1 ~ THE FOUNDATION FOR DISCIPLESHIP

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1 1 ~ THE FOUNDATION FOR DISCIPLESHIP The Fourfold Ministry of Christ & Memorizing Scripture THE FOURFOLD MINISTRY OF JESUS CHRIST Suggested Reading The Vine and the Branches: A History of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel by Nathaniel M. Van Cleave This Is That: Personal Experiences, Sermons and Writings of Aimee Semple McPherson Christian Life Center is a member of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. Foursquare is used of the tabernacle in the Book of Exodus, of the Temple of the LORD in Ezekiel 40:47, and of the New Jerusalem Heaven in the book of the Revelation. The term Foursquare Gospel was given as a revelation of Christ s Ministry to Aimee Semple McPherson during an evangelistic crusade in Oakland, CA in Go to our website, and view a video on the life of Aimee Semple McPherson by clicking the About Foursquare tab. 1. Jesus Christ is our (Red, Cross) We believe Jesus our Savior is co-existent and co-eternal with God. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He took upon Himself the form of man and bore our sins on the cross. There He provided forgiveness for sin, He rose from the grave the third day and ascended back to Heaven where He is seated at the right hand of God. Today Christ serves as Mediator between God and man and makes intercession for us. The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him... (Also Isaiah 1:18, 55:7; Romans 5:12; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 7:25) 2. Jesus Christ is our with the Holy Spirit (Yellow, Dove) We believe the Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Godhead, is Omnipotent and Omnipresent. The Holy Spirit convicts of sin and righteousness, draws sinners to the Savior, rebukes, pleads and searches out the hearts of mankind. He comforts, guides, teaches, baptizes and endues with power. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a promise from Jesus to endue believers with power, to glorify and exalt the Lord Jesus, to give inspired utterance in witnessing of Him, to foster the spirit of prayer and to equip the individual and the church for soul-winning. The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel Discipleship Development is a Ministry Institute of Christian Life Center, A Foursquare Church 9085 California Avenue, Riverside, CA discipleshipdevelopment.org Jack & Jane Lankhorst, Pastors Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute

2 Acts 1:5, 8 For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit... you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Also John 14:16-17; Acts 2:4, 8:17, 10:44-46; 1 Corinthians 3:16) 3. Jesus Christ is our (Blue, Cup) We believe that Divine Healing is the power of Jesus Christ to heal the sick and the afflicted in answer to believing prayer; that He who is the same yesterday, and today and forever has never changed but is still an all-sufficient help in the time of trouble, able to meet the needs of, and quicken into newness of life, the body, as well as the soul and spirit, in answer to the faith of them who ever pray with submission to His divine and sovereign will. The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel Matthew 8:17 He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses... (Also Matthew 9:5-6; Mark 16:17-18; Luke 4:18; Acts 4:29-30; James 5:15) 4. Jesus Christ is our Soon-Coming (Purple, Crown) We believe Jesus, our King, will come again. This Second Coming of Christ is a promise given by Jesus Himself for believers who are prepared for His coming. It includes the rapture, the revelation and ascension into Heaven. His coming will bring together both the dead in Christ and those who are alive and will be followed by the Great Tribulation and Millennium. The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout... the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. (Also Matthew 24:36-44; Luke 12:35-37, 19:13; Titus 2:12-13; 2 Peter 3:10; Hebrews 9:28) MEMORIZING & MEDITATING ON SCRIPTURE Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Psalm 119: I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Suggested Reading Topical Memory System by the Navigators 1. It is easier to meditate on Scripture when you have memorized it because you always have it with you. (Psalm 119:9-11) 2. The word meditate in this scripture is the Hebrew word, haghah meaning to murmur, muse, Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute 2

3 muter, to whisper and to speak. It describes a low moaning sound like that of a dove (Isaiah 38:14; 59:11) or the growling of a lion which has trapped its prey (Isaiah 31:4). 2. Meditation is a positive of Scripture to yourself. It is to repeat Scripture to yourself, to ponder. Psalm 1:2 on His law he meditates day and night. 3. Meditation is reflecting upon the words of Scripture. Psalm 119:15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. 4. Meditation is communing with God in the of His own written Word. Psalm 119:48 I lift up my hands to (for) your commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees. 5. Meditation is your day around Scripture. Psalm 119:97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. 6. Meditation brings and understanding. Psalm 119: Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. 7. Meditate when you that His promises will ever come to pass. I Kings 8:56 Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to his people Israel just as he promised. Not one word has failed all of the good promises he gave through his servant Moses. 8. Meditate when people wrong us without just cause. Psalm 119:23 Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees. 9. Meditation is an act of to His Word. Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. 10. Other times to meditate on God s Word HOW TO MEMORIZE SCRIPTURE 1. Begin by selecting a scripture to memorize such as: Jesus answered, It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4). Jesus is quoting Deuteronomy 8:3 in response to the devil s temptation in the wilderness. 2. First understand the context of the Scripture, what is before it and what follows it. Then describe the general overall meaning and why God through the writer wrote that Scripture. Now break it into logical phrases and begin to memorize each phrase in the context of the verse. 3. the Scripture several times, saying it out loud and emphasize a different word each time. Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute 3

4 Man does not live on bread alone Man does not live on bread alone 4. Think about the of each word. Man: Every man; all mankind. This is a universal principle. Everyone is included. Man does not: A final decree. No one will change it. A firm negative. Man does not live: Living is more than just existing. There is physical life and spiritual life. God made us to enjoy the pleasures of life in His presence. Christ came to give us eternal life and abundant physical life. God is life and He made life. 5. Use the Scripture in to God. As you pray, ponder each word for personal application. Example: Man does not live on bread alone Lord, I know that we don t receive true life from anything but from Your Word. Thank you for giving me that understanding. I ask that you would continue to enlarge my revelation of Your great ability to provide for me in every area of my life. But on every word comes from the mouth of God. Thank you, Lord, for teaching me to gain nourishment from every part of Your Word. 6. By memorizing God s Word, you hide His Word in your heart (Psalm 119:11). This enables the Holy Spirit to use it as needed. SCRIPTURES TO MEMORIZE During the next few weeks memorize the provided list of Scriptures and the address (reference) at the beginning and at the end. Don t cram. Use your devotional time to memorize a portion each day and know that he Holy Spirit will give you the ability to memorize as you give yourself to this. PSALM 1:1-3 Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. (Psalm 1:1-2) Psalm 1:3 He shall be like a tree panted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1:3) PROVERBS 3:5-10 Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. (Proverbs 3:5-8) Proverbs 3:9-10 Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10) Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute 4

5 EPHESIANS 2:4-10 Ephesians 2:4-7 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-7) Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10) HEBREWS 12:1-2 Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9-11 Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute 5

6 ANSWERS - INTRODUCTION Savior Baptizer Healer King murmuring language building wisdom doubt obedience Write out meaning prayer Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute 6