Ordered Learning at Ames-Des Moines CityChurch

What is Ordered Learning? 1.The desired result is learning – The goal is not just teaching but the reception of what is taught. – It is to be understood, internalized, and lived out. 2.Learning has been ordered – Not haphazard or accidental. – Order has been created. Decisions have been made about content and the process for delivering that content.

Why Discuss This Again? Some of you need to begin the ordered learning pathways we have laid out. Some of you need to re-engage in ordered learning after years of absence. Some of you need to challenge others to participate in ordered learning. Some of you need to be teaching others.

NT Ordered Learning 1 Thessalonians 3:9–10 (NASB95) — 9 For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, 10 as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?

NT Ordered Learning 2 Thessalonians 2:15 (NASB95) — 15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.

NT Ordered Learning 2 Thessalonians 3:6 (NASB95) — 6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us.

NT Ordered Learning 1 Corinthians 7:17 (NASB95) — 17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches. 1 Corinthians 11:16 (NASB95) — 16 But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God.

NT Ordered Learning Paul had a body of teaching, the traditions, that he delivered to all the churches. Paul knew what he had passed on and what still needed to be. He use every means possible to accomplish this task – personal visits, sending Timothy, letters. Paul expected people to remember this teaching and to align their lives with it.

Why should we engage in ordered learning?

Because Jesus Wants Us To

Matthew 28:19–20 (NASB95) —19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

What will be the result if you accept Jesus’ mission as a leader but do not immediately ask… What are Christ’s commandments? How should I teach them? How can I make sure I’ve covered them all? How can I evaluate if others are obeying all of Jesus’ commandments?

You will have… Much talk with no action Wishful thinking with no fruit Half-measures that fall short

John 14:15 (NASB95) — 15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. John 14:21 (NASB95) — 21 “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”

John 14:23–24 (NASB95) — 23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. 24 “He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.

John 15:9–10 (NASB95) — 9 “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

What will be the result if you hear Jesus’ words and do not immediately ask… What are the commandments? Where will I find them? How can I learn them? Who will teach me?

You will… Look in the wrong places and find only fragments of what Jesus left for you Love an idea of Jesus that you’ve entirely made up in your mind

Our Responsibility “But certainly one of the reasons for contemporary Christians’ failure to live according to New Testament teaching is simply that Christian leaders are failing to present the teaching fully, clearly and with practical wisdom about how to apply it to modern circumstances” Kevin Perotta, A Distinctive Way of Life

Our Responsibility “But few churches and fellowships offer a comprehensive curriculum aimed at passing on the New Testament didache about Christian character, relationships and the rest. People receive bits and pieces of Christian teaching in ways that are often contradictory and almost always incomplete.” Kevin Perotta, A Distinctive Way of Life

Discuss at Your Tables What prevents a church from offering “a comprehensive curriculum aimed at passing on the New Testament didache”? Why don’t more churches do this? Imagine you are engaged in our ordered learning pathways for the next 5 years compared to if you are not. What would be some outcomes of each path?

Ordered Learning Understanding and united with our shared mission Central to our work Worldview is up to the task as they move through seasons of life Teaching others No ordered learning Lacking conviction about and ownership of our collective mission Always on the periphery Worldview has holes which are eventually exposed Little to offer others

Ordered Learning Able to think through new situations biblically Able to prioritize based on a grasp of what will contribute to God’s plan Able to discern truth from falsehood No Ordered Learning Lacking a grasp of the principles which apply to a new situation Choices and priorities largely driven by what they want Susceptible to fads and outright deceptions

First Principles Series I Series II Series III

Leadership Series I & II

The Story

Leader’s Responsibility Titus 2:1 (NASB95) — 1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Older men… Older women… Younger women… Younger men… Titus 2:15 (NASB95) — 15 These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Leader’s Responsibility 2 Timothy 1:13–14, 2:2 (NASB95) — 13 Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. ….. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Hebrews 5:11–14 (NASB95) — 11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

Evaluation

Next Week Arts Guild Sunday