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- Christian Formation at Cornerstone

Presbyterian Church -

Christian formation is the work of God’s Holy Spirit in the lives of his people, slowly growing
them into the image and character of Jesus. God does this work by renewing our minds, reordering
our loves, and redirecting our lives toward the end of glorifying God.

Growth into the image of Jesus Christ is a process (sanctification), and it is a gift from the Spirit
of God at work in us. Yet we are not passive in this process; we are to cooperate with the Spirit. We
have been given several “means of grace”—sources through which the Spirit frequently imparts
grace that are designed to help us to mature and deepen our faith in and obedience to God. Two of
these means of grace are the reading of God's Word and prayer.

Both of these should be practiced in community with other believers—as we do in worship on

Sunday—but they are also to be part of our daily lives as individuals and as families. No spiritual
discipline or practice is the same as godliness. Only the Spirit can breathe life in and through the
means of grace, and yet we are most likely to grow in knowledge, godliness, and obedience when
we make a solid habit or discipline of practicing the means of grace.
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The Model
Christ-centered, Gospel-driven, practice-based model of Christian formation.

● The Purpose—The purpose of Christian formation is to become more like Jesus Christ (Col.
1:28, Eph. 3:14-19)
● The Power—The power for Christian formation is the gospel of Jesus Christ (Rom. 1:16, 1
Cor. 1:18)
● The Practices—The practices of Christian formation are the means of grace (2 Tim. 1:13,
Matt. 28:18-20)

The Practices

Cornerstone wants all people to experience the joy and peace of union with Jesus Christ. We pray
that as we follow Jesus together, we will all become more like Him. To that end, we strive to create
ministry environments where the means of grace are faithfully administered and accessible to God’s
people and thus favorable for spiritual growth. In studying the Bible’s teaching and the historic
tradition of the church, we began to see a collection of spiritually helpful practices—eight in total—
that are favorable for spiritual growth. As you might expect, many of the eight practices we are
already cultivating at Cornerstone, but there are several more we would like to see take shape in
the days and years to come. Rest easy, you do not need to begin all eight practices at once. Start
by choosing one or two that are new to you and letting these be your focus. Let us help you get
started as an individual or a family.
Corporate Practices

Common worship. We gather together weekly to worship God and, through His Spirit, re-centering
our lives in Jesus Christ.
Education. We learn together and wrestle with all that the Bible's message means for our everyday
lives.
Small groups. We meet with other Christians, becoming friends and helping each other to live as
disciples of Jesus Christ.
Individual Practices

Reading the Bible daily and prayer. We read through all of God’s Word together as a church,
allowing this to change us and help us grow. In prayer, we commune with God, bringing each day’s
joys and needs to the God who cares for us.
Sabbath. We rest from our work and celebrate our new life in Jesus Christ.
Spiritual Mentoring. We intentionally pursue conformity to Jesus Christ in every area of life through
the means of a gospel friendship.
Retreats. We pull away for a short time to reflect upon our relationship with God, with ourselves,
and with others in order to reenter life
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Service. As we serve others, we also grow in our discipleship as Christians. This service can take
as many forms as we have opportunities to see where others need help.

Link: https://www.cornerstonepresfranklin.org/christian-formation

Introduction to Christian Formation

Many people experience some surprising changes inside when they first become Christians. Those
changes come about because God gives us a new heart as part of our adoption into his Kingdom.
But that is just the beginning. God wants us to grow our new identity into a strong Christ-like
character so that we can become the person he created us to be. Learning how to participate with
the Spirit to bring about these changes can be challenging, and many Christians become
discouraged with their spiritual development because the results do not always seem to reflect the
effort they have invested. The good news is that transformation and change are not only possible,
they can become the normal experience of those who learn how to participate well in this process.

What is Christian Formation?

We are always in the process of being formed spiritually, positively or negatively, by our
experiences, the things we dwell on, the ways we live, our relationships, and our connection with
the Spirit of God. So in that sense we are always involved in "Spiritual Formation" whether we are
conscious of the process or not. On the other hand, when that formation is a result of engaging with
the Holy Spirit, we call it "Christian Formation" because our spiritual formation is then specifically
directed toward becoming more Christ-like. As Christians, we need to learn how to be intentional
about these things so that we are continually formed in ways that are consistent with our new hearts,
rather than in ways that are harmful or destructive to our souls.

Christian growth is a lifelong journey of learning to live well in a broken world. Along the way there
are many ways to veer off course. If we become too passive, nothing changes, since growth is not
automatic. But neither is it the result of our direct effort, because we cannot change our character
through an act of the will or by trying really hard to be different. Still, there is something that God
requires of us, as "formation" is by definition the way we are shaped experientially. So while the
Holy Spirit dwells in us and is prepared to grow us up, he does not transform us without our active
participation. Our task is this: to discover what is our part in connecting with and interacting with
the Spirit of God, so that God can do his part and do in us those things we cannot do. After God
has changed our heart and mind, we can then live more Christ-like because of who we are instead
of trying to override who we are.

Traditional Models of Discipleship

One of the most confusing barriers to discovering how to participate well with the Spirit actually
comes from the very religious training that was supposed to help us! Many Christians today have
adopted models of discipleship that look something like this:

● Christian Education (ethics, doctrine, Bible knowledge)

● Will Power (fighting your inner urges to do wrong and making yourself do things you
don't want to do)
● Trying Hard (your best effort to crank out Christian-like behavior)
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The problem is that this approach to the Christian Life simply does not work for very long! Instead,
we end up either feeling self-righteous about our apparent success, or more commonly, feeling
defeated because we can see we are not the kind of person we think we ought to be. In truth, this
approach to Christianity has much more in common with life under the Law than it does with life in
the Spirit. Even if we ask the Spirit to help us, our hearts remain committed to a way of life that
depends heavily on our own understanding of what God expects of us, and our own attempts to
perform what we think is required.
Living From a Transformed Heart
Instead of trying to coerce ourselves into doing what we think we should be doing, what if we first
had a change of character, so that God's way of doing things simply came more naturally to us?
Motivation would no longer be an issue. Our will would already be aligned with good things so we
wouldn't have to struggle so hard against the old nature. Things like studying the Bible would
become much more life-giving and relational, a reminder of who we are and whose we are, instead
of an attempt to work out a long list of rules for good and bad behavior. In short, we would be much
more prepared to act in a way that is consistent with the new heart that God gave us, because we
would have become the kind of people we were created to be. As Dallas Willard has suggested,
instead of teaching people how to do merciful acts, what if we train them to become merciful people?

To restate our task: our main job is to learn how to engage with the Spirit of God in ways that are
life-changing, so that we become more and more prepared to live out of the new heart that God
gave us, and less and less out of our old life patterns and values. It's a bit like trying to grow apples.
If we tried to manufacture apples by assembling a pile of organic material and attempting to
rearrange the molecules to make apples, we would find the process frustrating and the goal
impossible. But if we plant the right kind of tree, water and fertilize the ground, and protect the tree
against invading insects and disease, the apples will form quite well without our having any idea
how the tree is able to do such a thing. So also with spiritual growth. If we learn to abide in the vine,
we will discover that we can bear fruit that is qualitatively better than anything we could produce by
direct effort.

Our Part
So what is our part? Well, without trying to evade the question, a full explanation is very difficult,
because so much of what we need to know can only be learned experientially, and not from a printed
page. And any summary description of the process is easily misunderstood or dismissed as either
too trivial or something we already tried and failed at. But at the risk of being too brief, we will try to
point the way. Please refer to our bibliographies and other resources for a more complete coverage
of this issue.

Put briefly, some of the more important aspects of Christian Formation are :
● Learning to discern the voice of God
● Developing a conversational prayer life (instead of one-way prayers)
● Building a genuine relationship with God through interacting with him
● Rearranging our lives to make time and space for this relationship
● Learning to engage with the Spirit of God as a personal Mentor, allowing him to reveal
our flaws as well as our new identity and his way of seeing us and our lives
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This is the soil in which new life can take root and grow. Engagement with a Holy God is the only
true source of life-giving transformation. This is not a cognitive achievement, or a carefully followed
ethical system, but an authentic, experiential relationship.

Finally, we are not meant to learn this on our own. We must make this journey with others. We need
to learn from those who have gone before us, who have built or are building this kind of relationship
with God. We can then share our joys and frustrations with them and engage with God together as
a community.

"May he give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better … that
the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has
called you …" (Eph.1:17-18 NIV)

Link: https://kingdomformation.org/formational-theology/introduction-to-christian-formation/

Bible
The Bible (from Koine Greek τὰ βιβλία, tà biblía, "the books")[1][a] is a collection of religious texts or scriptures
sacred to Christians, Jews, Samaritans, Rastafari and others. They generally consider the Bible to be a
product of divine inspiration and a record of the relationship between God and humans. The Bible appears
in the form of an anthology, a compilation of texts of a variety of forms that are all linked by the belief that
they collectively contain the word of God. These texts include theologically-focused historical accounts,
hymns, prayers, proverbs, parables, didactic letters, erotica, sermons, poetry, and prophecies.
Those books included in the Bible by a tradition or group are called canonical, indicating that the
tradition/group views the collection as the true representation of God's word and will. A number of Biblical
canons have evolved, with overlapping and diverging contents from denomination to denomination.[2] The
Hebrew Bible overlaps with the Greek Septuagint and the Christian Old Testament. The Christian New
Testament is a collection of writings by early Christians, believed to be mostly Jewish disciples of Christ,
written in first-century Koine Greek. Among Christian denominations there is some disagreement about what
should be included in the canon, primarily about the biblical apocrypha, a list of works that are regarded with
varying levels of respect.
Attitudes towards the Bible also differ among Christian groups. Roman Catholics, high church Anglicans,
Methodists and Eastern Orthodox Christians stress the harmony and importance of both the Bible and sacred
tradition,[3][4] while many Protestant churches focus on the idea of sola scriptura, or scripture alone. This
concept rose to prominence during the Reformation, and many denominations today support the use of the
Bible as the only infallible source of Christian teaching. Others though, advance the concept of prima scriptura
in contrast.[3]
The Bible has had a massive influence on literature and history, especially in the Western world, where the
Gutenberg Bible was the first book printed using movable type.[5][6] According to the March 2007 edition of
Time, the Bible "has done more to shape literature, history, entertainment, and culture than any book ever
written. Its influence on world history is unparalleled, and shows no signs of abating."[5] With estimated total
sales of over 5 billion copies, it is widely considered to be the best-selling book of all time.[5][7][8] As of the
2000s, it sells approximately 100 million copies annually.[9][10]
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Etymology
The word βιβλίον itself had the literal meaning of "paper" or "scroll" and came to be used as the ordinary
word for "book". It is the diminutive of βύβλος byblos, "Egyptian papyrus", possibly so called from the
name of the Phoenician sea port Byblos (also known as Gebal) from whence Egyptian papyrus was
exported to Greece.

The Greek ta biblia (lit. "little papyrus books")[11] was "an expression Hellenistic Jews used to describe
their sacred books" (the Septuagint).[12][13] Christian use of the term can be traced to c. 223 CE. The
biblical scholar F.F. Bruce notes that Chrysostom appears to be the first writer (in his Homilies on
Matthew, delivered between 386 and 388) to use the Greek phrase ta biblia ("the books") to describe
both the Old and New Testaments together.[14]

Medieval Latin biblia is short for biblia sacra "holy book", while biblia in Greek and Late Latin is neuter
plural (gen. bibliorum). It gradually came to be regarded as a feminine singular noun (biblia, gen. bibliae)
in medieval Latin, and so the word was loaned as singular into the vernaculars of Western Europe.[15]
Latin biblia sacra "holy books" translates Greek τὰ βιβλία τὰ ἅγια tà biblía tà hágia, "the holy books".[16]

The English word Bible is from the Latin biblia, from the same word in Medieval Latin and Late Latin and
ultimately from Koinē Greek: τὰ βιβλία, romanized: ta biblia "the books" (singular βιβλίον,
biblion).[17][better source needed]

Textual history

By the 2nd century BCE, Jewish groups began calling the books of the Bible the "scriptures" and they
referred to them as "holy", or in Hebrew ‫קֹּדש‬
ֶ ַ‫( ׁכִּ ְתבֵ י ה‬Kitvei hakkodesh), and Christians now commonly
call the Old and New Testaments of the Christian Bible "The Holy Bible" (in Greek τὰ βιβλία τὰ ἅγια, tà
biblía tà ágia) or "the Holy Scriptures" (η Αγία Γραφή, e Agía Graphḗ).[18] The Bible was divided into
chapters in the 13th century by Stephen Langton and into verses in the 16th century by French printer
Robert Estienne[19] and is now usually cited by book, chapter, and verse. The division of the Hebrew
Bible into verses is based on the sof passuk cantillation mark used by the 10th-century Masoretes to
record the verse divisions used in earlier oral traditions.[citation needed]

The oldest extant copy of a complete Bible is an early 4th-century parchment book preserved in the
Vatican Library, and it is known as the Codex Vaticanus. The oldest copy of the Tanakh in Hebrew and
Aramaic dates from the 10th century CE. The oldest copy of a complete Latin (Vulgate) Bible is the
Codex Amiatinus, dating from the 8th century.[20] Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible
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10 reasons to read the Bible

Why read the Bible? Why wake up 15 minutes early each day? Why go to all that trouble? After all, sleeping
is better than reading, right?
Before you close the book on God’s book, here are 10 reasons to read the Bible:

1. Reading the Bible shows us God’s character. The Bible is our definitive
source for the answers to our questions about God.
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these
last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he
made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being,
sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right
hand of the Majesty in heaven” (Hebrews 1:1-3).

2. Reading the Bible teaches us to imitate God.

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children” (Ephesians 5:1).

3. Reading the Bible helps us discover our next step.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105).

4. Reading the Bible keeps us from sin.

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).

5. Reading the Bible helps us to renew our minds so we can know God’s
will.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will
is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2).

6. Reading the Bible allows us to be certain of what God said. The Bible is
our final authority.
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17).

7. Reading the Bible allows us to receive the desires of our heart.

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (John
15:7).

8. Reading the Bible is how we learn about the gospel.

“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very
Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life” John 5:39-40.
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9. Reading the Bible gives us courage.

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to
do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be
strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you
wherever you go” (Joshua 1:8-9).

10. Reading the Bible helps us to be fruitful.

“... but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is
like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither —
whatever they do prospers” (Psalm 1:2-3).

Link: https://newspring.cc/articles/10-reasons-to-read-the-bible

WHAT’S SO IMPORTANT ABOUT STUDYING THE BIBLE

Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own
interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God
as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20-21)

The Bible isn’t an easy book. It was written by God in an ancient time through people of different languages
and cultures than our own, whose immediate audiences were different from us in many ways. It’s also a book
written by God about God and the work he’s doing in the world.
A work by such a divine Author, on such an immense topic, should be difficult to fully comprehend. So we’ll
need to study and wrestle with God’s words—but it’s worth it, and here are five reasons why:

1. Bible study illuminates our daily reading.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and
for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good
work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Bible study works together with our daily time in Scripture.
Daily Bible reading maintains our connection with God through his written Word. It reminds us of his character,
promises, our dependence on him, and our future together. It familiarizes us with, and helps us grasp, the
whole story of Scripture, and it keeps our souls energized.

But Bible study deepens and expands our understanding of specific Bible passages; it helps us sort through
hard concepts and gives insight into the context of the Bible. Ideally, our times in deeper study will result in
more fulfilling times of daily reading, as what we have gleaned through in-depth study informs our regular
time in the Word.
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2. Bible study protects us from twisting the truth.

Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when
he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand,
which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.
(2 Peter 3:15b-16)The Word of God is challenging, and because sin is a power at work against
man, it’s inevitable that people will twist the words of God for their own purposes. This sort of
manipulation will be confusing and distracting to those who do not regularly seek a fuller grasp of
God’s Word through study.

Study of the Bible is important for the health of a believer. Someone who reads daily but never spends times
in study is like a person who eats regular, nourishing meals but never bothers to discover why the meals are
nourishing: You gain some benefit, but can’t appreciate the components of the meal, nor can you fully apply
the concepts of nourishment to other facets of life.
For example, when reading through a verse or book of the Bible, we will get the benefit of its implications on
our current experience, but we may miss the meaning of the context in which it was written. This expanded
view of the insight of Scripture is only available through study.

3. Bible study amplifies our service.

[Apollos] had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and
taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He
began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took
him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. (Acts 18:25-26)

Bible study expands our ability to minister God’s truth. The Bible, written by a living and active God, is a living
and active book; anyone who claims to have mastered all its teachings is deluded.
Even those with a good grasp of Scripture, and who spread the gospel accurately and honestly, can enrich
their testimony and comprehension through continued biblical study and instruction. The pursuit of Jesus is
a lifelong pursuit, as should be our endeavors to grasp his Word.

4. Bible study opens our understanding.

And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the
things concerning himself. (Luke 24:27)

The Old Testament is rich with promises of Jesus and his work. The New Testament narrative stands on the
testimony of the Old. A fuller study of both Testaments gives a greater knowledge of what Jesus fulfilled in
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his life, death, resurrection, and ascension. It also gives hope and strength that Jesus will return to begin his
eternal reign.
As the Holy Spirit does his work in us, we become more open to God’s wisdom. The men on the road to
Emmaus were familiar with Scripture and had even known Jesus before his crucifixion. But it wasn’t until after
Jesus’ resurrection and his opening the Scriptures to them that they gained a deeper comprehension of Jesus
and his work.

There may be work the Spirit needs to do in us before parts of God’s Word open to us. A passage we’ve read
multiple times, studied before, and thought we understood may suddenly take on new dimensions through
the enlightening of the eyes of our hearts.

5. Bible study deepens our devotion to Christ.

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all
eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (Acts 17:11)

In some ways, Bible study is easier than daily reading. Since in-depth study occurs less often, it takes less
self-discipline. Bible study also focuses on fewer verses or more refined topics, which may seem more
palatable.

But Bible study has its challenges. The interaction with the text is more intense, making times of study seem
more daunting than daily reading. Many people don’t feel qualified to delve into Scripture study, which seems
like it should be reserved for pastors and theologians. But Bible study is for everyone; we just need a plan.

A simple way to get started on your own is to purchase a study Bible, which have sections before each book
explaining the historical context, theme, author, audience, and other details. These Bibles also have
commentary alongside the verses that note relations to other books of the Bible and explanations of confusing
or difficult concepts.

However, one of the best ways to study the Bible is to sit under solid preaching and get involved in a group
through your local church. Jesus meant for us to encourage each other in spiritual growth, and the study of
his Word is one of the greatest ways we can grow to love him together.

Link: https://unlockingthebible.org/2017/08/whats-so-important-about-studying-the-bible/
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Faith in Christianity

In one sense, faith in Christianity is often discussed in terms of believing God's promises, trusting in his faithfulness, and
relying on God's character and faithfulness to act. Some of the definitions in the history of Christian theology have followed the

biblical formulation in Hebrews 11:1: "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen". [1] As in other
Abrahamic religions, it includes a belief in the existence of God, in the reality of a transcendent domain that God administers
as his kingdom and in the benevolence of the will of God or God's plan for humankind.

Christianity differs from other Abrahamic religions in that it focuses on the teachings of Jesus, and on his place as the
prophesied Christ. It also includes a belief in the New Covenant. According to most Christian traditions, Christian faith requires

a belief in Jesus' resurrection from the dead, which he states is the plan of God the Father.[2][3]

Since the Protestant Reformation the meaning of this term has been an object of major theological
disagreement in Western Christianity. The differences have been largely overcome in the Joint Declaration
on the Doctrine of Justification (1999).The precise understanding of the term "faith" differs among the various
Christian traditions. Despite these differences, Christians generally agree that faith in Jesus lies at the core
of the Christian tradition, and that such faith is required in order to be a Christian.

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faith_in_Christianity

What does the Bible say about Christian character?

Question: "What does the Bible say about Christian character?"

Answer: Character is defined as strength of moral fiber. A.W. Tozer described character as “the excellence of
moral beings.” As the excellence of gold is its purity and the excellence of art is its beauty, so the excellence
of man is his character. Persons of character are noted for their honesty, ethics, and charity. Descriptions such
as “man of principle” and “woman of integrity” are assertions of character. A lack of character is moral
deficiency, and persons lacking character tend to behave dishonestly, unethically, and uncharitably.

A person’s character is the sum of his or her disposition, thoughts, intentions, desires, and actions. It is good to
remember that character is gauged by general tendencies, not on the basis of a few isolated actions. We must
look at the whole life. For example, King David was a man of good character (1 Samuel 13:14) although he
sinned on occasion (2 Samuel 11). And although King Ahab may have acted nobly once (1 Kings 22:35), he was
still a man of overall bad character (1 Kings 16:33). Several people in the Bible are described as having noble
character: Ruth (Ruth 3:11), Hanani (Nehemiah 7:2), David (Psalm 78:72), and Job (Job 2:3). These individuals’
lives were distinguished by persistent moral virtue.

Character is influenced and developed by our choices. Daniel “resolved not to defile himself” in Babylon (Daniel
1:8), and that godly choice was an important step in formulating an unassailable integrity in the young man’s
life. Character, in turn, influences our choices. “The integrity of the upright guides them” (Proverbs 11:3a).
Character will help us weather the storms of life and keep us from sin (Proverbs 10:9a).

It is the Lord’s purpose to develop character within us. “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but
the LORD tests the heart” (Proverbs 17:3). Godly character is the result of the Holy Spirit’s work of
sanctification. Character in the believer is a consistent manifestation of Jesus in his life. It is the purity of heart
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that God gives becoming purity in action. God sometimes uses trials to strengthen character: “we also rejoice
in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and
character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4). The Lord is pleased when His children grow in character. “You test the heart
and are pleased with integrity” (1 Chronicles 29:17; see also Psalm 15:1-2).

We can develop character by controlling our thoughts (Philippians 4:8), practicing Christian virtues (2 Peter 1:5-
6), guarding our hearts (Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 15:18-20), and keeping good company (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Men and women of character will set a good example for others to follow, and their godly reputation will be
evident to all (Titus 2:7-8).

Link: https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-character.html

Christian character—What does the Bible say?

Character can be defined as what makes a person distinct from others, often with a particular emphasis on moral
qualities. When we think of a person who has good character, we often describe them with terms like integrity,
honesty, strong moral fiber, care and concern for others, and the like. Character is demonstrated in actions but
true character resides in the heart.

Christian character begins with faith in Christ. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Faith is
what separates Christian character from mere civility or secular morality. There are many reasons for a person to
do an outwardly good or moral act (Matthew 5:46-48; 6; 7:11). However, it is not solely the outward act that makes
behavior godly, but the motive behind the act that matters. In Matthew 23:27–28 Jesus said, "Woe to you, scribes
and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are
full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you
are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." True godliness includes both right action and right motive (Matthew 5—7).
To have Christian character is to have a heart aiming to please and glorify God (1 Thessalonians 4:1; Colossians
3:23–24).

Christian character is the product of the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who changes the believer's heart from a
state of stone-hearted rebellion and unbelief to warm-hearted faith and love (Ezekiel 36:26). It is the Spirit of God
dwelling in the believer's heart that produces a love for God and others, as well as a desire to deny sin and self in
order to please God (Romans 5:5; Titus 2:11–12). It is the Holy Spirit that produces the fruits of love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, long suffering, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). This fruit of the
Spirit is what forms the foundation of true Christian character. Because Christian character is the result of the
Spirit's work, it is forbidden and nonsensical to boast of it as if it were our own doing (Ephesians 2:9; 1 Corinthians
1:29–31). Christians are to boast not of our own righteousness, which does not exist, but of the righteousness of
Christ which we have received through faith (1 Corinthians 1:30–31; Isaiah 64:6; Galatians 3:21–22).

Having said that, we are called to walk in the Spirit and not quench Him (Galatians 5:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:19).
Although it is the grace of God that produces good works in us, we are still called to work with and not against the
Spirit. First Corinthians 15:10 says, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in
vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me."
Because the Spirit of God lives in the Christian and provides the grace and power that make godly living possible,
we are encouraged to make use of this great power (Philippians 2:12–13).

Second Peter 1:5–8 gives a list of things Christians should pursue that reflect godly character: "For this very
reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-
control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly
affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from
being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Finally, God uses our life circumstances to exercise the grace and faith He has given to us, thereby causing us to
grow in Christ-like character. One might say that Christian character is forged in the crucible of experience and
affliction. Paul wrote in Romans 5:3–5, "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering
produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put
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us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to
us." Similarly, in 1 Peter 1:6–7 Peter wrote, "In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have
been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes
though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

In summary, Christian character is not to be confused with mere morality. Christian character is made possible
only through faith in Christ. The Spirit of God is responsible for creating and growing Christian character. Christians
are called to work with and not against the Spirit in this endeavor. God uses circumstances to refine Christian
character.

Link: https://www.compellingtruth.org/Christian-character.html

9 Qualities of Christian Character, Part 3

A man who is charged with destroying a bar in a drunken brawl, appeared in court, “Sir, said the Judge,
“What do you have to say for yourself?

“Your honor. I’m not guilty. My reputation in this community is spotless. My character is beyond reproach.

“Do you have any witnesses who can vouch for your character? asked the Judge.

The man pointed across the courtroom “The sheriff over there.”

The sheriff immediately jumped to his feet, “Your honor. That man’s a liar. I’ve never seen him before in my
life!”

The man turned to the judge and smiled. “See, I’ve lived in this community 25 years and the sheriff doesn’t
even know me. Isn’t that character enough?”

The answer is….NO! Character is more than what you don’t do. Character is who you are. And what you
are. In this final post on the qualities of Christian character, we want to consider the final three letters of our
acrostic.

Trustworthy

A trustworthy person is dependable. Reliable. Faithful. Honorable. And honest. Trust is an issue of
integrity. When Moses was considering men to set over business of Israel, he issues this edict. “Moreover,
look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe” (Num 18:21).
God is always looking for men and women who can’t be bought. Who fear God. Honor others. And possess
self-respect.

Jesus, our perfect example, is identified as “faithful and true” (Rev. 3;14). We can trust Jesus. He is reliable.
Dependable. Authentic. The Christian that follows Christ can be trusted with money. Accepting responsibility.
Completing assignments. Telling the truth.

Former PepsiCO chairman and CEO Craig Weatherup says, “People will tolerate honest mistakes, but if you
violate their trust you will find it very difficult to ever regain their confidence. That is one reason that you need
to treat trust as your most precious asset. You may fool your boss, but you can never fool your colleagues
or subordinates.”

Empathetic

This character quality may be more natural for women. In fact, in the past, empathy has been
regarded as something unmanly. But for the Christian of character, both men and women, we must work to
be empathetic. Caring. Kind. Compassionate. There is an old axiom that “people don’t care how much you
know, until they know how much you care.”
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Once again Jesus is our example of empathy. He saw the people as scattered Sheep and “had compassion
on them.” He looked at the rich young ruler and “he loved him.” We see his care for little children. His
compassion for the weeping woman whose son had died. At the tomb of Lazarus where “Jesus wept.”

Empathy involves being aware of other’s needs. Identifying with their feelings. And feeling their pain.
Bob Pierce said, “Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.”

Righteous

The character of the Christian can be summed up in one word “righteous.” Righteous people think,
speak and act in righteous ways. That means with virtue. Purity of life. Moral excellence. Ethical decisions.
Honorable actions.

Righteousness has at least three aspects. There is spiritual righteousness which is justification with God.
Righteousness of character that engages in conduct that pleases god. And social righteousness that seeks
justice, fairness, and equity for our fellow-man. Righteous people:

◆Hungers and thirsts after it. Mt 5:6

◆Exceeds externals, but is focused on internals. Mat. 5:20

◆Seeks first the kingdom of God. Matt 6:33

◆Puts on the breastplate of righteous Eph. 6:14

◆Produces the fruit of righteousness Phil. 1:11

◆Flees youthful lusts. 2 Tim. 2:22

◆Walks in his integrity. Prov. 20:7

◆Considers the cause of the poor. Prov. 29:7

◆Speaks wisdom and talks of justice. Ps. 37:20

So, here they are. 9 qualities of Christian character. Characteristics for men of God and women professing
godliness to acquire. To develop. To grow. And to reproduce.

Conviction

Humility

Ambition

Respectful

Accountability

Control

Trustworthy

Empathic

Righteous

In closing, remember that the sum of your life is not about position, but personhood. Not about titles, but
integrity. Not about credentials, but character.
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–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman

Link :https://thepreachersword.com/2012/10/24/9-qualities-of-christian-character-part-3/

Link: https://sites.google.com/site/danbeereservice/home/definition-of-christian-service

Ten Principles for Christian Service

Part 1
Serving God is wonderful and satisfying if we do it for God and not man, and if we do it in God’s
power and not our own. When we lose focus on God’s glory, service will be burdensome; and when
we attempt to do it in our own power, it will be frustrating. Serving God in the Spirit is not punishment;
it is nourishment. It gives me wings to fly, not chains to enslave.
Christian service happens when divine power confronts human need through grace-filled believers
for the glory of God. This article is based on Jesus teaching in Luke 17:7-10 and it will survey ten
principles for Christian service.
1. Serve Christ: in a spirit of faith that will result in an increase of faith.
The disciples asked, “Increase our faith,” and Jesus follows with this teaching on Christian duty. We
may wonder, “What does this parable have to do with faith increasing?” Jesus shows us by
connecting that request with the duty of life that faith increases not in large steps but in the daily
demonstration of duty. Read your Bible. Attend prayer meeting and other regularly scheduled
services of the church. Pray. Work hard. You can see God at work in your life, not in super
extraordinary ways, but in the daily duty of life. By daily walking in the Spirit, your faith will grow. We
cannot grow in faith if we do not do the basic tasks of life responsibly and consistently. Faith grows
gradually like a small child: in small steps often imperceptible to the human eye.
2. Serve Christ: believe it is a high honor.
The servant in this story first worked outside in the sweaty field and then inside in the hot kitchen.
After a long day in the field, the master says, “make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself,
and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken.” The master in this story stands for Christ. I read it that
Jesus is telling us, “Serve me.” What an absolute privilege!
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Realize that all service to Christ is an undeserving honor. We serve the King of Kings! We must not
be offended at anything commanded of us by Jesus Christ. Any service commanded by Him to us
is a high honor and something that will strengthen my faith.
Whether you teach a Sunday School class, lead a small group, or distribute Gospel tracts, serving
Jesus is a wonderful opportunity. Make sure in your heart that you do it “all in the name of the Lord
Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him” (Col. 3:17).
3. Serve Christ: without expectation of human reward.
Serve the Lord with gladness and wait for the reward until the end of the day. The servant in this
parable serves and gets no words of thanks from his master. Why should he? He has only done
what is expected and commanded of him.
The master in this story does not hold up his hands in wonder and shower thanks upon his faithful
worker. He does not say, “How well my servant can plough, how cleverly he feeds the oxen.” The
servant only does what he has been commanded, so the master does not think of lavishing praise
upon him. Jesus applies this to those who serve Him as He says, “So likewise ye, when ye shall
have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have
done that which was our duty to do.” (Luke 17:10)
Link: https://www.proclaimanddefend.org/2015/12/15/ten-principles-for-christian-service/

Four Principles of Biblical Stewardship

Every faculty you have, your power of thinking or of moving your limbs from moment to moment, is given
you by God. If you devoted every moment of your whole life exclusively to His service, you could not
give Him anything that was not in a sense His own already.

– C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

In a recent blog on stewardship we asked the question, “What does stewardship look like in our lives
today?” Unfortunately many Christians today only associate the idea of stewardship with sermons they
have heard about church budgets and building programs.

But for us at the Institute for Faith, Work & Economics, the idea of biblical stewardship is about something
much more expansive. We believe it is where the concepts of faith, work and economics intersect.

Bill Peel over at The High Calling recently wrote an excellent essay entitled Leadership Is Stewardship.
His essay can help us build a framework to begin unpacking this biblical idea of stewardship.

Peel suggests that there are four important principles about biblical stewardship we must understand:

1. The principle of ownership.

The psalmist begins the 24th psalm with,

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

In the beginning of Genesis, God creates everything and puts Adam in the Garden to work it and to take
care of it. It is clear that man was created to work and that work is the stewardship of all of the creation
that God has given him.

This is the fundamental principle of biblical stewardship. God owns everything, we are simply managers
or administrators acting on his behalf.
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Therefore, stewardship expresses our obedience regarding the administration of everything God has
placed under our control, which is all encompassing. Stewardship is the commitment of one’s self and
possessions to God’s service, recognizing that we do not have the right of control over our property or
ourselves.

Echoing Deuteronomy 8:17, we might say: “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this
wealth for me.” But Deuteronomy 8:18 counsels us to think otherwise:

Remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.

2. The principle of responsibility.

In explaining responsibility, Peel writes,

Although God gives us “all things richly to enjoy,” nothing is ours. Nothing really belongs to us. God
owns everything; we’re responsible for how we treat it and what we do with it. While we complain about
our rights here on earth, the Bible constantly asks, What about your responsibilities? Owners have rights;
stewards have responsibilities.

We are called as God’s stewards to manage that which belongs to God. While God has graciously
entrusted us with the care, development, and enjoyment of everything he owns as his stewards, we are
responsible to manage his holdings well and according to his desires and purposes.

3. The principle of accountability.

A steward is one who manages the possessions of another. We are all stewards of the resources,
abilities and opportunities that God has entrusted to our care, and one day each one of us will be called
to give an account for how we have managed what the Master has given us.

This is the maxim taught by the Parable of the Talents. God has entrusted authority over the creation to
us and we are not allowed to rule over it as we see fit. We are called to exercise our dominion under the
watchful eye of the Creator managing his creation in accord with the principles he has established.

Like the servants in the Parable of the Talents, we will be called to give an account of how we have
administered everything we have been given, including our time, money, abilities, information, wisdom,
relationships, and authority.

We will all give account to the rightful owner as to how well we managed the things he has entrusted to
us.

4. The principle of reward.

In Colossians 3:23-24 Paul writes:

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that
you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

The Bible shows us in the parables of the Kingdom that faithful stewards who do the master’s will with
the master’s resources can expect to be rewarded incompletely in this life, but fully in the next.

We all should long to hear the master say what he exclaims in Matthew 25:21:

Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of
many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!

As Christians in the 21st century, we need to embrace this larger biblical view of stewardship, which
goes beyond church budgets or building projects, though important; it connects everything we do with
what God is doing in the world.
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We need to be faithful stewards of all God has given us within the opportunities presented through his
providence to glorify him, serve the common good and further his Kingdom.

Link: https://tifwe.org/four-principles-of-biblical-stewardship/

Christian Accountability
Christian Accountability - A Need for Support

Accountability is essential for any society to function and Christian accountability is no different. We are all
held accountable in one way or another. For example, there are laws to obey and if we fail to be obedient,
we may have to suffer the consequences set by the officials who hold us accountable. Accountability is simply
being responsible for one's actions.

There are several accountability groups that specialize in assisting people who would like to overcome an
issue, addiction (including sexual addiction), or other tendency. As humans, we find support, comfort, and
motivation from others who are struggling with similar life circumstances.

There are Christian accountability groups as well. Christians need support and comfort and often find this
through Christian accountability. There are two essential elements to accountability: trust and the ability to
relate.

Christian Accountability - The Essential Element of Trust

In order to establish Christian accountability, there needs to be trust. Developing trust is a slow process and
it takes time to develop and grow. As people meet together to share, they begin to establish a rapport with
one another. How is this accomplished? Let's see what the Bible says.

● Active listening is essential to developing trust. James 1:19 says, "My dear brothers, take note of this:
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."
● A non-judgmental attitude is another essential element. Remember, we can be accepting of an
individual while being discerning of the situation. Matthew 7:1-2 says, "Do not judge, or you too will
be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use,
it will be measured to you."
● Caring for each other is also essential. 1 John 4:21 says, "And he has given us this command:
Whoever loves God must also love his brother."

Accountability involves a willingness to open yourself up and share sensitive or personal information. This is
why trust is so imperative. If you sense trust, you are more open to share your innermost thoughts without
concern of betrayal.

Christian Accountability - The Essential Element of Relating

Relating is an important factor in Christian accountability. It is helpful when the group shares a common bond
or has been through similar experiences. People who relate to one another can empathize and share with an
understanding heart. People can feel comfortable in sharing their circumstances, and can be totally accepted
without fear of rejection.

Christian Accountability - Biblical Guidance

Does the Bible speak of Christian accountability? First of all, the Bible says that God holds us accountable.
Romans 14:12 says, "So then each of us shall give account of himself to God." This is personal accountability.

Christians are also accountable to one another. In 1 Corinthians chapter 12, we read that Christians are all
part of the same body - the body of Christ - and each member needs or belongs to the other. This Scripture
suggests the importance of strong accountability between Believers. It is important for every Believer to have
at least one other person in which to confide, pray with, listen to, and encourage.
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Galatians 6:1-2 gives a helpful principle, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should
restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this
way you will fulfill the law of Christ." If your accountability friend has done something contrary to the Bible,
you are called to confront him gently, forgive him, and comfort him. It also admonishes you to consider
yourself because no one is above temptation.

Another aspect of Christian accountability is encouraging each other to grow in their spiritual maturity.
Hebrews 10:24 says, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds." 1
Thessalonians 5:11 says to, "…encourage one another and build each other up…"

Are you accountable? Do you have a friend to whom you can go? Will that person hold you accountable in
your spiritual walk? Are you the type of person that people can come to when they need accountability? Do
you want a Christian accountability partner? Link: https://www.allaboutgod.com/christian-
accountability.htm