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

The Psalmist affirms the power of the Word of God to keep our way pure (Ps. 119.9), to protect from the power of sin (Ps. 119.11), and to give life to the one who receives them (Ps. 119.93). Do not turn the Scripture memorization time into merely a class assignment drill, full of routine and boring repetition. Use this time to challenge and instruct the students on the benefit and profit of the memorized Word. Memorize the Scripture along with the students, and review with them where you are able. Discuss the Scripture’s meaning, and how it relates thematically to what was covered in the lesson last week. This portion of the lesson may very well be the most important, so treat it with the requisite importance and respect. It is simply too easy to get overwhelmed and to treat the memorized Word as simply something to accomplish for the lesson’s requirement. As mentor, attempt to safeguard this time from this deadly error. Have students share briefly in groups how this realization occurred. (There is not time for everyone to give their entire testimony so make sure students hone in on the specific point of when they grasped that the could not earn salvation). Bring students back together and say “The Church exists only because of the grace of God. Today’s lesson helps us understand worship as the Church’s response to grace.”

3 Page 45 Scripture Memorization Review

4 Page 45 Contact 1

Both of these last two contact portions deal with a similar theme, that is, the character and quality of our worship, and what it is that God requires or demands. What is significant in considering worship here is the cultural and social norms associated with the practices and events deemed to be worship. In other words, churches are largely unaware that their worship is culturally and historically conditioned, and that worship of God, as an expression of truth and the heart, must have a deeply personal and immediate characteristic to it. It will never be worship simply to ape what others have done, expecting the feelings and affections that they had to be reproduced in us by the mere doing of their acts, the singing of their songs, or the practice of their deeds. Worship, as an expression of the Spirit, will always be dressed in cultural garments but it will also always be given to the God-above-all-cultures, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus. Gaining flexibility in 5 Page 45 Contact 2 and 3