Journey in the Wilderness

Journey in the Wilderness

Description:   A semester long community group consisting of 11 ninety- minute sessions that will prepare prospective Ministry Team Leaders by equipping students with basic core skills for spiritual growth.  The Community Group will challenge students to live out the core commandments of scripture expressed in the Christian Challenge Mission Statement.  They will also begin the process of understanding their spiritual gifts and talents and how they fit into the Church Universal.   Students who complete this training will be eligible to apply for the Ministry Team as Shadows.

Spring 2012 Schedule

1.        January 25: Introduction- Character development and preparation in the Wilderness(Moses)
2.        February 1	7.  March 7
3.        February 8	8.  March 28
4.        February 15	9.   April 4
5.        February 22	10.  April 11
6.        February 29	11.  April 18

Course Objectives

 Student

·         Understand the centrality of the Greatest and Second Greatest commandment throughout scripture(Matt 22:37-39, Deut 6:5, Lev 19:18, Gen 1-2)

·         Understand God’s redemptive purpose in history culminating in Jesus death, resurrection, and imminent return (Gen 3, Matt 28:18-20, Psalm 1, History of Israel)

·         Understand the process of spiritual maturity(2 Peter 1, John 15, James 2:17-26)

·         Learn how to Study the Bible(Thematic, Inductive, Devotional)

·         Scripture Memory

·         How to cultivate Spiritual Disciplines into their lifestyle(Readiness Guides)

·         Learn how to accomplish qualitative goals by setting performance oriented/quantitative goals

·         Learn how to prioritize tasks(Matt 6:33)

·         Learn how to manage time to effectively maximize productivity

·         Understand the mission of Christian Challenge(Mission Statement)

·         Understand their role as a member of the body of Christ(Spiritual Gifts, Personality profile, Strengths finder)

Challenge Staff/Instructor:

·         Equip future leaders with skills necessary for successful Christian Living

·         Help future leaders develop spiritual disciplines

·         Teach future leaders how to study scripture

·         Help future leaders set goals

·         Teach future leaders time management skills

·         Communicate the mission of Christian Challenge

·         Identify leadership potential

·         Identify students that are Faithful, Available, and Teachable

·         Identify growing edges for future leaders

·         Teach future leaders how to apply biblical principles to their lives

Course Requirements

Stipulations

1.  Student must regularly attend Refuge nights; if not able to attend, communicate the reason to the course instructor in a timely manner

2.  This group doesn't take the place of a community group.  The student still needs to be in a community group.

3.  Student completes individual and group assignments on time

4.  Student regularly attends a local church

5.  Student must not be on academic probation (maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA)

Course Layout

Session 1: Introduction

·         The Character of a Leader(Deut 17:14-20)

·         Character Development and Preparation in the Wilderness.

·         Life of Moses (Exodus 2:11-4:31)

·         Life of Jesus (Mark 1:12, Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-20)

·         Life of Joshua (Moses preparing and training Joshua, expanded in Taking the Land)

Session 2: Love the Lord Your God

·         Relationship w/God

·         How God speaks/ Listening to God

·         Relationship with God influences all other relationships

Process of Behavior

a.        Thoughts

b.      Attitudes/Emotions

c.       Behavior

Thematic Bible Study

a.      What does it say(observe)

b.      What does it mean(interpret)

c.      How do I apply this to my life(apply)

-Revelation about God

-Revelation about self

-Application to community

·         Matthew 22:37-38

Session 3:  Love your Neighbor as Yourself

·         Relationship w/Others

·         Introduce Reflect portions of Readiness Guides

·         Meant to be in relationship

Session 4: Spiritual Maturity is a Process

·         Great Commission

-called to be disciples

-Jesus as primary disciple-maker

-life on life: relationships

-must be made a disciple to make disciples

·         Thematic study through 2 Peter 1

-salvation & growth only possible because of and through Christ

-process of spiritual maturity vs. 5-7

·         Life Roles

·         Goal Setting

-qualitative goals

Session 5:  Living on Point

·         Performance oriented goals/Quantitative Goals

·         Scripture memory

-meditating on scripture

-thought blocks

-topical memory system

·         Setting Priorities

-how to assign weight to activities and tasks

-understanding time sensitivity

Session 6:  The Habit of Reflection

·         Inductive Bible Study through John 15

-remain in Christ

-Centrality of relationship with Christ in all areas of life

·         Time Management(Readiness Guide)

-Comparing scheduled tasks with Life/Ministry Roles

-Eliminating tasks/activities that don’t contribute to the Life/Ministry Roles

Session 7:  Staying Centered

·         Life Centering practices

-habits of reflection

-habits of rest

Session 8:  Discover Who God made you

·         Spiritual Gifts

·         Personality Profile

·         Life History Reflection

·         Biblical Purpose Statement

·         Devotional Method

-Psalm 119:73-80

Session 9:  Where you fit in the Body of Christ

·         The heart of a servant

-Servant leadership like Jesus

-how to discover where your talents and passions mesh with your gifts

·         The need for Accountability

·         Passive Accountability Measures

·         Active Accountability Measures

Session 10:  Duty Station: Mission your community

·         Mission of Christian Challenge

-know and memorize the mission statement

·         Ministry Teams

-Small groups

-Refuge

-Global Impact

·         Commitment to the Team

-learning how to be a team player

-standard to be on the team

-Faithful, Available, Teachable

Session 11: The Great Commission

·         How will you use your gifts?

·         What are your passions?

·         Who are you going to disciple?

·         Who is discipling you?

·         What are your pitfalls?

·         Who can be an active accountability partner in your life?

·         What are passive accountability measures in your life?

·         Matthew 28:18-20(Jesus), Deuteronomy 34:9 (Joshua), 2 Kings 2:1-14(Elisha)