How to use the book - Finding your place

Each unsaved person is a potential new believer, every new believer is a disciple to be trained and sent on a mission. You train a trainer by leading a new believer to a personal experience of life in God and by making him a disciple who makes other disciples. The teaching in “Finding Your Place” helps believers to build on this foundation and live in the blessings of God. This course teaches the basics of the Christian life.

Therefore it is important that you help the new believer to read the daily portions of “Finding Your Place” and work on the questions and exercises. When you meet once a week, you don’t need to teach the content of the book all over again. Through your talks and communication together you have probably discovered how the new believer best acquires knowledge and skills. If the new believer has difficulties in reading you will have to take that into consideration and perhaps you will have to teach the content of the book orally. No matter how the new believer learns, it is your important task to help him to apply the word of God in his personal life in such a way that his life is changed. This is your challenge: To help the believer to experience the word and promises of God, to help the disciple to obey everything the Lord Jesus Christ commanded! It not about agreeing to certain doctrinal statements, but it is all about doing the will of God!

In China, India, and many other nations in Asia, as well as other parts of the world, thousands of cell-churches are springing up as a result of ordinary believers simply sharing the good news of the Kingdom and training new believers to do the same. The key to this great expansion is training trainers. Traditional teaching in large institutions over several years can’t meet the need for leaders or mobilise a grass-roots movement of church planting. This can only be done by training and releasing ordinary people into ministry in the community of the King.

Being a good teacher and coach means laying a foundation of obedience to the commandments of Jesus Christ as he told us to do! “Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you!” (Matthew 28:20). The early believers put the words of Jesus into practice in a wonderful way by making their homes the starting point for their faith and obedience to Jesus Christ (Acts 2:42-47; 5:42; 16:29-34; 20:20). They lived in a simple faith in and love for Jesus. Because of their love for him, they obeyed his words and commandments (John 14:15). According to Jesus Christ, it is only those who obediently do God’s will as expressed in his word that build their lives on a secure foundation:

(Matthew 7:24-27).

Your mission: To lead a new believer to personal experience of life in God

It is so important that you understand your task as a mentor. You are helping a new believer to know the Lord and to become mature in faith. By using the course your disciple will receive basic and foundational teaching through the daily readings and tasks. When you meet on a weekly basis, you don’t need to teach everything in the course again. Through your conversation and fellowship you will find out how your disciple learns and acquires knowledge and skills. If you find that your disciple has difficulties in reading and understanding printed material, you will have to adapt your method of training accordingly.

If your disciple has already absorbed the contents of the printed material by studying the daily sections of the course, it is your task to help him to apply the truths to real life situations. Your most important task is to help your disciple to apply the word of God in his personal life. This is your challenge: to help the one you are mentoring to experience the life-changing grace of God in his life; to help him/her to obey all the commandments of Jesus. It is not about believing certain doctrines, but it is all about doing the will of God.

Therefore we will provide you with some questions that will help you when you meet with your disciple. Use these questions to guide you when you meet together. You should not be lecturing, but acting as a friend. The questions will help you to focus on living a new life and enable you to detect the true condition of your disciple and how to motivate growth. When we learn something and then act upon it, it becomes part of our system of values. It is so important for you to get this process of learning, change and growth started and going! These are the questions that will help you to do this:

What did you like best about this week’s material?
What did you like least about the material?
What did you not understand?
What did you learn about God and his will that you didn’t know before?
What do you personally need to do about it?
Which of this week’s memory verses is most significant for you at this point?

It is important for you to study the four books of “Finding your place” for yourself and to prepare yourself before each session with your disciple. However, your effectiveness as a mentor will not lie in how well you know the teaching of the course, but in how deep a relationship you develop with your disciple and the Holy Spirit. As you openly and honestly share about your walk with God, your struggles, defeats and victories, and how you have received help to become what you are today, the Holy Spirit will take hold of that and do a wonderful work in your relationship with your disciple and in his/her walk with God. Deep sharing will become more and more natural as you move from the level of being friendly to the level of deep trust. Normally this will take a few weeks to develop.

First session: Getting acquainted

You will meet with your new disciple at least once a week for about 17 weeks to complete this course “Finding Your Place” consisting of four books. However you only take one book at a time! Plan a time and place to meet each week where you will be undisturbed during the time you are together. The first time you meet is very important so you need to be well prepared through prayer. Pray for a knitting of hearts to take place and the presence of God to be with you.

Start with warming up questions

Openly share with one another the responses to the following four questions. These questions are so general in character that no one should be frightened by them. It is important that you start talking about yourself, thus setting the trend for your disciple to follow.

Where did you live between the ages of 7-12? How many brothers and sisters did you have?

What form of transportation did your family use?

Whom did you feel closest to during those years?

When did “God” become more than a word to you?

Use the following topics when you feel led by the Spirit:

Share how you feel about being a mentor.

Ask how the disciple feels about being trained and equipped as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Explain how you have profited from studying “Find your place”.

Share something that the Lord has put on your heart that can become targets for mutual prayer.

Emphasise the importance of memorising Scripture verses

How can young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word. (Ps 119:9)

I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you. (Ps 119:11)

Explain how to get maximum benefit from “Find your place”.

If the disciple reads the small sections five days a week and writes down his answers to all the questions, he will benefit tremendously. We have chosen to have five sections only each week to allow the disciple to digest the teaching and work through all the suggested activities and answer all the questions. Since there are only five sections a week we are giving the disciple some “breathing-room” – some space enabling him to cope.

It is so important that you manage to motivate your disciple to work hard in reading and writing down his answers.

Week 1

Book One: Follow Jesus Christ

This week: Knowing and following Christ

When you meet you should do some warming up activities, share what God has been doing for you since last you met and give thanks to the Lord for his kindness and goodness. Then you should compare your written answers to the exercises in the textbook. If the disciple hasn’t done his homework, you should go through all the questions together and help the disciple to find the answers. Help your disciple to understand how important it is to work through all the exercises before you meet. Tell him that you will help him with everything he doesn’t understand.

When you have been through all the exercises, it is time for you to use the six questions that we outlined before:

What did you like best about this week’s material?
What did you like least about the material?
What did you not understand?
What did you learn about God and his will that you didn’t know before?
What do you personally need to do about it?
Which of this week’s memory verses means the most to you at this point?

What did you like best about this week’s material?

The topic this week is knowing and following Christ, and the teaching is related to these headings:

Knowing Christ as Lord and Saviour

Listen to the word of God and pray every day

Become an active part of the covenant community

Being victorious by trusting God

Live in the blessing of God

When you talk about what the disciple enjoyed or liked in this week’s teaching, you need to be able to interpret the answers in such a way that you understand where he/she is at in relation to the basic truths this is all about. Therefore you need to ask the Lord to show you by the Spirit the true spiritual condition and needs of the disciple at this present time. Then you will be able to help him or her to come to a personal appreciation of the truths and to put them into practice. It is your task to lead the disciple into a personal experience of Jesus Christ, who is the Truth personalised.

What did you like least about the material?

Perhaps you think this is a very negative question to ask, but that is not the case. The purpose of this question is to bring forth personal problems and needs of the disciple. If he has any doubts or uncertainties about knowing or following Christ, then obviously he needs help to find assurance of salvation through a full surrender to the only Lord Jesus Christ!

What did you not understand?

It could be about finding the blessing of God in trials or how to deal with temptations. When you answer you must bear in mind that these subjects will be covered more fully later in the course. Try to make your answer simple and practical, if you are able to answer! If you don’t know how to explain certain things or answer some questions, don’t panic! Turn to God in your heart and ask for help. If you are not able to hear from God in the situation, just relax and be honest. Tell your disciple that you will talk to your mentor and bring the answer next time you meet.

What did you learn about God and his will that you didn’t know before?

Our knowledge of God is progressive, i.e. it is expanding and developing all the time. Therefore you need to ask this question every time you meet to enable your disciple to express new insights and understanding of God. If the disciple gives unclear answers, you need to take time to really find out if he knows God personally and help him to a deeper knowledge of God.

What do you personally need to do about it?

Every time you meet you need to challenge your disciple to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ by asking this question in connection with the teaching in the textbook. If you don’t, you will fail as a mentor. The purpose of you being a mentor who is using the four books of the course “Finding your place” as a tool, is not to communicate information, but personal knowledge of God, to form the character and life of the disciple into the image of Christ. In this process of leading the disciple into a personal life with God and bringing him/her to maturity in his spiritual life, this question is indispensable. Jesus said:

“Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own” (John 7:17).

It is by helping the disciple to do the will of God that you are helping him to have personal experiences with God.

Before you part:

Remember to pray together! Don’t forget to share the vision of being a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Encourage the disciple to read the Bible daily and to work diligently on the teaching in “Finding your place” this coming week. Emphasise how important it is to do all the exercises and write down all the answers.

Week 2

Book One: Follow Jesus Christ

This week: The Kingdom of God

When you have been through all the exercises, it is time for you to use the six questions that we outlined before:

What did you like best about this week’s material?
What did you like least about the material?
What did you not understand?
What did you learn about God and his will that you didn’t know?
What do you personally need to do about it?
Which of this week’s memory verses means the most to you at this point?

What did you like best about this week’s material?

The topic this week is the Kingdom of God and the teaching is related to these headlines:

Who is God?

Testimonies about Jesus Christ

God – the good and almighty Ruler

The kingdom of God is the rule of God

To be a citizen of the Kingdom of God

What did you like least about the material?

Perhaps you think this is a very negative question to ask, but that is not the case. The purpose of this question is to bring forth personal problems and needs of the disciple. If he has any reactions to any of the statements about the Kingdom of God being the rule of God, then obviously he needs help to a full surrender to the only Lord Jesus Christ!

What did you not understand?

It could be this statement: “Your thoughts about God are the most important thing about you.” Try to make your answer simple and practical, if you are able to answer! If you don’t know how to explain certain things or answer some questions, don’t panic! Turn to God in your heart and ask for help. If you are not able to hear from God in the situation, just relax and be honest. Tell your disciple that you will talk to your mentor and bring the answer next time you meet.

What did you learn about God and his will that you didn’t know before?

What do you personally need to do about it?

Every time you meet you need to challenge your disciple to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ by asking this question in connection with the teaching in the textbook. If you don’t, you will fail as a mentor. The purpose of you being a mentor who is using the four books of the course “Finding your place” as a tool, is not to communicate information, but personal knowledge of God, - to form the character and life of the disciple into the image of Christ. In this process of leading the disciple into a personal life with God and bringing him/her to maturity in his spiritual life, this question is indispensable. Jesus said:

“Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own” (John 7:17).

It is by helping the disciple to do the will of God that you are helping him to have personal experiences with God.

Before you part:

Week 3

Book One: Follow Jesus Christ

This week: Living according to the Word of God

This week the focus is on the Bible and our relationship to the Word of God. After this meeting with the disciple he should start to read the Bible regularly, and you have to check that this has been done every time you meet. It is of utmost importance to help the disciple to have a right relationship to the Word of God. Only those who nourish themselves on a daily and regular basis will grow strong as Christians. That is why this is so very important in your disciple-training project.

By bringing the disciple into the Word of God and in helping him to be faithful to God’s commandments you will also avoid bringing him into a wrong personal dependency on you. Let the disciple understand that you personally believe in every word written in the Bible, and that you wish to submit to what it says, even if you do not understand all of it. Try to make him see that a true Christian consults the Bible to learn how to do the will of God. We try to read what the will of God is from the Bible and not insert our own predetermined opinions into the Word of God!

Do compare the answers the disciple has written in the exercise blocks to your own. Do not be afraid to show him what you answered, though it might be very personal. By doing this, you will avoid the feeling of an interrogation or cross-examination in your sharing!

What did you like best about this week’s material?

Probably it will be one of the little headings that tell us something about the Bible. An example: “How to master the art of living”. It might be some of the more practical tips on how to get hold of the Word of God as well.

No matter what the answer is, you will gain useful insight into the way your disciple is thinking from his answer, and that way you will also be able to help him to go further in his growth in Jesus.

What did you like the least about this week’s material?

Once again the question will reveal problem areas where, through prayer, friendship and personal involvement, you will be able to help the disciple to overcome.

What did you not understand?

It might be difficult to understand why the Bible is so important, why a commitment to read the Word every day is crucial to a Christian. It might be problems of a more intellectual type and if you have an ear to listen to God and the disciple, you will be given wisdom to help him.

What did you learn about God and his will that you didn’t know before?

Since it is the Bible that is in focus this week, it would be likely that the disciple has learned some of the importance of the Word of God. It might be that God spoke, that God has given us His manual for life.

What do you personally need to do about it?

Now is the time to teach the disciple to read the Bible regularly and on a daily basis. Put forward a realistic plan to read the Bible together with him. It is better to form good habits rather than having irregular and sporadic attempts where you read a lot. For newborn Christians, The Gospel according to Mark would be an easy place to start. It is short and full of “action”. John is also excellent, because it contains so many of the speeches and teachings of Jesus.

The disciple should also from this point of time be encouraged to memorise new verses from the Bible from week to week. If you succeed in helping him/her on this point, it will be a great leap forward on the path with the Lord.

You were encouraged to memorise John 3:16. What means the most to you in this verse?

This time we gave you only one verse to memorise, but from next week onwards we will give you two verses to remember. The answer to this question will give you a clear indication as to what kind of progress the disciple is making.

Before you part:

Week 4

Book Two: Build on the foundation

This week: Turning around to a new way of life!

This meeting with the disciple is very important! Repentance is one of the foundations in the life of a believer, and it is a key to understanding how to live as a believer. Helping the disciple to a life of true repentance is the greatest thing you can do!

The teaching material in “Finding your place” has been put together with challenging questions and exercises for the believers to work on/through every day. Do work through this material for yourself as well, and take time to do it thoroughly, because it will enable you to help the disciple to progress further/later on (if you mean the time). You will need to pray even more than usual for the disciple this week and stay in contact (by telephone perhaps?) to encourage him to go through this important material. The five passages to read this week have been given these headings:

Why we need to repent
A look at your past life
Leaving the old kingdom
Temptations
Who Is In Control?

This time it is of utmost importance to compare the answers you gave in the exercises. In fact, this is priority number one during your time together this time. Do take time to go through this material thoroughly, so you can help the disciple to make a new decision to put an end to his/her old sinful life. When you have finished the lessons, talk about the questions raised in the material. Be relaxed and natural; do not by any means make it feel as if this is an “interrogation”!

What did you like best about this week’s material? What did you like least?

It is probable that the disciple will dislike some of what we said about “if we put our own culture and way of life higher than The Kingdom of God, then we have no future, because then this has become our idol”.

Talk about loyalty and how, as believers, we give our supreme loyalty to Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. What if we give it to the culture we live in or the people we used to hang out with instead? What kind of conflict does the disciple experience in this matter?

What did you not understand?

Does the disciple understand that there is an enemy in the invisible world who is trying to destroy us through all sorts of temptations? Has he or she started to reject them and live victoriously?

What did you learn about God and his will that you didn’t know before?

When you talk about sin and repentance you will soon realise what picture of God the disciple has obtained. During this time together you can find out what his real understanding of God is and whether Jesus is in control of his heart: if He is Lord in real life and not just in theory. In this matter you will have to help the disciple to a true spiritual understanding and wholehearted surrender to the will of God.

What do you personally need to do about it?

How well do you know the disciple? What do you know about his/her way of life? Do you know his friends and the environment they live in? To spend time together with them in their natural environment is very important. The issue about the practical consequences of this week’s teaching is a crucial one. You must not allow the disciple to wriggle out of this matter!

Which of the verses you memorised means the most to you at this point?

Again, the answer to this question will help you to know your disciple better, especially if you have him explain why he prefers the one to the other.

Before you part:

Week 5

Book Two: Build on the foundation

This week: Believe the Gospel.

Last week we looked at the necessity of repenting from a sinful life. We also concluded that God hates sin. This week we will look at the gospel. In particular, we will look at the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The good news is that Jesus paid the price for us, He suffered our punishment, we are to go free and live free of the power of sin and Satan. As before, after a little warm up session you start by comparing the answers you have given in the workbook. After this you talk about these questions:

What did you like best about this week’s material?

What is the best part of the gospel? It will be almost impossible to answer that question, because everything in the gospel is good! Anyway, it will be a good thing to listen carefully to what the disciple is saying, because this can tell you if he/she has grown in his/her spiritual understanding.

What did you like best about this week’s material? What did you like least? What did you not understand?

The gospel is good news. It is also a shocking confrontation and foolishness for those who do not know God. The answer you get to this question will probably tell you if the disciple is born again or not. You do also have to be prepared to proclaim the gospel again. The gospel does not need explanation and cannot be explained! It simply has to be proclaimed with inspiration from the Holy Spirit, because it is the power of God to bring salvation.

What did you learn about God and his will that you didn’t know before?

Again the answer will tell you if the disciple is picking things up and growing spiritually, making progress in his new life with God.

What do you personally need to do about it?

Here you will need to use the picture of an athlete to help the disciple to take practical steps to put his faith into practice. This is a brand new team, a new coach, a new set of rules and a new direction. These are the keywords to help the disciple to find his place in the cell group and the church at large. Do not forget to remind him that faith in Jesus means becoming victorious! No challenge is too big. With Jesus on his side, the disciple can overcome everything!

Which of the verses you memorised means the most to you at this point?

Use the answer to gain insight into the spiritual development that is taking place in your disciple. It is also important to explain and underline the message of the verses to be memorised.

Before you part:

The rest of the course

By this point you should be familiar with how to be a mentor. Now you should be able to help the disciple to progress further by using “Finding Your Place”. Do take time to work with the four books and the questions and answers you find there, which you expect the disciple to do. Together with the six questions you have learned to use, you have what you need do a great job. Finally, do remember that praying for the disciple is the most important part of your work. Genuine love and care is just as irresistible. By the power of the Holy Spirit and presence of God and His help, you cannot fail!

I am sure that God will use you mightily if you follow these guidelines!

If you have any insights or experiences you would like to share with me, don’t hesitate to contact me!

Your fellow servant of Jesus Christ

Erling Thu,