Teacher: God’s Spirit
Textbook: Bible
- Any Christfollower can grasp these 6 elemental truths about the nature of a simple church rather quickly,
- then spend the rest of their lives sharpening and living-out what they’ve learned
- among many groups of overlooked friends.
Simple Example: Most evangelists believe a person can grasp at least a basic understanding of what John 3:16 means, accept Christ, and be eternally changed in one conversation. Though thousands of books have been written about “evangelism,” the livable truth of it is refreshingly simple. We know that God’s Spirit is the real force at work in a person’s heart and mind anyway.
Grasping the basics of “how-to-be-a-church” together is also just as uncomplicated. If you are a Christfollower you don’t have to go to Bible College, be ordained, read a thick book, go through ten steps, be certified, or get the state’s permission to become the Body of Christ, the Church, in your circle of relationships. Though more thousands of books have been written about “church,” the uncomplicated, refreshing, life-changing, livable truth about it is also profoundly simple. Doable. God’s Spirit, again, is the real guide and power at work in making it “church.” All you need is His Spirit, a “Paul” to mentor you, and a grasp of the basics.
An “Aha” Moment: As a child I was extremely hesitant about getting in water over my head. Though I went to pools and lakes with family, I limited my participation to the shallows always. I couldn’t swim and thought it was just too risky to learn... wouldn’t even try.
Then a lifeguard told me he could teach me to swim in two minutes! Though I only half believed him, that caught my interest. He assured me he’d taught scores of kids to swim and all it took was two minutes.
Okay ... I gave him a chance. Sure enough, he helped me to see and do the basics ... kicking, paddling, breathing correctly ... and within moments I was swimming! It wasn’t as difficult, drawn-out, or threatening as I had imagined ... pretty simple actually.
Was I a good swimmer? No, I was just a novice, but I was swimming ... out of the shallow water, diving, dunking, and having a great splash with my friends. Over the years I’ve gotten more skilled, but overcoming my own mental block was the biggest hurdle.
Why did I think it was so difficult, so impossible for me? (The parallels for Christfollowers who can’t “swim” ... gather and lead a simple church ... are too obvious.)
Yes, you can grasp the basics quickly. Will you be great at it? Probably not. But the Spirit doesn’t need, or want, your greatness anyway. HE is the real power and guide.
Becoming A Simple Church
... six elemental truths to grasp, live-out, and sharpen for the rest of your life
Note: In each of the six “basics” spend some quiet minutes soaking up each truth. Read the scripture, and then let the scripture “read you.” Listen to God’s Voice as He gives you insight about: a Christfollower friend to partner with, your community, your circle of relationships, an overlooked group to love, His guidance and power, other verses He brings to mind. Be still and silent before the Lord…what does His Spirit nudge in your heart?
Read through each of the articles on the sidebar in order.
