How People Grow - 1/4/2010

Today's Mental Image:

You Must Have A Relationship To Grow

How People Grow

by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

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FINDING THE RIGHT CLIMATE

Session 7h

The Role The Body Plays In Growth:

"The BIBLE,

years of research and experience

back up this biblical

reality:"

You Must Have A Relationship

To Grow!

ONE OF THE ROLES THE BODY PLAYS:

I

Discipleship - A Complete Makeover:
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Many people know the value of being taken under someone's wing and having the basics of the faith imparted to them one on one.  The Bible has many examples of people investing their time in others; its value can't be overestimated.  It is one thing to sit in a church and receive teaching about the faith, but it is another thing to be taught the things of God in a one-on-one relationship.  Doctrine can be passed on in a personal way as it relates to real life.  Questions can be asked.  Sin can be confessed, and accountability offered.  Encouragement can be integrated into the spiritual learning process.  In short, faith development becomes a relational process where personal development and faith intertwine in an organic way.

The theology of redemption is not one of rehabilitation.  It is not as if God comes to us and says, "You look like a good candidate for a 'fixer-upper.'  Let's take you where you are and clean you up a little, improve you here and there, and then you will be ready for my kingdom and for life."  This is not what the Bible teaches at all.

The theology of redemption is one of total destruction, of starting all over again.  We are not to be "improved;" we are to be crucified and born again.  As Paul says, the old has been crucified, and all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galations 2:20;  John 2:12-14; 1 Peter 2:2; Hebrews 5:13). (Remember, he says "new," not "complete" as some would teach.)  The spiritual development path is one of reconciling the creation to the way it was supposed to be.  A complete makeover.

Many people find themselves cut off from the church and the healing and protective functions it provides.  In their isolation - or at least the isolated growth plan they are using - they are easy prey for the gates of hell to overpower them.  Wolves don't attack an entire herd.  They attack the one lamb, or the one sick sheep, that has wandered off the path, is alone.

from

How People Grow

Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend

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