Going to New Levels with God!

Session 1 with Richard Blackaby. Some Highlights!

• Text: John 14:8-9 - The story where Phillip asks Jesus to show him the Father - Check the passage out!!!
• It is not about how long you been with God, but how deep is your relationship with God! (There are so many Christians who have been like Phillip and have walked with God for a long time and yet you see not depth!)
• (Speaking to a room of pastors) You can not give to people what you don't have. You cannot lead where you haven't been. (So many pastors and myself included - its hard to get people to grow deeper in than Lord if their shepherd is not! Wow...very convicting!
• As Christians we get too far satisfied with our current relationship with Christ. (Isn't that the truth!)
• Don't you just being around Christians who you KNOW HAVE WALKED WITH GOD!!! I know I do!
• How deep is our prayers....or has our prayer life gotten so superficial where we pray the same thing every day?
• "Some Christians are still riding the kiddie rides and wont take the chance to get on the Rollar Coaster, but once they experience the power of the Rollar Coaster they won't go back to the kiddie ride! Christians who have grown deeper in their walk with God have experienced the majestic power of God and will not be satisfied with a kiddie ride experience with God.

"True" Church Discipleship

Most Christians are only going to give three hours a week to the church! How are churches maximizing those three house to make disciples? What should they be doing?

Here is my idea.

If a person will only give 3 hours than those 3 hours should be as the following:

Give

• 1 hour to actively participate in worship
• 1 hour to actively participate in a small group Bible study fellowship
• 1 hour a week actively participating in missions

There needs to be a process in place that progresses people in their spiritual walk. Thom Rainer in his book Simple Church he nails the problem! Churches have become too complex and many have no process in which to disciple people.

At Bethel we use the idea in Simple Church, which is "Loving God, Loving People, & Saving the World!", Loving God is worship, Loving people is a small group Bible Study Fellowship, and Saving the World! is the mission program.

Simple. If people are only going to give me 3 hours a week than I believe this where I want them spending their time.

Simple. It has progression. It makes disciples!

What is your idea? Share with my your opinion and ideas on how to better facilitate discipleship and growth in our churches.