Becoming a World Class Christian How to Think Like a World Class Christian

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1 DAY ONE: How to Think Like a World Class Christian Read: Philippians 2:4 (Freedom in Christ Bible, p. 1366) Read: Purpose-Driven Life, p. 297 to top of p. 300 Reflect: Are you more of a worldly Christian or more of a world-class Christian? Give reasons for your answer. Dig: What does verse 3 of Philippians 2 add to your understanding of what Paul is concerned with in this passage? How does humility tie in with unity? What was the result of Jesus humility and thinking of others? See verses How would this same attitude help us to become world class Christians? Apply: We are told in this chapter to begin by asking the Holy Spirit to help you to think of the spiritual need of unbelievers whenever you talk to them. (Purpose-Driven Life, p. 299) Who are you likely to meet today or this week that has a spiritual need? Write out a prayer for them now so that you are prepared to think of that need when you meet them. In this prayer, ask God to help you to be sensitive to that need.

2 DAY TWO: Shift From Local Thinking to Global Thinking Read: Acts 17:26-28 (Freedom in Christ Bible, p. 1260) Read: Purpose-Driven Life, pp Reflect: What evidence do you already have in your life that this is a shrinking world - that is, that we are part of a global culture? (What are you wearing? What do you drive? What do you eat? What people live on your block or work with you or go to school with you that come from another country?) Dig: In this passage from Acts, what is Paul s purpose in being there? See Acts 17: What did Paul use from their own culture to establish a contact? See verse 28. Can you think of a contemporary example that we could use from our own culture to help people understand what we are telling them about God? According to verse 27, why did God make many nations out of one man? According to Revelation 5:9-10 (Freedom in Christ Bible, p. 1488) which people is God s church made up of? Apply: How can you, in your own life, become more aware of God s design to make his church multi-national and multi-ethnic? How can our church become more aware of this dynamic?

3 DAY THREE: Shift From Here and Now Thinking to Eternal Thinking Read: Luke 16:1-9 (Freedom in Christ Bible, p. 1181) Read: Purpose-Driven Life, p. 302 to top of p. 303 Reflect: Do you invest in eternity? If not, why not? If you do, how are you investing in eternity? Dig: Why was the dishonest manager commended? How are we supposed to be shrewd? How might we make friends in this world with our wealth? According to Jesus, why should we be motivated to do this? See verse 9. Apply: Make a plan today to use some part of your money to invest in the kingdom of God. What creative way could you use money to open up another person to the gospel?

4 DAY FOUR: Shift From Thinking of Excuses to Thinking of Creative Ways to Fulfill Your Commission Read: Jeremiah 1:1-10 (Freedom in Christ Bible, p. 828) Read: Purpose-Driven Life, middle of p. 303 to end of chapter Reflect: What might be your reasons for not going into missions or considering a missions trip? Dig: According to this passage, when did God call and appoint Jeremiah? What excuse did Jeremiah use to try to avoid his calling? What was God s answer? How did God prepare Jeremiah for his calling? See verses Apply: The chapter concludes with this challenge: Many Christians have missed God s plan for their lives because they have never even asked God is he wanted them to serve as a missionary somewhere. (Purpose-Driven Life, p. 304) If that is true of you, what prayer should you write out here, asking God to open you to the possibility of mission work?

5 DAY FIVE: The Great Commission Is My Commission Using the Lectio Divina method of Bible study (see page 2 of this booklet), meditate on this scripture: Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all mankind. Psalm 67:2 (LB) Lectio divina (a Latin expression which means sacred reading) is done in three stages: reading: you read the passage slowly and reverentially, allowing the words to sink into your consciousness; after you have memorized the text, write down one word which strikes you and draws your attention and note why you chose that word. meditation: you allow the passage to stir up memories within you, so that you recognize in it your own experience or that of people who have touched your life; write down memories of events or conversations or other scripture passages. prayer: you allow the meditation to lead you to prayer -- thanksgiving, humility and petition. Write out a prayer based on the passage.