Elemental :: Because when you want to change the world, passion is not enough
When we want to change the world, we start off with lots of passion. But we soon discover that passion is not enough. Instead, to remain faithful to the mission that God has given us, we must build our lives on key elements – calling, character, creed, and commitment. When these four elements combine, it creates a reaction that spurs on mission in our lives for the long haul. So to be elemental people, we move beyond mere passion to become people of mission who change the world.
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THE HEARTBEAT OF ELEMENTAL
When we want to change
the world, we start off with lots
of passion. But we soon discover
that passion is not enough.
Instead, to remain faithful to the
mission that God has given us,
we must build our lives on key
elements — calling, character,
creed, and commitment. When
these four elements combine, it
creates a reaction that spurs on
mission in our lives for the long
haul. So to be elemental people,
we move beyond mere passion to
become people of mission who
change the world.
ABOUT THE ART
I was a terrible chemistry student. TERRIBLE. It didn’t help that my intro to chemistry professor had a very thick southern accent and pronounced “ions” like “allens.” It took me two weeks to figure out what an “allen” was. I’m glad I was too insecure to ask because that would have been pretty embarrassing (for both of us).
I did manage to come away from that intro to chemistry class with some bits of knowledge. When you combine two or more different elements, you create chemical compounds. This is where we get great things like baking soda (NaHCO3), salt (NaCl), sugar (C12H22O11), and water (H2O). The chemical makeup of these is very important because small changes can lead to devastating results. Take water for instance. It covers more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface, and humans need to consume between one and seven liters per day to avoid dehydration. Water gives life and it sustains life. Now if we make one small change, maybe move that little 2 over so that H2O becomes HO2… voila, we have made hydroperoxyl. Hydroperoxyl is responsible for the destruction of ozone in the stratosphere. (So do us all a favor and don’t move that 2. OK?) With a slight change in the elements, what was put together to give life can be changed into something that takes life away (or at least leads to sunburns). Calling, Character, Creed, and Commitment are all great things, but world change only comes about when those elements are combined in the right way. Passion is not enough, Creed or Character are not enough. In fact, by themselves they may even be dangerous...  SESSION OUTLINE
Session One :: Ca: Calling
Acts 9:1-22
The point: Life change should lead to world change
The calling that God gives us changes our lives, but we see in the example of Paul that the change shouldn’t stop with us. Instead, life change should lead to world change.
Session Two :: Ch: Character
Acts 20:17-38
The point: Who you are affects what you can do
As we seek to change the world, we soon discover that character matters. The way we live out our identity and move toward our calling has a huge effect on how we change the world. Who you are affects what you can do, and so we need to grow not only in competency but also in character.
Session Three :: Cr: Creed
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
The point: What you believe fuels what you will do
We cannot live out the missions God gives us without ultimately knowing who God is and what God does. In other words, we need good doctrine. So creed is the third element we need to change the world, because what we believe fuels what we can do.
Session Four :: Co: Commitment
Acts 28:16-31
The point: It’s not what you start but what you finish
If we want to change the world, we must realize that it will be difficult at times. We may face opposition, obstacles, and suffering. This is why commitment is a key element to mission, because it’s not what you start but what you finish.
TEACHING GUIDES and LESSON SAMPLES
Master Teacher's Guide [ view sample ]
The Master Teacher's Guide is designed for use in large-group settings such as Wednesday night gatherings, combined Sunday School classes, summer camps, and other worship gatherings. It contains background information, explanation and application points, opening illustrations and stories, prompts for personal stories, and life-changing Turning Point activities. Leader's Guide [ view sample ] The Small Group Leaders Guide is perfect for use in Disciple Now settings, in-home small groups, individual Sunday School classes, and other settings with one leader and 10-15 students. It contains background information, explanation and application points, group activities, discussion questions, and life-changing Turning Point activities. Gathering Tool The Gathering Tool is designed to provide an opening illustration for groups that meet together in a large group before dividing into small groups or Sunday School classes. This will allow small groups to experience the series video and will add to the overall experience of going through the series. Supply List |
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