Talk:Studying this Material
Can you claim your modernized church (one where you attend, for example) is not compromised by opinions derived from the world, so that you could honestly claim its leaders do the will of God, showing that church is clearly 'plugged in' and 'online' in the program of the kingdom of God, with Jesus acknowledged as king in the church's structure?
Below is for discussion among ministers:
The course has no human "teachers". This may be disappointing to some of the students of the course. The teacher is the Spirit of God.
All students in this course need to learn to lean on the Spirit of God. Studying the materials in this course is a means for engaging the student with God's Spirit, so that God's law may become reinforced in the student's heart. Leaning involves trusting. The still small voice of a student's healthy conscience is able to do the work of forming, shaping ... building what is good and tearing down what does not belong in the heart, soul and body of a student.
A balanced student may want to stay very alert in the subjects of history and law. Most students automatically desire practical applications of the course content, and that why it is so important for students to ask questions. Their questions allow them to relate the course content to whatever is in that student's mind at the moment.
Discussion leaders in the course practice active listening.
Studying and meditating may gradually form ideas which are new in the student's mind. Moments of awakening are some of the most useful. A constant spiritual awareness among leaders and students who seek after His righteousness yields the budding, the flowering and the bearing forth of good fruit.
Here is Bob's perception, after one or two meetings of the FCR Course:
"I'm here listening to a bunch of new ideas about ministers who are serving the congregations of the people. Some things I hear do not line up. You use words like Ekklesia, disciples and daily application of the precepts of Christ. I feel I know what these things mean. I have been a disciple of Jesus for the past 20 years. But then you point to "salvation of the free Church". Brothers, Jesus saves individual souls, one by one. It happens in response to their prayer of faith, and it is not by works, lest any man should boast. So I cannot see why daily application of precepts of Christ produces salvation of a church. Is a 'free church' liberated from using clearly stated Bible doctrines? The Bible says believe and be saved. Dangerous cult groups mislead their members into doing all kinds of works, supposedly for earning 'salvation'. You guys seem to think reading history is vital. Is that some of the 'good works' which saves a sinner? I don't find Biblical commands urging us to study history as we draw near to God. We draw near to Him in prayer, and as we faithfully read or memorize sections or verses in the Bible, we draw nearer to Him. I think I sense false doctrine rising up to show its ugly head here."
Bob studies to see who conforms to his Baptist ideas. He studies to see if the Free Church Report handles the Word of God in the way Baptists handle it.
Bob is not a hopeless case. He may be blind in some ways, but the Spirit of God has mercy, love and forgiveness available. Bob may learn to thank God for the work of His Spirit who reveals Truth to him personally. The course intends to reveal Truth, and power from God may use Truth to work changes in the hardened heart of Bob. The ways of God are beyond the human mind who hopes to become Bob's 'change agent'.
Ministers and leaders desire to patiently work with students. Each of them are precious souls. Cal, Ernie, Luke and the others each have their perception and their heart condition. Interactions among all of these may bring forth new ideas they had never before considered. The hand of God's Spirit gently leads those who choose to listen for His still, small voice, and these ministers who serve Christ cooperate with Truth while reproving the darkness.
Which of us are perfect? We may all blunder by our weaknesses, during interactions in the Course and while studying, and we may all learn to more effectively listen to the Spirit. Let desires of justice prevail, by which amends are made for all blunders. Effective studying does not allow one's own pride.