Redemptive Poverty Work Student Workbook

4 4 / R E D E M P T I V E P O V E R T Y W O R K S T U D E N T W O R K B O O K

When we do good works, it should not be just for the sake of doing them. If we are to take Ephesians 2.10 seriously we were created to do them. Think about that for a minute. We are not saved to just sit around and have Bible studies celebrating how holy we are. James 2.14-26 makes it perfectly clear there is no irreconcilable difference between faith and works. You truly can’t have one without the other. If this is the case, our poverty work should be grounded to our faith in a practical way. Historically, there have been religious communities who have committed themselves to a mission and created rules of life to help them sustain that mission. It’s a practice that has withstood the test of time. The use of a rule of life can be found in the Bible. We see this in the book of Daniel, where he and his colleagues carved out a way to stay faithful while in exile in Babylon (Dan. 1; 6.10). When a rule of life functions well it is an example of commitment. It is the practical demonstration of how to make God the center of our mission, moving us towards holiness.

Recite and/or sing the Nicene Creed (located in the Appendix).

Nicene Creed

Memorize Acts 2.42 in a standard Bible translation (not a paraphrase version, e.g. The Message ) and grade yourself using the scripture memory-form.doc.

Scripture Memory

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To prepare for class, refer to the schedule for this course to see what assignments are due before your next class meeting and complete the

Assignments

assignments below: Read the following:

• Redemptive Poverty Work – “Rhythms of Life and Poverty Work” (pages 37-50) • Uncommon Church: Community Transformation for the Common Good – Chapter 1: Advocacy Is Not Enough – Chapter 5: Doing Healthy Church: Seven Habits Toward Spiritual Maturity – Chapter 9: Chasing Wild Dreams: Examples of Faith, Hope, and Love in Action