I know it says somewhere on this page that I am new to blogging, but this has been going on for nearly ten years now. This is not your typical blog, because I (so far) don't make any money off of it and I hope you don't see any pop-up advertising.
But after all these years, I have never apparently written an in-depth article or series of articles on what is my magnus opus in education ministry, and that is the P.O.I.N.T. ministry.
So, at long last, in part because of my article in the FBC Killeen newsletter, this is how I believe every Adult Sunday School (or LifeGroup, or Small Group, whatever you may call it) should be structured for ministry.
What Is The Point?
POINT stands for PRAYER, OUTREACH, INREACH, NEED-MEETING, and TEACHING. Every adult class member is requested to be a part of the POINT ministry, under the direction of the POINT Coordinators.
Read carefully the description of each ministry and ask God to lead you into one area in which you can serve. Remember, each ministry opportunity is what Christ commanded us to do.
The “point” ministry strategy is found repeatedly in the New Testament, including the Great Commission: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV).
It is also found in the early church, specifically in Acts 2:42, 44-47
44Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common,
45and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. (Need-meeting)
46So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (OUTREACH)
Prayer Minister’s Description
“INTERCEDING TO GOD FOR YOUR CLASS”
1. Offer up
prayers for various needs of the Sunday School class members.
2. Keep a prayer journal, remembering to write down class prayer requests and to pray for them throughout the week.
3. Recruit others to serve with you as Prayer Ministers.
4. Have each member of the “P” Team to be available for some class members to call with prayer requests, updates, and answers.
5. Pray for
teacher and the other “P” Team Ministers of the class daily and all members,
both active and inactive, at least once a week.
6. Inform the church office and class teacher of hospitalization or other major crisis of any member of your Sunday School Class.
7. Have activities which encourage prayer in class and throughout the week. Activities could be come to prayer times, bring devotionals or book excerpts on prayer, or have selected Scriptures to be read or prayed during class. Have class to sing worship songs.
As a Prayer Team
Member, help your fellow class members to make prayer a natural part of their
Christian lives. The “P” Team will encourage the following:
1. Personal Prayer -- encouraging the class to have personal times of prayer throughout the week.
2. Corporate Prayer -- encouraging the class to pray as a group through innovative activities.
3. Personal Worship -- prompting the class to worship God in spirit and in truth on their own.
4. Corporate Worship -- prompting members to worship God publicly, such as in worship service, class times and fellowships.
The ultimate goal of a Prayer Minister is to glorify God, not the prayers or even the answers to those prayers, and certainly not to glorify the prayer ministers. This delicate balance can be achieved through true humility which comes from the ACTS of Prayer: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Seeking (for self and others).
BLUE REPRESENTS HEAVEN IN OUR PRAYERS.
