Church Matters: Retrieving the Great Tradition

Ses s i on 5: The Purpose , E l ement s , and Advantages of Shared Sp i r i tua l i t y

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2. Sharing a spirituality nourishes efficiency and identity by reproducing after kind .

a. All things bear fruit according to their kind, Gen. 1.11 (ESV) – And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. b. You reap the same in kind that you sow, Gal. 6.7-8 (ESV) – Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. [8] For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. c. We reproduce who we are, not just what we say, Luke 6.39-40 (ESV) – He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? [40] A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. d. Missions is replicating the same faith, devotion, and hope that is experienced and treasured by the witnesses themselves!, 2 Tim. 2.2 (ESV) – 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.

3. Sharing a spirituality supplies leaders and their congregations models and blueprints for rapid reproducibility .

4. Knowing who we are, what we believe, what our commitments are, and how we intend to obtain it eliminates waste and