www.foursquare.org - Ministries to Adults

We Believe In

Tue, 22 Nov 2005 18:00:00 PST

This adult doctrinal curriculum covers the basics of Foursquare doctrine.

It is comprised of 16 lessons teaching about the four-fold ministry of Jesus Christ: Salvation, The Holy Spirit, Divine Healing, and the Return of Christ.

Some of the topics covered are:

Daily Christian Living
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Hard Questions About Healing
The Millennium and Beyond.

Each lesson will include an activity to get adults interested, Bible references, a teacher's outline of the lesson, and student response sections.

Download the We Believe In Bible Study curriclum:

We Believe In English Version (9 MB, 71 pages)
We Believe In Spanish Version (736 KB, 71 pages)

Reflections

Tue, 22 Nov 2005 17:00:00 PST

This 13-lesson adult Bible study will help a new Christian reflect on what God has done in their life. Each lesson focuses on key biblical truth leading to a change in personal character. The goal is the realization that character determines our choices and choices determine our conduct. As the new Christian reflects on Scriptural principles, their life and character will become more and more like that of Jesus Christ.

Flexible
The series is appropriate for small group study or one-on-one discipleship. Ideas for organization of a personal Bible study are included. Suggestions for follow up study are also included after lesson 13. One Reflections kit should be ordered for each leader and student.

Adaptable
The content stands alone or can be a springboard to further in depth discussion:

The Key Bible Verse on page one of each lesson is appropriate for memorization.
General information opens each lesson and will give an introduction to the lesson theme.
Take a Closer Look focuses on a devotional application. This section will be most useful for the new Christian as part of their personal daily devotions either before or after the class session.
Question and Answer responses to Bible reading can be incorporated into the class session, if you choose. Some of these responses may require more time before or after class.
Watch Your Step gives specific suggestions for lifestyle changes in the Christian life.

Expandable
A Lesson Plan for each of the thirteen lessons includes a lesson aim to focus the class session and suggested learning activities to enhance and expand group interaction.

Download the Reflections Bible Study:

Reflections English Version (6 MB, 35 pages)
Reflections Spanish Version (1.5 MB, 35 pages)

Fun Online Communication with Grandkids

Mon, 21 Nov 2005 11:00:00 PST

by Roberta Rand, editor Focus Over Fifty, a Focus on the Family web page

You may not realize it, but when your grandkids chat with their friends online, they've most likely mastered an entire vocabulary of acronyms and "emoticons" designed to facilitate the truncated, rapid-fire back-and-forth that characterizes most online communication nowadays. You and I may bemoan the lost art of letter writing, but today's kids are simply not geared to "snail mail."

Rather than hound them for letters that will likely never arrive, why not jump onboard the online-chat bandwagon by learning to IM (Instant Message)? You can have a RT (real time) conversation with your grandkids that costs little and that everyone will enjoy.

Most major ISPs (Internet Service Providers) offer instant messaging services at no cost. All you have to do is download the software. Check with your ISP for details.

One fun way to enhance your online communication experience is to learn the lingo. Although some acronyms are designed to thwart the prying gaze of parents (POS = "parents over shoulder"), most are harmless shorthand for common phrases like "Be Right Back" (BRB), "See You Later" (CUL8R) and "In My Opinion" (IMO).

Emoticons are those little symbols that feature not only smiles, but frowns, winks, squinty eyes and scrunched mouths. In the early days of Internet chat, it required imagination and creativity to compose the little sideways faces made from keyboard symbols (carrots, brackets, dashes, parenthesis, colons and semi-colons, etc.). Now, most of the popular ISPs have made it possible to simply cut and paste little yellow faces directly into a dialogue box.

But just in case you want to do it the "old-fashioned" way, here's a short list of emoticons you can use with your progeny's progeny to significantly boost your "coolness" factor online:

:-) = smile
;-) = wink
:-D = laughing
:-< = sad
:-P = sticking out tongue
:-X = mute/big kiss
:-O = shocked
:-/ = skeptical

There are many, many more of these symbols (some more family-appropriate than others). More acronyms you'll want to be prepared to toss out include:

BTW = By The Way
AFK = Away From Keyboard
DWL = Dying With Laughter
EMFJI = Excuse Me For Jumping In
F2F = Face To Face
FOCL = Falling Off Chair Laughing
ROTFL = Rolling On The Floor Laughing
GBTW = Get Back To Work
GTG = Got To Go
IC = I See
IDGI = I Don't Get It
OTOH = On The Other Hand
CFN = Ciao For Now

Besides these, why not come up with some "designer" acronyms of your own - a language to share just between you and your grandkids when you're chatting online? In the meantime, DYH (Do Your Homework) and GBL (Get Busy Learning) how you can communicate in a way your grandkids can relate to. IOHO, IWTE (In Our Humble Opinion, It's Worth The Effort)!

Current Adult Culture

Mon, 21 Nov 2005 11:00:00 PST

by D. Michael Lindsay, mlindsay@Princeton.edu
Co-author of The Gallup Guide: Reality Check for 21st Century Churches

I'm increasingly convinced that we, as church leaders, must do a better job educating our people about the gospel and the claims that it makes on all our lives.

The data demonstrates that Christian education must be at the core of renewing the church in America. Despite incredible gains in the level of education in this country over the last half-century, most adults know as much about the Bible today as they did when they were in the third grade. Consider a few Gallup findings: only 34% of adults know that Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount; less than half (49%) can name the first book of the Bible. In addition, people struggle to name more than two of the Ten Commandments (do not steal and do not murder are the usual two), yet 21% of adults say they read the Bible daily and a full 47% claim to read the Bible at least once a week. Despite good intentions, it appears that Americans are not able to recall much of what they hear or read.

This is a tremendous issue for the church, for the challenges facing people in the pews today are Herculean in scope. Take one recent example: The Supreme Court ruling this past summer in Lawrence vs. Texas. Practically all-legal observers agree this decision will have far reaching-implications for years to come. Not only did it throw out the Texas anti-sodomy statute, but as Justice Scalia noted in his dissenting opinion, "this effectively decrees the end of all morals legislation."

Regardless of one's Christian conviction regarding homosexuality, this decision is a clarion call to action. The church in the future must do a better job tackling hard issues relating to marriage, adultery and sexuality. We must help our congregation use the lens of scripture to inform their opinions on such matters. Recent Gallup data reveals that about 6 out of 10 Americans (59%) believe that homosexual relations between consenting adults should be legal, which is essentially the Supreme Court's position in Lawrence v. Texas. Christians need to arrive at their understanding of marriage, family and other social issues with full understanding of what scripture has to say on such matters.

It's possible, of course, for thinking Christians to interpret the Bible's teaching on contentious issues differently, but most people attending church, it appears that the Bible and the church teaching has little influence on their decisions. According to Gallup data, Americans are six times more likely to cite the news media than their religious leaders as being the most influential factor in shaping their opinion of current social concerns (42% compared to 7%).

But Americans aren't necessarily pleased with this arrangement. Less than one-quarter of the population says church leaders exert "too much" influence on the public opinion. The figure is even less among those who say religion is very important in their lives. Indeed, the vast majority of Americans believe religion should influence one's position on social issues. The problem, it seems, is that people don't know enough about the Bible and their own church tradition to appropriate the claims of the gospel when it comes to deciding matters regarding the family, sexual mores and other social concerns. As Kenneth Kantzer writes, "No church can be effective to bring clarity and commitment to a world when it is as ignorant of it's own basic principles as is our church today. And unless we engage in the church in a mighty program of re-education, it will be unable to transmit a Christian heritage to it's own children or the society around it."

It's been said that religious interest and commitment in America may be 3,000 miles wide, but only three inches deep. Let's make a concerted effort to help our churches grow deeper in the faith.

Online Resources

Mon, 21 Nov 2005 11:00:00 PST

Foursquare Christian Education has provided this growing list of links to online resources and other excellent ministries. Be sure to check these websites out as you look for new ideas and tools for your adult ministries.�

SAM Journal
An online magazine for single and young adult ministries. Includes a comprehensive online directory of adult ministry web sites.
cookministries.com/books/sam_journal

Focus Over Fifty
A Focus On The Family web page for adults over 50.

Barna
Research statistics, trends and articles affecting adult ministries from researcher George Barna.

Rebuilding Your Life After a Relationship Breakup

Mon, 21 Nov 2005 11:00:00 PST

by Jackie M. Johnson

"In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer."
-Albert Camus

Breakups are tough. No doubt about it. Whether you are the one who called off the relationship or the one who got dumped, the pain and jumbled feelings are very real. For those of us left reeling, we seem to drift from shock to anger to sadness and other emotions- around and around like a carousel at an amusement park. However, it's really not very amusing.

You've invested time getting to know another person well. You've shared hopes and dreams and now that's over and it's hard; sometimes it's really hard. You don't want to feel this awful, but you're not sure what to do.

Over the years I have had a few painful partings and so have my close friends. As someone who has been there, I hope to offer words of comfort and encouragement that I've received from the Comforter. I understand.

"But you don't know my situation," you say, "It's complicated.we loved each other...I thought she was 'the One'." You're right; I don't know your particular situation. However, I have known the pain and seemingly endless tears of losing a guy and losing the hopes for a future together. I hope I never have to do that again.

Here are a few things I have learned on my healing path. I hope they will lead you closer to comfort, healing, strength and peace during this challenging time.

Pray
This is the time to run to the Lord and pray, pray, pray. Prayer changes things- and people and attitudes. Prayer is talking and listening to God. If you don't have the strength right now, ask some close friends to pray for you. We need the power of the Holy Spirit for real and lasting transformation.

Get a New Perspective
That may mean getting some space and time away from each other to help begin the healing process. Only you can decide if you need the "clean break" or the gradual withdrawal approach. As hard as it is to admit, I have become a believer in the clean break. Why? Because wounds need time to heal, and it's harder to start healing when the wound keeps getting re-injured. Whether it's a broken bone or a broken heart, it needs to rest and heal so it can grow stronger.

Additionally, your circumstances are not just about you and the other person. Beyond your personal pain is a larger story of what God is doing in your life, the other person's life, and in His story. There is a bigger picture and God is at work helping you- and him or her- to become the person He wants you to be. Somehow all thing will work together for the good, even when we cannot see or feel it at the time.

Know Who God Really Is
We need to know, really know, who God is and what He has for us. Losing a significant relationship can call into question what you really believe about God. Can you really trust Him? Is His heart really good? I have been a Christian believer for over two decades. I love God with all my heart, but times like these seem to try me and test me like no other.

In the sad times of my soul, in my "midnight hour" of pain and tears, I have wondered if God cares. Why do relationships have to fall apart? Why am I still single when I desire to be married?

Yet, even when I do not feel it, I trust that God's Holy Spirit is there, loving me and looking out for my best interest.

Your life may feel like winter-dark, cold and barren-but your heart's springtime will surely come. Just as seasons in nature change, your season of sorrow will pass and seasons of peace, joy, and love will return.

No matter how circumstances seem, God is still in control. He is still ruling and reigning in the universe. One Christian author said, "Either God is who He says He is, or He is not." In order to trust God more, we need to know Him. Psalm 86:15 says, "But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (emphasis added).

Over and over again, God demonstrates that He is powerful, strong, loving, kind, good, just, in control, working for your good, protecting you, healing you and directing your life on His good path. He is holy and just. He always keeps His promises and He is always right on time.

Know Who You Really Are
In addition to knowing who God is, we need to know who we really are. Sometimes we lose ourselves in relationships. Many of us are people-pleasers and givers; others are takers.

As a Christian believer, you are a prince or a princess. Indeed, you are a child of the King of Kings. As one who is grafted into the royal family of heaven you have certain rights and responsibilities. You have a right to be treated well and a responsibility to do the same for others. You have a right to give and receive real love, not just take the scraps of non-committal hook-ups. One of my favorite authors, Michelle McKinney-Hammond has a great perspective on self worth. In essence, she says, "You are a diamond and you shine, whether he sees it and says 'Wow, a diamond!' or he doesn't. Your true value does not change! You remain of constant worth whether the other person appreciates it or not."

You may feel rejected now but when you focus on the truth about who God is and who you are in Christ, it can give you a renewed perspective and strength.

Surrender
OK, so it's over. You may not want to admit it right now. You may think there is still hope. You may want to try a new angle or find a different approach that will get him or her back. You can continue kicking and screaming for what you want when you want it or you can humbly submit to God's plan. Easier said than done. I know. I have been the resistant one. When I wanted to hold on to a relationship in the past, my friend Tammy would say, "You have to die to it." By that she meant give it to God and keep my hands off.

Indeed, waving the white flag of surrender can be extremely hard. But even the great patriarch, Abraham, had to do so. After years of waiting to have a son-whom God had told him was promised one - He asked Abraham to put the boy on an altar and sacrifice him. What!?! That made absolutely no sense, yet our man Abraham obeyed. He did what he was told, not knowing that God would make a way by providing a ram in the thicket to use in his son's place. In the same way, sometimes we have to "sacrifice" our desires, our plans, our hopes and dreams to the One who does know what will happen. God really does know best; our part is to trust him.

Deal with Emotions
Don't you wish you could "delete" the pain from your heart as simply as you delete an email with the push of a button? I do. But unfortunately, healing takes time. Like grieving a physical death, healing an emotional heartbreak needs time and grieving in order to heal. Your feeling may range and change at different times: rejection, anger, sadness, numbness, jealousy, revenge, or other emotions. You need to feel your feelings in order to heal, but, don't let your feelings lead! While they are valid, feelings can be fickle. Give them to God and ask Him to help you process your emotions in healthy ways. Stand strong in God's truth, not what your feelings seem to be telling you. Talk with a close friend; find a counselor if needed.

Respect yourself. Don't grovel. You are worth more. Be with people who care. As the well-loved Serenity Prayer goes: "God grant me the serenity to change the things I can, accept the things I cannot change, and have the wisdom to know the difference."

Forgive the other person, forgive yourself, or seek forgiveness from the other person as it applies to your situation.

Set a time limit when you want to think about what happened. God is at work all the time-even when you are not thinking about it. During a recent breakup, I decided that I would talk to God in the morning about my situation and get it all out of my head. Then I would pray and leave it at the feet of Jesus, knowing that it was all in His hands. When I was tempted to think about it during the say I would tell myself, "I am trusting God every day to meet my every need." Of course, it was hard and I did not always do it perfectly, but I had a guideline. I am still learning that it's God's grace that gets you through, not your thoughts, works or actions.

God will meet your needs, whether you feel lonely, empty, afraid or hurt. "And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)

Commit to Emotional and Physical Purity
Pain is a warning signal that something is wrong; you feel it for a reason. Someone has hurt you or you have hurt another person. Indeed, we should not have to feel this kind of pain. We were created for connection and bonding, not tearing apart. That's why you feel so "broken." Perhaps you gave too much of yourself physically or emotionally in the relationship-closeness that was meant for a committed marriage relationship, not a dating relationship. Maybe you tend to get too close to people too quickly. Guarding your heart means protecting it with appropriate boundaries. As Cloud and Townsend (the "Boundaries" guys) tell us, boundaries are like a gate-they keep out the bad and let in the good. You can choose to open and shut the gate when needed. Learn when to let someone in and when to keep out unhealthy behaviors.

Be good to yourself. Get the rest you need, be kind to yourself. Healing takes time. Cry and grieve your losses. Pamper yourself with a back massage or spa day. Go to the gym and work out to release both emotional and physical stress. Get away. Do what you need to do to take care of yourself.

Get love and support from others. I had been under a cloud of despair for days. After I talked with my friend Bethany-even for just a few minutes-I could feel the Holy Spirit pushing the clouds away, like a fresh breeze, and my countenance changed. Talk to your friends and get the support you need.

Make a list of things you like and try a few. Remember laughter, fun, and play? When was the last time you took at trip or spent time out in nature having adventures? What about your time with God? Consider learning an instrument, a new skill or hobby. Reconnecting with friends. Start that new business you've always thought about. Use your spiritual gifts and talents to bless other people. Helping others can help heal your own heart.

Look back and look ahead. Think about what you really want in a partner. Make a list of your past significant relationships. What went right? What went wrong? Think about what you can do differently next time. You cannot change another person; you can only change your self. If you want "next time" to be different, consider how you will do so.

Trust God! Chuck Swindoll once said, "It's not what happens to you, it's how you respond to it that makes a difference." What will your response be to this hard situation? Will you choose to trust God or take matters into your own hands? Will you be bitter or believe that God is protecting you and saving you for something better? Remember, this pain will not last forever. It will pass. Really. As surely as the daffodils come up every spring, your heart will spring to life again. Believe it. Why? Because God is entirely faithful, His purposes prevail. Dare to trust God in the middle of your story.

You can have peace because God has a plan.

Finally, ask God be the author of your love story. The pages of your life may seem blank right now, but I've seen Him pen some pretty good reads! So watch and pray and see what God will do. What will the next chapter in your life be? God only knows, but be assured the Author of Life has a great adventure for you.

Sharing Christ Might Be Easier Than We Once Thought

Mon, 21 Nov 2005 11:00:00 PST

Thom Rainer, author of The Unchurched Next Door (Zondervan), recently interviewed unchurched people across the United States who represented the mosaic of America. He wanted Christians to understand how unchurched people think.

“Many Christians think anytime they share their faith (and this is a broad statement), they’re going to be blasted, criticized, and ridiculed. Our research shows that nine times out of ten, your not going to get a hostile response.” -- Thomas Rainer

These are some of Rainer’s findings:
• Four out of ten unchurched people are “highly receptive to what you say about Christ.”
• Four out of ten people who do not know Christ want to hear “ What must I do to be saved?”
• The majority of the unchurched people have never had anyone tell them how to become a Christian.
• Unchurched people indicate they want to have a relationship with a Christian in whom they can see Christ.

They're Not Just Home Groups Anymore!

Mon, 21 Nov 2005 11:00:00 PST

Source: Rev., November/December 2003

While small groups and even one-to-one mentoring relationships traditionally meet in someone's home, that isn't always the best option. No one says that's the way things have to be.

Meet at a fast food joint or any other restaurant.
Have a biblical chat over a latte at a coffee shop.
Elderly group need to meet? How about the activity room of your local senior center?
If your group meets regularly and is large enough, rent a hotel conference room.
If roughing it's more your style, pitch a tent on the church lawn.
Lease (or ask for a donation of) empty mall space or a main street storefront.
Someone in your group might be able to arrange for a conference room at his or her place of business.
Too early to wake the kids? Try an early morning prayer meeting in a church member's garage. Mmmm - coffee in an air pot and paper cups!
No one has to clean house in this group - reserve a picnic shelter at a local park.
Can't agree on what to eat when you meet? How about holding your Bible
Study at a food court in a local mall.
Church growing? Some landlocked churches purchase nearby homes. You can make good use of this space in the present by opening up rooms for small groups and one-to-one discipleship situations.
Want to make a lasting impression? Hold a low-key prayer meeting on the sidewalk outside your neighborhood school once a week. Make sure the teachers and administration know that you are praying for them.
Make it a book discussion on the comfy couches at the local bookstore.
Enjoy the great outdoors. Hold your meeting on the deck or patio of a church member.
Daycare a problem? Check out the possibility of meeting at a day care center. They get business, and you get uninterrupted time for small-group discussions in another room-on-site.

Spicing Up Adult Sunday School

Mon, 21 Nov 2005 11:00:00 PST

Source: Rev., November/December 2003

While age and affinity based adult Sunday school classes can be great opportunities for spiritual growth and fellowship, another good approach is mixing things up with adult Sunday school electives.

Even if everyone loves your church's regular classes, you might try electives. Divide the year into four quarters (or shorter terms) and offer some interesting and unusual classes. Here are 20 ideas to get you started.

And the Award Goes to - Movie discussion group. Check out www.MinistryandMedia.com for discussion ideas.
Mother of the Year/Father of the Year - Parenting classes. If your church nursery seems to be bursting with new babies, offer a parenting basics class. If it's the youth group room that's overflowing, offer a class for parents of teenagers instead.
'Tis the Season - Hold a year round class that changes like a department store display. Think Christmas, Lent/Easter, parenting subjects for Mother's and Father's Days, liberty and freedom for July Fourth, back to school, Thanksgiving, and so on.
Be My Disciples - An in-depth study of Jesus' disciples- who were they, their failures, why Jesus called them, and more.
Bare Essentials -Explore the basics of the faith for new Christians.
Current Issues - Choose a headline from the week's news and discuss it's biblical connections, implications and applications.
Talking Heads - Buy a video series let an expert do the teaching, and facilitate the follow-up discussion.
Next Week's Sermon - As senior pastor, lead a discussion on what you plan to preach on the following week; class members provide feedback and input.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? - Okay, this is a little misleading; it's just a class on how to study the Bible, and the basic Bible study methods.
All Stressed Out and No Place to Go! - A look at what the Bible says about Stress.
The Second Coming - Doesn't it seem the earlier generations were eager for Christ's return? Why do we no longer look forward to that? Do we truly believe scripture's promise that he'll return?
Fanning the Flame -Bet you thought this was evangelism 101 Wrong! It could also be a class on gaining the passion for studying and living out God's Word.
Prayer Warriors - Just what does happen when people pray? What would happen if we prayed the way Jesus taught? Study what Scripture has to say about prayer.
Breakfast of Champions - How God uses the most boring and most plain people-even huge earthly failures-to carry out His most awesome works.
FAQs - A great class for pastors to teach or lead a discussion. Just a Q and A format, followed by discussion among class participants.
Heart of Worship - This title would probably work for any class on worship.
Chirping Alone - How empty nesters can cope, and what to do with this new chapter in life.
Trial By Fire - What does the Bible say about Christians facing tough times, and how can we handle it?
Work, Career, or Calling? - What Scripture says about each of these terms, and how to find your true calling?
Taking Inventory - Going beyond spiritual gifts tests and helping people not only know their gifts, know they can actually use them.

Single Adults: Fast Growing Group

Tue, 25 Oct 2005 10:00:00 PST

Source: Summary of "Love.com" by Anna Mulrine. U.S. News & World Report, Sep 29, 2003 (Vol 135, No 10). Pages 52-58.

One of the fastest-growing groups in the United States is a single adult--40% of U.S. households. Half of them-about 40 million people--went online last month, many of them searching for a date or a mate. Online dating and matchmaking services increased their revenue by nearly 400% between 2001 and 2002. Dating services are the hottest category on the web; consumers spent $302 million on these services last year.

"I think this is as important as the automobile was in the 1920s and birth control in the 1960s." Barbara Dafoe Whitehead. People are waiting longer to marry, they're more mobile, busy (sometimes too busy to date much), and they like the speed and reach of the web. Weattract.com did a test before launching its service and got 10,000 responses within 18 hours. EHarmony.com gets 10,000 new registrations every day, boasts 1,500 marriages since 2000, and says 10 couples a day now are planning their weddings.

Social scientists are taking advantage of the data available from online dating, and many sites employ psychologists to study love, marriage, communication, and commitment, and what forms or destroys relationships. They help to adapt software to people's belief systems, creating questionnaires that thoroughly examine people's subconscious wants as well as their overt characteristics. For example, Emode.com psychologist Courtney Johnson studies how people argue, and has come up with data on what men and women expect from each other.

While the services tout themselves as being "Consumer Reports" for daters, many online daters lie. A recent study said, "30% of people using online sites may be married. And of course, there are no profile questions that will reveal criminal behavior, including spouse abuse." Therefore, sites are beginning to use technology and tests to weed out liars. They are booted from the sites. Sites are also sponsoring live events where people can meet face-to-face and engage in vacations and other activities.