Foundational Teaching
Session 1: God’s Word: Loving the Father’s Voice (Ch 1, pg. 5-12)
Session 2: The Godhead; Discovering the Ultimate Relationship (Ch 3, pg. 21-26)
Session 3: Salvation (Ch 4, pg. 27-32; Ch 6, pg. 39-44)
Session 4: The Person of the Holy Spirit & His Gifts (Ch 8, pg. 51-55, Ch 9 & 10)
Session 5: The Universal & Local Church (Part I) (Ch 11, pg. 3-8, Ch 12, pg. 9-14)
Session 6: Church Government (Ch 13, pg. 15-23)
Session 7: Christian Life Fellowship: The Local Church: (Part II) (see notes)
Session 8: The Church as Community (Ch 21, pg. 77-84)
Session 9: Our Corporate Expression: Praise, Worship, Praise, Prayer, & Prophetic
(Ch 16, pg. 39-45, Ch 18, pg. 53-58)
Session 10: Stewardship (Ch 17, pg. 47-52)
Session 11: Welcome Home: Finding Your place in the Family (Membership)
(Ch 14, pg. 25-32)
Session 1: God’s Word: Loving the Father’s Voice (Chapter 1, pp. 5-12)
The Bible
Luke 24:32 - They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?”
Speaks directly to us
Defines truth and sin
Shows us our need for salvation
Shows God’s willingness to save
Reveals Jesus Christ as Savior
Brings a clear message of hell, heaven, life to come, and daily life
The Purpose
Revelation of God—Reveals Jesus Christ as Living example of God
John 8:37, 38 ii. John 14:9
Central Theme
Old Testament—Coming Christ (Luke 24:27)
New Testament—Christ Revealed (Ephesians 1:22, 23)
Unity
Continuing thread of redemption
66 books; 40 authors; span of 1500 years; One author
Divine Inspiration
2 Timothy 3:16,17
All scripture is infallible and inerrant (incapable of error)
Effectual and Eternal – James 1:21; 1 Peter 1:24, 25; Isaiah 40:6
Sure – Eyewitness accounts
Walked with Jesus
Talked with Jesus
Touched Jesus
Alive
John 1:1
John 1:14
Heb. 4:12
Session 2: The Godhead: Discovering the Ultimate Relationship (Chapter 3; pp. 21-26)
Three in One
First relationship in existence
Colossians 2:9
Great mystery to scholars
Characteristics of the Trinity
Worthy of all worship, adoration, and confidence
Humanity reproduced in God’s image
Genesis 1:26
Equal in power and glory
Distinctly different operations
Father calls; Sons redeems; Spirit sanctifies
John 14:10
Both the Father and Son operate through the Holy Spirit
Old Testament passages
Creation of the World
Elohim, first name used for God is plural in form - Gen. 1:1
Creation of Man - Gen. 1:26
Expulsion from the Garden - Gen. 3:22
Confusion of Babel - Gen. 11:7
New Testament passages
Baptism of Jesus - Matt. 3:16
Teaching of Jesus - Matt. 4:1
Great Commission - Matt. 28:19
Apostolic Benediction - 2 Cor. 13:14
Additional Scriptures
The Father is God – John 6:44-46; Rom. 1:7; 1 Peter 1:2
The Son is God – Isa. 9:6; John 1:1; John 20:28; 1 Tim. 3:16; Titus 2:13; Heb. 1:8
The Holy Spirit is God – Acts 5:3,4; Heb. 9:14
Session 3: Salvation (Chapter 4, pp. 27-32; Chapter 6, pp. 39-44)
Repentance
Repentance is voluntary turning from sin
Repentance is by God’s grace alone
Repentance is a vital element in the life of the disciple
Repentance requires a change of heart
True repentance brings change
Repentance is between God and Man
Repentance brings a change in confession
How Repentance is Shown
Fruit - Matt. 3:8
Godly sorrow for sin - 2 Cor. 7:9-11
Confession of sin - Ps. 32:1-5
Forsaking of sin - Prov. 28:13
Hatred of sin - Ps. 97:10
Restitution where possible - Luke 19:8
New Creation
Old-man (self) has passed away – 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:24
Removal of heart of stone – Ezekiel 11:19-20
New-man (self) lives by faith – Galatians 2:20
New-man is washed and reborn – Titus 3:5
Baptism in Water
Jesus was baptized.
Symbolic meaning
Who, How, When, Where
All who believe
Baptismal accounts (Acts 9:18; Acts 16:15; Acts 16:29-33; Acts 18:8; Acts 10:44-48)
Necessary elements: repentance, faith, and confession/profession
An act of obedience, not means of salvation—only the Blood of Jesus can cleanse sin.
Session 4: The Person of the Holy Spirit (Chapter 8, pp. 51-55 / Chapter 9 & 10)
Introduction – p. 52
Joel 2:28-29 – prophecy and promise
Description of His Person
Possesses knowledge – 1 Corinthians 2:9-11
Exercises a will — 1 Corinthians 12:11
Has a mind – Romans 8:27
Loves – Romans 15:30
Gives instruction – Nehemiah 9:20
Grieves – Ephesians 4:30
Biblical Symbolic Pictures – p 53
Fire – Acts 2:4; Matthew 3:11
Wind – John 3:9; Acts 2:2-3
Water – John 7:38-39
Oil – 1 John 2:27
Dove – Matthew 3:16
The Holy Spirit in the Life of Jesus – p. 53-54
Conception and birth – Luke 1:35
Filled with Spirit after His water baptism – Luke 3:21-22
Led by the Spirit into the wilderness – Luke 4:1
Ministered through the Holy Spirit – Luke 4:18
Cast out demons by the power of the Spirit – Matthew 12:28
Offered Himself for our atonement through the Spirit – Hebrews 9:14
Raised from death by the Sprit – Romans 8:11
The Holy Spirit Working in Our Lives Today – p.54
Convicts; draw – John 16:8
Regenerates (and saves) – John 3:3-6
Comforts – John 14:16
Teaches – John 15:16; 16:13-14
Baptizes (fills), empowers to be a witness – Acts 1:8 (see Ch. 9 pp. 58-59)
Bestows spiritual gifts – Corinthians 12:4-11 (see Ch. 10, pp. 63-68)
Session 5: The Universal & Local Church – Part 1 (Chapter 11, pp. 3-8, Ch 12, pp. 9-14)
The Church is central to God’s Eternal Purpose! Eph 3:10-11
The Father will have a family of mature sons, made in the image of His Son
The Son will have a visible body, that will also be His spotless bride
The Spirit will have a dwelling place, a true temple, on earth
Christ Himself is building His Church, and the gates of Hell will not be able to withstand its advance. Matt. 16:18
Christ is the living Head of the Church, which is His Body here on earth. Christ will always have the pre-eminence! His body manifests His life and expression in the earth. Eph 1:22, 5:23; Col 1:18
Christ is also the chief Cornerstone. Everything aligns to Him and He brings order to the house. Eph 2:20
The Church is a Family of God’s sons and daughters, living by Christ’s life. Eph 2:19
The Church is not the Kingdom, but helps advances God’s Kingdom here on earth.
Christ established grace gifts to equip and build up the Church. Eph 4:11-13:
Apostles build
Prophets reveal
Evangelists gather
Pastors nurture
Teachers explain
The church grows up into Christ. The church body also grows together, connected by living relationships, held together by that which each one supplies. Eph 2:21
Ephesians uses the imagery of Temple and Body. Believers in a local church are not independent! Rather they are being fitted together like bricks to become a living Temple in which God dwells. Eph 2:21-22
Believers are connected to the Head (Jesus) and joined to a particular expression of Christ’s Body. 1 Cor 12: 12:27. Further they are knit together and experience true fellowship (koinonia). Act 2:42
All churches share common DNA; NT church demonstrates worship, teaching, evangelism, fellowship, discipleship, giving, and miracles. Acts 2:42-47
Session 6: Church Government (Chapter 13, pp. 15-23)
Everything Needs a Head
God is the Head over All
Appoints delegated authority in His Church
Establishes authority in the earth – Romans 13:1
Biblical pictures of delegated authority: patriarchs, elders of nations
God’s Delegated Authority
Not chosen by democracy, but appointed by God
Men must be under authority – Matthew 8:5-9
Men must recognize those who are appointed – Numbers 12:1-15
NT Leaders – Definitions
Elder/Biship/Overseer/Pastor/Shepherd – indicates function, not an office.
Responsible to watch over, feed, and guard the flock/culture of the church.
1 Timothy 4:13; Titus 1:5-7; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2
Deacons – servant ministers
Serves the church body.
NT pictures of deacons: Stephen & Philip – anointed, spirit-filled, miracles
Same qualifications as elders (1 Timothy 3:8; Philippians 1:1)
Church Government works in Team
Each team has a senior leader.
Biblical leadership teams are not configurations of colleagues or staff; they are submitted to one another.
Examples: Acts 14:23, 15:22, 20:27, 1 Timothy 5:17
Five-fold Ministry Offices –
Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors, Teachers – given to equip the saints and bring the church to maturity – Ephesians 4:11-13)
Apostles – establish, strengthens, and fathers churches/leaders.
Prophets – release revelation; lays foundations in church; builds leaders
Evangelist – proclaims Gospel to win souls; train and equips believers too
Pastor – cares for and feeds the sheep; not called to a be a one-man show
Teacher – skilled and anointed to unfold revelation in the Word of God
Every elder in a church should have a five-fold calling, but those with five-fold callings are not always church elders.
Jesus is All in All
Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of Five-fold ministry.
Recognize God-appointed leaders and their grace to build God’s people/church
Other Gifts to the Church
Administration, giving, helps, hospitality, intercession, psalmists, and so forth.
People operate in submitted graces when not in direct leadership, but under leadership
Conclusion: The Church belongs to God—it is His family/body, His government, His People, His Gifts, His callings, and His Leaders.
Session 7: Local Church, Part II – CLF Genesis, Mission, Mandate, & Culture
CLF Gensis
Paul Kidd’s mother (Momma Flo) prayed for 10 years that an apostolic and prophetic church would be established in Raleigh.
Paul eventually became the answer to his mother’s prayers as he received a visitation from the Lord and obeyed the call to plant a church in Raleigh.
The church initially gather as a prayer meeting in Momma Flo’s living room and officially began in 1999.
CLF: A Prophetic House of the Lord
As a prophetic church family, those called to CLF are to be a people of passion for the presence of God and the establish of His kingdom.
The leaders of the church are prophetic, calling members to hear the Word of God and embrace the mandate/mission of the Kingdom.
Apostolic Joining & Mandate (Antioch Church – Acts 13)
As an Antioch-type church, CLF has a mandate to manifest the Kingdom beyond its local boarders.
This mandate includes raising up local and trans-local leaders who will see CLF and other churches established for the purpose of impacting the Triangle region, as well as national and international spheres.
CLF Vision Video – show video recording.
CLF Church Body – Members serve one another and gather in a myriad of contexts:
Sunday service, prayer meetings, Life Groups, Christian Life Academy.
Men’s, women’s, young adults’ (Rise), and youth (GAP, KICK) gatherings.
School of Ministry; annual conferences.
CLF Outreach – Serving/connecting with the community in various contexts:
Food Pantry, Grief Share, Evangelistic Outreach
Hispanic gatherings and church services
Volunteerism and community support (i.e., Raleigh PD).
CLF Legacy – Raising Our Children
Early commitment to live as a community of believers building a place for our children’s children.
The success of CLF ishighly defined by our children’s success and the generations that follow us.
To support and manifest this mandate, CLA was established in the early days of the church as a place to shape the hearts and educate the minds—a greenhouse, fostering our children’s faith in the midst of diverse influences. CLA church school is available to CLF members and their children.
CLF Biblical & Living Foundation – Acts 2:46
Living life together; embracing the one another’s.
Gathering “from house to house” and “in the temple.
Session 8: The Church as Community (Chapter 21, pp. 77-84)
Church Family: A Community of Fellowship
God is relational. – Genesis 3:8
Family is His idea. – Psalms 68:6
Friendship is His idea. – John 15:12-16
Fellowship is His idea. – Romans 12:10
Devoted to the Fellowship
Acts 2:42, And they were continuously devoting themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
Devoted to the Fellowship
Belonging to one another and to God.
Giving ourselves to one another and to God.
Serving one another.
Sacrifice of time, energy, resources because we have a revelation of relationships: they matter.
Two Kinds of Fellowship
Vertical Fellowship – 1 John 1:3, 1 Corinthians 1:9; Philippians 2:1
Horizontal Fellowship – Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:16; Acts 2:45, 4:35
Fellowship is fueled by Love
God & Others – Luke 10:27
The Love Test – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Action
Inaction
Practical Horizontal Fellowship
Fellowship can be structured – Acts 2:46
House-to-House, small groups connection.
Personal; intimate; safe.
This context allows for kingdom friendships and covenant relationships to develop.
CLF Life Group Fellowship
Meets 1st and 3rd Wednesdays.
Life Groups Leaders serve as under-shepherds in the church (or sheepdogs in the flock), providing pastoral care for members of the church directly.
Fellowship: Miraculous Outcome of Outpour
Acts 2:46, 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.
Session 9: Praise, Worship, Prayer, & Prophetic (Chapter 16, pp. 39-45 & Chapter 18, pp. 53-58)
Praise and Worship.
Praise is the joyful response of all creatures to God’s greatness (Psalm 150:6).
Worship is the tender and intimate response of God’s children to His fatherhood and majesty (John 4:23)
Worship belongs to God and includes a myriad of expressions, such as lifting our hands, clapping, shouting/dancing, playing instruments, & singing (Ps. 150)
Prayer
Prayer is intentional communication with God, which deepens intimacy and fosters relationship with Him.
Prayer is dynamic and includes various aspects such as confession, worship, meditation, petition, thanksgiving, intercession, praying in the Spirit, and can be coupled with fasting (see pages 55-56 for verse references).
Prayer should be engaged without ceasing, thus it can be spontaneous or scheduled and regardless of structure, it must be sincere (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Prophetic
Being prophetic is the faith-filled response and nature of following the Spirit of God as He leads—as a local church, corporate family, and individual believers, this looks like seeking God specifically for His will, ways, and word in any and every situation, which when discerned, heard, and obeyed releases kingdom manifestations and impact. (2 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:18).
As prophetic people we are willing to release, receive, weigh, and judge prophetic words; we make space for honorable prophetic ministry that draws people closer to Jesus (e.g., prophecy, prophetic singing, prophetic exhortation, use of prophetic gifts tongues/interpretation, words of knowledge/wisdom, prayers of deliverance/breakthrough) (Matthew 10:31; 1 Corinthians 12:7-11).
As prophetic people we honor and receive authentic 5-fold ministry gifts of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, recognizing their grace to strengthen local churches and edify believers. (Ephesians 5:11-13)
Session 10: Stewardship (Chapter 17, pp.47-52).
God is the Creator, Provider and Master or Owner of all things.
The earth and all its inhabitants are under His sovereignty (Psalms 24:1; Acts 17:25-28).
The unredeemed are slaves to the God of this world (Hebrews 2:14-15).
The redeemed are bond-servants of Christ (Philippians 1:1).
God calls His bond-servants to be Stewards over the things He commits to their charge:
Our lives. (Deuteronomy 30:20).
Our abilities (James 1:17)
Our time (Proverbs 3:10)
Our bodies. (Romans 12:1)
Our financial resources (Proverbs 3:9-10)
Our stewardship of finances includes healthy spending, saving, and giving—the latter category should specifically include:
Tithes (Genesis 28:21-22; Malachi 3:8-12; Matthew 23:23)
Offerings (2 Corinthians 9:7-13).
Significance and impact
Supports the local church (Malachi 3:10)
Releases a blessing upon believers (Acts 20:35).
Demonstrates trust in God as a Faithful Provider. (Philippians 4:19)
Session 11: Membership: Finding Your Place in the Family (Chapter 14, pp.25-32).
Church Membership Defined
Universal Church – John 1:13, Acts 2:32, Hebrews 12:1, 23
Local Church – Psalms 68:6; Acts 8:1, 13:1, 18:22; Rom 16:1
Local Church Family Member – Ephesians 2:19
Local Church Membership – Ephesians 2:19-22
The local church is a group of called-out people, brothers and sisters in Christ, who have been given authority from God to express His life in a city or region.
Believers should become active members of a local church with all responsibilities, benefits, and blessings.
Qualifications for Membership
Salvation – John 1:13
Divine & Relational Joining – Acts 2:47
Growing Disciple – Luke 6:40; Ephesians 4:13-16
Building Together – Acts 17:10-11; Amos 3:3
CLF: Membership in Action
Embrace the Vision – Proverbs 29:18
Participate in Life Groups – Acts 2:42
Receive Pastoral Care – Hebrews 13:17
Give Your Life – Acts 2:44, 20:35, Galatians 6:2,10
Find Your Place & Supply – Ephesians 4:16
CLF Membership: Next Steps