Steppingstone Discipleship Series                                                    Booklet 2

Lesson Eight

Loving Others

(Developing a Compassionate Lifestyle)

 Love is at the very heart of Christianity. It sums up in one word the very essence of the Christian faith. It was the major focus in the ministry of Jesus. It is a thread that runs through the entire New Testament.

The Biblical message of love has two principal dimensions: love between God and man, and love between human beings. We have already studied about God’s requirement for a total love for Him. In this lesson we want to learn more about our love for each other.

Love for each other is so fundamental in the teachings of Christ, He gave it extremely high priority among the commandments, second only to our love for God (Mt. 22:37-39).

Many complicated laws were given in the Old Testament, but Jesus simplified them all when He said. ”The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbour…’” (Gal. 5:14). When we love like we ought, all of the commands will automatically be obeyed.

Love Commanded

The things that are really essential are expressed clearly in the Bible. Consider the following commands:

    “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (Jn. 13:34).

    “This is my command: Love each other” (Jn. 15:17).

    “Follow the way of love…” (1 Cor. 14:1).

    “Do everything in love” (1 Cor. 16:14).

    “… Love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Pet. 1:22).

The list could be very long, but the command is so simple and clear it is unmistakable.

Love Described

1 Corinthians chapter 13 is the classic description of “God’s kind of love.” Please find it in your Bible and check it with the following statements about love.

There is no substitute for love: Even such wonderful things as eloquence, prophecy, knowledge, and faith are worthless if not accompanied by love.

Love is patient and kind.

Some things love does not do:

    Love does not envy.

    Love does not boast.

    Love does not keep a record of wrongs committed.

    Love does not delight in evil.

Some things love is not:

    Love is not proud.

    Love is not rude.

    Love is not self-seeking.

    Love is not easily angered.

Some things love always does:

    Love protects.

    Love trusts.

    Love hopes.

    Love perseveres.

    Love never fails.

    Love rejoices with the truth.

How do you think your love measures up to this standard? Think about it!

Love Illustrated

Jesus gives us a perfect example of what God’s kind of love is like. Let us look at the way He loved:

The word that most commonly describes the attitude of Jesus to those around Him is “compassion.” Compassion may be defined as sorrow for the sufferings of others, accompanied by an urge to help.

    “When He saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Mt. 9:36).

    “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick” (Mt. 14:14).

    “Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, ‘I have compassion for these people…” (Mt. 15:32).

    “Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man” (Mk. 1:41).

His lifestyle could only be described as compassionate. He was always moved by human need. Wherever it is stated in the Bible that He had compassion, He immediately took action to help the needy. He always responded to human needs. He never turned anybody away. What an example to follow!

Love Reaching Out

Who are included with those we are supposed to love? The Bible mentions three categories:

Love for our brothers and sisters: “… so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart” (1 Pet. 1:22). “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers” (1 John 3:14). These are the ones who are the easiest to love: our fellow Christians, members of the church, those who are the closest to us.

Love for our “neighbours”: “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mt. 22:39). When Jesus was asked the question, “Who is my neighbour?” He answered with the story of a Jewish man who fell into the hands of robbers and was lying by the road wounded and bleeding. Two religious leaders passed by and ignored him. Then a Samaritan (whom the Jews despised) stopped and took care of him. Jesus then asked, “Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The answer is obvious. We are neighbours to those around us who have needs.

Love for our enemies: Jesus carried the scope of love one step further when He said, “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Lk. 6:27-28). This is the most difficult kind of love, but it is necessary for our love to be complete. Jesus perfectly illustrated it when He forgave those who were nailing Him to the cross.

Love Expressed 

True love is not just sentiment or theory; it seeks practical expression. “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 Jn. 3:18). “Therefore show these men proof of your love…” (2 Cor. 8:24). 

Growing Love

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Philippi, “And, this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight” (Phil. 1:9). He said to the Thessalonians, “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else…” (1 Thes. 3:12). On another occasion he declared, “We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing” (2 Thes. 1:3).

We are exhorted to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24).

Wherever you are on your Christian journey, make it your goal that your love for others will constantly, grow, increase, and overflow more and more.

Love, the Test of Our Relation to God

Since man only looks on the outward appearance it is not always easy to determine a person’s true relation to God. However, there is one test that is final:

    “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother” (1 Jn. 3:10).

    We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death” (1 Jn. 3:14).

    “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God” (1 Jn. 4:7-8),

All that Counts

Love is such an important part of the Christian life that Paul exclaimed, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Gal. 5:6). Again, he exhorts, “Do everything in love” (1 Cor. 16:14).

You’re Commitment

We suggest that you review this lesson several times until you have caught the vision of living a compassionate lifestyle. Make a firm decision to love (love is a choice not just a feeling), your brothers, your neighbours, and your enemies. Pray that your love will constantly abound, increase, and overflow! Express your love to someone today.

Steppingstone Discipleship Series                                                           Booklet 2
Lesson Nine

Learning to Trust God

The Basis of Trust in God

Do you really trust God? To fully trust God means …

    •   Believing that His Word is true; that it is a reliable source of our knowledge of God. God does not lie.

    •   Having absolute confidence that He will never fail. God is reliable.

    •   Depending on Him when all else is uncertain. God will never change.

    •   Relying on Him to care for you and supply your needs. God keeps His promises.

    •   Having the assurance that He hears and will answer your prayers even when the answer is delayed. God answers prayer.

    • Believing that He is both wise and good, even when we don’t understand. God always works for our good.

    • Having confidence that He always knows what is best. God does not make mistakes.

    • Being assured that He will reward those who trust in Him. God is faithful.

The list is long and could go on for many pages. However, please note that all of the above statements are based upon a fundamental faith in the character of God. It means we really believe that God is who He has revealed Himself to be in Christ, and that He will always act in harmony with His nature. 

When Trust in God Is Put to the Test

It is easy to trust in God when everything is going well for us. Our trust in Him is put to the test when bad things happen to us. For example:

    When bad things happen to good people. Our tendency is to then ask why He allows it to happen, and to allow some doubts to begin to creep into our minds. We find it hard to accept what we cannot understand. We want to know “Why?”
True trust in God remains firm even when circumstances seem to contradict what looks right to us. Our trust of God goes beyond our capacity to understand. This is what Job was experiencing when in deep trouble he exclaimed, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him“(Job 13:15).

    When the answers to our prayers are delayed. God has promised to answer our prayers, but what happens when the answers do not come? There could be several reasons: 

   Perhaps we are not asking for the right things. Are we seeking first the Kingdom of God? Are our motives right? Could we be asking selfishly? Are we seeking for things we really don’t need? All these things could affect God’s response.

   Perhaps the timing is wrong. God really does answer prayer, but sometimes the answer is, “Be patient and wait awhile, it is not the right time yet.”

   Perhaps God has something better for us than we have asked for. He would not want to spoil His best for us by giving us something less that could distract us or detour us from it. 

   Perhaps God’s answer is “no” because what we are asking for would not be good for us.

   When God’s perspective is different from ours. God sees our lives from a much broader perspective than we do. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:9). For example:

    • We see only the present. God sees the end from the beginning. 

    • We see only short-term results. God sees and is more interested in the long-run.

    • Our wisdom is very limited. God knows everything.

    • We do not always know what is really best for us, but God does.

    • We may not understand God’s total plan for our lives, but God is preparing us for it.

    • We may not recognize our real needs, but God knows where we need to be corrected and polished.

    • We usually look for the easy way, but God sees the discipline we need to be what He wants to make us.

   If we could see things from God’s perspective we would certainly want Him to do it His way! However, the very fact that we cannot always see from His perspective indicates the importance of learning to trust Him.

The Results of Trusting God

If you trust God it will …

    • Give you confidence to approach Him. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Heb 4:16). We can know God in an intimate relationship so that we approach Him as our Heavenly Father who understands us and wants to do good things for us.

    • Release you from fear. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging” (Psa. 46:1-3).

    • It will give you joy, peace, and hope. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 15:13).

    •  Bring more stability to your life.  “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” (Jas 1:6). 

You Can Trust God When … 

    •  Everything else is shaking. “Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal” (Isa. 26:4).  “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever” (Psa. 125:1).

    • When you don’t know which way to go. “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul” (Psa. 143:8).

    •  When the answer does not come. “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him” (Psa. 37:7).

    • When human resources fail. “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psa. 20:7).

    • At all times. “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (Psa. 62:8).

Some Specific Promises God Has Made to Those Who Trust Him

God has promised …

    • To care for those who trust Him. “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him” (Nahum 1:7).

    • To never forsake those who trust Him. “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you” (Psa. 9:10).

    • To guide those that trusts Him. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Prov. 3:5-6). He will guide you in the dark places (Isa.50:10). He will be there in the “valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23).

    • To always be there for those who trust Him. “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you” (Psa. 9:10).

    • To bless those who trust Him. "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him” (Jer. 17:7).

    • To supply the needs of those who trust Him. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear” (Mt. 6:25).

Conclusion 

As we have seen in the wonderful Scriptures in this lesson, Christians do not trust in a theory, a political philosophy, human resources, or our own strength or wisdom. We trust only in God who is worthy of our confidence. His power is unlimited. “For nothing is impossible with God" (Lk.1:37). His wisdom is incomparable. “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Rom. 11:33). His love is unfailing. “But I trust in your unfailing love” (Psa. 13:5). He alone is worthy of our complete trust. People may fail us; our material resources will eventually fade away; our strength will run out; human wisdom can lead us astray. God alone will be there when everything else is gone. But, God will be forever trustworthy. Do not hesitate to put your trust in Him. 

Steppingstone Discipleship Series                                                        Booklet 2

Lesson Ten

Developing a Vision for God’s Work

What Is Vision?

For the purpose of this lesson vision means:

    • Understanding the potential of what could be done for God and getting excited about helping make it happen.

    • Vision works like a telescope: It sees things at a distance as if they were close. It means seeing future dreams or goals as if they were a present reality.

    • Vision works like a microscope: It sees small things and makes them look bigger. It is like looking at a small prayer cell and seeing it as a strong church.

    • Vision is closely related to faith: Faith focuses on what God is able to do. Vision sees the possibility of doing it. It foresees it being done.

The Dimensions of Vision

In the Church of the Nazarene, vision can take place on four levels: local (the local area), district (group of churches), regional (a large geographical area of several countries), and general (world-wide). Our structure gives everybody the opportunity to participate in God’s work on all four levels. The purpose of this lesson is to help you develop a multi-dimensional vision for the work of God. We will focus separately on each of the four levels mentioned above, and make some suggestions as to how you can develop your vision on each level. Our objective is not to win your loyalty to a human program, but rather to discover and become a part of God’s plan for the world.

Vision for the Local Church

Talk with your pastor to get the following information and to discuss the future of your church with him. 

    1. How long has this church been organized? 

    2. How many members are presently on the membership roll?

    3. What are the goals for this year?

    4. Describe the church you would like to see here ten years from now.

    5. What will have to take place to make the dream happen?

    6. Name some places where your church could reach out to plant seeds (Bible studies, prayer cells, or preaching points) for potential new churches.

Vision for Your District 

Here are some things you can do that will help you catch a vision for your district:

    1. Make plans to attend the next District Assembly.

    2. Find the following information:

        •   Who is your District Superintendent, and where does he live?

        •   What are the boundaries of your district?

        •   How many churches are on your district?

        •   How many new churches were organized last year?

        •   Make a list of the towns and cities in the district that do not have a Church of the Nazarene.

    3. When you have the opportunity, ask your District Superintendent to share with you his vision for the future of the district.

    4. Find out what needs to be accomplished in order to move ahead to the next stage of district development. There are four stages. Learn the differences between them:

            A. Pioneer Area: Beginning with nothing, planting seeds in a new area.

            B. Phase One: At least two organized churches.

            C. Phase Two: At least 10 organized churches, 500 members, 5 ordained elders, and 50% support of district ministries.

            D. Phase Three: At least 20 organized churches, 1000 members, 10 ordained elders, and 100% support of district administration.

Vision for Your Region

Look for the following information to help you understand the challenge of your region. 

    1. What is the name of your region?

    2. Who is your Regional Director? Where does he/she live?

    3. What geographical areas and countries are included in the region?

    4. How many districts and local churches are there on the region? How many total members?

    5. What goals have been set for the next ten years on the region?

    6. What doors are now open that needs to be entered on the region?

Understanding God’s Plan for the World 

The important thing here is to understand God’s plan for the world as revealed in the Bible. 

    • God loves the whole world. (Jn. 3:16)

    • God wants everybody to be saved. (2 Pet. 3:9)

    • God has made sufficient provision for all to be saved. (Rev. 22:17)

    • Christ gave His church the job of taking the Gospel to all nations. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matt 28:19-20). (These words are commonly referred to as the “Great Commission.”) It is not optional. It is a direct command of Christ.

In the Church of the Nazarene we take the Great Commission seriously. We have set up a system that allows every local church and every individual to participate directly in the fulfilment of Christ’s command. It is done in three ways:

    1. By giving offerings. In our system, offerings for the World Evangelism Fund come from all over the world. They are then disbursed to support a gigantic program of sending missionaries and reaching people for Christ in many places. It is a thrilling thought to think that part of every offering given goes to so many places. It is true that by giving to send others a person can “go” as Christ commanded.

    2. By praying. Prayer support is a key factor in the missionary enterprise. God’s power is released through the prayers of His people. Your prayers can make a difference in far away places.

    3. By personal involvement. Here are some things you can do to get involved:

        • Inform yourself about the places where our missionaries are working.

        • Find the names of a few missionaries for whom you can pray.

        • Inquire about a successful method being used by missionaries.

        • Learn about the work of the Nazarene World Mission Society.

        • Could God be calling you to be a pastor or missionary? Pray about it.

        • Ask if there is any way you could help in an outreach ministry from your local church.

        • Find out how many Nazarene missionaries are currently serving and in how many countries.

        • Learn about missionaries who have been sent from your district or region.

In Conclusion