A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

Ses s i on 6: Cu l t i vat i ng Our Commun i t y : The “Corporate” Di sc i p l i nes 289

(3) Paul and Timothy, 2 Tim. 2.1-2 – You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, [2] and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

f. Elements of spiritual direction

(1) Open, transparent dialogue

(2) Advice and counsel

(3) Prayer and supplication

(4) Teaching from the Scriptures and personal experience

(5) “With him” or “with her” principle: accompanying a leader on their various life journeys

7. Various models are used today to discern God’s will in the body of Christ.

a. The primacy of the preached and taught Word: models that emphasize the gift of teaching in the body to discern God’s will (e.g., Bible studies, counseling sessions)

b. The exercise of prophetic gifts (defined both in terms of foretelling and forth-telling God’s will)

c. Identifying individuals with the gift of discernment to empower the body in difficult questions of God’s leading