Class 101 Revised 2

CLASS 101
DISCOVERING CHURCH
MEMBERSHIP
…You are a member of God’s own family…and you belong in
God’s household with every other Christian.
Ephesians 2:19 (LB)
In this class you will find scripture passages used from many different types of Bible
translations and paraphrases. Here are some of the verses you’ll see . . .
GN: Good News Bible Mes: The Message

GWT: God’s Word for Today NCV: New Century Version
ICB: International Children’s Bible NIV: New International Version
LB: Living Bible NLT: New Living Translation
CLASS 101 DISCOVERING CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
WELCOME TO CLASS 101
DISCOVERING CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
We’re thrilled you’ve chosen to take this class. We view this as a big step towards spiritual
maturity.
This class is designed to help you better understand:

• God’s desire for you
• Ways to express your faith
• Why our church exists
• Unique features about our church
• The purpose of our Ministries
• How you fit into the purposes
• What our church believes
THE BASIS FOR THIS CLASS:

You are a member of God’s very own family ... and you belong in God’s household with
every other Christian (Ephesians 2:19 LB).
KEY TRUTHS:
1. The church is .
2. God’s expects you to be of a church family.
3. A Christian without a church family is .

WELCOME TO CLASS 101
CLASS 101-401 1
THE FOUR FREEDOM FELLOWSHIP COMMITMENTS
CLASS 101
1. THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITMENT...

is a commitment to and .
You are members of God’s very own family . . . and you belong in God’s household
with every other Christian (Ephesians 2:19 LB).
We are all parts of Christ’s Body, and it takes every one of us to make it complete,
for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other and need all the
others (Romans 12:4-5 LB).
CLASS 201
2. THE MATURITY COMMITMENT...

is a commitment to the necessary for spiritual growth.
Continue to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
(2 Peter 3:18).
Take the time and trouble to keep yourself spiritually fit (1 Timothy 4:7 Ph).
CLASS 301
3. THE MINISTRY COMMITMENT...

is a commitment to discovering and using my God-given gifts and abilities in
God and others.
God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each
other . . . (1 Peter 4:10 LB).
There are different kinds of service to God... together you form the Body of Christ
and each one of you is a necessary part of it (1 Corinthians 12:5, 27 LB).
CLASS 401
4. THE MISSIONS COMMITMENT...

is a commitment to the Good News with others.
. . . you will be my witnesses for me . . . to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8 GN).
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason
for the hope that you have. But do it with gentleness and respect . . . (1 Peter 3:15).
CLASS 101-401 2
WHY DO WE HAVE THESE COMMITMENTS?
We become what we are
THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITMENT introduces us to three areas:
1. Our Salvation (What God has done for us)

2. Our Statement (Why we exist as a church)
3. Our Strategy (How our Ministry fulfills the purposes of the church)
CLASS 101-401 3
OUR SALVATION
So you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. And all who have been united
with Christ in baptism have been made like Him.
There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.
For you are all Christians - you are one in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 3:26-28 (NLT)
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Most people live their entire lives without ever knowing “WHY?” They exist year after year
with no idea of God’s purpose for their lives. The most basic question a person can ask is,
“What is the meaning of my life?”
Everyone wants to be happy. People try many ways:
• Some look for happiness through friendships

• Some look for happiness through “pleasure” experiments
• Some look for happiness through popularity & power
But real happiness comes from understanding my .
I. WHY AM I HERE?
1. God made me to me!
God says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love!” (Jeremiah 31:3).
Even before the world was made, God had already chosen us to be His through our
union with Christ . . . because of His love, God had already decided that through
Jesus Christ He would make us His children—this was God’s pleasure and purpose
(Ephesians 1:4-5 GN).
2. We were created to a personal relationship with God and to

all of the rest of God’s creation! This makes us special!
So God created human beings, making them in his image. He blessed them, and said
. . . live all over the earth and bring it under control. I am putting you in charge
(Genesis 1:27-28 LB).
God richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:17).
I. WHY AM I HERE?
3. When we know and God, and live in harmony with his purpose for our
lives, it produces tremendous benefits in our :
Clear Conscience Life & Peace Help with Weakness

Romans 8:1 Romans 8:6 Romans 8:26
Purpose Confidence Security

Romans 8:28 Romans 8:31 Romans 8:39
Power & Strength Fulfillment Freedom

Philippians 4:13 Philippians 4:19 John 8:32,36
This is the kind of lifestyle God intends for us to live!
Jesus said, “I have come in order that you might have life—life in all it’s fullness!”
(John 10:10).
If this is true, why aren’t most people really happy?
CLASS 101-401 5
II. WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

Humanity has a natural desire to and to ignore God’s principles for living.
This ignorance to God’s way of living is communicated in our words and lifestyle:
• “Look out for #1.”

• “I want what I want, when I want it.”
• “Do your own thing.”
• “If it feels good, do it! Who cares what God has to say about it?”
• “It’s my life and I’ll do what I please!”
THE BIBLE CALLS THIS ATTITUDE:
Sin is a biblical word that means “to miss the mark.”
Key word:
All of us, like sheep, have gone astray, and each of us has turned to his own way
(Isaiah 53:6).
If we say that we never sin, we are only fooling ourselves, and refuse to accept the
truth (1 John 1:8).
Sin breaks our close relationship with God. Sin separates us from God and causes us to live
our lives outside of his will.
The trouble is that your sins have cut you off from God (Isaiah 59:2 LB).
All have sinned and fall short of God’s glorious ideal (Romans 3:23).
It looks like this...

YOU separated from GOD
All the best attempts in the world won’t get you to where
you need to be. Many people say things like:
• “My mother was a Christian so…”

• “I’m a really good person.”
• “I’ll give up all my bad habits.”
• “I’ll work real hard and earn it.”
• “I go to church all the time.”
SIN/DEATH
The result of these attempts is worthless. The Bible teaches us that our attempts lead to
. A relationship with God is based on anything you .
There are ways that SEEM right to man, but they only end in death (Proverbs 16:25).
When our relationship to God is not right, it causes PROBLEMS in every area of our lives:
friendships, school, parents, jobs, finances, etc.
CLASS 101-401 6
III. WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?

Jesus said, “I AM THE WAY, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except
THROUGH ME!” (John 14:6).
God came to earth as a human being [in Jesus] to bring us back to Himself. If any other
way would have worked, Jesus would not have had to come. “The Way” is through the
person of Jesus!
The wages of sin is death, BUT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord
(Romans 6:23).
JESUS HAS ALREADY TAKEN CARE OF YOUR SIN PROBLEM WHEN

HE DIED ON THE CROSS!
God is on one side and all people are on the other side, and Christ Jesus, Himself man, is
between to bring them together, by giving His life for all mankind (1 Timothy 2:5).
YOU GOD
JESUS
SIN/DEATH
WHY DID GOD SEND JESUS TO DIE IN YOUR PLACE?
God did this for YOU because he loves YOU and wants YOU to know him.
God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still separated from God, by
sin, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
God has already done His part to restore our relationship to Him. HE TOOK THE INITIATIVE.
NOW HE WAITS FOR EACH OF US to individually ACCEPT what He has done for us.
CLASS 101-401 7
IV. WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?

1. that God has not been first place in your life and ask him to
forgive your sins.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse
us from every wrong (1 John 1:9).
2. that Jesus died to pay for your sin and that he rose again, and
is alive today.
If you confess that Jesus is your Lord, and you believe in your heart that God raised
Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9)
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name (Jesus) by which we
must be saved (Acts 4:12).
3. God’s free gift of salvation. Don’t try to earn it.
For it is by grace you are saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the
gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Our relationship to God is not restored by anything we do, but on the basis of what Jesus
already did for us!
4. Jesus Christ to come into your life and be the director “Lord” of your life.
To all who receive Him, He gives the right to become children of God. All we need to
do is to trust Him to save us. All those who believe this are reborn!... not a physical
rebirth . . . but from the will of God (John 1:12-13).
Jesus says, “Listen! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and
opens the door, I will come in . . .” (Revelations 3:30).
If you believe you !
YOU CAN TAKE THESE STEPS BY PRAYING A SIMPLE PRAYER OF COMMITMENT TO

GOD. IT MIGHT BE SOMETHING LIKE THIS . . .
“Dear Jesus, thank you for making me and loving me, even when I’ve ignored you and
gone my own way. I realize I need you in my life and I’m sorry for my sins. I ask you to
forgive me. Thank you for dying on the cross for me. Please help me to understand it
more. As much as I know how, I want to follow you from now on. Please come into my
life and make me a new person inside. I accept your gift of salvation. Please help me to
grow now as a Christian.”
Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).
God has no grandchildren, only children.

Each person must make his or her own commitment to Christ.
It’s bigger than your parent’s decision.
CLASS 101-401 8
After you make a commitment to trust Jesus, you enter into a life-long relationship with God
as a Christian. A Christian (Christ’s-one) then attempts to learn more about:
• God
• His character
• His desires for your life and lifestyle
Many of the actions mentioned in the Bible will be discussed in CLASS 201, but two specific
actions we will discuss in this class are BAPTISM and THE LORD’S SUPPER.
I. WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?
1. To follow the example set by .
At that time Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the river
(Mark 1:9).
2. Because Christ it.
Jesus said, “Go then, to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize
them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey
every thing I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).
3. It demonstrates that I really am a .
. . . many of the people who heard him believed and were baptized (Acts 18:8).
We know that we have come to know Him, if we obey His commands (1 John 2:3).
I. WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?

II. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?
WHAT IS THE MEANING OF BAPTISM?
1. It illustrates Jesus’ and resurrection.
Christ died for our sin . . . He was buried . . . and He rose again
(1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were
also raised with Christ (Colossians 2:12).
2. It illustrates my as a Christian.
By our baptism then, we were buried with Him and shared His death, in order that,
just as Christ was raised from the dead . . . so also we may live a new life
(Romans 6:4).
CLASS 101-401 9
Baptism doesn’t make you a believer, it demonstrates that you already believe. It’s
important to understand that baptism does not “save” you. You are “saved” only by
your faith in Jesus.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith... it is the gift of God—not by
works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Baptism is like a wedding ring—it’s the outward symbol of the commitment you make
in your heart.
BAPTISM IS AN OUTWARD SIGN OF AN INWARD COMMITMENT.
III. WHY BE BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION?

1. Because was baptized that way.
As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water (Matthew 3:16).
2. Every baptism in the was by immersion.
(Example) . . . then both Philip and the man went down into the water and Philip
baptized him. When they came up out of the water . . . (Acts 8:38-39).
3. The word “baptize” actually means “to water.”
4. Immersion best symbolized a and resurrection!
When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new person inside. The old
life has passed away and a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17).
IV. WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?
1. Every person who has in Christ.
Those who believe and accepted his message were baptized . . . (Acts 2:41).
Simon himself believed and was baptized . . . (Acts 8:13).
But when they believed Philip as he preached the Good News . . . and the name of
Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women (Acts 8:12).
CLASS 101-401 10
????? A GREAT QUESTION ?????

WHAT IF I WAS BAPTIZED AS AN INFANT?
Some churches baptize infants. At Freedom we don’t. We only baptize those who have made
a decision to believe in Christ’s death as the payment for their sin. In the Bible, men and
women were baptized following their belief in Jesus.
The custom of infant baptism began about 300 years after the Bible was completed. It’s a
ceremony intended to emphasize a commitment between the parents and God on the behalf
of the child. During this ceremony, the parents promise to raise their child in the faith until
the child is old enough to make his own personal confession of Christ.
At Freedom, we have a dedication service for infants and children that emphasize the
parent’s role in raising a child to follow Christ.
Therefore, if you were baptized as a baby, we encourage you to be baptized by immersion

as a believer.
V. WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?

1. As soon as you have !
Those who believe . . . were baptized . . . that day! (Acts 2:41).
Then Philip began with the scripture and told him the Good News about Jesus. As
they traveled along the road, they came to some water, and the man said, “Look,
here is water! Why shouldn’t I be baptized right now?” Philip said, “If you believe
with all your heart, you may.” The man answered, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the
Son of God.’ So they went down into the water and Philip baptized him
(Acts 8:35-38).
There is no reason to delay. As soon as you have decided to receive Christ into your life, you
can and should be baptized. If you wait until you are “perfect” you’ll never be ready.
If you are ready for Baptism, please let any member of church staff know so we
can make arrangements as soon as possible.
While baptism is a one-time experience, Jesus gave us another action that is intended to
continue throughout the life of the Christian. It’s called the Lord’s Supper, and it’s a
powerful way for Christians to remember and celebrate what God did for us in the life of
Jesus.
CLASS 101-401 11
I. WHAT IS THE LORD’S SUPPER?

1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-26
1. It is a .
. . . and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is my body, which is
for you; eat it in remembrance of me” (vs. 24).
2. It is a .
In the same way, He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my
blood; drink it to remember me: (vs. 25).
3. It is a .
For whenever you eat the bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death
until He comes back (vs. 26).
II. WHO SHOULD TAKE THE LORD’S SUPPER
Only those who are already (see Mark 14:22-26).
For if you eat the bread or drink the cup unworthy, not honoring the body of Christ,
you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself (1 Corinthians 11:29).
. WHAT IS THE LORD’S SUPPER?
1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-26
III.SHOULD
II. WHO HOW TAKE DO I PREPARE
THE MYSELF FOR THE LORD’S SUPPER
LORD’S SUPPER?
Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will
be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A person ought to examine
himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup (1 Corinthians 11:27-28).
YOU PREPARE YOURSELF BY...
1.
Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy
manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord
(1 Corinthians 11:27).
2.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us
from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
3.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living
sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship
(Romans 12:1).
CLASS 101-401 12
4.
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your
brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go
and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift (Matthew 5:23-24).
IV. WHEN AND HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE OBSERVE

THE LORD’S SUPPER?
Jesus never said “when” or “how often” believers should observe The Lord’s Supper.
CLASS 101-401 13
THE FREEDOM
FELLOWSHIP
STATEMENTS
Let there be real harmony among you so there won’t be any split in the church. I plead
with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.
1 Corinthians 1:10 (LB)
CLASS 101-401 14
OUR PURPOSE STATEMENT

WHY WE EXIST AS A CHURCH
The purpose of our church is summarized in a single sentence based on two key scriptures:
“WE BELIEVE A GREAT COMMITMENT

TO THE GREAT COMMANDMENT
AND THE GREAT COMMISSION
WILL GROW A GREAT CHURCH!”
The Great Commandment: Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul,
and mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your
neighbor as yourself. All the Law and Prophets hang on these two commandments”
(Matthew 22:36-40).
The Great Commission: Jesus said, “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” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Our Church
• To
“Love God with all your heart” is WORSHIP. Magnification
• To
“Love your neighbor as yourself” is MINISTRY. Ministry
• To
“Go and make disciples” is EVANGELISM. Missions
• To
“Baptize them” is to incorporate into Membership
FELLOWSHIP.
• To “Teach them to obey” is DISCIPLESHIP. Mature
OUR CHURCH EXISTS:
1. To GOD’S PRESENCE (worship)
2. To GOD’S LOVE (ministry)
3. To GOD’S WORD (evangelism)
4. To GOD’S FAMILY (fellowship)
5. To GOD’S PEOPLE (discipleship)
CLASS 101-401 15
I. WE EXIST TO CELEBRATE GOD’S PRESENCE

WORSHIP:
Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only (Matthew 4:10).
The Father seeks worshippers . . . and His worshippers worship Him in spirit and in truth
(John 4:23-24).
To worship in spirit means to worship in .
To worship in love means to worship in .
The Bible doesn’t give us a preferred style of worship. When you’re choosing a church you
need to find one that worships in love and truth.
OTHER WAYS WE WORSHIP
• Singing (Ephesians 5:19) • Commitment (Romans 12:1-2)

• Praying (Psalms 95.6) • Hearing the Word (John 17:17)
• Giving (I Corinthians 16:1-2) • Baptism (Romans 6:3-4)
• Meditating (Habakkuk 2:20) • Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:23-26)
OUR WORSHIP STYLE
“Celebration”
I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord”
(Psalms 122:1).
Key Word:
“Inspiration”
. . . but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings
like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint
(Isaiah 40:31).
Key Word:
“Preparation”
He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the
evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s
people to do His work and build up the church, the Body of Christ
(Ephesians 4:11-12).
Key Word:
CLASS 101-401 16
II. WE EXIST TO COMMUNICATE GOD’S WORD

EVANGELISM:
His intent was that through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known
(Ephesians 3:10).
Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But who can ask Him to save them
unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about
Him? And can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? (Romans 10:13-14).
WHY OUR CHURCH & MINISTRY MUST NEVER STOP GROWING
1. Because .
The Lord . . . is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but wants everyone to come
to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
[also see: 2 Cor.5:14, Luke 15:3-10, Matt. 9:12-13]
2. Because God .
Go out into the country . . . and urge anyone you find to come in, so that my house
will be full (Luke 14:23 LB).
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth
(Acts 1:8).
Jerusalem is:
Judea is:
Samaria is:
Ends of the earth is:
3. Because .
Under Christ’s control, the whole body is nourished . . . and grows and God wants it
to grow (Colossians 2:19 GN).
Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18).
CLASS 101-401 17
UNBIBLICAL EXCUSES FOR NOT GROWING:
• God isn’t interested in numbers

• Our church wants quality not quantity
• Large churches are impersonal
• We like our group small
We believe our church must grow and at the same time.
Larger we will
Smaller we will
Our church’s ministry exists to REACH non-believers, to CONNECT them with

other Christians, to help them GROW in their faith, and to challenge the growing
to DISCOVER their ministry and HONOR God with their life.
And the Good News of the Kingdom will be preached to the whole world as a testimony to all
nations, and THEN the end will come (Matthew 24:14).
III. WE EXIST TO EDUCATE GOD’S PEOPLE
DISCIPLESHIP:
Let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity (Hebrews 6:1).
Grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).
He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the
evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do
His work and build up the church the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12).
IV. WE EXIST TO DEMONSTRATE GOD’S LOVE

MINISTRY:
By this shall all men know that you are my disciples—that you have love for one another
(John 13:35).
[See also: 1 John 3:16-17; Matt. 25:34-40; Heb. 13:16; Rom. 12:13]
The “heartbeat” of FREEDOM is . Every member needs to be

a part of one.
CLASS 101-401 18
Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is
the source of them all. There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the
same Lord we are serving. Now all of you together are Christ’s body, and each one of
you is a separate and necessary part of it (1 Corinthians 12:4-5, 27 NLT).
III. WE EXIST TO EDUCATE GOD’S PEOPLE
AT FREEDOM FELLOWSHIP...
Every member is a:
Every task is:
Every member is a “10” in:
Ministry examples to get involved in . . . if there’s not one for you, we’ll help you
start one.
1. Children’s Ministry
2. Audio & Video 21. Meals for Needy
3. Baby-sitting 22. Mountain Bike
4. Band 23. Newspaper”Freedom Press”
5. Bible Study 24. Fund Raising
6. Scrap Booking 25. Office Work
7. Cancer Support 26. Tutoring
8. Care calling (Call Visitors) 27. Outreach
9. Clothes Closet 28. Pastor’s Prayer Partner
10. Security 29. Performing Arts
11. Dinner for 10 30. Picture
12. Disability 31. Prayer
13. Drama 32. Decoration
14. Follow-up 33. Recreation
15. Greeting 34. Refreshment
16. Angel Hands 35. Sign Language
17. Information Table 36. Singers
18. Interpretive Dancing 37. Sunday AM Crew (Set up)
19. Jackets for Jesus 38. Youth Leaders
20. Junior High 39. Transition Team
40. World Shoe Relief
CLASS 101-401 19
FREEDOM
STRATEGY
(Paul) I have been all things to all sorts of people that by every possible means I might win
some to God. I do all of this for the sake of the Good News.
1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (Ph)
CLASS 101-401 20
Within Freedom Fellowship there are several different ministries that work to fulfill the
overall purposes of the church. Each ministry is only one of dozens that implement various
programs and methods to accomplish our goal of fulfilling the Great Commandment and
Great Commission. In this section you will learn:
• Our purpose statement

• Our potential audience
• Our planned values
• Our process of moving students towards spiritual maturity
• Our programs
I. OUR PURPOSE STATEMENT

Our Ministry has a unique purpose statement that we want to know.
Freedom’s Ministry Purpose Statement is developed from the five purposes of the
church. Look back at the five key Ministry words on page 18.
“Each MINISTRY EXISTS TO NON-BELIEVERS, TO THEM

WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS, TO HELP THEM IN THEIR FAITH, AND TO
CHALLENGE THE GROWING TO THEIR MINISTRY AND
GOD WITH THEIR LIFE.”
When people know our purpose they will better understand why we do what we do. Will you
please make a commitment to memorize our purpose statement?
What does this purpose statement mean for you?
REACH: Who am I trying to reach for Christ?

CONNECT: Who is my small group of believers?
GROW: What am I doing to show my faith?
DISCOVER: Where is my place of service?
HONOR: How does my life honor Christ?
Let’s take a more detailed look at our purpose statement.
CLASS 101-401 21
YOUR ACTION-STEP
REACH Friendship
You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret
to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill . . . Keep open
house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to
open up with God, this generous Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16 TM).
CONNECT Get in a
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved
you, you should love each other. Your love of one another will prove to the world that
you are my disciples (John 13: 34-35).
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results
(James 5:16).
GROW Develop spiritual
No prolonged infancies among us, please. We’ll not tolerate babes in the woods,
small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to
know the whole truth and tell it in love--like Christ in everything. We take our lead
from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each
other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow
up healthy in God, robust in love (Ephesians 4:14-16 TM).
DISCOVER Discover your S.H.A.P.E. and find a
God creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work He does, the good
work He has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing
(Ephesians 2:10 TM).
He (God) handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, filled earth
with His gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher
to train Christians in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church,
until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful
in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults fully developed within and without, fully
alive like Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13 TM).
HONOR Change your
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living
sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship
(Romans 12:1).
CLASS 101-401 22
II. OUR POTENTIAL AUDIENCE

One of the elements of fulfilling our purpose statements is to identify the potential audience.
We do this by recognizing five different groups.
COMMUNITY
A Community member is committed to church.
CROWD
A Crowd member is committed to church.
CONGREGATION
A Congregation member is committed to a
COMMITTED
A Committed member is committed to necessary for spiritual growth.
CORE
A Core member is committed to
When you combine our purpose statement with the potential audience, you’ll see our goal is
to reach the community and help move them toward the core.
Which audience would you consider yourself to be a part of?
CLASS 101-401 23
III. OUR PLANNED VALUES

Our planned values help communicate and define our purpose statement. If you imagine our
purpose statement as the “cake,” our planned values would be the “icing.” We feel strongly
about these values and want them to be reflected in our ministry. These values came from
our student and adult leaders.
FREEDOM’S MINISTRY PLANNED VALUES
Relational
Encouragement
Laughter &
Acceptance
Transparency
Involvement of
Outreach
Numerical
Spiritual growth
H
Intimate relationships
Professional demeanor
Strategic
Which of these values do you feel most strongly about?
We want you to help us maintain these values within our ministry. We want to continue to
discover ways in which we can evaluate the effectiveness of these values. Here’s one
example of some questions we might ask:
ACCEPTANCE—Do guests feel accepted before, during, and after the meeting?
1. Are all guests greeted in the same way without condition to dress, looks,
attendance, etc.?
2. Does the spoken message isolate guests of a particular group, school, race, etc.?
3. Do guests leave the meeting with the impression their presence was appreciated
by someone?
4. Is there an expressed attitude from the leadership that shows concern over a
guest’s personal life?
5. Do members go out of their way to meet guests, learn their names and ask about
their personal lives?
CLASS 101-401 24
IV. OUR PROCESS

The process we use gives us a “big picture” of our Ministry. The baseball diamond allows a
way in which we can attempt to measure growth and maturity. Guests can see where they
fit into our programs, what’s ahead of them, and what they can do to help others along the
process.
We want you to understand that this process is not the only way to measure growth and
maturity. It’s also a process that’s not without error. For example, if someone completes all
the programs and classes we have set up along the base paths but never displays a faith
and/or intimacy with Christ, the process is meaningless.
We want this process to encourage growth by challenging members to take the next step.
CLASS 101-401 25
V. OUR PROGRAMS
When most people think of ministry they think of a church’s programs. But as you have
seen, our programs only exist to support our purpose, to help reach our audiences, and to
reflect our values.
PROGRAMS WITHOUT A PURPOSE WOULD TURN OUR MINISTRY INTO: ENTERTAINMENT
1. FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM* (Reach)

2. Hot Night Events
3. WEEKEND WORSHIP SERVICES* (Worship/Honor)
4. New Believers Class
5. Dinner for 10
6. TNT: Teens N’ Temptation
7. Ministry Teams
8. CLASS 101 [Commitment to membership]
9. AREA BIBLE STUDY SMALL GROUPS* (Connect)
10. CLASS 201 [Commitment to maturity]
11. DISCIPLESHIP TOOLS* (Grow)
• Quiet Time Journal
• S.A.G. (student accountability groups)
• Hidden Treasures
• ROOTWORKS
• Bank of Blessings
12. Praise & Worship
13. Missions Monthly
14. Bible University
15. CLASS 301 [Commitment to ministry]
16. Ministry Team Leader
17. STUDENT LEADERSHIP* (Discover)
18. CLASS 401 [Commitment to missions]
*Fulfills the 5 biblical purposes
CLASS 101-401 26
TEACHING
Community Typically no teaching, possibly evangelistic message
Crowd Topical & series oriented
Congregation Bible Curriculum—mixed between biblical events, select

passages, biblical characters, etc ...
Committed Books of the Bible
Core Biblical leadership
HOW YOU CAN HELP THE CHURCH’S MINISTRY PROGRAMS
1. them.
2. Be of them.
3. Be a in them.
• Greet
• Serve
• Participate (sing, applaud, share, listen, etc.)
• Bust up cliques
4. Bring your friends to the programs.
5. Pray for the program’s .
CLASS 101-401 27
Appendix A
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MEMBER
The difference between “attenders” and “members” can be summed up in one word:
.
At Freedom Fellowship we recognize the need for a formal membership. We ask you to
commit to membership for 4 reasons:
1. : Christ is committed to the church.
. . . Christ loved the church, and He gave His life for it (Ephesians 5:25).
2. : It is a unique commitment in our society.
We live in an age where very few want to be committed to anything . . . school . . . a

relationship . . . our country. This attitude has even produced a generation of “church
shoppers & hoppers.” Membership swims against the current of America’s “consumer
religion” that switches groups for any reason. Membership is an unselfish decision.
Commitment always builds character.
3. : It defines who can be counted on.
Every team must have a roster. Every school must have an enrollment. Every army has an
enlistment. Membership identifies our family of believers who can be counted on in our
attempt to fulfill our purpose.
4. : It encourages spiritual growth.

The New Testament places a major emphasis on the need for Christians to be accountable to
each other for spiritual growth. It’s tough to be accountable when you’re not committed to
any specific church family.
WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME AS A MEMBER?
At Freedom we never ask our members to do more than the Bible clearly teaches. We only
encourage our members to do what the Bible expects every Christian to do. These
responsibilities are spelled out in the Membership Covenant.
CLASS 101-401 28
THE FREEDOM MEMBERSHIP AGREEMENT
“Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior and been baptized, and being in agreement
with Freedoms’ statements, strategy, and structure, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to
unite with the Freedom church family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the
other members to do the following.”
1.
• By acting in love toward other members

• By refusing to gossip
• By following the leaders
• By reconciling conflict
So let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony, and on the growth of
our fellowship together (Romans 15:19 Ph).
Live in complete harmony with each other—each with the attitude of Christ toward
each other (Romans 15:5 LB).
Have a sincere love for your fellow believers, love one another earnestly with all your
hearts (1 Peter 1:22 GN).
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful
for building others up according to their needs . . . (Ephesians 4:29).
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men
who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden,
for that would be no advantage to you (Hebrews 13:17).
2.
• By praying for its growth

• By inviting the unchurched to attend
• By warmly welcoming those who are alone and/or visiting
To the church . . . we always thank God for you and pray for you constantly
(1 Thessalonians 1:2).
Go out into the country . . . and urge anyone you .nd to come in, so that my house
will be full (Luke 14:23 LB).
So, warmly welcome each other into the church, just as He has warmly welcomed
you; then God will be glorified (Romans 15:7 LB).
3.
• By discovering my gifts and talents

• By being equipped to serve
• By developing a servant’s heart
Serve one another with the particular gifts God has given each of you
(1 Peter 4:10 Ph).
CLASS 101-401 29
God gave . . . some to be pastors and teachers to prepare God’s people for works of
ministry, so that the Body of Christ may be built up (Ephesians 4:11-12).
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of
others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ . . . who took on the
very nature of a servant . . . (Philippians 2:3-4, 7).
4.
• By attending faithfully
• By living a godly life
Let us not give up the habit of meeting together . . . but let us encourage one
another (Hebrews 10:25).
But whatever happens, make sure that your everyday life is worthy of the gospel of
Christ (Philippians 1:27 Ph).
CLASS 101-401 30
OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH

WHAT WE BELIEVE
In essential beliefs—we have unity.
There is one body and one Spirit . . . there is one Lord, one faith one baptism, and
one God and Father of us all . . . (Ephesians 4:4-6).
In non-essential beliefs—we have liberty.
Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters . . .
Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls .
. . So then each of us will give an account of himself to God . . . So whatever you
believe about things keep between yourself and God (Romans 14:1, 4, 12, 22).
In all our beliefs—we show love.
If I hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but also the very secrets of God,
and if I have the faith that can move mountains—but have no love, I amount to
nothing at all (1 Corinthians 13:2 Ph).
THE ESSENTIALS WE BELIEVE
1. ABOUT GOD
God is the Creator and Ruler of the universe. He has eternally existed and carries out his will
for mankind through a Trinity(God-head): the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Genesis 1:1,26-27,3:22; Psalms 90:2; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Corinthians 13:14
2. ABOUT JESUS CHRIST
Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is one with the Father. Jesus lived a sinless human life
and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all people by dying on a cross. He
arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate his power over sin and death. He
ascended to Heaven’s glory and will return again someday to earth to reign as King of Kings,
and Lord of Lords.
Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14-15; 1 Corinthians 15:3-
4; Romans 1:3-4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14-15; Titus 2:13
3. ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is sent by the Father. He is present in the world to make men aware of their
need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation. He
provides the Christian with power for living, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance
in doing what is right. He gives believers spiritual gifts according to his will. As Christians we
seek to live under His control daily.
2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13, 14:16-17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 3:16;
Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:18
CLASS 101-401 31
4. ABOUT THE BIBLE
The Bible is God’s Word to us. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural
guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living.
Because it is inspired by God, it is the truth without any mixture of error.
2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalms 119:105, 160, 12:6; Proverbs
30:5
5. ABOUT HUMAN BEINGS
People are made in the spiritual image of God, to be like Him in character. People are the
supreme object of God’s creation. Although every person has tremendous potential for good,
all of us are marred by an attitude that separates people from God and causes many
problems in life.
Genesis 1:27; Psalms 8:3-6; Isaiah 53:6a; Romans 3:23; Isaiah 59:1-2
6. ABOUT SALVATION
Salvation is God’s free gift to us but we must accept it. We can never make up for our sin by
self-improvement or good works. Only by trusting in Jesus Christ as God’s offer of
forgiveness, can anyone be saved from sin’s penalty. When we turn from our self-ruled life
and turn to Jesus in faith, we are saved. Eternal life begins the moment one receives Jesus
Christ into his life by faith.
Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1
7. ABOUT ETERNAL SECURITY
Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the true believer is secure in that
salvation for eternity. If you have been genuinely saved, you cannot “lose” it. Salvation is
maintained by the grace and power of God, not by the self-effort of the Christian. It is the
grace and keeping power of God that gives us this security.
John 10:29; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10,14; 1 Peter 1:3-5
8. ABOUT ETERNITY
People were created to exist forever. We will either exist eternally separated from God by
sin, or eternally with God through forgiveness and salvation. To be eternally separated from
God is hell. To be eternally in union with Him is eternal life. Heaven and hell are real places
of eternal existence.
John 3:16; John 2:25; John 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; Matthew 1:8;
Matthew 2:44,46
CLASS 101-401 32
Appendix C
OUR LIFESTYLE STATEMENT

WHAT WE PRACTICE
Beliefs are not worth much unless they are translated into actions. Based on what the Bible
teaches, we feel very strongly about the following seven practices:
1. .
The whole Bible was given to us by inspiration from God and is useful to teach us
what is true and make us realize what is wrong in our lives; it straightens us out and
helps us to do what is right (2 Timothy 3:15).
Since God’s Word is the only completely reliable and truthful authority, we accept the Bible
as our manual for living. Our first question when faced with a decision is “What does the
Bible say?” We practice daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible memorization. The Bible
is the basis for all we believe.
2. .
Christ is the head of his Body, the church. He is the source of the Body’s life
(Colossians 1:18 GN).
Christ is the recognized head of our church, not any person, group, or religious organization.
While recognizing the value of associating or cooperating with other groups of Christians, we
believe every local church should be self-governing and independent from any
denominational control.
3. .
Christ loves us, and by His death He has freed us from our sins and made us a
kingdom of priests to serve God . . . (Revelation 1:6 GN).
You are . . . the King’s priests . . . God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the
wonderful acts of God (1 Peter 2:9 GN).
The Bible teaches that every Christian is called to “full time” Christian service, regardless of
his or her vocation. We practice the truth that every believer is a minister by encouraging
every member to find a place of service and ministry. Every believer has direct access to
God through prayer and Bible reading.
4.
A tithe of everything you produce belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord
(Leviticus 26:30).
At Freedom we practice tithing for the support of Christ’s Body, the church, as God
commands. We recognize that giving 10% of our income is the biblical standard of giving.
CLASS 101-401 33
5.
For when you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and in baptism you were
also raised with Christ . . . (Colossians 2:12).
We practice baptism by immersion under water—the way Jesus was baptized, and the way
the Bible commands.
6.
We believe the only way possible to live the Christian life is by God’s power within us.
So we seek to practice a daily dependence on God’s Spirit to enable us to do what is
right (Philippians 2:13; Ephesians 5:18).
7.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason
for the hope that you have (1 Peter 3:15).
It is the responsibility of every Christian to share the Good News with those whom God has
brought us into contact. We practice personal sharing about Christ and inviting friends to
church.
Jesus said, “I am the Vine, you are the branches. If you abide in Me and I in you, you
will bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
CLASS 101-401 34

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CLASS 101

GN: Good News Bible Mes: The Message

WELCOME TO CLASS 101

DISCOVERING CHURCH MEMBERSHIP

This class is designed to help you better understand:

THE BASIS FOR THIS CLASS:

2. God’s expects you to be of a church family.

3. A Christian without a church family is .

THE FOUR FREEDOM FELLOWSHIP COMMITMENTS

1. THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITMENT...

2. THE MATURITY COMMITMENT...

3. THE MINISTRY COMMITMENT...

4. THE MISSIONS COMMITMENT...

WHY DO WE HAVE THESE COMMITMENTS?

We become what we are

THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITMENT introduces us to three areas:

1. Our Salvation (What God has done for us)

Everyone wants to be happy. People try many ways:

• Some look for happiness through friendships

But real happiness comes from understanding my .

1. God made me to me!

2. We were created to a personal relationship with God and to

Clear Conscience Life & Peace Help with Weakness

Purpose Confidence Security

Power & Strength Fulfillment Freedom

This is the kind of lifestyle God intends for us to live!

If this is true, why aren’t most people really happy?

II. WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

• “Look out for #1.”

THE BIBLE CALLS THIS ATTITUDE:

Sin is a biblical word that means “to miss the mark.”

It looks like this...

• “My mother was a Christian so…”

III. WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?

JESUS HAS ALREADY TAKEN CARE OF YOUR SIN PROBLEM WHEN

WHY DID GOD SEND JESUS TO DIE IN YOUR PLACE?

IV. WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?

3. God’s free gift of salvation. Don’t try to earn it.

If you believe you !

YOU CAN TAKE THESE STEPS BY PRAYING A SIMPLE PRAYER OF COMMITMENT TO

God has no grandchildren, only children.

I. WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?

1. To follow the example set by .

2. Because Christ it.

3. It demonstrates that I really am a .

I. WHY SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?

BAPTISM IS AN OUTWARD SIGN OF AN INWARD COMMITMENT.

III. WHY BE BAPTIZED BY IMMERSION?

2. Every baptism in the was by immersion.

3. The word “baptize” actually means “to water.”

4. Immersion best symbolized a and resurrection!

IV. WHO SHOULD BE BAPTIZED?

1. Every person who has in Christ.

Simon himself believed and was baptized . . . (Acts 8:13).

????? A GREAT QUESTION ?????

Therefore, if you were baptized as a baby, we encourage you to be baptized by immersion

V. WHEN SHOULD I BE BAPTIZED?

Those who believe . . . were baptized . . . that day! (Acts 2:41).

I. WHAT IS THE LORD’S SUPPER?