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Welcome to the Family
Section 2

MY PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST

Name: ________________________________________

Date: _________________________________________

My Life BEFORE I found Christ:
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HOW and WHEN I encountered Jesus as my Savior:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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What my life is like NOW:
__________________________________________________________________
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THE MEMBERSHIP COVENANT OF CORNERSTONE CHURCH

(Based on the Membership Vows of the United Methodist Church and the General Rules of Our United Societies.  Each section of the covenant is followed here by questions for meditation and discussion.)

1. Repentance and Renunciation of Sins
bulletDo you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of your sin?
bulletDo you accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?

What does it mean to repent of your sin? _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

2. Profession of Faith in Jesus Christ
bulletDo you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord in union with the Church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races?

What does it mean to confess Jesus Christ as your Savior? _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

3. Belief in the Holy Scriptures as the inspired Word of God
bulletDo you receive and profess the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments.
bulletDo you receive and profess that the Bible is the only rule and sufficient rule for both faith and practice. [cf. General Rules]
bulletDo you promise, according to the grace given you, to keep God's holy will and commandments and walk in the same all the days of your life as a faithful member of Christ's holy Church?

What does it mean when we say the Bible is the inspired Word of God? _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

4. Reception into the Membership of the Church
bulletFor the sake of Christ's universal church, will you be loyal to the United Methodist Church and do all in your power to strengthen its ministries?
bulletAs a member of Cornerstone Church will you faithfully participate in its ministries by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, and your service.
bulletWill you accept the loving discipline of those who legitimately exercise authority within the church for the purpose of your edification in Christ and perfection in love.

What does it mean to be loyal to the United Methodist Church? _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

What does it mean when you promise to uphold my local church with your prayers, presence, gifts and service? _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

What is church discipline and what is its purpose? _________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

 

STUFF YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BEING A UNITED METHODIST

1. We are a connectional church. We do not exist as an independent, autonomous congregation, but are connected to our sister churches throughout United Methodism. The scriptures tell us that the church exists as a Body, a total unit made of many parts. Our relationship to other churches is a witness to this. (1 Corinthians 12:12-28)

2. We are an episcopal church. That simply means that we maintain the biblical and ancient church office of bishop. A bishop is literally an overseer (episcopos is the Greek word) who exercises pastoral care over a group of believers in a geographical area. Since the time of the early church bishops have been intrusted with maintaining the apostolic faith of the Church. The bishop for our area (Annual Conference) is the Rev. Marion Edwards. (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:7-9; Jude 3)

3. Our church government is representative, not congregational. In our form of church government congregational leaders are elected to represent the members of the church by virtue of their spiritual gifts. Some church decisions are made by the whole congregation (such as in the case of beginning a building program), but most are made by the Administrative Council.

4. Methodism is historically an "evangelical" movement which upholds the preaching of the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ and believes that all people need to experience the "new birth" or regeneration in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

5. Methodism is historically a movement committed to holiness. Holiness on a personal level includes the complete dedication of one's self, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to God. Holiness on a social level means that we desire to bring the principles of the Gospel to bear on the present needs and sins of our society. (1 Thessalonians 3:13; 4:7; Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15,16)

6. Methodism is a historically "catholic" movement. This does not mean catholic in the sense of Roman Catholicism, but in the sense of believing that the Church of Jesus Christ is comprised of all people who have received Jesus as Lord and Savior, regardless of denominational background. Methodism historically looks to the first four centuries of the Christian Church as a time when this unity (founded on the witness of the Apostles) was visibly, but not perfectly, experienced in the Body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:3-6)

7. Methodism is a historically "charismatic" movement. Methodists have traditionally believed that God has poured out spiritual gifts on the people of God for the purpose of building up the church and evangelizing the world. This is seen in the traditional office of "Lay Speaker": i.e. those who are seen to have a spiritual gift for preaching and given this ministry, and yet are not ordained ministers. (Acts 2:17,18)

LIFESTYLES OF THE BORN AGAIN (I)
"AN APPOINTMENT WITH GOD"

E.M. Bounds once wrote, "The ones who have most fully illustrated Christ in their character, and have most powerfully affected the world for Him have been those who spend so much time with God as to make it a notable feature in their lives. ...To be little with God is to be little for God."

 

I. What Is a T.A.W.G.?

(T_________ A__________ W________ G_______)

1. A time of personal _________________ with God.
(Luke 6:12) Key element is desire. (Psalm 42:1,2)

2. A time when God ____________________ to you about your life.
(Psalm 139:23,24)

3. A time for personal ____________________ and ___________________.
(Psalm 100)

II. Why Have a T.A.W.G.?

1. God desires our _____________________________.

2. God deserves our ____________________________.

3. God delights in our __________________________.

III. How to Have a T.A.W.G.?

1. Choose the best ____________________________.

2. Choose the best ____________________________.

3. Choose the best ____________________________.

 

HERE'S A GOOD PLAN FOR BEGINNERS...

"10 minutes with God"

1 minute: Prayer for guidance, praise for God, quiet your heart.

4 minutes: Read Scripture; ask God for special insight.

5 minutes: Prayer

PRAYER PLAN

A______________________________________

C______________________________________

T______________________________________

S______________________________________

 

LIFESTYLES OF THE BORN AGAIN (II)
"IN GOD WE TRUST"

Tithing is a matter of the heart, not the wallet.
Matthew 6:21

TEN BENEFITS FROM TITHING

1. God is _________________ by your _________________. (Malachi 3:10)

2. God is _________________ by your _________________. (Proverbs 3:9)

3. It helps keep your __________________ straight. (Matthew 6:21)

4. You are ______________________________ for a blessing. (Malachi 3:10)

5. Guards Christians from _____________________________. (Acts 20:35)

6. God loves a ____________________________ giver. (2 Corinthians 9:6-12)

7. Support of the ____________ ___________________. (Matthew 28:19,20)

8. Ensures your _______________________ will be met. (Matthew 6:33)

9. It helps meet the ________________ of God's people. (1 Corinthians 16:1,2)

10. It reminds us that ______________ is the true ______________ and
______________ of all that we have. (1 Timothy 6:17,18)

 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TITHE AND AN OFFERING?

TITHE =___________________________________________________________

OFFERING = ______________________________________________________

 

WHY "STOREHOUSE" TITHING?

1. Multiplies your tithe's effectiveness.

2. Focuses your tithe's direction.

3. Supports your local church.

HOW ABOUT YOU? ARE YOU TRUSTING GOD?

LIFESTYLES OF THE BORN AGAIN (III)
"HABITS, HEARTBEAT, AND HOPE CHESTS"

How you live your day-to-day life is of great importance to God. As a Christian you are a representative of Jesus Christ. As a member of Cornerstone you become a representative of our church. God cares about your:

1. HABITS - Your _________________ as a Christian. (Romans 14:21)

2. HEARTBEAT -Your _________________ as a Christian. (Philippians 2:1-5)

3. HOPE CHEST - Your _________________ as a Christian. (Matthew 22:37)

 

Priority 1___________________

Priority 2___________________

Priority 3___________________

 

YOUR PERSONAL PRIORITY "QUICK CHECK"

Your ________________________ (time)

Your ________________________ (money)

 

FOUR GOALS OF A CORNERSTONE MEMBER:

1. To be ________________________ (Spiritual growth) (1 Peter 1:14-16)

2. To be __________&_____________ (Socially uplifting) (Colossians 3:12-14)

3. To be ________________________ (Submissive to God) (James 4:10)

4. To be a _______________________ (Humility) (Philippian 2:3-11)

 

H.O.M.E. GROUPS
Homes Open to Ministry and Encouragement
A.K.A. "CLASS MEETINGS"

1. CARING ____________________________

2. _________________ AND _____________________ FELLOWSHIP

3. PERSONAL _________________________ SUPPORT

4. INTERACTIVE ____________________ APPLICATION

5. _________________ AND ___________________ GROWTH

Here's how H.O.M.E. Groups fit in the big picture:

Small group meetings in homes, called "class meetings" have been a part of Methodism since the days of John Wesley. They're still as important now as they were then. The focus of these groups is a mixture of prayer, sharing, Bible Study and accountable discipleship. The ideal size of a class meeting is between 5 and 8 people. In a H.O.M.E Group or "class meeting" you'll be involved in:
bulletdiscussion and application of biblical principles
bulletcaring for other brothers and sisters in Christ
bulletconforming your will to the will of Christ
bulletactive participation
bulletbuilding intimate relationships with other Christians
bulleta casual, relaxed atmosphere
bulletbuilding family life

 

WELCOME TO THE T.E.A.M.!
(Together Experiencing A Ministry)

At Cornerstone United Methodist Church we view ministry involvement as essential. We desire to assist the body of believers in realizing their full potential for Christ through discovery and development of their spiritual gifts in a variety of effective and fulfilling ministries. It is this common involvement and teamwork which brings glory to God and strengthens His church.

PRINCIPLES OF LAY MINISTRY

1. We are ___________ in ministry, not ___________ _____________.

2. Ministry is a __________________ not a ______________________.

3. Ministry enhances your __________________________ growth.

4. Ministry is _____________________ to God.

5. Ministry unleashes the ____________________ of the Holy Spirit.

6. Ministry multiplies the church's _________________________.

DISCOVERING YOUR PLACE ON THE TEAM

1. What is your __________________________?

2. What is your "______________________" of gifts?

3. What is your _____________________?

Why not take this online spiritual gifts inventory and see where God has gifted you for ministry?:

 

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