Theology of the Church, Mentor's Guide, MG03

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T H E O L O G Y O F T H E C H U R C H

convincing. God, however, has selected both Jews and Gentiles to be part of his new humanity, and established that salvation is being directly associated with his new people, even those whom we might find difficult to relate to or enjoy. The choice is not ours but the Lord’s, and we are called to love and embrace all those who welcome Christ into their lives as Lord of all. Draw out from the studies these and other related ideas which might help your students identify their own bigotries and criticisms against those who might be different from them. A ministry connection should be the cleanest, most direct, and most personal connection that each student can make to relate these concepts to some particular experience they have, whether in their own personal lives or those whom they serve in and through their church. We tend to apply things to our lives only when we can discover the linkages and connections between the relevance and validity of the truth against the desire and/or pressing need of our lives. Seek to help the students discover the most pressing need or issue they have, and enable them to see how these truths might answer some of their questions, resolve issues, illumine experiences, or supply insight into new directions they ought to turn. Pray for your students fervently that the Lord the Spirit will instruct them through the remaining interaction you have with them, and that the students will have with each others. Again, remember what Jesus taught about the Holy Spirit and the truth: John 16.13 - When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. Jesus will want to make the connections for each student, so be sensitive to direct them to the appropriate point of contact that might be most important for them at this time.

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The close association between the ministry of the Word and prayer is affirmed in the Scriptures, especially in the ministry of the apostles in dispute over the supply to the Hellenist widows (cf. Acts 6.1ff.). When tempted to enter into the fray of

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Counseling and Prayer