The N.T. Model of Spiritual Parenting

Nurturing believers in the N.T. was accomplished through Apostolic Parenting. 1 Corinthians 4(14-16) I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me. (Meaning: follow me as I’m following Christ.) 1 Thess. 2(5-7) For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness— 6 nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority. 7 But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. 8 Having so fond an affection for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us.

1 st appointment in the church is the Apostolic (Spiritual Parents) 1 Cor.12- (27-31) Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. 29 All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? 30 All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? 31 But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way ……… (The thought continues in Paul’s apostolic role as a Father.) 1 Cor. 13(13) But now faith, hope,, abide these three; But the greatest of these is love. (Paul's main focus) Paul’s teaching: Gal 5(6) for in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor un- circumcision means anything, But faith working through love.

The focus of Apostolic Parenting is Jesus’s teachings 1Corinthians 3(1-4) And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, 3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? Paul’s goal as a spiritual father was to teach the Corinthians that spiritual maturity was not found in the wisdom of men (I am of Paul, I am of Apollos etc.) but in the wisdom of cooperating with God’s purposes. “It is God who causes the growth. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s (cultivated land) field." God’s building built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ.(vrs11) 1Cor 3(7,9,11) “And He (Jesus) is the radiance of His (Fathers) glory and the exact representation of His (Fathers) nature.” Heb 1(3a)

New Testament Model Acts 2 (41,42 & 46) So then, those who had received his word was baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, Point: New Testament Believers were being nurtured by the teachings of the Apostles, who were the spiritual parents of the early church.

Principle of Binding & Loosening Matt 16(15-19) He *said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”

n We as a congregation have an apostolic mission. Harvest's Mission Statement It’s our heart to effectively motivate, cherish, and honor people through the Father’s love, releasing them to fulfill God’s assignment in the uniqueness of their own personality and calling. Our Family Mission Family is one of our core values. The goal of raising family is not to raise children, but rather to raise mature adults. In our spiritual family our goal is not just to lead people to Jesus, but also to lead them to fulfill their call and destiny in God’s purposes for their lives.