Christian. by Bill Hybels and Mark Mittelberg. Pentecostal Church of God Ministers' Study Series Becoming A Contagions

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1 /s5s!^ Pentecostal Church of God Ministers' Study Series Becoming A Contagions Christian by Bill Hybels and Mark Mittelberg Afm Copyrighted material, do not duplicate. Copyright Messenger Publishing House Ministry Resource Center Joplin, MO

2 How to Use This Study Guide Please work through all the study steps listed below. Taking the timeto follow thesestudy steps will help you understand and applythe text materials and concepts. 1 Scan the textbook. Read any included supplementary mate rial (Preface, et), then scan through the chapter andsection headings. Scan this Study Guide. Consider the basic types of informa tion (lists, quotes, principles, et) you'll be looking for as you read the textbook. Read the book, marking noteworthytext Underline, high light, and make marginal notations. This will be valuable for completing the Study Guide and for your own future refer ence. Complete the Study Guide exercises. This will help you retain absorbed material, an important step to permanently reinforce the learning process. Carefully review all the Study Guide material.

3 (~^- Course Objective: Upon completion ofthis course, the student will be able to (a) have a practical plan of action to reach lost souls, (b) find a comfortable style ofevan- gelism that fits his/her own personality, and (c) spread the gospel to others without anxiety or frustration. Chapters 1,2,3 Learning Objective: Upon completion ofthis section the student will be able to (a) communicate the value which Jesus placed on reaching the lost, (b) describe the rewards and costs ofbecoming a contagious Christian, and (c) name the elements in the plan Jesus established for reaching the worl ^ y 1. The view that the universe was somehow designed to sup- port human life is called the Principle. 2. Taking a cue from the "upside down pyramid" concept adopted in the world of business, the church must focus its efforts on the rather than 3. The three common threads which can be identified in Christ's parables ofthe lost sheep, lost coin and prodigal son are:

4 4. List the seven benefits ofbecoming a contagious Christian: e. f. g-_ 5. The six dimensions of spiritual growth which tend to occur when lethargic believers break out ofspiritual isolation and meet spiritual seekers are: _. e;.^^^ ^ 6. The costs ofcontagious Christianity were identifiedas: ;. C. ; e..^ 7. The authors have described Christ's plan for influencing our world using the formula + + =. The elements in the formula are 4- + = /^% 4

5 8. Christ's use ofthe metaphor salt in Matt. 5:13 represents the and dimensions ofthe formula and His use oflight in Matt. 5:14 represents the dimension. 9. On a scale of 1 to 10, rate the church, as you know it, on its commitment to reaching people outside the church. Chapters 4, 5, 6 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Upon completion of this sec tion the student will be able to identify the commitments which high-potency Christians must demonstrate. 10. The three dimensions ofhigh-potency Christians dis cussed in this section are: 11. The four elements ofauthenticity listed in the text are: authentic authentic authentic and the related area 12. Stated more fully, the elements ofauthenticity listed above mean: C.

6 13. Scriptures citedto emphasize the need for Christians to show compassion are: 14. "Compassion busters" named in the text are: 15. A briefdefinition ofwhat is meant by each ofthe "com passion busters" listed above is as follows: b _- 16. The three areas ofsacrificial giving named in the text are: 17. The models of long term consistent living thatwere iden tified in the text are and. 18. The "marathon runner" differs from the "sprinter" in that he consistently maintains these four traits day afterday:. '

7 Chapters 7,8,9 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Upon completion ofthis sec tion the student will be able to (a) cite biblical examples of Christians building relationships outside their ranks, (b) identify barriers which prevent Christians from doing so, and (c) describe different strategies for establishing relationships which are both productive and comfortable. 19. Mark Mittelberg named the technique ofestablishing relationships on natural, non-threatening grounds before moving on to spiritual topics the Principle. 20. With these words in 1 Corinthians 9:22-23, Paul stated his position on relating to people for the sake ofthe gospel: 21. Four barriers to building relationships outside ofthe church body were identified as: 22. Some scriptures which have been interpreted in such a way as to discourage relationships with non-believers are: ^^ 23. Christ defended Matthew's choice ofthose whom he invited to a meal by reminding the Pharisees that

8 24. In 1 John 2:15-17, the word "world" is not referring to but rather to. 25.To move from the theoretical to the practical in one's witnessing, the text suggests that one construct an 1 ofthree people whom one would like to influence spiritually. 26. Dieter Zander said that in preparation for approaching individuals about their spiritual conditions, one ought to 27. Citing the event they called "Matthew's Party," the authors assertthat unconventional approaches which mix spiritual "haves and have-nots" are not merely, butare in God's redemptive work. 28. While being innovative and creative in designing efforts, % to reach people, churches should remember to focus on rather than on. 29. In taking the first steps to get close to unbelievers and eventually lead them to Christ, one should focus on these three groups: 30. Two general approaches to getting involved with people you already know are: ^

9 31. Approaching people employed in business and services, which one frequents for the purpose ofwitnessing, was labeled. ' 32. Af\er having become discouraged attempting to evangel ize using traditional methods, Mark Mittelberg discovered the following two things while attending a teaching series entitled "Adventures in Personal Evangelism": 33. Six biblical styles ofevangelism identified were: Peter's approach Paul's approach Blind man's approach Matthew's approach e. Samaritan's approach /0m^ f. Dorcas' approach 34. Based on a recent poll by George Baraa, about % ofthe adults in the U.S. would go to church ifsomeone invited them. The primary question one needs to ask before inviting them is. 25. List three individuals you know personally whom you feel you could impact spiritually by reaching out to them.

10 26. List the planned social events presented in the text (pages ) and the everyday activities (pages ) through which relationships can be established or strength ened with unbelievers, and add events/activities which you '7 feel would be productive in your own setting: Chapters 10,11,12 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Upon completion ofthis sec tion the student will be able to (a) describe some methods for starting spiritual conversations, (b) give some basic under standings one must have before starting spiritual conversa tions, (c) cite illustrations useful in making the message clear, and (d) identify barriers to the hearer's believing which must be broken for effective witnessing. 37. Before attempting to engage in spiritual conversations, a person should: list review and 10

11 38. Three methods for steering conversations toward spiritu al subjects are: c 39. Three tips for using the invitational methods are:. 40. Six overriding principles for starting spiritual conversations are:. f. 41. The two-fold goal ofchapter 11 was to make sure that: _ 42. A person needs to get a firm grip on the realities ofthese four primary points before attempting to witness: God is We are Christ did these things for us You must 11

12 43. The core meaning that each ofthe following illustrations provides for making the message clear is: Do vs. done Bridge illustration Roman road. Baseball e. Airplane 44. The final method ofpresentation all Christians can use, which Paul used three times in the book ofacts, is 45. Three useful tips for making your presentation more effective are: 46. Three major barriers to belief, which must be overcome, are: 47. Spiritually inquisitive friends should be encouraged to and then, and 12

13 48. List the ideas presented on pages for starting spiritual conversations using the direct, indirect, and invita tional methods, and evaluate them in light ofyour own experience. /$PK 49. Describe the barriers to the beliefpresented on pages in the text and list ways ofhelping people overcome these barriers: 13

14 Chapters 13,14,15 LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Upon completion ofthis sec tion the studentwill be able to (a) describe the process for successfully leading someone to a commitment to Christ, (b) identify the characteristics ofa contagious church, and (c) better communicate the importance ofinvesting one's life in people. 'i 50. A good message not only helps people to, but also inspires them to. Therefore, the goal ofcontagious Christians is not merely to but to. 51. The areas ofassessment needed to measure the readiness ofpeople to respond to one's witness are: 3" : /^\ C. 52. Seven guidelines for "crossing the line" and leading peo ple to a commitment are: e. f. g- 14

15 53. The five things which needto be done following a com mitment, to ensure thatthe person gets established in his/her newfound faith, are: : e. 54. Fifteen characteristics of"contagious churches" are:. s e. f.. g- h. i. _ J., k. 1. m. n. o. 55. When people ninety-five years old and older were asked what they would do differently ifthey had their lives to live over, they responded that they would: 15

16 56. On a scale of 1 to 10, rate the church in general, as well as the local church ofwhich you are a part, on the character istics of a contagious church described inthe text. Ask your- ^_- self ifyou are now doing the things whichthe ninety-five- 1 year-olds saidthey would do ifthey couldlive life over. 16