The Circles of Christian Life

The Three Circles of (Spiritual) Life

1 Timothy 4:13-16 Until I arrive, be sure to keep on reading the Scriptures in worship, and don't stop preaching and teaching. Use the gift you were given when the prophets spoke and the group of church leaders blessed you by placing their hands on you. Remember these things and think about them, so everyone can see how well you are doing. Be careful about the way you live and about what you teach. Keep on doing this, and you will save not only yourself, but the people who hear you. Paul and Timothy

1 Timothy 4:13-16 1 Until I arrive, be sure to keep on reading the Scriptures in worship, and don't stop preaching and teaching. Use the gift you were given when the prophets spoke and the group of church leaders blessed you by placing their hands on you. Remember these things and think about them, so everyone can see how well you are doing. Be careful about the way you live and about what you teach. Keep on doing this, and you will save not only yourself, but the people who hear you. 2 3

Paul advises Timothy to follow three priorities in his spiritual life keep on reading the Scriptures in worship don't stop preaching and teaching Be careful about the way you live and about what you teach Study/Doctrine Witness Behavior/Character The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day.

The Three Circles of Christian Life 1. Study/Doctrine Correct Theological Position True Bible Orthodoxy maintains purity

Colossians 3:16 Rotherham Let the word of Christ dwell within you richly—in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another, with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, with gratitude raising song with your hearts unto God Our experiences and our studies give us wisdom based on our knowledge of God through study, meditation, prayer Our knowledge makes us effective witnesses to others Our study and witnessing transforms us 2006 International Seminar, Baia Mare, Romania

Studying the scriptures gives you theological framework John 5:39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me 2006 International Seminar, Baia Mare, Romania

Doctrine provides nourishment Original foreward, Volume 6 Our Lord…promised that he would send forth to his people meat in due season (Luke 12:37-42)…at a time, when without it, their spiritual growth would have been stunted, if not entirely checked…even the old things of God’s Word, the old truths, may have a new and appetizing flavor, and be appropriated to their still further spiritual health and strength.

Ephesians 4:11-12 And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; Volumes, writings shouldn’t be rejected because written by man—this is the way God said would instruct Church

The Three Circles of Christian Life 1. Study/Doctrine Correct Theological Position True Bible Orthodoxy maintains purity Comes first, but if all there is, becomes seedbed of spiritual pride

The Three Circles of Christian Life 2. Witnessing Ability to discuss Reasoning ability based on Knowledge of Truth— sharing with others why God acts as He does

What Does Truth Mean To Us? Remove focus of life from ourselves Focus of life becomes knowledge of plan

What Does Truth Mean For Us? Responsibility to knowledge Two choices: act on it or reject it Create theme in life other than self-gratification Desire to live and preach Giving of talents and time Willingness to forgo pleasures of life

Witnessing from the scriptures gives opportunity to find others interested Acts 17:1, 2 Now when they had traveled through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews. And according to Paul's custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures. . . Acts 18:4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. Witness Workshop, 2006 Seminar

Why Must We Become Students and Teachers? Learning and teaching is God’s greatest endowment to His children Study alone is insufficient Must spur action, action spurs training Moved by study, to change our lives and lives of others “In the dust of the Rabbi” Knowledge not ultimate goal, study transforms into apt teachers—now for our brethren and for world in Millennial Age

First understand, then become teacher Hebrews 5:11-14 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Home of the Achims in Baia Mare, sponsors of seminar

Ecclesiastes 12:9-12 In addition to being a wise man, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge; and he pondered, searched out and arranged many proverbs. The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly. The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body. The Judgment of Solomon by de Boulogne

October 20 Manna “Be ye wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matt. 10:16 “Oh, that all of the Lord’s dear people could learn the value of wisdom in connection with their endeavors to serve the Truth!...We should learn that there are opportune and inopportune times for mentioning certain truths, and that there are wise and unwise methods of presenting them…it is not enough that we speak the truth…we should see to it that we speak the truth in love, and love that is trained uses wisdom that it may accomplish good.”

The Three Circles of Christian Life 2. Witnessing Ability to discuss Reasoning ability based on Knowledge of Truth— sharing with others why God acts as He does If all there is leads to self promotion And provides seedbed for spiritual pride

The Three Circles of Christian Life 3. Behavior/Character Humble heart Devotional attitude Daily practice of the reality of God in your life

Doctrine produces discipline to exercise senses to discern what is right conduct Hebrews 5:11-14 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. 'Saint Paul writing his Epistles’ by Valentin de Boulogne

Z5080, The Mark of Crystallization of Character God’s standard of character is perfection, which must be maintained by loyalty and obedience under whatever tests he permits to come to individuals upon any plane of life. No one will get the prize of everlasting life unless he successfully passes those tests.

Reprint 1840 “According to the Scriptural standard, the elect Church of Christ should be the most polished, the most refined, the most polite, the most generous, the most kind, of all the people in the world;-and should be all these in the most absolute sense; “not in the mere sense of an outward form and appearance of kindness, gentleness, etc., so common in the world; but a gentleness, a kindness, proceeding from the heart, proceeding from an appreciation of the Lord’s spirit…”

What God seeks in character Paul’s advice Teachableness (humility) Desire, dedication, determination A will to obey Deliberate choices, not something into which one drifts Joshua 24:15: “..choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve..”

Although character is third circle, it is not tertiary Great Wall of China In ancient China, people desired security from the barbaric hordes to the north Built the great Chinese wall so high that knew no one could climb over it, so thick that nothing could break it down Settled back to enjoy security During first hundred years of wall, China invaded three times Never did barbaric hordes break down wall or climb over top Each time they bribed a gatekeeper and then marched through the gates Chinese were so busy relying upon walls of stone they forgot to teach integrity to children Proverbs 2:6, 7 For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity

What’s Inside Your Sponge? Under pressure, what’s inside comes out—what comes out of your sponge?

The Three Circles of Christian Life Study and doctrine Witnessing and harvesting Behavior and Character Circles must be properly established, emphasized, related

Philippians 3:13, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you… Rembrandt’s Apostle Paul

Paul’s summary 1 Timothy 6:20-21 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"-- which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you. Scriptures aren’t a technical book or a legal guideline They are our source for the Circles of Life!

Characteristics of those driven by The Circles of Life Study and doctrine 1.Brings together whole being—new mind and old body--into harmony 2.Gives every day experiences new meaning--aimed at improving and exercising God-like qualities 3. Focuses us on the transforming work of consecration Witnessing and harvesting Behavior and character

Circle of Life Characteristics of… 1. Study/Doctrine loyal rather than sectarian steadfast rather than stubborn unmovable rather than stationary discerning rather than critical authoritative rather than autocratic True Bible Orthodoxy maintains purity

Circle of Life Characteristics of… 2. Witnessing energetic rather than self-seeking tactful rather than timid humorous rather than hilarious meek rather than weak holy rather than holier-than-thou Reasoning ability based on Knowledge of Truth— sharing with others why God acts as He does

Circle of Life Characteristics of… 3. Behavior/Character self-efficacy rather than self-esteem tender-hearted rather than touchy gentle rather than hypersensitive generous rather than gullible serious rather than sullen Self-efficacy is an impression that one is capable of performing in a certain manner or attaining certain goals. [1] It is a belief that one has the capabilities to execute the courses of actions required to manage prospective situations. Unlike efficacy, which is the power to produce an effect (in essence, competence), self-efficacy is the belief (whether or not accurate) that one has the power to produce that effect. For example, a person with high self efficacy may engage in a more health related activity when an illness occurs, whereas a person with low self efficacy would result in feelings of hopelessness. [2]It is important here to understand the distinction between self-esteem and self-efficacy. Self-esteem relates to a person’s sense of self-worth, whereas self-efficacy relates to a person’s perception of their ability to reach a goal. For example, say a person is a terrible rock climber. They would likely have a poor self-efficacy in regard to rock climbing, but this wouldn’t need to affect their self-esteem; most people don’t invest much of their self-esteem in this activity. Character qualities

1 Timothy 4:13-16 The Code for Life Until I arrive, be sure to keep on reading the Scriptures in worship, and don't stop preaching and teaching. Use the gift you were given when the prophets spoke and the group of church leaders blessed you by placing their hands on you. Remember these things and think about them, so everyone can see how well you are doing. Be careful about the way you live and about what you teach. Keep on doing this, and you will save not only yourself, but the people who hear you. Paul and Timothy

Witnessing and harvesting Study and doctrine Witnessing and harvesting Behavior/ Character Circles must be properly established, emphasized, related

Amen 1992 Hurricane Andrew destroyed thousands of homes in South Florida One area looked like a war zone was one house standing, anchored on foundation Reporter asked homeowner why house hadn’t been blown away Replied, “I built this house myself. I also built it according to the Florida state building code. Whatever the code called for, I used. I was told that a house built according to code could withstand a hurricane—and it did.” Illustrates Jesus’ message of building a life (character) according to code (doctrine) If build according to code, won’t be swept away when crises hit with hurricane-force wind Temptation and storms of suffering will not be able to sweep us off foundation of faith Adversity comes, yet building according to code means character strengthened, example assured Hurricane Andrew 1992