A Model Church

Doug Patch

Revelation 3:7-13

John's letter to the church of Philadelphia is one of encouragement and promise. Christ's recognizes their focus and faithfulness to His Word and their intent on sharing the gospel with others. Christ rewards their faith with four promises: 1) access to God and more opportunities to share their faith, 2) vindication from people who mock them, 3) protection in difficulties, and 4) "complete and lasting security" in His Kingdom! The dynamic between trust in God and His provisions is expanded upon, emphasizing the importance of meditating on Scripture.

Leading Home Group Evangelism

Doug Patch

1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Leading home group evangelism can be challenging to say the least, but it can first be helped by avoiding some common errors. Several general principles that help promote this include having leaders agree on the need for change and beginning change with themselves. There is no rigid formula, but there are steps we can take to approach the group in an effective way to motivate believers. This workshop presents five key steps to summarize an effective approach.

Testing World Views

Jim Leffel

1 Corinthians 3:5-9

World views, or the belief systems people hold about the world and humanity, can be vastly diverse. As believers in Christ and seekers of truth, we are called to test world views and help walk others through this process to determine views that may be illogical. The belief system should be coherent, consistent, adequate, and fruitful or "livable." As we look at some of the main belief systems of our world today, we can analyze their truth statements through this lens and assess if they make rational sense.

Being a Winsome Apologist

John Lennox

1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Christians should always be ready to give a defense for their faith. This defense is a personal, two-way conversation where the apologist needs to be engaging and asking questions. Some helpful practices are to try dropping God into the conversation; don't act like you know more than you do; be sensitive; and be willing to learn, be challenged, and challenge yourself as you go.

Adorning the Gospel

John Cleary

1 Peter 2:12-15

As believers in Christ, we are called to stand out as lights and help bring the Gospel to others in our community in part because of God's own pursuit of His people and in response to Jesus' example. We can begin moving toward this call through prayers for our own heart change and for the lost around us. We can also start where we are today, beginning to adorn the gospel in the very neighborhoods, workplaces, and organizations in which we are already immersed.

Worldview and Evangelism

Josh Benadum

Colossians 4:3-4

The way we understand people impacts our mission. God's role is to open doors and soften hearts while our role is to proclaim and persuade. In order to fulfill our role we need to understand the answer to three questions about people: 1) What are humans?; 2) Who are humans?; 3) How do we speak to humans? There are many perspectives regarding these questions but it is essential to understand the answers from a Biblical perspective. Humans are made in God's image and are separated from Him because of sin. Understanding who they are requires understanding their worldview; the assumptions they have about the world and how it works. Speaking to humans includes drawing them out to better understand them and to know how to best communicate with them. The results are up to God and ultimately people's personal choice but we can have an impact on God's mission to reveal Himself to humanity.\r\n

Intro to the Xenos Home Group Model

Phil Franck

Hebrews 10:24-25

The Xenos home group model involves many components. Xenos' model isn't the only model of the best model, but is one that follows the New Testament. Like Jesus' ministry, Xenos started small and grew one small group at a time. Four main areas of focus for home group leaders are: 1) personal growth with God; 2) evangelism; 3) biblical community; 4) discipleship. The way home groups multiply is through developing leaders. Each home group functions independently and also dependently; part of a bigger whole. Overall each home group disciples, teaches, disciplines, and evangelizes independently. They are however under the elders' authority and dependent on their leadership training. With all parts playing their role God grows His Church.\r\n

Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask

Mark Mittelberg

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

There are many difficult topics and questions that people have about God and Christianity. As Christians, we are called to be able to discuss these things and refute arguments that are raised up against God. So often, when we are able to minimize intellectual roadblocks that people have, it opens the door for them to be able to seriously consider the Gospel.

Opening the Door to Divine Encounters

Rich Mendola

Hebrews 13:2

Biblical hospitality is sharing who we are and what we have for the benefit and inclusion of strangers. When we show hospitality to strangers, we open the door for divine encounters to take place. God works through our willingness to welcome people into our homes and lives.