and determine in your heart to

Growing In Supernatural Ministry

stay vigilant and remain in step with the Spirit.

INTIMACY AND MATURITY Philippians 1: 9-10 was Paul’s prayer for the church at Philippi and a key to maturity. “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.” This scripture makes it clear that love, knowledge and discernment grow together. We need all three to bring us to maturity in Christ. My goal is to be such an intimate lover of Jesus that I radiate his very nature of love everywhere I go. I am a carrier of his presence. That is the essence of supernatural ministry. Don’t overcomplicate the issue. More happens in a single minute under the anointing of the Holy Spirit than during a lifetime of human effort and religious activity. We can do nothing of kingdom significance apart from God’s presence. In love, Jesus gave his life for the good of others. With his love, I can do likewise.

LESSONS FROM HOPSCOTCH AND LIFE Hopscotch is primarily a children’s game. And often in life, children will lead the way. Consider the ministry of Jesus. Children seemed to flock to Jesus even when many adults did not. He loved the children and blessed them. Jesus reminded us often of the importance of children. That lesson remains so important today. God is calling young people to live a life of holiness, and is using them in supernatural ways because of their wholehearted commitment to the Lord. Healing, visions, miracles, and manifestations of the Lord’s presence and power are growing. Churches that embrace this move of God are growing tremendously. Churches that intentionally teach and disciple children in the empowerment of the Holy Spirit and walking in intimacy with God will be frontrunners in this

From Hopscotch To Holiness

supernatural move of the Spirit. However, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not leave out anyone. Supernatural ministry is for every generation. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s never too late or too early to begin. All of us are called to supernatural ministry. Take the leap of faith! Holy God, set me apart for your holy purposes. Empower me to live a life of total surrender to you. Teach and equip me to walk in the supernatural. Use me to see miracles in your name. Amen

Growing In Supernatural Ministry

PERSONAL REFLECTION AND GROUP SHARING 1. Discuss 2 Corinthians 12:12 and evidence of signs, wonders, and miracles in your experience. Where have you seen miracles of healing, signs of God’s presence, or supernatural wonders? 2. Discuss our need for spiritual healing as it relates to supernatural ministry. Have you seen coming to the cross in repentance as a gift from the Lord? Give an example of spiritual healing in your own life. 3. Discuss prophetic ministry and your experience of giving or receiving a divine utterance from the Lord. How do you test the word of the Lord according to 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22? • “Hold on to what is good.” Does the prophetic word line up with scripture? Does it witness to your spirit? Do you have a sense of peace as a result of the word? • “Reject every kind of evil.” Does the prophetic word bring a spirit of condemnation? Does the word quench the Spirit? Does it contradict scripture? 4. Discuss Luke 4:18 and the importance of walking in the authority of the Lord. How have you seen the authority of Christ used in supernatural ministry? Do you expect the Lord to use you in healing and deliverance ministry? Give an example of a divine appointment God gave you for ministry or one that you have observed personally. 5. From your experience, how are children being used in God’s kingdom? What might your church do to equip children to better listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and walk in obedience to the Lord? Do you expect children to move in the supernatural? How do you make room in the church for their ministry to others?

From Hopscotch To Holiness

ACTIVITIES FOR SMALL GROUPS 1. Pray Psalm 77:14 over the members of your small group. “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.” Here’s a sample prayer to get you started. Almighty God, “You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.” Empower (insert name) to perform miracles, signs and wonders that will cause the world to know you as Savior and Lord. Father, allow (insert name) to bring you glory today. 2. Intercede with power from Hebrews 4:16. “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Prayer is the fire that empowers supernatural ministry. Do you approach God’s throne of grace with confidence? Here’s a sample prayer to get you started. Heavenly Father, I want to do more than acknowledge the importance of prayer. I desire to intercede with power on a consistent basis. Allow me to begin today. Equip me to continue daily. 3. Study further scriptures relating to prophetic ministry. Here’s some to get you started. Pray for one another to be used of God in prophetic ministry. • Numbers 24:3-4 • 1 Corinthians 12:10 • 1 Corinthians 13:2 • 1 Corinthians 14:1 • 1 Timothy 4:14 • 2 Peter 1:20 • Revelation 1:3 4. Take some time to listen to God on behalf of another. Led by the Holy Spirit, speak, or prophesy, being bold in telling what you hear without fear of failure.

Chapter 8

Growing The Church

From Hopscotch To Holiness

Hopscotch Rules:

Hopscotch is a fun game to play with your friends—the more

players the better!

There are several variations of the grid, but even more can be

made based on length of that grid. There is nothing saying that

the grid can’t go on for blocks!

CHURCH: religious building; religion’s followers as a group. Hopscotch is meant to be played with others. You can even custom design the grid to expand it a long distance. In life, the church is like that hopscotch grid that goes on for blocks and the more players the better. In this chapter we’ll discuss growing the church. God’s vision for the ministry of the church has always included growth that extends like ripples in the water further and further out beyond the walls of the church building. The impact of our ministry is designed to reach the local body of believers, our community, our nation, and our world. Where do we begin? Jesus told the first disciples that when they were filled with the Holy Spirit they would be his witnesses. Consider Acts 1:8. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” For the church to be faithful to this scripture we must start with transformational ministry to those around us. It is vital that those within the church are discipled to receive God’s power. They will in turn affect their homes and their extended families. But we must not stop there. The church must then be intentional about outreach that is guided by the Holy Spirit. Where is your Judea and Samaria? Where is God calling you in ministry to the ends of the earth?

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HUNGERING AND THIRSTING FOR MORE OF GOD Growing disciples in Christ know that the process of growth continues throughout our lifetime. Consider Matthew 5:6. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” We can always be hungry and thirsty for more of God. It pleases the Lord when we seek more of him. He will always fill our hearts with more of himself if we are also willing to allow God to empty our hearts of anything that stands in the way and cry out to him in holy desperation. Healthy churches provide varied opportunities for spiritual growth that speak to this need. However, it is God alone who stirs the hearts of individuals to desire more of him. Spiritual leaders, no matter how gifted, cannot overcome complacency. That’s the specialty of the Holy Spirit. He loves to set our hearts on fire for him. Pause a moment and pray. Loving Father, I’m desperate for more of your love, more of your power, more of your peace. Fill me, Holy Spirit! Together, fill my church with your presence and your power. Set us on fire for you. Amen

SPIRIT OF REPENTANCE Pastors and spiritual leaders are responsible to pray for renewal and growth in the church. They set the example for the body of Christ. God loves to answer those prayers because growth and renewal have always been in God’s heart for people. Consider Mark 16:15. “He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’” All of the world needs to hear the gospel. That will definitely require growth! What about renewal? God desires both personal renewal and corporate renewal of the church. Psalm 51:10 speaks of personal renewal. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” The renewed church will be doing the things Jesus did. Consider Matthew 4: 23-25. “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their

From Hopscotch To Holiness

synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria.” One of my favorite scriptures to pray for the church comes from Habakkuk 3:2. “Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.” One key prayer opportunity that the church needs to embrace is repentance. Repentance will always open the way for renewal and revival. Why do we resist a true spirit of repentance? There are probably many reasons. Consider Isaiah 30:15. “This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.’” Perhaps the beginning step is to ask the Lord to overshadow your church with a spirit of repentance that will lead to renewal and revival. Then spiritual leaders can also teach about identificational repentance and lead by example in their prayers on behalf of the church. Identificational repentance is repenting on behalf of the sins of others. See the examples of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:4-11) and Daniel (Daniel 9:3-20) in the scriptures. I have written more about identificational repentance in Pathways to a Praying Church: a study of corporate prayer. I recommend you consider this resource for praying for revival by the power of the Holy Spirit.

UNITY WITH BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST When churches make an intentional effort to focus on repentance miracles will happen. One thing that often happens is God will begin to highlight areas of disunity. Unity among believers is a priority to the Lord. Consider Psalm 133:1-3. “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar

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of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.” Unity pleases the Lord; it permeates the church like a sweet-smelling aroma. But there is much more. Unity in the body of Christ is essential for the anointing of God. “There the Lord bestows his blessing.” Are you doing your part to establish and maintain unity in the church? Unity begins in the heart of each believer but it extends to the whole body of Christ. Oh Lord, free us from what divides us. Remind us of what’s really important in your eyes. Empower us to be unified.

THE FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT While spiritual leaders hold a true key to growth in the church, every believer has a part in church growth. The church in Jerusalem heard about a need in Antioch and sent Barnabas to minister there. Consider Acts 11:23-25. “When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.” Can you see yourself being used this way? I want to be a part of a church that sees great numbers of people brought to faith in the Lord. Our lives need to be full of the Holy Spirit if we are going to be faithful witnesses to the saving power of Christ. The church sent Barnabas to Antioch. Where can you be Christ’s witness today? When you are full of the Holy Spirit and faith God will use you mightily. The Lord will send us out to witness to others. He can use you in your home, your community, or around the world.

PREACHING CHRIST TO THE WORLD Preaching Christ is an expectation from the Lord for every church. Preaching Christ to the world is a daunting task that can only to be accomplished in the love and power of the Lord. Consider 1 Corinthians

From Hopscotch To Holiness

1:17. “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel— not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” I believe we need to daily ask God to show all of us how to preach Christ not only with our words but also with our actions. Love matters. People can only hear and receive the message of Christ when our words line up with loving actions. The church is Christ’s army of lovers. Christ invites us to love those around us unconditionally and intentionally. Love is the answer. We must make loving others our priority. We need to be the kind of people who aren’t afraid of the darkness because we know we have the Light of Christ that’s so much bigger and brighter than any brokenness of our world. Nothing can stop this army of God empowered by his love.

THE KINGDOM, THE POWER, AND THE GLORY Kingdom, power and glory are words we use often to describe the work of God in our midst. So it seems important to define these terms and think about how they affect the church’s ministry in the world. I hunger to be a part of a church where these truths are taught and experienced. Christians acknowledge Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. As believers, we enter his kingdom when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives. Then, we become citizens of heaven who are still temporarily living in this world. We are in the world but not of it. The Lord has kingdom work for each of us. We are given his authority to bring his rule to earth. Jesus instructed us to pray for his kingdom to come and his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven in the Lord’s Prayer. God’s kingdom purposes and priorities grow in us as we continue to submit to Christ as Lord and move in obedience to the Holy Spirit. The kingdom rules in our hearts. God’s kingdom rule is so precious that it is referred to in scripture as a treasure of great price. Consider Matthew 13:44. “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and boughtthat field.”

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The kingdom is so valuable that we must be willing to give up anything to obtain it. All the expectations of kingdom living are found in the Bible. God expects us to follow his instructions to live victoriously in his kingdom. Jesus promised us that he would give us everything we need for life and godliness. Consider 2 Peter 1:3. “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” He promised that we would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon us to be his witnesses in the world. He promised that the work he did we would do likewise, through the power of the Holy Spirit. His power enables us to see the sick healed, those in bondage to Satan set free, and miracles of all kinds. Jesus preached and taught with great power and we can do likewise if we remain obedient to the King. Christ’s power enables us to bind or forbid evil in this world. Anything that hinders the Gospel and destroys people’s lives should be bound in Jesus’ name in prayer. Consider Matthew 16:19. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Likewise, anything that is allowed in heaven, like joy, peace, love, and freedom, should be loosed in prayer. Prayer unleashes the power of God. The manifest presence of God is called his glory. When Solomon’s temple was built God’s glory filled the place where he promised to dwell. Consider 2 Chronicles 5:14. “The priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.” When we worship and honor God we are glorifying him. Our obedience brings God glory. We are called to arise and shine because we carry the glory of God. Consider Isaiah 60:1. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” Our lives, our words, and our actions should demonstrate the greatness and majesty of God. The world sees God’s

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glory through each of us when we are truly anointed and empowered for ministry. God’s kingdom power and glory are given freely to us as Christ’s ambassadors in a hurting world. The ministry of the church is to call every believer to co-labor with the Lord to see his kingdom come and his will to be done on earth. The King of Kings expects no less.

THE ROLE OF SPIRITUAL LEADERS Pastors and spiritual leaders hold key roles in work of the kingdom. We respect them greatly for their calling and dedication to ministry. They also should be surrounded in consistent, strategic prayer. Our spiritual leaders will be a consistent target of the enemy because of their important role in the church. Consider 2 Peter 2:19-20. “They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for people are slaves to whatever masters them. For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first.” I believe it grieves the Lord tremendously when any believers fall prey to sin. But, when spiritual leaders fall prey to entanglements with the sin of any kind, the magnitude of the problem is intensified. And, the state of the church is also gravely affected. I am passionate about seeing every church equipped with an intentional, strategic plan to cover every aspect of ministry in the church with fervent prayer. We can survive with no less.

LESSONS FROM HOPSCOTCH AND LIFE The grid for the game of hopscotch can be expanded to grow beyond the traditional parameters. In life, the church was strategically designed for growth. Healthy churches grow. Churches that are intentional about

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prayer grow. Churches that embrace the person and work of the Holy Spirit will grow. Holy Spirit, grow the church. Enable us to put our roots down deep in you and grow spiritually and physically. Enable us to reach out to our communities and to the world. Amen

PERSONAL REFLECTION AND GROUP SHARING 1. Discuss the role of repentance in church growth. How have you seen repentance taught or experienced in the church? Where does your church need to be challenged in this area? 2. Discuss unity from Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perspective. What is your part in establishing and maintaining unity? 3. What did you learn about kingdom, power and glory from this chapter? How can these truths help your church to grow. 4. Discuss the role of pastors and spiritual leaders in the church. Does your church have an intentional, strategic plan to pray for your pastor? How might you grow in this area?

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ACTIVITIES FOR SMALL GROUPS 1. Pray together for a spirit of repentance in your church. Here’s a sample prayer to get you started. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me today. Melt the hardness of my heart that resists repentance. Give me a quiet trust in your perfect work in my own life. I want to see renewal and revival in my church so much. Together, help us to unlock the key to repentance. Make us a true faith community. In repentance help us to find salvation and rest. Amen 2. Consider how you might highlight opportunities for repentance in your church. Here’s a prayer exercise that could be incorporated into a worship service. Everyone will need a black sheet of paper to write out their prayer of confession. All should be encouraged to bring their prayer forward and leave it in a designated container at the cross. Then they can pick up a scripture of hope which has been prepared in advance. The sample prayer might be helpful at the altar. • DIVINE EXCHANGE ACTIVITY. Come to the cross with your sin. Write out a prayer of confession. Receive God’s forgiveness and his words of hope. Pray at the altar. Sovereign Lord, I praise you for your victory over sin and Satan on the cross. I come eagerly to the cross to receive a fresh touch from you. Rescue me from my “self.” Empower me to live the victorious life you provide. Amen. Provide small slips of paper with printed scriptures of hope. People are encouraged to leave their sin at the cross and return to their seats with a scripture promise of hope. 3. Organize prayer stations to encourage participants to cry out for the church in targeted prayer for renewal by the power of the Holy Spirit. Print the title and scriptures for each topic on the four different signs. Here’s a scriptural prayer guide to help you get started. Encourage participants to visit one or more of these prayer stations during a time of corporate prayer.

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Cry out for the Church Station 1: Renewal Matthew 4: 23-25 - “Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. So his fame spread throughout all Syria” • Pray that this church would be empowered to do the things Jesus did. • The renewed church is a growing church. Pray that God would grow your church in reaching out to hurting people and in discipleship of believers. Psalm 45:4 – “In your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness; let your right hand display awesome deeds.” • Pray that the strong and mighty hand of the Lord will bring renewal to your church. • Intercede for the renewal of the church according to God’s truth, humility and righteousness. • Ask the Lord to display His awesome deeds in your church. Station 2: Healing Acts 10:38 - “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.” • Pray that the same anointing that rested on Jesus for healing

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and deliverance would rest on the members of your church. Acts 3:19-20 – “Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” • Pray expectantly that God would heal all divisions and quarrelling that would hinder your church from fulfilling its God-ordained destiny. Expect the presence of the Lord to bring healing and refreshment. Station 3: Unity Psalm 133:1 - “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” • Prince of Peace, forgive us for failing to be in harmony with one another. • Father, make this church a true picture of unity in the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:15 16 - “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” • Father, forgive us for not honoring Jesus Christ as head of the Church; forgive us for our failure to grow up into Christ. • Holy Spirit, enable us to be knit together, working as one under Your authority and lordship.

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Station 4: Power Psalm 89:13 – “Your arm is endued with power; your hand is strong, your right hand exalted.” • Praise God for His strong and powerful right hand that desires to move in your church • Intercede for your church, recognizing that change comes through a move of the Holy Spirit. • Ask God to exalt Himself in your church. Acts 1:8 - “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” • Pray that you will receive the Holy Spirit’s power to be faithful witnesses in your church, your family, your community. • Ask God to make your church a lighthouse for hurting and lost people. Pray that the power of God would be present to minister salvation. 4. Participate in a concert of prayer together. Here’s a liturgy for a prayer experience that combines seasons of worship with seasons of prayer. Any style of worship through song can easily be incorporated into the concert of prayer. The theme for this concert of prayer is Intimacy with God and Supernatural Ministry. The timing shown in parentheses helps plan the scope of the seasons of worship and prayer. This concert of prayer can be completed as written in two hours. A leader’s guide is included. You can find a wide variety of other concerts of prayer by looking at the resources at www. aldersgaterenewal.org.

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INTIMACY WITH GOD James 2:23 Thus the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. Before the service begins, our worship leaders will be offering music as people enter. In these moments, open your heart to join hearts with everyone assembling in the unity of prayer. INTRODUCTION - Explanation of Concert of Prayer (1) The primary purpose of a Concert of Prayer is prayer! This Concert of Prayer is designed to help God’s people pray together. All scripture quotations are from the New International Version of the Bible unless noted. SCRIPTURE READING AND EXHORTATION: Intimacy with God and Supernatural Ministry PRAYER THROUGH WORSHIP (10) PRAYER AT STATIONS: Return, Reignite, Reestablish (20) Prayer at stations is designed to be individual, silent prayer. You are encouraged to move to the different locations to engage in the topic at each station. Participants have the liberty to stand, sit, kneel or prostrate themselves as they engage in prayer. You also have the freedom to use the prayer guide from your seats. 1. Return to our first love. To be fruitful in the Kingdom, we need to minister out of the overflow of intimacy with God. 2. Reignite a fresh fire. To be fruitful in the Kingdom, we need to be baptized with the Holy Spirit and stay filled with the Holy Spirit.

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3. Reestablish a priority of intimacy with God. To be fruitful in the Kingdom, we have to be intentional to set aside time to deepen our walk with God. 4. Receive prayer in tongues. A prayer team member will be available to pray over you in tongues. This is not a time for prayer requests or interpretation of tongues. PRAYER THROUGH WORSHIP (10) PRAYER IN GROUPS: MY IDENTITY IN CHRIST (20) Form groups of 3-4. Use the following scriptures to shape the themes of your prayers. Pray together as the Holy Spirit directs. Read each Scripture then declare the truth of who we are in Christ. Pray for one another to have a fresh revelation that we are dearly loved children of the Lord. John 3: 29 “The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.” Christ is the bridegroom and I am His bride. I hear His voice and receive His joy. Romans 8:33 “Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.” I am justified by Christ and I am God’s elect. Satan cannot bring charges against me. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are

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not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.” I was bought with a price and I glorify God in my body. My body is a temple of the Holy Spirit that is within me. Ephesians 1:7-8 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us.” I am redeemed by the blood of Jesus. My sins are forgiven because of God’s lavish grace. Revelation 12:11 “But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” I overcome the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of my testimony. RESPONSE: COMING TO THE CROSS (10) Following the group prayer, individuals are invited to come to the cross or the altar and pray individually. This may be a time of confession as you allow God to cleanse you of any false identity from the enemy. Feel free to write out a prayer and leave it at the altar in the container provided. PRAYER THROUGH WORSHIP (10) PRAYER OF BLESSING (15) Form groups of 3-4. Allow each person to step into the center of the prayer circle and receive this scriptural blessing. Each of us is beloved of the Lord! Deuteronomy 33:12 “Let the beloved of the LORD (INSERT NAME) rest

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secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the LORD loves rests between his shoulders.” CLOSING CELEBRATORY WORSHIP (15) BENEDICTION: You are blessed to be a blessing. Because you are a friend of God, walk in intimacy with the Lord. Supernatural ministry flows freely through you.

LEADER’S GUIDE SCRIPTURE READING AND EXHORTATION: Abraham was called a friend of God. He had an unwavering faith that God keeps His promises. Romans 4:20-21, for example, says “No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, being fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” I want a faith like that! We build our faith through intimacy with God. In fact everything we need for supernatural ministry is received during seasons of prayer and intimacy with the Lord. We will only receive our divine instructions from the Lord when we are faithfully connected to Him. There is no program or agenda for supernatural ministry. We rely on a moment by moment invitation from the Lord to co-labor with Him. From a place of intimacy with God we also receive God’s heart for people. God’s heart of love is paramount for supernatural ministry. The more we understand that we are Christ’s ambassadors in this world, and the better we know our destiny and calling in Christ, the easier it becomes to believe that God wants to do supernatural ministry through each of us.

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Intimacy with God has been described as being fully known and fully loved by God. The Lord who knows us best, loves us most. This kind of intimate friendship with God is only possible when we are assured of our identity in Christ. PRAYER AT STATIONS: Prepare signs for the first three stations that include the title and focus. Participants can be encouraged to pray silently first for themselves and then to intercede for the church. The fourth station is an example of receiving prayer in tongues for churches that are open to that experience. Designate a person beforehand to pray in the Spirit with anyone who sits in the designated chair. No attempt should be made to interpret the tongue or prophesy over the participant in this instance. PRAYER IN GROUPS: Participants should use the designated scriptures and together make the faith confessions that are in bold letters. Finally, they are encouraged to pray together corporately for a fresh revelation of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love for them. COMING TO THE CROSS: Prayer groups will likely finish at different times. So it is wise to encourage participants to come to the cross for the time of prayer as they finish the prayer activity on our identity in Christ. You will need to provide paper for written prayers and a container at the altar for receiving them. Worship through song will call people back together. PRAYER OF BLESSING: This prayer activity is a very simple example of personalizing a scripture with a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name that you want to pray for. Each person in the circle should have the opportunity to both receive prayer and bless another. Items need for the concert of prayer: 1. Signs for stations 2. Paper and pens to write out prayers when coming to the cross

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Other Resources by Margie Burger Small Group Bible Studies

Lord, Teach Us to Pray:

Encountering God in our

A study of personal prayer

Celebrations of the Church Year

Pathways to a Praying Church: A study of corporate prayer

Until He Comes: Living Out the Book of Acts

Concerts of Prayer • ARM Concerts of Prayer Booklet on CD or printed copy) • Praying the Lord’s Prayer as Corporate Concerts of Prayer • Concerts of Prayer for the Church Year

Prayer Devotionals • Becoming like Christ • The Power of Christ • Renewal of the Church by the Power of the Holy Spirit • Praying for Pentecost

Prayer Stations (Available on CD) Visit ArmBookstore.org to view descriptions or purchase these resources.