God the Father, Mentor's Guide, MG06

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G O D T H E F A T H E R

Ministry Project

Christian leadership is not merely knowing what the Bible says; it involves the ability to use the Word of God in such a way that others are edified and equipped for ministry. God’s Word is living and active, and penetrates to the very heart of our lives and innermost thoughts (Heb. 4.12). James the Apostle emphasizes the need to be doers of the Word of God, not hearers only, deceiving ourselves. We are exhorted to apply the Word, to obey it. Neglecting this discipline, he suggests, is analogous to a person viewing our natural face in a mirror and then forgetting who we are, and are meant to be. In every case, the doer of the Word of God will be blessed in what he or she does (James 1.22-25). Our sincere desire is that you will apply your learning practically, correlating your learning with real experiences and needs in your personal life, and in your ministry in and through your church. Theology Essay: Letter to a Friend . Ministering the Word often involves not merely delivering a sermon or teaching a formal Bible class, but telling a friend, family member, or co-worker why you believe what you believe. The purpose of this essay is to help you increase your skill in speaking informally about important theological topics. Think of a person you know or an imaginary person who wrestles with issues surrounding the person of God and coming to faith in Jesus. Write a letter to this person, offering reasons why faith in God is important and makes good sense. Each letter will be graded on the following criteria:

Purpose

Planning and Summary

• Legibly written or typed, presented on time

Two to four pages in length

•

• Written in common, everyday conversational language • Clearly given reasons made with scriptural support

• Solid invitation to believe in God through Christ

Your essay should follow the form of a traditional letter that you would write to a friend. Begin your letter with a short paragraph about the person to whom this letter is written. Offer a few details about this person: their age, where they live, what they know about the Bible (if anything), their current or previous openness, etc. Feel free to imagine any kind of person and their situation to address. In the body of your letter, present the case to your friend for their placing their faith in God. Give them reasons, and back up the reasons with Scripture. If necessary, think about what objections they might have and answer them. Be persuasive! Again, this is a personal letter, not a formal academic paper. The Ministry Project is worth 30 points and represents 10% of your overall grade, so make certain to share your insights with confidence and make your summary clear.

Grading