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God in Action
by Captain Michael
Ramsay
Our GOD IN ACTION discipleship resources are
listed below.
We (614 Warehouse Mission,
Toronto) use these based on an AA model.
Each member of the group has a sponsor. The
sponsor works through the 11 steps (doctrines) with the
person. These are contained in the GOD IN ACTION material
below.
>>download God in Action Bible Study
Also as a small AA-sized group, we
collectively work through one of the 'Therefore' steps (A
through I) in the 'As a Soldier in the Salvation Army'
workbook. (material listed below) This usually takes about 50
minutes.
>>download 'As a soldier - Therefore study'
We expect that every soldier will have done
and/or be actively doing this. All of our recruits have
sponsors and are a part of the small groups. Many people are
eager to join these groups. Our biggest challenge right now is
finding enough sponsors for all of our recruits (not to
mention others who are interested and involved)
The theory for working through the GOD IN
ACTION steps with a mentor is that people will learn to engage
theology within a mentorship relationship and then engage life
through a theological lens.
The theory for working through the
'Therefore' steps A through I in the 'As a Soldier in the
Salvation Army' workbook together as a group is that the
'therefores' are all related to ones behaviour as a Christian
soldier in community, therefore we should encourage one
another by holding each other accountable in community.
(People, of course, can also look further into these with
their sponsors).
The weekly meetings begin with opening in
prayer (sometimes the infinitum posture prayer, sometimes
extemporaneous); we then go around the circle reading first
the doctrines then the therefores with each person taking a
turn (unless they pass). We then work on whichever step we are
working on this week, A-I. After this we read a passage from
the Bible and close in prayer. The Lord's Prayer
or extemporaneous prayer is good.
When people work through their GOD IN ACTION
steps one-on-one with their sponsors we encourage them to ask
any deeper questions that they may have from the 'therefores'
group work as well as to pray for each other.
__________________________________________________________
As a soldier in The Salvation Army:
A. I will be responsive to the Holy Spirit's
work and obedient to His leading in my life, growing in grace
through worship, prayer, service and the reading of the Bible.
I will make the values of the Kingdom of God and not the
values of the world the standard for my life.
B. I will uphold Christian integrity in
every area of my life, allowing nothing in thought, word or
deed that is unworthy, unclean, untrue, profane, dishonest or
immoral.
C. I will maintain Christian ideals in all
my relationships with others; my family and neighbours, my
colleagues and fellow salvationists, those to whom and for
whom I am responsible, and the wider community.
D. I will uphold the sanctity of marriage
and of family life. I will be a faithful steward of my time
and gifts, my money and possessions, my body, my mind and my
spirit, knowing that I am accountable to God.
E. I will abstain from alcoholic drink,
tobacco, the non-medical use of addictive drugs, gambling,
pornography, the occult and all else that could enslave the
body or spirit.
F. I will be faithful to the purposes for
which God raised up The Salvation Army, sharing the good news
of Jesus Christ, endeavouring to win others to Him, and in His
name caring for the needy and the disadvantaged.
G. I will be actively involved, as I am
able, in the life, work, worship and witness of the corps,
giving as large a proportion of my income as possible to
support its ministries and the worldwide work of the Army.
H. I will be true to the principles and
practices of The Salvation Army, loyal to its leaders, and I
will show the spirit of salvationism whether in times of
popularity or persecution.
I. I now call upon all present to witness
that I enter into this covenant and sign these articles of war
of my own free will, convinced that the love of Christ, who
died and now lives to save me, requires from me this devotion
of my life to His service for the salvation of the whole
world; and therefore do here declare my full determination, by
God's help, to be a true soldier of The Salvation Army.
__________________________________________________________
The
‘Therefore’ Steps material
>>download
'As a soldier - Therefore study'
A. As a Soldier in The Salvation
Army, I will be responsive to the Holy Spirit's work and
obedient to His leading in my life, growing in grace through
worship, prayer, service and the reading of the Bible. I will
make the values of the Kingdom of God and not the values of
the world the standard for my life.
As a
soldier in The Salvation Army…
1. I
will be responsive to the Holy Spirit's work and obedient to
His leading in my life,
a. Who is the Holy Spirit?
b. What does it mean to be responsive to His
work?
c. What does it mean to be obedient to His
leading?
d. What will you personally do to ensure
that you will be responsive to the Holy Spirit's work and
obedient to His leading in your life?
2. I
will be growing in grace through worship, prayer, service and
the reading of the Bible.
a. What is grace?
b. What does it mean to grow in grace?
c. What is worship and how do you grow in
grace through worship?
d. What is prayer and how do you grow in
grace through prayer?
e. What is service and how do you grow in
grace through service?
f. How often do you read your Bible and how
do you grow in grace through Bible reading?
e. What will you do to facilitate growing in
grace through worship, prayer, service and the reading of the
Bible?
3. I
will make the values of the Kingdom of God and not the values
of the world the standard for my life.
a.
What is the Kingdom of God?
b.
What are the values of the Kingdom of God?
How can we find out more?
c.
What is ‘the world’?
d.
What are the values of the world?
e.
What is a standard?
f.
What does it mean that something is the standard for
your life?
B. I
will uphold Christian integrity in every area of my life,
allowing nothing in thought, word or deed that is unworthy,
unclean, untrue, profane, dishonest or immoral.
As a
soldier in The Salvation Army…
1.
I will uphold Christian integrity in every aspect of my
life
a.
What is a Christian?
b.
What is integrity?
c.
What does it mean to uphold Christian integrity?
d.
In what areas can a soldier not uphold Christian
integrity?
2.
I will allow nothing in deed that is unworthy, unclean,
untrue, profane, dishonest or immoral.
a.
What is an example of deeds that are worthy and
unworthy?
b.
What is an example of deeds that are clean and unclean?
c.
What is an example of deeds that are true and untrue?
d.
What is an example of deeds that are holy and profane?
e.
What is an example of deeds that are honest and
dishonest?
f.
What is an example of deeds that are moral and immoral?
g.
How can you ensure that you keep your deeds are worthy,
clean, true, holy, honest and moral?
3.
I will allow nothing in word that is unworthy, unclean,
untrue, profane, dishonest or immoral.
a.
What is an example of words that are worthy and
unworthy?
b.
What is an example of words that are clean and unclean?
c.
What is an example of words that are true and untrue?
d.
What is an example of words that are holy and profane?
e.
What is an example of words that are honest and
dishonest?
f.
What is an example of words that are moral and immoral?
g.
How can you ensure that you keep your words worthy,
clean, true, holy, honest and moral?
4.
I will allow nothing in thought that is unworthy,
unclean, untrue, profane, dishonest or immoral.
a.
What is an example of thoughts that are worthy and
unworthy?
b.
What is an example of thoughts that are clean and
unclean?
c.
What is an example of thoughts that are true and
untrue?
d.
What is an example of thoughts that are holy and
profane?
e.
What is an example of thoughts that are honest and
dishonest?
f.
What is an example of thoughts that are moral and
immoral?
g.
How can you ensure that you keep your thoughts focused
on that which is worthy, clean, true, holy, honest and moral?
C. I
will maintain Christian ideals in all my relationships with
others; my family and neighbours, my colleagues and fellow
salvationists, those to whom and for whom I am responsible,
and the wider community.
1.
I will maintain Christian ideals.
a.
What is a Christian?
b.
What is a Christian ideal?
c.
What is the importance of maintaining Christian ideals?
2.
I will maintain Christian ideals in all my
relationships with others; my family and neighbours, my
colleagues and fellow salvationists, those to whom and for
whom I am responsible, and the wider community.
a.
What is the value and an example of upholding Christian
ideals with:
i.
Family
ii.
Neighbours
iii.
Colleagues
iv.
Fellow Salvationists
v.
Those to whom I am responsible
vi.
Those for whom I am responsible
vii.
The wider community
D. I
will uphold the sanctity of marriage and of family life. I
will be a faithful steward of my time and gifts, my money and
possessions, my body, my mind and my spirit, knowing that I am
accountable to God.
As a
soldier in The Salvation Army…
1.
I will uphold the sanctity of marriage and of family
life.
a.
Define marriage.
b.
What is ‘sanctity of marriage’ and how does one uphold
it?
i.
What if one is single or in some other sort of
arrangement?
c.
What is family life?
d.
What is the sanctity of family life and how does one
uphold it?
2.
I will be a faithful steward of my time and gifts,
a.
What is a steward and what does it mean to be a
faithful steward?
b.
For whom are we acting as a steward?
c.
How can one be a faithful steward of one’s time?
d.
What are one’s gifts?
e.
How can we be a faithful steward of our gifts?
3.
I will be a faithful steward of my money and
possessions,
a.
To whom do our money and possessions belong?
b.
How do we best manage these on His behalf?
c.
Are there things that we will do differently in the
future?
4.
I will be a faithful steward of my body, my mind and my
spirit,
a.
To whom do my body, mind, and spirit really belong?
b.
What would be the best way to manage a body for God?
c.
What will I do to better manage my body for God?
d.
What would be the best way to manage a mind for God?
e.
What will I do to better manage my mind for God?
f.
What would be the best way to manage a spirit for God?
g.
What will I do to better manage my spirit for God?
5.
I am accountable to God
a.
What does it mean that we are accountable to God for
all of the aforementioned?
b.
How does this knowledge effect our actions in relation
to all of the above?
E. I
will abstain from alcoholic drink, tobacco, the non-medical
use of addictive drugs, gambling, pornography, the occult and
all else that could enslave the body or spirit.
As a
soldier in The Salvation Army…
1.
I will abstain from alcoholic drink,
a.
What does this mean?
b.
Why do you think that a Salvation Army Soldier would do
this?
2.
I will abstain from tobacco,
a.
What does this mean?
b.
Why do you think that a Salvation Army Soldier would do
this?
c.
Is there anything else in our country and culture that
might be covered by this pledge?
3.
I will abstain from the non-medical use of addictive
drugs,
a.
What does this mean?
b.
What is the difference between medical and non-medical
use?
c.
What are some things that may be included in this
category?
d.
Why do you think that a Salvation Army Soldier would do
this?
4.
I will abstain from alcoholic drink,
a.
What does this mean?
b.
Why do you think that a Salvation Army Soldier would do
this?
c.
Is there anything else in our country and culture that
might be covered by this pledge?
5.
I will abstain from gambling?
a.
What is gambling?
i.
Is betting money on which horse will win a race
gambling?
ii.
Is betting money which stock will perform better on the
stock market gambling?
iii.
Is playing cards for a ‘pot of money’ gambling?
iv.
Is playing cards without betting gambling?
v.
Is wagering a quarter gambling?
vi.
Is playing a game of chance for coffee or who pays the
bill gambling?
vii.
Is playing a game of chance without a wager of any kind
gambling?
viii.
Is betting on a sports game gambling?
ix.
Is it gambling to buy scratch tickets and scratch them?
x.
Is it gambling to buy scratch tickets you didn’t buy?
b.
Why do you think that a Salvation Army Soldier would do
this?
6.
I will abstain from pornography,
a.
What does this mean?
i.
What is pornography?
b.
Why do you think that a Salvation Army Soldier would do
this?
7.
I will abstain from the occult,
a.
What is the occult?
i.
Tarot cards?
ii.
Horoscopes?
iii.
Astrology?
iv.
Ouija boards?
v.
Séances?
vi.
Certain music?
vii.
Certain movies?
viii.
Other?
b.
Why do you think that a Salvation Army Soldier would do
this?
8.
I will abstain from all else that can enslave the body.
a.
What else can enslave the body?
b.
What does this mean?
c.
Why do you think that a Salvation Army Soldier would do
this?
9.
I will abstain from all else that can enslave the
spirit.
a.
What else can enslave the spirit?
b.
What does this mean?
c.
Why do you think that a Salvation Army Soldier would do
this?
F. I
will be faithful to the purposes for which God raised up The
Salvation Army, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ,
endeavouring to win others to Him, and in His name caring for
the needy and the disadvantaged.
1.
What are some reasons God raised up The Salvation Army?
2.
What is the Good News of Jesus Christ?
a.
What does ‘Christ’ mean?
3.
What does it mean to win others to Jesus?
a.
How can we do this?
4.
What does it mean to do something in someone’s name? In
Jesus’ Name?
5.
Who are the needy and disadvantaged?
a.
How do we care for the needy and disadvantaged in
Jesus’ Name?
G. I
will be actively involved, as I am able, in the life, work,
worship and witness of the corps, giving as large a proportion
of my income as possible to support its ministries and the
worldwide work of the Army.
1.
What does it mean to be actively involved in something
s you are able?
2.
What is the corps?
3.
What is the life of the corps and how can I be involved
in it?
4.
What is the work of the corps and how can I be involved
in it?
5.
What is the worship of the corps and how can I be
involved in it?
6.
What is the witness of the corps and how can I be
involved in it?
7.
What does it mean that I will give as large a portion
of my income as possible to support its ministries and the
worldwide work of the Army?
H. I
will be true to the principles and practices of The Salvation
Army, loyal to its leaders, and I will show the spirit of
salvationism whether in times of popularity or persecution.
1.
What are the pinciples and practices of The Salvation
Army?
2.
Who are the leaders in The Salvation Army?
3.
What does it mean to be loyal to its leaders?
4.
What is the spirit of salvationism?
5.
How can I show my loyalty to the Army in times of
popularity and persecution?
I. I
now call upon all present to witness that I enter into this
covenant and sign these articles of war of my own free will,
convinced that the love of Christ, who died and now lives to
save me, requires from me this devotion of my life to His
service for the salvation of the whole world; and therefore do
here declare my full determination, by God's help, to be a
true soldier of The Salvation Army.
1.
What is a covenant?
2.
What does it mean to do something of your own free
will?
3.
Are you convinced of the love of Christ, who died and
now lives to save me?
4.
Are you willing to devote your life to Jesus’ service
for the salvation of the whole world?
5.
Are you determined, by God's help, to be a true soldier
of The Salvation Army?
__________________________________________________________
God
In Action Bible Study
*God
in Action Bible Study Manuel produced by Captain Michael
Ramsay
at the Swift Current Corps of The Salvation
Army, September 2012.
>>download
God in Action Bible Study
ONE
ARMY: We see a God-raised, Spirit-filled Army for the 21st
century - convinced of our calling, moving forward together
We will...
-
deepen our spiritual life
-
unite in prayer
-
identify and develop leaders
-
increase self-support and self-denial
ONE
MISSION: Into the world of the hurting, broken, lonely,
dispossessed and lost, reaching them in love by all means
We will...
-
emphasise our integrated ministry
-
reach and involve youth and children
-
stand for and serve the marginalised
-
encourage innovation in mission
ONE
MESSAGE: With the transforming message of Jesus, bringing
freedom, hope and life
We will...
-
communicate Christ unashamedly
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reaffi¬rm our belief in transformation
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evangelise and disciple effectively
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provide quality teaching resources
Doctrines of The Salvation Army
1. We believe that the Scriptures of the Old
and New Testaments were given by inspiration of God; and that
they only constitute the Divine rule of Christian faith and
practice.
2. We believe that there is only one God,
who is infinitely perfect, the Creator, Preserver, and
Governor of all things, and who is the only proper object of
religious worship.
3. We believe that there are three persons
in the Godhead - the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost -
undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory.
4. We believe that in the person of Jesus
Christ the Divine and human natures are united, so that He is
truly and properly God and truly and properly man.
5. We believe that our first parents were
created in a state of innocency, but by their disobedience
they lost their purity and happiness; and that in consequence
of their fall all men have become sinners, totally depraved,
and as such are justly exposed to the wrath of God.
6. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ
has, by His suffering and death, made an atonement for the
whole world so that whosoever will may be saved.
7. We believe that repentance towards God,
faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and regeneration by the Holy
Spirit are necessary to salvation.
8. We believe that we are justified by
grace, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; and that he
that believeth hath the witness in himself.
9. We believe that continuance in a state of
salvation depends upon continued obedient faith in Christ.
10. We believe that it is the privilege of
all believers to be wholly sanctified, and that their whole
spirit and soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
11. We believe in the immortality of the
soul; in the resurrection of the body; in the general judgment
at the end of the world; in the eternal happiness of the
righteous; and in the endless punishment of the wicked.
In
this Bible Study we will be looking at different ways in which
God is active in our world today. We will look at various
scriptures and ask ourselves, ‘what are we going to do about
it’?
>>download
God in Action Bible Study
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