GETTING YOUR BEARINGS

A course to orientate new people to Ruach Neighbourhood Churches

 

WEEK 1

AIM: 1. To get to know everyone a bit through the icebreaker

2. To tell the story of Ruach

 

MATERIAL: Members Manual for each person

Vision/Doctrine Statement for each person

Journey Guide for each person

 

ICEBREAKER: When you were age ( ). Draw out number from hat and talk about yourself at that age for 1 minute.

OR

Everyone do a collage with magazine pictures to represent church.

 

GO THROUGH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

1. Vision

2. The meaning of RUACH

3. The visionaries (after vision/doctrine statement in manual)

4. Salt shaker diagram

5. Explain how the Lord is leading us - ie everything happens in the housechurch.

6. Pastorate system (diagram - appendix)

7. Weekends away

 

Hand out journey guide, explain that there are some differences between Singapore and us.

At home: Begin to read through Members Manual to and including the doctrine statement. Do 2,3,&4 in JG.

 

WEEK 2

AIM: Get to know more about everyone's background, what are their impressions of RUACH and any questions.

Use the map of the 2 roads (appendix), Use the map to illustrate where they are and where RUACH fits in to their spiritual and/or life journey.

Feel free to vary the map but try to get an idea of where people are in their christian walk.

Ask if anyone is willing to share any significant christian experience

(bottom p 4)

Impressions of Ruach: What have they liked

What have they not liked or found odd

Anything they didn't understand

What do they think a church should be/do

Look at the doctrine statement and give opportunity to answer questions

 

WEEK 3

Icebreaker: Use P6 in booklet.

Based on p 10 ask if anyone is willing to share a person who has had a significant effect on their lives and why.

Re p 11: Explain the different approach to sponsorship between us and Singapore ie that we do not have the formal sponsor arrangement but encourage people to form supportive and mutually accountable relationships within the cell church environment. Encourage them to look for those relationship and seek opportunities to grow and develop in that area.

LOOK AT SOME BIBLICAL CONCEPTS OF CHURCH: divide into 3 groups to cover:

1. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 Body of Christ - giving, prayer ministry, corporate prayer, prayer with other churches (Pastors group, intercessors group, Spirit Alive etc)

2. 2 Corinthians 11:2

Eph 5:25-27 Rev 19:7

Rev 19:7; 21:2; 22:17 Bride of Christ, submission, holy

3. 1 Cor 3:16-17, 6:19

2 Cor 6:16 - 7:1

Eph 2:19-22 Temple of Christ - worshipping together - h/church + celebration

 

Raise the subject of finances and how the ministry is funded - ie we need to support the work - answer any questions.

At home: P 7,8 & 9 of book

 

WEEK 4 (Or between week 3 & 4) Individual time with each participant - allow opportunity to address any personal issues or things raised in p 7, 8 & 9. Ideally this should involve one of the course leaders and their pastor.

 

WEEK 5 (or week 4)

Icebreaker: Baseball field (Appendix) If the field represents church life get them to indicate where they think they are on the field or spectator stand - or maybe even in the car park outside.

ASK people about their expectations - what do they expect to get out of housechurch - what do they think they will be able to contribute.

INTRODUCE the 9 points of TRANSITION from YOT and check if people understand it. Allow some time to discuss it.

Journey Guide p. 12,13

After filling out p13, ask what areas they would like to grow in then also explain our equipping track.

(Members manual)

 

FINISH by praying for each other in whatever way seems appropriate ( in

large group or in 3's)

 

RUACH IS.......................

 

Reaching out to those who are not christians yet.

Unity with the wider body

Available totally to Jesus as Lord

Constantly walking in the renewal of the Holy Spirit

Heavily relying on God through prayer

Involved in building meaningful and vital relationships Acts 2:42-47

Serving one another with our God given gifts