© Diocese of Guildford 2012 Incarnate People Session 2 Incarnate People

© Diocese of Guildford 2012 Incarnate People Session 2 Incarnate People

© Diocese of Guildford 2012 Incarnate People Community of Faith Looking at the shape and mission of the church –Biblical foundations –Forces shaping the church –Form and function –Call to God’s people Five sessions 1.What is church? 2.Incarnate people 3.Growing people 4.Kingdom people 5.Witnessing people

© Diocese of Guildford 2012 Incarnate People Keys Key Point –The incarnation of God in Jesus was the pivotal epiphany between fall and redemption. God has chosen to be present in us as Christians and as Church – we are incarnate people, with a redemptive purpose. Key Skill –Understanding our redemptive purpose

© Diocese of Guildford 2012 Incarnate People Today Jesus’ ideal church Incarnate People – Biblical perspective Incarnate People – People’s perspective Incarnate People – Contemporary perspective Redemptive church in a fallen world

© Diocese of Guildford 2012 Incarnate People What is it to be an ‘incarnate people’? “The Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us” What ‘flesh’ does God wear today? How does God dwell amongst us today?

© Diocese of Guildford 2012 Incarnate People Incarnate People Biblical Perspective Brainstorm New Testament passages: –about God’s presence in the fellowship and in individual believers –That suggest believers differ from from non- believers What is important to understand from these passages?

© Diocese of Guildford 2012 Incarnate People Incarnate People People’s Perspective How did people react to Jesus in the New Testament? How do people react to Church or Christians or Jesus today? Why the difference? –Changes in culture –Changes in how we do ‘Church’ What are the implications for the Church today? “I am the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6)

© Diocese of Guildford 2012 Incarnate People Coffee Break

© Diocese of Guildford 2012 Incarnate People Five Forces of Formation 1.Formation (biblical roots from which the church has developed) 2.Deformation (Consequences of political power, cultural pressures and internal struggles) 3.Reformation (The call back to biblical integrity) and 4.Transformation (The impact of the Holy Spirit) preparing it for: 5.Consummation (new heavens and a new earth) Read the notes on ‘A Contemporary Perspective’

© Diocese of Guildford 2012 Incarnate People Incarnate People Contemporary Perspective What then should we do? How might we encourage our fellowship(s) to be more Spirit filled and Spirit led? Consider Paul’s instructions to: – “eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy” 1 Corinthians 14:1 –and to discern “the good works which God prepared in advance for us to do” Ephesians 2:10

© Diocese of Guildford 2012 Incarnate People Redemptive church in a fallen world Brainstorm key issues in contemporary society Choose just one issue –As a church What would Jesus say? –As an individual What is my response?

© Diocese of Guildford 2012 Incarnate People Reflection “Such a place this is ” by Simon Harrison

© Diocese of Guildford 2012 Incarnate People Wrap Up Module reflection exercise Comments and Feedback For next time: Check out the notes for Session 3 Bring a Bible