SOME FUNDAMENTAL GUIDELINES FOR EMMAUS BIBLE CENTER CORRECTORS TO BE USED AS AN AID FOR CORRECTORS, DEPOT MANAGERS, AND COORDINATORS

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. 2 Timothy 2:15


SECTION I SECTION II SECTION III



INTRODUCTION

 

            These guidelines are suggestions on how to better handle your service as a corrector and associate of Emmaus Bible Center.  The courses themselves are simply a presentation of the Bible, its principles and its offer of hope.  As you will notice while you study the courses, they do not serve up yet another rendition of the difficulties currently besetting you and your world.  Rather they take on a path of aiding you to growth and renewal.

            In the wise words of Edwin Markhaus,

“We are blind until we see

That in the human plan

Nothing is worth the making

If it does not make the man.

 

Why build these cities glorious

If man unbuilded goes?

In vain we build the world

Unless the builder also grows”.

            God is not concerned with plans or programs but with people.  His anointing does not rest on things but on people.  Let our concern also be people rather than things.

            When you master the techniques of marking the courses and leading students to the saving knowledge of Christ, then you are ready to move on as a change agent.  Your relationship with your student makes you play the role of a change agent.  Pay attention to what you are about to read.  Be diligent to master this manual for it will assist you in training others to repeat the role you have played in their lives.

             Remember, knowing Christ is essentially to make Him known.  As it is written, “...And the things you have heard from me among many witnesses commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.  You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2: 2, 1).  “The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in a man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him” (Henry Varley).


 

WHO IS A CORRECTOR?

 

 

            Emmaus Bible Center correctors are those who have students studying under them, after they themselves have studied the courses, passed,  and are certified as having met the requirement.  These correctors are individuals of diverse backgrounds who have professed the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and are committed to radical obedience to the call by the risen Lord to evangelize His world and disciple the nations (Matthew 28:18-20).

            The most important desire they all have in common is to obey the command of the Savior to go into the world to preach the gospel to all ethnics.  Emmaus, therefore, encourages all correctors to focus on their daily personal growth and on being conformed to the image of God’s dear Son (Romans 8:29).  As each, by God’s grace, lives by the Word, they are transformed to His likeness and glory (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

            This Biblical call, the cornerstone of the Emmaus Bible Center, has attracted individuals who are not required to shed their uniqueness.  Although each corrector is unique in giftedness, they work together with others.  Together they serve as members of a global ministry that allows enrollment of students from one’s immediate community, irrespective of whether such students are believers or unbelievers.

            Being a corrector is not another form of acquiring power; the courses merely serve as a motivating factor to live and do what God commands in the Bible.  The courses also serve as a tool for evangelism and discipleship.  This means that the unbelieving students are evangelized in the course of the study and believers are discipled.  The goal is for the student to end up as a corrector.

            The overall aim is for each corrector to utilize  his/her gifts with the freedom to decide how best to contribute to the above deeply shared purpose.  So live as Christ would have lived in your situation, love others as He commanded, and set your mind to co-labor with the Lord in building His kingdom (2 Corinthians 6:1-10).

 

STEPS TO BECOMING A CORRECTOR

 

 

1.         Enroll, study and complete the first set of twelve courses.

2.         Fill out an application form with your corrector for the attention of the coordinator.

            -The coordinator, with the input of your corrector, will decide your acceptance.

            -Where there is a coordinating committee, the secretary of the committee will handle the process.

3.         When accepted, fill out and sign the Declaration of Faith form.  This form must be returned to the

            corrector, under whom you study, who will arrange an appropriate number of training workshops in

            order to transfer needed skills to co-labor as a corrector.

4.         After the training, there will be a six month probational period, during which time you are expected to

            recruit and enroll at least five students.  Confirmation can only follow if three of your students have

            completed course one enroute to course two.  If this is not the case, then the probation period will be

            extended for an additional three months.  This progress must be seen in student numbers and the level

            of courses studied.

5.         While in the probational stage, you can only be given essential and limited amounts of tracts and

            courses through your corrector.  When confirmed, you can then collect all your materials directly from

            the depot of your local center.

 

 

WHO IS A COORDINATOR?

 

            A coordinator is a corrector who has successfully produced more than twenty-five active correctors who in turn have recruited students of their own studying under them after being trained.  These students of your corrector must be progressing in their studies.

           

           Your involvement with the Emmaus Bible Center opens an opportunity for you to equally grow in grace and be renewed in the Spirit for an effective personal ministry.  You as well as your correctors are expected to grow in the knowledge of the person of Christ, His love and His words (Luke 6:46; Luke 8:18-21; John 15:9-14).

            As a corrector you have a ministry that will allow you to evangelize and disciple the students who study under you, resulting in reproduction of yourself, as it is written... “the things that you have heard of me among many witnesses (through the courses) the same commit to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).

            The correctors you will coordinate have come out of your  own students..   With students of their own they will still be linked with you, only this time you are essentially their mentor. This role will enable you to make a difference in their lives.

            As a coordinator you will be responsible to an area coordinator.  Your responsibilities include:

·        Arranging the training of new correctors

·        Discipling the correctors under you

·        Running and managing your depot

·        Accountability to an area coordinator

·        Enforcing the rules and standards of the operations of the Center

·        Ensure correctors hold regular monthly meetings with their students, make quarterly reports, and maintain a record of correctors that are a result of your efforts

·        Ensure proper inventory of stocks and supplies

·        Conduct an awareness seminar in the area of a new corrector, to recruit new students for him/her

 

            When a coordinator fails to submit, in a calendar year, two consecutive quarterly reports, such a coordinator will automatically be placed on six months of probation by the area coordinator, pending an improved performance.  This means materials other than courses cannot be  passed through him.  The area coordinator will pass on any such material available directly to worthy correctors in the Center.

            The same will apply to an area coordinator who neglects to submit two consecutive reports.  The Emmaus Bible Center will take action at once placing the area leader on probation for six months and dealing with the worthy correctors directly.  Area coordinators are those who have successfully produced correctors who have become coordinators. When there are twenty-five active coordinators in an area, the person becomes an area coordinator.

            All of these positions of responsibilities are not to be by appointment.  Such appointments will not be recognized.  It is bestowed as a result of  recognition of the personal performance and verifiable results.

            Area coordinators who are allowed credit facilities and control of a depot must faithfully remit all money due to Emmaus at the end of each quarter.  This means money must accompany the quarterly report where credit facilities have been granted.  Money for the other items, that may be made available, other than courses, will be accounted for on a monthly basis.  Money that is due to Emmaus must not be tampered with in the name of expenses.  All expenses on the behalf of Emmaus must be authorized.

            The immediate community is defined as:  your local environment from which you can comfortably visit your students without unnecessary burden OR it is the organization to which you belong or the set of church groups that work together under a leader (s) and you belong to it.  When seeking to expand beyond your immediate community, aim at growing a corrector as a bridgehead (not a large volume of book sales)  in the new community you have targeted thus:

·        Enroll as many students as are willing to do so

·        Recognize the first student that meets the requirements of a corrector in good standing

·        Turn all the rest of the students over to this new corrector to take care of

·        Remember to properly train this new corrector with all the necessary skills in order to enable him/her to function efficiently.  This new corrector is still your disciple and must remain so as long as you live and work with Emmaus.

 

Area coordinators must ensure that the correctors keep an accurate attendance register for the monthly meetings with students.  Every quarter the area coordinator must update his/her corrector registers to reflect what is actually happening at the time.

Please pay great attention to details for they are a great  part of what becomes you as a believer.  Take, for instance, the detailed account of Daniel's dialogue with Melzer, the chief steward.  It may appear to many to be mere quibble on the part of Daniel, Hanniah, Misheal, and Azariah, but it brings out a principle of great force and beauty that should appeal to every Christian's heart and conscience.  The only way to grow in the Lord is by being faithful in little things.  He who honors the  Lord by conscientious adherence to His word, in what some would call minor details, is likely to be exercised about greater things[1].

 

 

SECTION I

 

I. FUNCTIONING AS A CORRECTOR

 

 

A.        STEP I: Redefinition of immediate world:  Potential students

            1.            Find and enroll them.

            2.            Persuade them to buy the course, study the lessons, answer the questions and return same.

            3.            Receive completed course, correct  and grade it.

 

B.         STEP II: Appropriate comments one must use when scoring a student’s work

            1.            Rationale:    Understand that all students do not perform at the same level.                              

            2.            Rationale:    Every grade must be accompanied by a proper comment after scoring.                         

            Thus:

            a. 1 - 69.4%                          FAIL

            b. 69.5 - 79.4%           FAIR

            c. 79.5 - 94.4%           GOOD

            d. 94.5 - 99.4%           VERY GOOD

            e. 99.5 - 100%            EXCELLENT

            **N.B. Every student whose score is above  .4% should be given the next level of score.  For instance, a score of 69.5% would be given a whole number percent score of 70%.  Every student whose score is .4% and below should be given the next lowest whole   number score.  For instance, a score of 69.4% would be given a whole number percent score of 69%.

 

C.        STEP III: Scoring process

            1.            Score lesson by lesson.

            2.            Compilation:  total the score.

            a. Subtract wrong answers from total questions asked.

            b. Divide the outcome from the above by the total questions asked.

            EXAMPLE:

Þ          All courses have a total of either 60, 120, or 240 questions.  Some, like Personal  

           Evangelism  or One God One Way , have sub-questions with less value points.

Þ         The rest of the questions have value points of 5 or 10.

Þ         Each lesson unit must be graded on 100% scale with 100% being a perfect score

           Score Calculation

           e.g.   Total questions equal 120

                     Person failed 10 questions (gave wrong answers)

                     120 questions - 10 wrong answers  =  110 right answers

                  * Percentage  =  110 right answers divided by 120 total questions, multiplied by 100

                                        =   (110 ¸ 120) x 100                         

                                        =  91.6%

           Since .6% is over .4% the approximate whole number value for the percentage is 92%

 

            3.            Sub-questions

            a. Multiply the total number of questions with the point value of the course material.

            b. This will now represent the total number of questions given.

                                   e.g. The Personal Evangelism  course has 120 questions. 

                  If,

                        the student failed 2 sub-questions with a 1 point value = 02

                        the student failed 2 sub-questions with a 2 point value = 04

                        the student failed 5 major questions with a 5 point value = 25

                                               TOTAL POINTS WRONG = (add) 31

                        Reduce 120 to 1 point value.

                        120 x 5  =  600

                        To score:   600-31  =  569

                        569 divided by 600, multiplied by 100  =  94.8%

                        Since .8% is higher than 45% we round up and the score is approximately 95%.

 

            4.            Errors and omissions

            a. The answer should be marked as wrong.

            b. Any omission must be scored as wrong for the entire answer.

            c. Indicate the right answer in red.

                       *Whenever a student’s answer is wrong always indicate the right answer in red.*

 

            5.            Questions requiring that a verse be written from memory

            A corrector must ensure that the verse quoted is accurate to the text of Scripture the student

                        has used.

 

D.        STEP IV: Procedure after grading

            1.            Make sure the student’s courses are graded according to the pattern you are taught.

            2.            Each course graded must be returned with a certificate of course completion.

            3.            When a student fails the course, the student should not be given the question            booklet back.  Instead, such a student should be given a fresh question booklet to answer.

                           All question booklets withheld should be returned to the students when they pass the course.

            4.            Take time to discuss the questions and issues raised by the student in response to the portion:

                           “What do you say?”.

            5.            Assist the student in searching for Biblically balanced answers to Christian doctrines.

 

 

II. record keeping

 

A.        Proper Format: Student record-keeping.

 

            1.            Student Register

            a. Horizontally place the following:

                                    Number (No.), Course Title, Name of Student & address, Date                                     Distributed, Date Corrected, Grade, Remarks and Literature Distributed

            b. Vertically list the courses from 1 to 12 after the name of each student under the course title.                          See diagram on following page.

 

            2.         From the student’s register prepare the corrector’s report.  (See form for format.)

                        Submit it to your coordinator quarterly along with all monetary matters.

 

            3.         From the corrector’s reports, the coordinator is to prepare his or her report for the

                        national office.  (See form for format.)

4.                  Every active corrector is to keep a record of the monthly meetings held with the students showing the date, place held and attendance.

5.                  Every coordinator must keep a register of correctors showing the date, number of students, quarter, quantity of courses supplied, and remarks.  Remarks must indicate whether a corrector is active or inactive, as well as any recommendations for their becoming a coordinator.

 

 

 

No.

Course

Title

Name &

Address

Date

Distributed

Date

Corrected

Grade

Remarks

Literature

Distributed

 

WOG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WTBT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MWMTM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LFCL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GTCG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BBB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PAC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OGOW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GBBFM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Please record both the student’s residential and postal addresses.

 

            6.            This record must be reported quarterly to the coordinator in your area.  That is at the end of every three (3) months of the year.

            For example,     Jan.-Mar.     ending

                                    April-June     ending

                                    July-Sept.     ending

                                    Oct.-Dec.     ending

            N.B.    In December all four quarter reports must be totaled along with the stock inventory

            by the coordinator or depot manager.  

7.         Include in your record keeping a course results sheet that includes any requests for the issuance of a diploma

       

III.  OVERALL AIM:

 

A.        To use the courses, materials and the resources available as tools for evangelism and discipleship.

 

B.         To use the courses in the local churches’ evangelism strategy such as:

            1.            A follow-up program for new converts

            2.            Grounding new members in the Word

            3.            Leadership and new workers training people within the membership to be encouraged to

                           study and serve as correctors

            4.            As Sunday School study material for a teacher who has studied the courses and become a

                           corrector and discipler

            Simply put, it trains the corrector in basic management and leadership principles through proper

record-keeping, proper use of authority, a godly walk, and accountability.

 

C.            Emmaus Bible Center is simply a person authorized by us to manage, distribute and correct the courses as well as other stock at home.  It does not mean a building or an office.  The student can in this way be close to the corrector and “know him personally which is a significant advantage”.

 

IV. WORKSHOPS AND SEMINARS: WHY?

 

        Correctors associated with the Emmaus Bible Center, plainly speaking, are distributors whose purpose in distributing and correcting these courses is to evangelize and to disciple the students under them.  They do so in association with all other correctors of the Bible Center and thus serve the Lord as a team.

            Every corrector is a self-directed, self-employed servant of God who seeks to obey the great commission by ministering the Word.  The workshops and seminars, therefore, are to empower them as they provide them with authority, information, skill, resources and how to be accountable.

            This is because authority without the necessary information and resources is simply permission.  Besides, not sharing accountability is paternalistic and truly condescending indeed.  Only when the four elements are present do people feel responsible and act responsibly.  Hence, the workshops teach the skills of record keeping, use of resources, and a godly walk: the true identity of the witness of Christ.

            The workshops do provide an appropriate forum to help you connect what we have to offer to your long-term ministerial and personal goals.  In this way, your involvement in studying the courses and offering yourself for others is not abandoning your spiritual focus, but the fine-tuning of your vision in Christ.  This will enable you to properly conform to the principles and purposes of the kingdom of God.  You will become a pro-active witness and discipler of the nations (community).

            Another benefit to these workshops is the conscious and active transfer of skills that ensure your effective functioning as a corrector.  Thus the skills you are taught are sound and directly relevant to Emmaus Bible Center operations.  In addition you will acquire managerial competence in a variety of applied skills, plus development of an attitude that is eager to transfer such skills to others.

 

V.        EMMAUS’ OFFER TO CORRECTORS

                       

A.            Emmaus does not offer itself:

            1.            as a business outfit for employment

            2.            as another foreign organization with all the expected benefits of employment opportunities and

                           travel abroad

            3.            as a religious structure with chances for position, advances, connections, unearned income or

                           skills in religious politics

            4.            an academic diploma to enhance your academic goals.

B.            Emmaus does offer:

            1.            the forming of a team of equals

            2.            associates operating independently as self-employed

            3.            self-directed correctors or distributors

            4.            opportunity to grow in Christ, in His love and in His word

            5.            the challenge to make your life count in His hand and to make a difference in the life of others

            6.            to assist you in your walk with God

            Therefore, we do not come to raise competing work forces, but to share a vision which is to help the Church to Go, Sow, and Grow.

 

            Often people expect someone else to carry the burden of ministry and themselves to fully benefit from the outcome.  This should not be the reasoning behind the whole concept of doing ministry in the modern Christian church.

            From the teachings of the Bible, ministry is not the domain of lazy persons, job seekers, nor praise hunters.  Ministry is the affair of capable persons submitted to God’s purpose, willing and yielded.  The strength they demonstrate is produced out of their weaknesses, and their effectiveness is an outcome of God’s grace.

 

 

 

VI. EMMAUS STRATEGY: Multi-level Marketing

 

            Marketing is simply the act of creating value for customers.  Gilbert A. Churchill, Jr., and J. Paul Peter pointed to these things every marketer must bear in mind.

·        A diverse environment which focuses on quality and customer value.

·        The social obligations to the community within which we serve.

·        The need to stick to strict ethical standards and willingness to work in a team atmosphere.

Coordinators and correctors with the Emmaus Bible Center are expected to market and distribute the material which are in their possession.  These materials are not personal properties. They are to be custodians with integrity, accountability, propriety, and compassion.

            Multi-level marketing in Emmaus Bible Center implies that the courses will not be directly delivered to the student.  These courses are stored and warehoused.  The correctors, in good standing, then, will have access to them through coordinators who receive their supplies from the area coordinators.  It is the corrector who supplies the student with the courses.  The corrector is the direct link to the final customer, the student.  No shop outlets and individual trading are permitted.  Only those who are qualified will distribute the materials that are available.

            Multi-level marketing does not promote a paid staff mentality.  Rather it does encourage volunteerism and personal courage, both of which need self-motivation, self-discipline, diligence and focus.  It is based on the Biblical principle of “everyone whose heart the Lord has stirred to come and do the work” (Exodus 36:2).

            It is an inclusive operation in which the decision to belong is left with the individual.  It may be you!   Join us in building the Kingdom.  It is our belief that what God wants to do involves all of us.  Therefore, no meaningful accomplishment is ever the result of one person.  Welcome to the team.  You can make a difference.

 

 

Section II

 

I. THE STUDENT-CORRECTOR RELATIONSHIP

 

            A.            Encourage Each Student to Aim Beyond:

            1.            Diploma (at the end of each twelve (12) courses)

            2.            Monetary returns

            3.            Visibility   (Acts 1:8 and Psalms 62:1-2)

            4.            Recognition

            5.            Competition

            6.            Simple interest.

 

            B.            ENCOURAGE Each Student to Develop:

            1.            a sense of commitment to pleasing Christ

            2.            a sound testimony   (Psalms 66: 16-19)

            3.            a balanced walk with God

            4.            a godly attitude.

 

            C.            ENCOURAGE Each Student Towards Becoming A Corrector

            --Never underrate what God can do with nothing (Luke 1:37).  See a potential corrector

                            in every person.

 

 

II. THE CORRECTOR’S CONDUCT

 

            A.            Always Endeavor To Lead By Example

            (John 20:21, Judges 7:17, and Joshua 5:13-15)

            As a corrector you are now a leader for Jesus Christ, therefore be an example in:

            (1 Timothy 4:12-15 and Titus 2:7-8)

            1.            Words

            2.            Life: evangelism, caring, learning, etc.

            3.            Holy living and purity

 

 

            B.            Sale of The Courses or Materials

                                    DO NOT sell beyond the fixed and agreed price!!

 

            C.            Be Fair and Just To Students

            1.            By treating each student alike

            2.            Make disciples of all persons within your reach and community

                                    (Matthew 28:19-20)

 

            D.            The Business of Follow-up

            1.            Visit and interact with each student and family

            2.            Love each student just as Christ loved the church

                                    a. without expecting appreciation

                                    b. without merit

                                    c. without condition

            3.            Start revival and growth in your personal life (John 15:5-6), then endeavor to bring

                                       your students along with you as they study under you (John 15:7)

 

            E.            Employ Friendship As a Tool and Not As a Weapon

                                    Be a friend to your students; it is like building a bridge.  Therefore, build a bridge of

                                    friendship with all your students.

 

            There are two ways in which all humans enter friendship.  One way is wrong and the other is right.  The wrong way is when we make friends to exploit them.  Exploiting a person through friendship is when you take the opportunity that friendship provides to get something the other person has that you want or  think you need.  Biblical teaching instructs us to aim always to build others through friendship.  It is, therefore, only right that we enter into friendship in order to bring something to the other person in the relationship.

            In friendship we take on a challenge to grow and build others in the process.  It is the giving of ourselves to the betterment of the other person in the relationship.  This is the type of relationship that naturally takes people from where they are to where they need to be in life (John 13:34-35).  It is the time honored act of making disciples of all persons.  Jesus called His disciples friends (John 15:13).  A friend is one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.  As the saying goes, "Friendship is the tender art of giving with a cheerful heart".

 

            F.            Action and Motivation

                                    When a student scores a low grade NEVER put the person down.  See it as                                               a point of ministry and challenge to help the person do better on the next course.

            1.            Pray for each student.

            2.            Prepare yourself to be:

                                    a. unappreciated

                                    b. mistreated

                                    c. wounded

                                    d. hurt

                                    e. and belittled.

            You and the student are both students of Christ who need to learn and to grow.

            3.            Your motivation should be:

                                    a. the love of Christ

                                    b. loyalty and obedience to His person

                                    c.  Keeping in mind the Biblical objectives of

                                    Evangelism

                                    Discipleship

                                    Edification

 

 

SECTION III

 

I.  LEARNING

 

            William H. Gates[2] in the preface to the fourth edition of The Road Ahead, noted the following:

1.                  That in today's world, change is the norm and not abnormal

2.                  That to cope, we must learn and unlearn over and over

3.                  That learning never stops with success

4.                  That we must observe the way others do the same things we do because our observation is the greater part of our learning process

5.                  That what we learn must be immediately applied to what we already know so that we can unlearn to allow for fresh learning.

Emmaus Bible Center is aware of these principles, and, therefore, encourages all who are with us in evangelism and discipleship through the courses to allow God continually to instruct them on how to do ministry effectively on His behalf.  This manual written and revised constantly is to allow learning to occur as we seek to obey the great commission.

            Therefore, we urge you not to come to the workshop with an attitude that you have heard and known it all.  "So, what lack I yet?" is not the proper attitude that you should have,  even if you have known it all.  Rather,  you should be asking yourself," What more can I add to my learning to make me more effective?"

 

II. DISCIPLESHIP

What does it mean to be a disciple?

 

            According to Blattner[3], " One of the most effective tools for leading Christians to maturity is one-to-one pastoral care… committed personal relationships in which pastoral leaders can tailor their efforts to the unique gifts and needs of particular individuals" (1982:100).

            Several years ago Billy Graham was asked," If you were pastor of a large church in a principal city, what would be your plan of action?" Graham replied, "I would get a small group of either ten or twelve men  around me who would meet a few hours a week… and pay the price.  Over a period of a year, I would share with them everything I have.  Then I would actually have twelve ministers among the laymen who in turn could take other men and teach them.  I know one or two churches that are doing that and it is revolutionizing the church" (Blattner 1987:111).

            Making disciples did not start with Jesus, our blessed Savior.  It was part of the religious practices of the Jewish people.  In an article entitled, 'The Relationship between Master and Disciple in the Talmudic',  Moses Aberbach described the Jewish practice.

1.                  It was an educational pattern of learning tied to a committed personal relationship between the student and the teacher.

2.                  The disciple spent as much time as possible with the teacher.

3.                  Teaching was by example and by precepts.

4.                  Usually this education was at the Rabbi's expense.

 

What Jesus brought to what He met was the following:

1.                  He demanded more from His disciples than any earthly Rabbi dared to ask.

2.                  He never intended His disciples would fully take His place.

3.                  He was not just a Master, He played a father's role to His disciples

(John 5:20, Ex. 13:13-15, Duet. 32:7, Duet. 6:6-7, 20-25, Prov. 1:8, Prov. 3:1, Prov. 19:18, Prov. 29:17).

SUMMARY

¨      Discipleship involves relationships.

¨      The order: one does the training, the other learns.

¨      Teaching is through modeling the Truth.

¨      The subject was about Scripture and its principles.

 

COMMENT

            Every training program is expected, if it is with regard s to ministry, to include spiritual formation.  Spiritual formation is the development of the inner life so that a person experiences Christ as the source of life, reflects more Christ-like characteristics and increasingly knows the power and presence of Christ in ministry.

            It happens in the dynamic relationship between the trainer and the trainee through an effective training process.  Discipleship should lead to a proper spiritual formation, although informal in nature, it is a training program, furthered by the relationship.

            We must develop true relationships. In this kind of relationship there is absence of complacency, arrogance or greed.  This is because:

--Complacency makes you insensitive.

--Arrogance makes you a worshipper at the shrine of self-centeredness, rudeness and despise.

--Greed makes you want to take regardless of how you do it.  Consequently, you take advantage of others .  You perfect the art of using people and not building them.

            The command to make disciples of all nations remains a missing link in finishing the task of evangelism.  This means those who are sent need to be discipled first so they will be able to disciple others.

            Jesus spent more time with his disciples than all the other people to whom He related.   He also discipled His followers while He taught, preached and healed.  The best way is to constantly expose those we disciple to our activities in Christ and to what God is doing in our daily lives.  Disciples bear much fruit.

            By 'discipling' I mean helping other people or persons to develop a personal lifelong obedient relationship with Christ in which Jesus transforms their character in Christ-likeness, changes their values and involves them in His mission in the home, the church and the world.

 

III. Vision

Understanding what a vision is

 

Definition:            A vision is a clear picture of what the leader sees his/her group being or doing.  Every vision can only succeed if translated into a mission and implemented by well-defined goals.  It is true that vision is the ability to see the future in today.  In today's rapidly changing world, vision is also the ability to accurately assess current changes and take advantage of them.  In other words, vision is being alert to opportunities.[4]

 

Examples:

 

·        John Sung of China, Phd., in 1929 died 1944

--His vision: Chinese people following Christ

 

·        Mahatma Ghandi

--His vision: a free and independent India

 

·        Henry Ford

--His vision: every American family owning a car or automobile

 

·        William H. Gates III

--His enduring vision and goal is making software easier and more enjoyable for people to use; a key to Microsoft success.

 

·        The Biblical illustration tells it all in II Kings 6:1-7

--The vision of the sons of the prophet was a bigger work.  Their mission was to build larger structures that allowed for growth and made room for a bigger work.  Their goal was to build the structures through consensus and voluntarism; a self-help effort that observes community development principles.

 

Dr. Bill Hinson once told Paul J. Meyer, the founder of the Success Motivation Institute this: " Paul, you're happier when you're helping others to achieve their full potential."  On this note, the Emmaus Bible Center vision is to have every believer focus on building the Kingdom of God by building people to their full potential, thus discipling them and releasing them for the Master's use.

 

Get the vision!   For a vision is the foundation of all true leadership.  A vision must be held firm not only by the leader, but by the followers as well.  It is one thing to be consumed by a vision for world evangelism.  This is the vision of every person on our planet hearing the gospel in an understandable, culturally relevant way.  It is even a greater understanding to create a mission designed to realize that vision.  It is yet a greater understanding to create, under God, the goals and programs necessary to carry out the mission and fulfill the vision (Haggai 1986:14).

 

Any worthy vision comes from God whether it deals with so called 'spiritual' matters or not and whether the person with the vision is a Christian or realizes the source of the vision or not.  Worthy visions are a gift of God.  It is written that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow" (James 1:17).

1.       King Sejong gave Koreans the first alphabet in the Orient.

2.       The Founding Fathers of the United States gave the  world a democratic form of

    Government,  a government that cherishes freedom.

 

IV.          VISION AND FULFILMENT

Oswald J. Smith and The People's Church

 

The People's Church originated from a God given vision received by Oswald J. Smith when he was praying and fasting with Dr. E. Ralph Hooper in the trunk of a fallen tree across a gully in the wilds of British Columbia on July 11, 1919.

             Returning to Toronto he launched the Gospel Auditorium on October 2, 1920.  After that the work passed through several phases .  For instance , there was the Parkdale Tabernacle, Massey Hall, the Tent, the Alliance Tabernacle, the Cosmopolitan Tabernacle, Toronto Gospel Tabernacle, and finally the People's Church.

            Thus, the vision received July 11, 1919, passed through many phases before it was finally fulfilled.  It is a long and fascinating story of God's guidance down through the years.  How wonderful are His ways.  To think that the People's Church has the largest regular Sunday evening attendance of any church in the whole of Canada and that it is now world famous, is nothing short of miraculous.  But more wonderful still, God chose a boy from a country railway station to bring it into existence.  This is the Lord's doing and it is marvelous in our eyes.

            Oswald Smith reflecting on God's dealings in his life has this to say,  "As I look back over the years of my life and ministry I can only exclaim 'what God hath wrought!'.  How faithful He has been.  Truly I am not worthy of the least of His mercies.  God definitely called me to found a great evangelistic, soul-winning, missionary work in Toronto.  He called me the first time in Chicago, second time from British Columbia…third time to the People' s Church.  This time I stayed for some forty years and saw the vision fulfilled.[5]

"It humbles me to the dust as I think of it.  How undeserving I have been.  And He has been good to me.  Body, soul, and spirit I am His.  Yes, His for all eternity. To know Him and to make Him known is now my one and only object in life."

 

V.  SUCCESS

            The act of making disciples of all nations is guaranteed with success.  This is because the Master will do the building of His church (Matthew 16:18).  To co-labor with Christ we must focus entirely on Him.

1.         By regaining our first love (Rev. 2:5, Rev. 1:20)

2.         By knowing the Truth (Colossians 2:16-23)

3.         By discerning the spirits (John 2:26-27, Luke 4, Col. 1:10b,11-13)

4.                  By uniting with other believers

5.                  By accepting the sufficiency of the Cross (Col. 2:13-15, Luke 10:20,41-42)

 

Beyond our focus we must invest in people.

1.                  Investment is giving and receiving back many times over (Gal. 6:7, Luke 6:31, 2 Cor. 9:6)

2.                  What we invest in is:

Ø      Respect

Ø      Love

Ø      Friendship

Ø      Trust

Ø      Money

Ø      Time

Ø      Encouragement, etc...

All are possible when we maintain an intimate relationship with God.  We must invest with the right motives and perceive that doing good, sentiment, peer pressure, recognition, and guilt are inadequate motives for giving.  Duty is a legitimate motive, but usually fails because most people lack the character to respond.  No greater motive can be put forth than the motive of love (Haggai [6] 1986:110).

            E. Stanley Jones once said, "You can serve God with mammon but you cannot serve God and mammon".  Having received the right motive in investment, then observe the following:

1.                  Invest what you want (Luke 6:31-33, Matt. 7:12)

2.                  Invest on the front end (I Kings 17:15-16)

3.                  Recognize God as the provider (Ps 28:8,9)

4.                  Keep your mind on the things you want and off the things that you don't want, as long as they are compatible with the will of God. (Col. 3:1-10)

5.                  Be patient (James 1:2-3, James 5:7-12)

6.                  Do not be deterred by occasional crop failure (Ps 18:26-33; Job 5:17-26; Ps 29:11; Ps 30:5)

7.                  Put your money where you want your heart to be

8.                  Rejoice (Phil 3:1; Ps 28:6,7; Ps 32:11; Ps 33:18-22)

9.                  Expect results

10.              Give God the glory ( Matt. 5:16, Phil. 2:1-10)

 

VI.  REFLECTION

             It is my desire that I be perceived as a man with fire in his bones.  It is my desire that those who hear me will see the fire in my heart, my eyes, my speech--a fire which leaps out to set them afire.  I want to start in our world, a great blaze of hope.

             My life is the one taking the most exciting journey of his/her life---a journey filled with danger and suspense, mystery and courage, love and adventure, defeat and triumph, tears and joy. A journey that not only thrills and inspires my heart, but gives me courage to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

            As you reflect the greatest of all Masters in your passion for souls, your dedication to making disciples of all men and women created in God's image, I will be praying that God in His infinite mercy and grace will give you a clear challenge and commission ---a true vision to go unto all the world and preach the gospel to every creature in your world.

 

 

QUOTES

"There is one who has bottled up your tears and will accord you a rich reward".

 

WHAT IS CHARITY?

author unknown

 

It is Silence when your words would hurt

It is Patience when your neighbor is curt

It is Deafness when a scandal flows

It is Thoughtfulness for others woes

It is Promptness when stern duty calls

It is Courage when misfortune falls

 

 

SIN

 

     The usual sad outcome of engaging in continual acts of sin is a spirit deadened to sin.  One becomes drugged and is unconscious of sin.  A stage of spiritual stupor is induced in which there is no conviction, and this is the lowest state of sin.  People deadened to sin often express surprise that any would find fault.  They are peevish and petulant children who affect ignorance.  They pretend to know everything but are woefully lacking in a knowledge of essentials.

     -- McGee

 

Corrector Resources

 

 

 

1.           Your Personal Bible Study

2.           Monthly Correctors' Meeting

3.           Literature Supply: tracts, books, etc.

4.           Coordinator/Depot Manager (your immediate supply link)

5.           The National Resource and Support Center

 

CORRECTOR EMPHASIS

 

 

1.           Corrector growth as the goal

2.           Student recruiting as a process

3.           Kingdom building as the bottom-line activity

4.           Home grown Bible Center as the sphere of ministry

5.           Prayer for each of your students, their families and friends.

6.           The Internalization of the Word comes by practicing the principles of

          the Word, so that it is nurtured and reproduced in the other person.

          (Ezekiel 3:1-4; Luke 6:40-49, particularly 46; Luke 8:18-21; John 14:15, 20-21)

          (De-emphasize the pursuit of knowledge).

 

Maranatha.

 

Prepared for

Emmaus National Support and Resource Center

by
Dr. T. Cyprian Kia

 


[1] Ironside, HA, Daniel, Loizeaux Brothers Inc.., 1996.

[2] Gates, William H.  1995, The Road Ahead: Penguin books, New York NY, pg. ix,x.

[3] Blattner, John C. 1987, Leading Christians to Maturity. Creation House, Altamonte Springs FL, pp100-113.

[4] Warren, Rich, The Purpose of the Divine Church: Growth without Compromising Your Message and Mission, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI, 1995.

[5] Smith, Oswald J., The  Story of My Life, Marshall, Morgan and Scott, London

[6] Haggai, John E. 1986 LEAD ON: Leadership that Endures in a Changing World. Haggai Institute, Singapore BAC Printers, pp13-14,110.


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