This series is based off of Thom Rainer’s book, “I Am a Church Member.” Dr. Morehead and I led this series at Pentecostals of South Haven in the Winter of 2015. Each lesson is based off of the interactive EXCEL teaching model.

ENGAGE

• Greet each person

XPLORE 

• 1) GOOD THINGS (Tell me something good…). We must train our brains to think about the blessings of the Lord.
  • Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

• 2) PRAYER

• 3) GET A SNACK: pick your own partner (someone you feel comfortable to share with) find a place to sit and discuss the following with your partner:

• 4) RECAP: What do you remember from last week’s lesson? If you wrote your letter assessing yourself in terms of what kind of church member you are and what kind you wish to become and feel comfortable share main points from your letter.

• 5) Try to identify at least ONE GROW for yourself.
  • (Mine is I want to intentionally speak life every Wednesday night into at least one person at the church. Give example of sharing my prayer for Rose with Sis Casey and the prayer resource, Praying Circles Around Your Children” by Mark Batterson)

• 6) SHARE OUT with the whole group key ideas

COMMUNICATE

• 1) READ ALOUD: Page 47- 49 electronic (page 10-11 hard copy)

• 2) CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IS LOVE: Everything we do is based on love. Read pages 53- 56 electronic (13-14 hard copy)

• 3) TAKE THE LOVE SELF INVENTORY– Private
  • With partner share what is comfortable for you. Some may only want to share where you excel. Some may want to share where you desire to grow.

Worksheet taken from www.juliabettencourt.com

EMPOWER

• WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST. We all are different. We all are needed.
  • ACTIVITY: On each chart paper one word is boldly displayed with a Picture:
    • Foot
    • Hand
    • Ear
    • Eye
    • Nose

• Each person has a marker and will write on each chart paper a comment or question. For example-

• COMMENT: “I use my ears to listen to others when they are hurting.”
• QUESTION: “Should I use my ears to listen to people who are struggling if it influences me negatively?”

• Do a gallery walk and observe other people’s questions and comments

• Take some time to discuss as a whole

LAUNCH

• 1 Corinthians 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

• HOMEWORK– Read chapter one. Sign and date the first “I am a church member” pledge after consecrated prayer to the Lord.

QUOTES FROM THE BOOK I AM A CHURCH MEMBER

I AM A CHURCH MEMBER SERIES

LESSON ONE: INTRODUCTION

LESSON TWO: I WILL BE A FUNCTIONING CHURCH MEMBER

LESSON THREE: I WILL BE A UNIFYING CHURCH MEMBER

LESSON FOUR: I WILL NOT LET MY CHURCH BE ABOUT MY PREFERENCES

LESSON FIVE: I WILL PRAY FOR MY CHURCH LEADERS

LESSON SIX: I WILL LEAD MY FAMILY TO BE HEALTHY CHURCH MEMBERS