Worship
Prayer by Amah
Review of homework
What’s your culture?
Every family has its own unspoken rules and ways of doing things that are a little different than other homes and families. What is the “culture” of your church family? What is expected of the “big brothers” and “big sisters” of the family?
Church culture includes things like shared beliefs, shared values, and shared practices. From early times, Christians have put together these ideas in creeds like the Apostle’s Creed, documents like the Didache, letters like those of Paul and the Apostolic Fathers, and various catechisms through the ages. At New Heart this means:
We believe in the gospel and in the Bible, and we affirm the Apostle’s Creed.
We value all people and treat them all with love, gratitude and grace.
We practice a private and public devotional life, generous acts of kindness towards both believers and neighbors, and strive to follow the example of Christ in every area of our lives.
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.— The Apostle’s Creed
The Apostle’s Creed in Indonesian
What is a “Disciple”? What are our practices?
Greek for “disciple” is “mathetes”. Just like the “math” you can see in the word “mathetes,” becoming a disciple involves following a pattern.
“Chiasm” Greek letter “Chi” -> X
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age
Kepada-Ku telah diberikan segala kuasa di sorga dan di bumi.
Karena itu pergilah, jadikanlah semua bangsa murid-Ku
dan baptislah mereka dalam nama Bapa dan Anak dan Roh Kudus,
dan ajarlah mereka melakukan segala sesuatu yang telah Kuperintahkan kepadamu.
Dan ketahuilah, Aku menyertai kamu senantiasa sampai kepada akhir zaman.
What did Jesus Command?
The two most important commands. Matthew 22:36-40
Restatement of the Ten Commandments. Mark 10:17-21
Matthew 5-7; Especially Chapter 6: (1) Generosity (2) Prayer (3) Fasting
A “new command” John 13:34-35
The Great Commission
Values of Kefas Church Culture
I interviewed Pastor Amah to find out about the culture of Kefas Church. To find out about what he looks for in mature “big brothers” and “big sisters” in the local church family.
Just as Simon became Cephas, or Peter, he hopes the church is a place of transformation and reidentification. Simon means reed. Cephas means rock. Paul says Peter is a pillar of the church (Gal 2.9). Jesus asks Peter to strengthen the brothers (Lk 22.32). Kefas Church is called to bless the nation and see many be saved.
Discipleship in Kefas Church involves:
Meeting and engaging neighbors
Discipleship
Sending
With regards to discipleship, Pastor Amah emphasizes that we should become more like Christ (as opposed to trying to become more like your leader).
Leaders at Kefas Church are expected to “lead with heart.” This means:
Like a shepherd, providing safety.
Having a heart that cares for people
Practicing forgiveness
Accepting people of all backgrounds
Not having an iron hand, but loving the people they lead
Sharing life, not like a boss and employee
Recognizing the family relationship (or best friend relationship)
Leadership is not a status that sets someone apart, but actually brings you closer together
Big brothers and big sisters should be:
Quick to welcome new people and give them a “seat at the table”
Involved in planning and sharing in group activities including worship, devotions
Praying for and with brothers and sisters, preparing life with room to share, and actively visiting with brothers and neighbors to be familiar with their issues. (“A shepherd should smell like the sheep”)
Reading through the Bible in a year
Growing in the fruit of the Spirit
Summary:
Culture consists of shared beliefs, values, and practices
In Church, leadership is about being a big brother or big sister to the family, and welcoming to your neighbors
The best place to grow as a disciple is the church
If people have fallen away from church, let’s lovingly walk with them back into church
If people in the church are not embracing the beliefs, values or practices of the church, let’s be a good model for them and encourage them as big brothers and big sisters
Homework
① How would you describe the culture of your church to someone that is new? How is it different from the world? How is it different from other churches?
② Are there areas of this church family culture that you struggle with? What are they?
③ How would you like to grow into a better “big brother” or “big sister” for your church family?
④ I would love to hear a testimony about how you were a big brother or big sister in your church family this week.
Let's let you ask questions now.
How do we relate to people that believe but are not part of the church?
How do we relate to people that are part of the church but don’t have the culture?
Prayer and worship to finish.