Ripe for Harvest

350 • R IPE FOR H ARVEST

Over the years, I have come to realize that the greatest trap in our life is not success, popularity, or power, but self-rejection. Success, popularity, and power can indeed present a great temptation, but their seductive quality often comes from the way they are part of the much larger temptation to self-rejection. When we have come to believe in the voices that call us worthless and unlovable, then success, popularity, and power are easily perceived as attractive solutions. The real trap, however, is self-rejection. As soon as someone accuses me or criticizes me, as soon as I am rejected, left alone, or abandoned, I find myself thinking, “Well, that proves once again that I am a nobody.”. . . [My dark side says,] I am no good . . . . I deserve to be pushed aside, forgotten, rejected, and abandoned. Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the “Beloved.” Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence. ~ Henri J. M. Nouwen

C. Use training opportunities to forge a critical disposition.

Don’t merely disseminate doctrinal information; strive to form personal identity.

1. Biblical viewpoint, Rom. 12.1-2; Gal. 4.12-19

2. The principle made plain: We train not only for content, but rather equip leaders how to think.

3. Analogy: The Bereans (in response to Paul’s message), Acts 17.10-11

4. Ramification: We do not peddle information to complete courses, but equip warriors of Jesus Christ to discerning agents of the truth. a. Beware of pat answers and sloppy arguments; equip student to “think Christianly,” to rigorously think things through (i.e., to test everything). b. Just because you have a limited academic background does not mean that you are not able to think critically and carefully.

Context Values/Vision

Prepare Launch Assemble Nurture Transition Schedule/Charter

c. We ought never assume that being disenfranchised in background means being defective in intellect.