The Kingdom of God, Student Workbook, SW02

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T H E K I N G D O M O F G O D

The Church of Jesus Christ, as his body and agent, is itself the locus (the place and/or context) of God’s salvation, of the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, and of the authentic expression of the Kingdom’s life and witness. The Church of Jesus Christ is not only a locus, it is also God’s agent, a willing and available servant to God in order to advance kingdom purposes in the world as the Church Militant in this present age. women have made decisions for Christ, and most will be eligible to leave for work release if not outright exit from the prison system soon. Mr. Jones has gone to the pastor suggesting that the church should create a program to bring these new believers into their church, discipling them and working with them to get them solidly established back in the community. The pastor has received some calls from worried members that a great influx of prisoners might cause upset in the church, “and besides, many of these people have done horrible things. Should we expose the children of the church to such types of people?” Mr. Jones has asked you for advice. In light of what you know about the Church, the Kingdom, and urban ministry, what would you propose that he, the pastor, and the church do to meet this opportunity and need?

Restatement of the Lesson’s Thesis

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If you are interested in reading more regarding the Church of Jesus Christ as locus and agent of the Kingdom of God in the present world, you might want to give these books a try:

Resources and Bibliographies

Perkins, John. With Justice for All. Ventura: Regal Books, 1984.

Sider, Ron. Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1977. Snyder, Howard A. The Community of the King. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1977. Stott, John W. Involvement: Being a Responsible Christian in a Non-Christian Society . Vol. 1. Old Tappan: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1985.