Apprentice 2 Jesus

What are the gauges we set for our lives? Are there gauges we can check when it comes to our walk with Christ? Can we have those gauges as a church body?

The challenge ahead for our church is to set some gauges. What are the marks of discipleship we would like to see among people in our church?

One area is Bible knowledge. We simply don’t know the Bible. The familiar stories aren’t familiar anymore. What is the Old Testament? What’s the New Testament? Why are they called that? What is the story of Israel and why is that important?

Another area is Pentecostal theology and practice. I pastor a Pentecostal church, but do we know about the gifts of the Spirit? Do we know about Spirit-led witnessing, or Spirit-led worship? Do we know our history as a movement? Why is that important? Do we experience the presence of God and experience the moving of the Spirit in our lives?

A third area is life skills. We are a deficient society. We are disconnected and horrible at relationships. Do we know how to be good financial stewards? If we are parents, do we know how to raise our kids?

A fourth area is spiritual formation. What spiritual habits should be in my life and how do I build them into habits that are ongoing? Why is that important?

Gauges. Ways to check and see how we are doing. Ways to know we are growing. Ways to know we can be in position to see fruit be born in our lives.

The conversation is starting, as Hillary Clinton would say. (Ease up. It’s a light humorous interlude, okay?)

Let’s talk. Let’s discuss. What would be important in those areas? How do we accomplish them at different age levels?

Think. Process. Pray. Act.