Spiritual Growth Path

Jesus Christ calls all believers to make disciples.  All followers of Jesus Christ are on the journey of spiritual growth.  How does a person who is away from God journey to become a passionate disciple of Jesus Christ?  Is getting spiritual high at conferences enough for a person to become disciple of Christ?  Obviously NOT!  The following is a process of how an interested seeker grows to become a multiplying disciple.

The process begins with interested seekers.  People who used to be hostile towards Christ or indifferent towards Christ become interested through the friendship of believers.

An interested seeker drops into fellowship and worship occasionally.  He/she may attend special conferences or camps.  They may make their first time decision for Christ through one on one evangelism with his/her friend.  They may make a decision through conferences and/or camps.

Once a person makes a decision for Christ, he/she becomes a connecting disciple.  The following describes the behaviour of a connecting disciple:
-Declare to friends and family of his/her faith
-Attend Worship and Fellowship Regularly
-Personally followed up
-Plan to be baptised
-Pray 5 times a day (morning, 3x meal, bedtime)
-Engage in basic personal devotion

As a person matures spiritually, he/she grows in the love for God.  The person's love for God is reflected through how he/she relate to brothers and sisters in Christ.  Also, the passion to witness Christ to friends and family grows stronger.  The following describes the behaviour of a growing disciple.


In addition to the behaviours of a connecting Disciples:
-Training in Biblical foundations, evangelism and follow-up
-Praying and caring for brothers and sisters
-Consistent in personal devotion
-Able to personal follow up and Gospel sharing
-Engage in discipleship initiatives


It is true that a person's life change can impact many.  The impact for the Gospel is multiplied when growing disciples are willing to sacrifice more of themselves for the glory of God.  The following describes the behaviour of a multiplying disciple.


In addition to the behaviours of a growing Disciples:
-Leading discipleship initiatives
-Advanced Biblical Training
-Praying and caring for ministry
-Engage in strict spiritual discipline
-Actively engaging in personal follow up
-Actively seeking to sharing of the Gospel

April 1 Message Mark 14:12-26

Here is the summary from Cecil's message on the Lord's supper.  The message is based on Mark 14:12-26 as this month's theme is the passion of Christ.

Passover and the Fest of Unleavened Bread became a festival celebrates the escape of the Jews from Egypt under the leadership of Moses. At Passover, the Jews celebrated their ancestors’ escape from Egyptian bondage (salvation).  Jesus, with bread and wine, instructed the disciples that these elements would serve to remind them of the significance of His death (which would bring salvation to ALL of us).


The blood of covenant is an unconditional covenant God has made promised to forgive sin because of the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Jesus has done all that is necessary for the forgiveness of sins by His once-for-all sacrifice on the cross. The bread and the cup are symbols and reminders of Jesus in His death and resurrection.  It remind God’s new covenant to us as we anticipate of the Second Coming of Jesus.

Why do Jesus ask us to remember him with the Lord’s supper?

Jesus Christ desired fellowship and bonding with us and fellow disciples.
Jesus is teaching us that he is the ultimate sacrifice for the world.
Jesus Christ made the Lord's supper as remembrance of His work for many for the forgiveness of sins.


As we approach the passion week of Jesus, reflect on the love that Jesus has for you.

Upon reflection, if you are living in a way that falls short of Jesus' love for you, pray and ask Him for forgiveness. (Note: the sacrifice of Christ is effective for all past, present, future sins).

We are to come to Christ continually for cleansing.

March 18 Message: Rejoice Always

I am glad to hear requests to post sermon notes and worship songs online so brothers and sisters can reflect on them.

We sang Give us clean hands, All for you, and worthy is the lamb.

The message is taken from Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always.
I will say it again: Rejoice!
Let your gentleness be evident to all.
The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything,
but in every situation, by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.



Reflection Notes:

1. What is the meaning of rejoice?  How is it different from happiness?
2. What is gentleness?  How is it different from weakness?
3. What is the benefit to being anxious?
4. What is the cure to anxiety?
5. What are sources of suffering you are facing? External? Personal sin? Because of doing God's will?
6. How are you rejoicing in the midst of your suffering?

Book of Hebrews

It seems that many people find the book of Hebrews difficult.

The overall message of the book is that Jesus Christ is superior to everything that has gone before.
Jesus Christ is the ultimate priest.  Jesus Christ is the ultimate sacrifice.

The book is written to a community who is discouraged because of the suffering and perhaps doubts about whether Jesus really took care of sin.

PGC 2012 Retreat May 19-21

Registration for the 2012 retreat is open.  We had lots of fun for the 2010 retreat and the retreat inspired many of us to grow spiritually.  Since the feedback was good for Joshua, we have him back to lead us in messages and activities for this year's retreat.  

What to expect at the retreat?

Team building activities, Inspiring worship and messages, sports, board game at night, silent time for deeper reflection, etc (see pictures of 2010 retreat)

Feel free to ask Ellen, Jenny, Brenda, Godwin, Steven, Raymond, Eman, Jeremy, Ernest, and Jason about it.

We have started the planning and we need everyone's contribution in making the retreat inspiring and fun.  We would like to see more than 30 people coming  

Here is how to register:

1. Fill out the attached form (If your parents are coming, which we strongly invite them to come, they have their own Cantonese program, you can fill out one form)

2. Return form and money to me.

*We do not want finance to be a major stumbling block in keeping you from going to the retreat.  A scholarship fund is available to help pay for up to 50% of the cost if finance is an issue (please see me for details)

Planning a big event

Planning a Big Ministry Event

Most youth workers like events. We may have mixed emotions about their overall effectiveness, but they aren’t going away anytime soon….we simply won’t let them! And while we all like events, we aren’t all great at planning them from start to finish. As a result, many events are tossed together at the last minute, poorly run, with less than hoped-for results.  But maybe there’s a better way. Here are three parts to a great event every youth worker should master: Marketing / Promotion This is the not-so-simple task of getting the word out. Flyers and handouts used to be the preferred method, and printed postcards still work with slides on the screen and mentions in the bulletin. Texting has become the preferred method of communication with students. The church/youth ministry website too, is an important part of the puzzle, especially with parents. Just make sure you get the word out early enough for students not to make other plans, but not too early as to be forgotten. The Actual Event This is where we typically do our best work. Everyone is “on” and ready to go, the energy level is high. You’ve worked hard to get students there, and they showed up. The night was great; everyone made it back in one piece and is now thoroughly exhausted. Whew!  Of course, this only happens if you planned ahead and got the word out! Post-Event / Follow-up Most youth workers struggle here, and we’re no exception. When can we leave? Who gets the sexy job of cleaning up after the big mess we just made? Am I really going to have to stay late for that one kid whose mom always leaves the house to get him 45 minutes after everyone else has already left? Cleanup is a big deal. Having a team assembled for the post-event is crucial. Otherwise, you’ll be spending an extra hour or three finishing the night off right – or worse you’ll take shortcuts and pay for it politically in your church.

By: Kurt Johnston & Josh Griffin

Discipleship

The mission of Crossroad is to make disciples of Jesus Christ.  What does a disciple of Jesus Christ look like?  He/she is having an intimate relationship with God, he/she loves people around him/her, and he/she has a passion to share the good news of Jesus Christ to friends that have not received Jesus.


This is reflected by the following:
- steady prayer life
- participate in corporate worship and fellowship regularly 
- publicly declares faith and baptism
- devoted to reading and learning God's Words
- actively shares Jesus Christ to non-believers
- available to follow up with new believers
- willing to serve the body of believers  


Looking at the list above, it seems pretty tough isn't it?  I have to confess that as the youth pastor of the group,  I have lots of room to grow.  Discipleship is a life long journey.  We are all in this journey of growth together.  


Our goal for discipleship is to train every of our disciples to become passionate followers of Jesus Christ.  During the discipleship time, let us devote in God's Word, sharing how we experienced God, and pray for one another.  My prayer is that we will all grow to become mature spiritually for the glory of God.