Foundations of Ministry: Test 1

the internal overall structure of self, reveled by our long run patterns of behavior

Willards definition of character

His thesis is "you are what you love, not simply what you think "We can't recalibrate the heart from the topdown, through merely informational measures. The orientation of the heart happens from the bottom up, through the formation of our habits of desire. Learning to love (God) takes practice."

James K.A. Smiths view of what is most important to spiritual transformation (as opposed to pillars emphasis on "thinking" as the key)

cultural liturgies that shape what we love

What are "secular liturgies" according to James K.A. Smith?

We are creative beings, we can imagine a world beyond ourselves

(Genesis 1:1- He is a creative God)

We are created to be in community

(Trinity: Genesis "let us make mankind in our image" John 17: 21 "that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they may be in us."

Colossians 3: 9-10

How does God restore His image in us? Use scripture.

1 Corinthians 3: 5-11

Imagery of we can plant and water, but God is the one who makes it grow

Cite/Explain a script that uses a metaphor for ministry as cooperation with God.

An exaggeration

What is a hyperbole?

1. Miraculous, dramatic, momentary manifestations of power

2. A persistent and constant mark of Christian character

Two different types of "filling" of the Holy Spirit

1. The Holy Spirit- the real change agent

2. Personal Narrative

3. Soul-shaping exercises; not to earn anything

4. Community

James Bryan Smiths 4 elements of change

1. Using God to run from God

2. Ignoring anger, sadness, and few

3. Dying to the wrong things

4. Doing for God instead of being with God

5. Judging other peoples spiritual journeys

5 (of 10) symptoms of emotionally unhealthy spirituality according to Peter Scazerro

1. An inner conviction from God

2. Confirmed by the church

3. Verified by giftedness

4. Supported by results

Early and Gutierrez on 4 elements of calling

1. Thoughts: images concepts, judgements, inferences

2. Feeling: sensation or emotion

3. Choice: will, decision, character

4. Body: action, interaction with the physical world

5. Social context: personal and structural relations to others

6. Soul: factor that integrates all of the above to form one life

Willards 6 aspects of human life that need transforming

1. Respects the freedom of the Holy Spirit

2. Respects our unique temperament gifts

3. Takes in to account our season of life

4. Respects the inevitability of peaks and valleys

5. Begins with a clear decision

5 Characteristics of "wise training" according to Ortburg

John 14: 15 " if you love me you will obey what I command" Out of our character of love for Jesus we will obey His teachings

Matthew 7: 24-27 " those who hear these words of mine and put them into practice (obedience) is like a wise many who build his house on a rock"

James Sire: "We only know what we act on. We only believe what we really obey"

Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "only he who believes is obedient and only he who is obedient believes" (our character is displayed in what we really obey)

Using at least 2 scripture and 2 of the authors cited in class, explain the relationship between obedience and character

1. Life from God: We pursue blessings from God, rather than God Himself

2. Life over God: We draw life principle from God, but are not empowered by God

3. Life for God: We see to accomplish great things for God and win His favor

4. Life under God: We seek Gods blessings in return for obeying Him

According to Skye Jethani, the goal is "life with God" explain the other 4 postures christians often assume toward God

1. Creativity (use for destructive purposes)

2. Choice (choose foolishly and give up freedom to choose)

3. Personality (don't know ourselves)

4. Intelligence (Impaired, cant grasp the most basic truth of all)

5. Language (struggle to communicate, use words in harmful ways)

6. Relationships (exploit them selfishly)

7. Moral Sense (eroded, seared, no discernment)

8. Spirituality (temped to fill the void with the physical)

Characteristics of Gods nature visible in human nature (mostly from Sire) and what happens to those characteristics under the influence of sin

John 15:4-5 Abide in Him (obey, simply be)

Matthew 7: 24-27: the foundation is Jesus and putting into practice his words

Romans 3:23-24 " all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ"

the foundation is justification and redemption through Christ

Smith: The life God intended us to live, the foundation He intended for us to build our ouse on was the foundation of His teachings

Comer: Be with Jesus, Become like Him, Do as He did

Foster: Place yourself before God in order that he may transform us to minister how he would like us to

What is the foundation of ministry? use at least 3 scripture and city 3 authors in you explanation