CHRISTIAN MATURATION PLAN FOR AFOGADOS
What is the plan to help all of the Christians in the Afogados church to grow in their faith? Two ways:
1. Four (4) Seminars called, “Christian Growth Camps” (that will be done every 3-4 months) each seminar is practical and every member of the church in Afogados will be encouraged to participate (not forced). At the end of each seminar, the Christians will be asked to make a commitment to do something in particular for God.
2. Sunday Bible classes, “Foundations for a Better Life” - these classes will be practical and help the Christian fulfill the commitment he has made at the seminars.
QUESTION: Why would God bring the lost to us and bless us with visitors if we did not already have a plan in place to help them grow and mature in their faith?
1. We would rather have 100 active disciples who understood and knew their purpose in the Kingdom of God rather than 1000 spectators! It is our responsibility “to prepare God’s people for works of service” (Ephesians 4:12)
2. After a lot of prayer, the leaders from our church believe these plans are what we need to do in order to grow spiritually.
3. These plans are the result of a combination from many different resources:
FIRST SEMINAR: WE ARE MEMBERS (January/February, 2011)
This will be a day event from 9 AM to 3 PM (a shortened worship, classes, and lunch) Suggestion of Schedule:
IN THIS FIRST SEMINAR, WE WILL TALK ABOUT:
a. To protect the unity of the congregation (love in action for other brothers, refusing to gossip, and following the leadership)
b. To participate in the mission of the congregation (praying for the growth of the church, inviting the lost to visit, and receiving each visitor with love)
c. To serve in the ministry of the church (discovering my gifts and talents, equipping myself to serve, and developing my heart to give rather than take)
d. To support this congregation (attending each week, living a holy life, and giving each week)
After the first seminar, every Christian that has made a commitment will be encouraged to participate in “Foundations for a Better Life” every Sunday starting with, “Welcome to your new life in Jesus.” Again, no one will be forced to do these classes.
FOUNDATIONS FOR A BETTER LIFE (SUNDAY BIBLE CLASSES)
1. These simple classes will be taught each week in our Bible classes. Because of this, we must make every effort to start on time at 0900 every Sunday for worship. 2. There are 10 lessons in each section lasting 2 ½ months; . 3. Each class will be short (30 minutes), practical, and have homework 4. At the end of the 10 classes in each section, there will be a celebration for those that complete all of the classes, certificates, and a covenant made to complete the next classes.
101 WELCOME TO YOUR NEW LIFE IN JESUS! (10 lessons) (First Sunday after the First Seminar, January/February, 2011)
GOAL: to help new Christians develop a strong foundation for their faith
1. Starting well in your new relationship with God 2. Why you need your church family 3. After Baptism, What Should I Do When I Sin? 4. How do I defeat temptation? 5. Forgiveness! 6. Saved By Grace! 7. How Do I Overcome Sin? 8. Faith 9. Obedience 10. What does the Holy Spirit do for us?
At the end of these 10 classes, there will be a celebration for those that complete all of the classes, certificates, and a covenant made to complete the 201 classes. To start these new classes, we will do our second seminar!
SECOND SEMINAR: HOW TO CREATE DAILY TIME WITH GOD (June 2011)
IN THIS SECOND SEMINAR, WE WILL TALK ABOUT:
After this second seminar, Bible classes on Sunday will continue with:
201 GROWING IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD! (10 lessons) (June 2011)
Goal: to learn how to improve my personal relationships with God, church, and family and to build confidence about sharing my faith
11. How To Share Your Faith, part 1. Learning how to organize your testimony 12. How To Share Your Faith, part 2 How to share God’s plan of salvation with another person 13. Prayer 101! How do we Pray? Why should we Pray? What should we Pray? 14. How to Resolve Conflict in Relationships Part 1 15. How to Resolve Conflict in Relationships Part 2 16. Unforgiveness 17. How we can overcome our trials 18. Transformed by trials! 19. What should we do if our brother or sister sins? 20. How can I overcome my doubts?
At the end of these 10 classes, there will be a celebration for those that complete all of the classes, certificates, and a covenant made to complete the 301 classes. To start these classes, we will do our third seminar!
THIRD SEMINAR: MY MINISTRY! (October 2011)
WE WILL TALK ABOUT:
After this third seminar, Bible classes on Sunday will continue with:
301 DISCOVERING THE PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIFE (10 lessons)
GOAL: to discover God’s purpose for my life and my spiritual gifts
21. What Does It Mean To Be A Servant? In your home? In the workplace? In church? 22. Accepting your Assignment 23. Created to Serve God 24. Understanding Your Gifts (your SHAPE) 25. Using the gifts God gave you 26. Thinking like a Servant 27. God’s Power in your weakness 28. What is God’s Will for my life? Part 1 29. What is God’s Will for my life? Part 2 30. If we are the Body of Christ…Understanding we are the hands and feet of Jesus
At the end of these 10 classes, there will be a celebration for those that complete all of the classes, certificates, and a covenant made to complete the 401 classes. To start these classes we will do our fourth seminar!
FOURTH SEMINAR: MY MISSION (February 2012)
WE WILL TALK ABOUT:
After this fourth seminar, Bible classes on Sunday will continue with:
401 ARE YOU READY FOR ETERNITY? (10 lessons) (February 2012)
GOAL: to see my life as temporary and the importance of focusing on eternal things
31. What Happens After Death? 32. What Happens To The Body After Death? What about Resurrection Day? 33. Jesus is Coming! Are you Ready? 34. What Will Happen on Judgment Day? Part 1 35. What Will Happen on Judgment Day? Part 2 36. What Will Happen on Judgment Day? Part 3 37. Heaven is a real place 38. Hell is a real place 39. What are your priorities? 40. Now, what do we do?
At the end of these 10 classes, there will be a celebration for those that complete all of the classes, certificates, and a covenant to be a sponsor to the people I help lead to salvation in Jesus.
All new Christians will have an older Christian that will encourage them. The purpose is not to control their lives, but to help them grow in their faith. The older Christian will work with the new Christian for the first six months.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OLDER CHRISTIAN WILL BE: 1. Encourage the new Christian to attend church, to complete the Bible classes and attend the seminars 2. Call the new Christian every week 3. Meet for prayer once a week 4. Answer questions about God’s Word 5. Be a good example 6. Participate in the same small group as the new Christian (if possible)
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE NEW CHRISTIAN WILL BE: 1. To participate in worship and Bible classes on Sunday, seminars, and small groups 2. To be open and honest with your sponsor about your life 3. Call your brother/sister at least once a week for prayer
Seminars will continue as God adds new Christians to the church; seminars will be divided up in the future with men teaching men and women teaching women After finishing these classes, Lord willing, the church in Afogados will offer these new classes:
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