Introduction. What is LivingOaks Restoration and Discipleship Ministry? Hide God s Word in Your Heart. Foundations

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1 Introduction Foundations Early in Jesus ministry, He went back to Nazareth, His home town. He went to his home church (synagogue) for worship and was asked to read the scripture passage. The following scripture is the passage He was asked to read: Hide God s Word in Your Heart Memorize Psalm 119:11 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me,because the LORD has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell thosewho mourn that the time of the LORD s favor has come, (Jesus stopped reading here) and with it, the day of God s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. For the LORD has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory. (Isaiah 61:1-3 NLT) After reading the passage: He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. Everyone in the synagogue stared at him intently. Then he said, This Scripture has come true today before your very eyes! (Luke 4:20,21 NLT) So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free. (John 8:36 NLT) What is LivingOaks Restoration and Discipleship Ministry? LivingOaks Restoration and Discipleship Ministry (LORD Ministry) is a PROCESS. It is NOT simply a Bible study class. During the LORD Ministry process God, through His Holy Spirit uses truth to: heal the brokenhearted. free people from captivity to sin. exchange despair for hope. move Christians out of the doldrums of the ordinary into God s extraordinary purposes for their lives. Introduction 1

2 LivingOaks Restoration and Discipleship Workbook What is LORD Ministry? Opinion Questions: How do you think conviction is different from condemnation or accusation? Write your answer below. Who do you think condemns or accuses you? Write your answer. Read Romans 8:1. If you struggle with feeling judged, accused or condemned, this would be a good scripture for you to memorize. LORD Ministry is a process that includes teaching, personal study in the Word, scripture memorization, fellowship and accountability. The heart of the process is a prayer encounter with God during which Holy Spirit uses truth to set you free. Holy Spirit uses the teaching part of the process to make you aware of your need, give you hope for victory and change and encourage you to do what is necessary to make change happen - in other words, to convict us. The classes begin with foundational topics that set the stage for moving into freedom in Christ, wholeness and maturity. The foundational classes are followed by classes that address specific issues - what we call focus areas - that can keep you from living in the victory, wholeness and freedom that Christ made available to us. Each class will be presented by an instructor with the aid of slides via computer. Following each class, you will receive the text of the class to be added to your Participant Workbook for further personal study and reflection.the Participant Workbook includes the text of the class taught, related scripture reading, search and study assignments and related scripture for you to hide in your heart as well as additional information. We suggest you use the same translation of the Bible for your memorization that you use for your study. The LORD Ministry process also includes a Prayer Encounter with God during which Holy Spirit uses truth to set you free. The Prayer Encounter assignments relate specifically to the focus areas. Some class groups will begin the prayer encounter after they complete the first focus area lesson. Other class groups will begin after they have completed all of the teaching. You will work through the Prayer Encounter with an Encourager - a mature, trustworthy person who will be there to intercede and guide you through the process. The Prayer Encounter takes place in a safe environment selected by the person who encourages you through the encounter. With your encourager you will experience true fellowship (defined in the second class) and accountability. However, the Prayer Encounter is NOT a time for counseling or advice giving. It is truly an encounter WITH GOD. Your encourager is there simply to guide you and encourage you through the process. Holy Spirit is The Counselor. Jesus Christ is your healer. 2 Introduction

3 Who Does LORD Ministry Benefit? Foundations LORD Ministry benefits BELIEVERS who do not experience victory. I don t understand myself at all. I really want to do what is right, but I don t do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate... When I want to do good, I don t. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway... Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who wil free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 7:15, 19, 24-25a NLT) LORD Ministry benefits BELIEVERS who are stuck in the past. Don t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. (Romans 12:2 NLT) > Questions for Reflection: Are you currently struggling with particular sins or issues in the way Paul desribes in this scripture? If not, have you ever? Make note here of the sin(s) or issue(s). > What behavior and customs of this world are still very attractive to you. Are there memories memories that you replay in your mind often or that come unbidden? Make note here. No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven. (Philippians 3:13-14 NLT) LORD Ministry benefits BELIEVERS who are NOT experiencing the fruit of the Spirit. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21 NLT) > Read Galatians 5:22. Of the fruit of the Spirit listed, what three are most evident in your life? List here. Introduction 3

4 LivingOaks Restoration and Discipleship Workbook Who Does LORD Ministry Benefit? LORD Ministry benefits BELIEVERS who want to move from where they are now into greater maturity....until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God s Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13 NLT) Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God. (2 Corinthians 7:1 NLT) Assignment: Highlight, circle or underline? the five freedoms listed that are the most important to you. There are more listed on the next page. Freedom is part of EVERY BELIEVER s inheritance! Freedom from the pain and hurt of the past Freedom from oppression and depression Freedom from fear Freedom from being controlled by negative emotions Freedom from pride and rebellion Freedom from habitual sin Freedom from offense and bitterness Freedom from the sins and weaknesses of one s parents and ancestors Freedom from rejection and the fear of rejection Freedom from lies and deception about God, others, self, relationships and our enemy Freedom to live victoriously! Freedom to live in hope and faith! Freedom to love and be loved unconditionally! Freedom to accept yourself! Freedom to accept others! 4 Introduction

5 Who Does LORD Ministry Benefit? Foundations Freedom of a quiet mind! Freedom to live confidently! Freedom to discern and reject the enemies lies! Freedom to love God with all your heart, soul and mind! When you believed and received Jesus Christ into your life, you were saved. For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. (Romans 10:9,10 NLT) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8 NKJV) Salvation is the initial act of God in our lives that brings us into relationship with Him and makes all the benefits of that relationship available to us. Salvation happens in an instant and is complete. Salvation begins the life-long process of sanctification. The word sanctification is translated from the Greek word hagiasmos which means purification. The word carries the sense of being brought back to the original purposes for which something was created. Sanctification is the process of growing up, maturing as a Christian and of being conformed to the image of Christ. Shortly before His death, Jesus prayed for His followers: Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. (John 17:17 NKJV) For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn, with many brothers and sisters. (Romans 8:29 NLT) LORD Ministry In Context God makes freedom (as defined earlier) available tous when we are saved it is a part of our inheritance in Christ. However, in order to be set free, we must know > Assignment Question: When, where and how were you save? In other words, describe your salvation experience. Write your answer below. Note: If you cannot point to a specific time in your life when you believed and received Jesus Christ, would you please talk with your teacher. This may be the time God is calling you to come into relationship with Him. Introduction 5

6 LivingOaks Restoration and Discipleship Workbook Assignment: On a scale of one to ten? (one being the lowest), presently, how free and victorious are you in your walk with God? Circle your answer below LORD Ministry In Context freedom is available to us and reach out to God and receive it. Jesus said to the people who believed in him: You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (John 8:31, 32 NLT) Emphasis is writer s. It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1 NAS) So if the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free. (John 8:36 NLT) Assignment: Highlight, underline or circle the three promises of this scripture that mean the most to you. Commitment to the Process: Are you ready to find freedom and victory in your life? If so, are you willing to commit yourself to the time and work necessary? Are you willing to be consistent and accountable, barring emergencies? If so, would you pray the following prayer? Heavenly Father, in Jesus Name, I declare to you that I want to be free! To that end, Lord, I commit myself to completing this LORD Ministry process. I ask You to help me and encourage me to do so by the power of Your Spirit. Open the eyes of my heart to truth. Reveal to me any lies and deception I have been believing. Give me a teachable spirit. I ask these things in Jesus mighty Name. Amen It has taken you a lifetime up to the present to become bound. When you do learn the truth, it takes a relatively short time for you to be set free. It is God s will that you live your life in freedom. Without freedom, your growth is stunted, and you will never become who God created you to be. The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, because the LORD has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD s favor has come, and with it, the day of God s anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, he will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. For the LORD has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory. (Isaiah 61:1-3 NLT) 6 Introduction