Ripe for Harvest

S ESSION 1: S EEING THE B IG P ICTURE • 53

V. Bottom Line: The King and His Kingdom are Coming! Make the Bride Ready!

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” ~ Revelation 22.20

Review the following appendices in Planting Churches among the City’s Poor: An Anthology of Urban Church Planting Resources (please refer to the Appendix Table at the end of this session in order to find the location of each document listed below, i.e., its volume and page number), and then answer together the questions under Seminar Group Discussion . • The Story of God: Our Sacred Roots • Once Upon a Time: Understanding Our Church’s Place in the Story of God • Christus Victor : An Integrated Vision for the Christian Life and Witness • The Theology of Christus Victor : A Christ-Centered Biblical Motif for Integrating and Renewing the Urban Church • There Is a River: Identifying the Streams of a Revitalized Christian Community in the City • The Nicene Creed • Seven Essential Practices for the Priesthood of All Believers Seminar Group Discussion 1. What was new to you about God’s story and the Church’s response? 2. Why is God’s purpose to restore his creation and overcome Satan’s rebellion so critical in all thinking about evangelism, mission, and church planting? What is the result of ignoring spiritual warfare truths and principles in ministry, especially church planting? 3. Explain the relationship between the theology and practice of the Church (big “C”) and the churches (little “c”). How should we understand how the Kingdom is advanced by little “c” churches as they are planted, grow, and reproduce themselves, for Christ’s sake? 4. Explain the three expressions of the Church, and explain how each could uniquely contribute to the advancement of the Kingdom among the city’s poor.

Context Values/Vision Prepare Launch Assemble Nurture Transition Schedule/Charter