radically engaged study guide

STUDY GUIDESTUDY GUIDE

Community Presbyterian Church

Opening Letter from Scott Farmer, Senior Pastor………...…i

How to Get the Most out of the Study………..……………...ii

About the Study Guide:

Suggestions for Individual Study……………...……..ii

Suggestions for Small Group Study……………..…...iii

Week One: A Radically Engaged Church………………...….1

Scott Farmer, Senior Pastor

Week Two: A Life Transforming Church...……………...…..6

Cathy Burkholder, Associate Pastor

Week Three: A Gospel Sharing Church………….…...……..11

Scott Farmer, Senior Pastor

Week Four: A Generous Church………………………...…..16

Mark Wollan, Associate Pastor

Week Five: An Intergenerational Church………….…...…..21

Bill Haslim, Associate Pastor

Week Six: A Compassionate Church……..……………...….27

Mark Wollan, Associate Pastor

For Facilitators of Small Groups…………………………...33

Sunday Night Experience…………………………………...33

How to Share Your Story………………………………..….34

Table of Contents

Dear Friends,

Our Pastors, Elders, and staff leaders have been praying how God is

leading CPC into a future that more fully realizes His desire for

“People Meeting Christ.” This Radically Engaged Vision 2020 is driv-

ing our priorities, strategies and ministries, and defining a distinct

shift in how we will seek to grow ourselves to impact those in the com-

munities we serve together.

The single vision that shapes our thoughts and actions is: “By 2020,

CPC is a transformed, intergenerational community, passionate about

living as Christ’s disciples, with a contagious zeal for people meeting

Christ and radically expressing God’s compassion and generosity.”

The five themes of our Vision are:

A Life Transforming Church

A Gospel Sharing Church

A Compassionate Church

A Generous Church

An Intergenerational Church

My life is a work in progress. My character is under construction and

being “built up.” I want to live these themes out in my own life. I can

only do this with God’s help! Our Session has developed Vision

Prayers instead of Vision Statements, which ask God to lead us to be a

life transforming, gospel sharing, compassionate, generous and

intergenerational church!

Radically Engaged is a call to action. This study is an invitation for

you to join me to live with the heart and passion of Christ, so that the

San Ramon Valley and beyond will look like an outpost of heaven.

Radically Engaged Vision 2020 is a growth process moving us towards

spiritual maturity! We won’t be done by December. Most of us can’t

imagine the year 2020. To God, that’s only a blink away. Let’s pray,

learn and begin to live this together, starting right now.

Prayerfully,

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Community Presbyterian Church Page ii

How to Get the Most out of the Study

1. Attend worship each week to hear the corresponding sermon.

2. Prayerfully read and reflect on each week’s content.

3. Join or start a small group or attend the Sunday Night

Experience each week, preparing in advance by reading the

week’s content and listening to the sermons. You can also do

this study individually.

4. Bring your Bible and study guide to your small group or have

them handy while working through this guide on your own.

5. Begin the study following the first sermon the weekend of

Week One of the series.

About the Study Guide

Suggestions for Individual Study:

1. As you begin each session, pray that God will speak to you

through His Word.

2. Each week deals with a vision theme and Scripture—read and re-

read these over several times to familiarize yourself with the text

and theme.

3. The Scripture verses included in this guide are meant to help you

understand what God is teaching through His Word. The

questions will assist in bringing a deeper understanding of the

Scripture, as well as how to apply it to your life. Some questions

require more action on your part, or give ideas for further

reflection and prayer. You might want to journal your thoughts,

questions and prayers. Writing can bring clarity and deeper

understanding of how to respond to His Word. Pray and thank

God for what you have learned and ask Him how to apply these

new insights to your life.

Page iii Radically Engaged Vision 2020 Study Guide

Suggestions for Small Group Study:

1. Come to the study prepared. Follow the suggestions for individual

study. You will find that careful preparation will greatly enrich

your time spent in group discussion.

2. Be willing to participate in the discussion. The leader of your

group will not be lecturing. Instead he or she will be encouraging

the members of the group to share their response to the various

topics.

3. Be sensitive to other members of the group. Listen attentively as

they share. Each question assumes a variety of answers. Many of

the questions do not have right answers, particularly questions

that aim at inspiring or application. Instead, the questions push

us to explore the Scripture more thoroughly. When possible, link

what you say to the comments of others. Also, be affirming

whenever you can. This will encourage some of the more hesitant

members of the group to participate.

4. Be careful not to dominate the discussion.

5. Expect God to teach you through the Scripture being discussed

and through the other members of the group. Pray that you will

have an enjoyable and enriching time together, but also that as a

result of the sharing you will find ways that you can take action

individually and/or as a group.

6. Remember that anything said in the group is considered

confidential and should not be discussed outside the group unless

specific permission is given to do so.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

At the end of each week’s study you will find a collection of resources and

Scriptures to help you in your growth as a follower of Christ.

Community Presbyterian Church Page 1

A A Radically Engaged ChurchRadically Engaged Church

Ephesians 4:16

From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting

ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Opening Remarks—Scott Farmer, Senior Pastor

A Uzbek church planter visited Danville last year at the

invitation of Bern and Cheryl Thompson. Several years

ago when CPC sent the Thompsons to teach

Peacemaker seminars in Uzbekistan, the church planter

opened their eyes. The church is growing in

Uzbekistan. Lives are being transformed, the gospel is being shared,

compassion is on the loose and generosity from one poor person to

another astonishes outsiders. Uzbek church planters expect prison

time, but it turns out prisons are great places for recruiting people to

new hope for a Savior, and discipline new leaders for a growing

church!

I want my eyes opened to more of what he’s got. Not necessarily the

prisons or the poverty, but the passion, contagious zeal, the

transformed life stories, and the astonishing generosity and

compassion.

When your Session prayed for new vision, we couldn’t stop with

“vision statements.” These statements became passionate prayers.

Only with Christ at the center of our affection, attention, and

allegiance, will we come close to experiencing anything like “radically

expressing God’s compassion and generosity,” “passionately living as

Christ’s disciples,” and “having a contagious zeal for people meeting

Christ.”

Week One

Radically Engaged Vision 2020 Study Guide Page 2

The San Ramon Valley is pretty comfortable for many of us . . . unless

we get our eyes opened. I pray a holy discomfort among us, wanting

more of God and the life transformation God has for us!

Welcome to Radically Engaged Vision 2020. Let’s get started!

Warm it Up

When you look at the five vision themes—Life Transforming, Gospel

Sharing, Compassionate, Generous, Intergenerational, to which one

are you most drawn? Which offers the greatest challenge? Why?

Talk it Over

Read Ephesians 4: 1-16.

1. Paul tells us in verse 1 to “live a life worthy of the calling you

have received.” What does living a life worthy of your calling

look like?

2. Ephesians 4:16 provides the biblical anchor for CPC’s vision

statement: “From Him the whole body, joined and held together by

every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each

part does its work.” What is God’s part in building up Christ’s

body, (or fulfilling God’s vision for His body)? What is our part?

3. If Vision 2020 is realized, what might “builds itself up in love”

look like at CPC? In your own life?

Work it Out

1. What is your part in the body of Christ? Who have you been

called to be and what have you been called to do, at CPC and/or in

the body of Christ?


Pray it Through

Let’s pray together CPC’s Radically Engaged Vision 2020 prayer:

“Lord, by 2020 may CPC be a transformed, intergenerational

community passionate about living as Christ’s disciples with a

contagious zeal for people meeting Christ and radically expressing

God’s compassion and generosity.” Amen!

Wrap it Up

Let’s open our eyes to be Radically Engaged.

Life Transformation is uncomfortable, but with God’s help we

can grow and be “built up in love”.

We each have a vital part in the body of Christ and are supported

and joined together with other believers in Christ.

Living a life worthy of our calling embraces our vision themes—

to be life transforming, gospel sharing, compassionate, generous,

and intergenerational.

A Radically Engaged Story by Patrick Jones

A vision statement, by definition, is an intent for a

specific group to look differently in the future than

that group looks in the present. This can be translated

to mean that a vision statement paints a picture of a

journey on which that group is about to embark. CPC is now a

community of Christ followers on a journey! The statement is not

an end, but a means to engage our community to join in on a

journey of faith and hope for a different sort of future.

Radically Engaged Vision 2020 Study Guide

con’t.

As an analogy, this summer my large Jones Family had a reunion.

Some family members were fully engaged designing t-shirts,

menus, and activities. Some others were still deciding if they even

wanted to show up.

The journey CPC has embarked on is the same. One person will

look at the word "radical" and it will give them permission to

shout "Amen!" and "Preach-it-Sister!" during the sermons on

Sundays. Another will see the word "contagious" and want to run

away for fear of catching something bad. Either way, our

statement of a Radically Engaged Vision 2020 will make the

members of CPC and all who come in contact with it think. They

will think about CPC in particular and they will think about the

radical nature of Christ as he proclaimed the gospel. And then

they will try to tie the two together.

For me, this statement gives me permission to "be the church." If

the church is the bride of Christ, and all brides I know about are

completely sold-out for their man, giddy with excitement, nervous

about the possibilities, but full of hope for something new and

wonderfully exciting, knowing full well that the wedding is an

event, but the marriage is a lifetime, then that is what I want. I

am going to make this time when the vision is being painted, the

"wedding season" if you will, to be nothing short of intense

excitement for a new day. And then somehow with Christ's help,

take that excitement on the road and join in the journey that CPC

has embarked on. 2020 is not the end nor the destination.

For now, however, 2020 is a signpost beckoning us all to begin the

journey as a community allowing those who are radically sold-out

for Christ to express it while giving space and encouragement to

those deciding if this is the journey for them.

Stories of Radically Engaged:

One body, many parts I Corinthians 12:12-31

Ways to be radically engaged Hebrews 13:1-3

Holy living guidelines Colossians 3:1-17

Practical advice for radical living Romans 12:3-8

Freed from demons Mark 5: 18-20

Additional Resources:

This study guide shares amazing stories of transformed lives from

people radically engaged in serving others and sharing the gospel. You

too can share your stories! Let us know how this study has inspired

you. Email us at [email protected].

Visit the CPC website for other great resources for this study at

www.cpcdanville.org.

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A Life Transforming ChurchA Life Transforming Church

Romans 11: 33-36, 12: 1-2

33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! 34

“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?” 35 “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” 36 For from

Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory

forever! Amen.

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer

your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your

true and proper worship. 2Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but

be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test

and approve what God’s will is —His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Opening Remarks—Cathy Burkholder,

Associate Pastor

The gospel is the source of power to transform our lives from the inside

out. It is not just the A-B-C’s of Christianity, but the A to Z, the sum

total of all that the Christian life encompasses. As followers of Jesus

Christ, one of our key responsibilities is to know the gospel, apply it to

all of life and speak it to each other to help transform us into Christ-

likeness.

Living transformed lives is our goal, and simply changing actions

without changing our hearts doesn’t work. God desires something

more from all of us! Our prayerful vision at CPC is that we would be

passionate about the gospel, and apply it in our day to day lives to

change us and help us live out God’s will for our lives.

Week Two

Warm It Up

On a scale of 1-10, how willing are you to be transformed?

________________________________________________________

1 5 10

Don’t mess Starting to Bring it on!

with my life try a little bit

Talk It Over

Read Romans 12:2 together: “Do not conform to the pattern of this

world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you

will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing

and perfect will.”

1. What do you think are some of the patterns of the world? Which

ones are you most likely influenced to conform to? What is God’s

part in our transformation?

2. What does this verse tell us about how to transform our minds?

How do you think this happens?

3. Name the three characteristics of God’s will in this text. What

kinds of struggles do you have in following God’s will? Is there

anything you can think of in doing God’s will that does not seem

good, acceptable or perfect? Why or why not?

Work It Out

1. What area of your life is hardest to surrender to God for

transformation?

2. What could you do differently to live out the gospel in your day

to day life?



Pray It Through

Our Radically Engaged Vision for Life Transformation includes this

prayer: “Lord, may the people of CPC be passionate about the gospel

transforming our day to day lives.”

Wrap It Up

Life Transformation takes place through:

Renewing our minds with the study of God’s word.

Understanding the gospel.

Living out God’s good, pleasing and perfect will everyday.

Changing from the inside out.

A Life Transformation Story by Marybeth McCullum

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the

renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve

what God’s will is —His good, pleasing and perfect will. Rom. 12:2

My mind works like the ticker at the bottom of a TV

screen that constantly streams updates on the stock

market. Unfortunately, much of what I’m thinking

isn’t positive. Over the course of five minutes I can

cycle through a variety of topics that cause me to fret:

an issue with one of my kids, a friendship in a hard place, my

body image, finances, the new neighbors I still haven’t made time

to meet, my “to do” list and so on. The only thing that seems to

stop my mind’s constant fretting is spending time with God each

day.


con’t.

Through my time in the Word and writing prayers in my journal,

God realigns my focus and turns my thoughts toward Him. When

those struggles that clutter my mind are laid before Him, I come

away with a new perspective.

During these morning times with God my regular prayer is that He

will renew my mind, just as Romans 12:2 describes. I ask God to

pour out the Holy Spirit on me so that I am filled to overflowing. I

pray for eyes to see where He is at work and calling me to join Him.

I ask God to use me as a blessing to others. As I’ve prayed these

things consistently, I’ve seen many obvious answers. God has also

begun to re-order how I view and spend my time. He is teaching

me to hold my plans loosely so I can give Him room to move.

What does it look like to offer myself to God? Sometimes He

prompts me to encourage someone who is struggling. Other days, I

find my plans waylaid by a person who needs a compassionate ear.

It may mean opening our home to one of our nephews in college

who needs a break from the dorms. Sometimes it involves helping

someone out with a financial need or blessing a family with hand-

me-down toys and clothes. It might include watching a baby for a

young mom who needs a break or driving an extra leg of a carpool

for a harried friend. Other times He calls me simply to be still

before Him.

I ask God to transform and renew my mind so that I don’t conform

to the world; He shows me His will and uses me to make a

difference in the lives of others. The constant ticker in my head

stops as my eyes shift from myself to God. The renewing of my

mind is holy and pleasing to Him because I’m seeking His will

instead of mine. And every morning I offer myself again, knowing

transformation only occurs in me by God’s grace.

Stories of Life Transformation:

Saul’s conversion Acts 9-19

Jesus anointed by a sinful woman Luke 7: 36-50

Zacchaeus, the tax collector Luke 19: 1-10

A dead girl and sick woman Luke 8: 40-56

Peter’s confession of Christ Luke 9: 18-27


You Can Change, Tim Chester

Unstuck, Arnie Cole and Michael Ross

Gospel-Centered Life, Tim Chester and Steve Timmis

Not a Fan, Kyle Idleman

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A Gospel Sharing ChurchA Gospel Sharing Church

Matthew 28: 16-20

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus

had told them to go. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some

doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven

and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded

you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Opening Remarks—Scott Farmer, Senior Pastor

If we are Christ followers we are a commissioned

people. At the end of Matthew’s gospel comes Jesus’

final command, His summary commission. If we have

become Jesus’ disciples, He tells us to make disciples.

Each generation of Christ followers could be the last! The gospel is in

our hands and hearts and minds. We have been entrusted now with

this commission “Go, make disciples of all the nations . . . ”.

Our text today gives us the context, the content, the courage, and the

confidence to share in Christ’s gospel sharing commission!

Our prayerful vision at CPC is that God would transform us into a

people with a contagious zeal to share the gospel so that people come

to know Christ and become His disciples. We know God cares deeply

about this direction. Indeed, it is at the core of Jesus’ Great

Commission.

Week Three

Warm it Up

1. Who shared the good news of Christ with you in such a way that

you began exploring becoming a disciple of Jesus? What did they

do and say that was useful for your journey?

Talk it Over

Matthew 28:16-20 on page 11

1. What would you say if someone asked you, “What is the gospel?”

What does the Bible say the gospel is? ( John 1: 29-34, Romans 1:

1-6, Acts 2: 22-39)

2. What is the difference between making a decision to become a

Christian and becoming a disciple?

3. How can we share the gospel in such a way that people don’t just

stop at making this decision, but seek to grow and mature in their

faith?

Work it Out

1. When it comes to sharing the gospel and making disciples, what

are your greatest strengths? Stumbling blocks?

2. Who would you like to pray about sharing the gospel with this

week?

3. What steps can you take to begin living out the Great

Commission with more intentionality and contagious zeal in your

everyday life?


Pray it Through

Let’s pray together CPC’s Gospel Sharing prayer:

“Lord, may we have a contagious zeal to share the gospel so that

many come to know Christ.”

Wrap it Up

We need to shift from quiet discipleship to contagious zeal to

share the gospel both personally and as a church.

God’s desire is for everyone, everywhere to know the gospel.

Through you and me we can share the good news of redemption

and restoration to the world.

Now you know the context and content of the Great Commission.

Go with confidence and courage to share Christ’s gospel so people

everywhere will know Christ and become His disciples.


A Gospel Sharing Story by Celeste Ornellas

My witness is usually to point the way through love

and I believe this was the case with my niece, Andrea,

when she was exploring faiths outside of Christianity.

Last fall my 27 year old niece, Andrea, was dating a

young man who had started an atheist club at his college. His

passion in atheism was influencing Andrea’s convictions about

faith. My brother supported Andrea’s freedom of choice. My

sister-in-law, a fairly new Christian, was distraught.


con’t.

After dinner I invited Andrea to join me in another room so we

could talk and I could ask her about this new man in her life. I

asked my niece, “What is special about your boyfriend?” She

responded that he is smart and how much fun they have

together. She sensed my concern that he is an atheist adding,

“He doesn’t push atheism on me. I want to be open-minded and

learn more about atheism and other religions too. It seems arro-

gant for Christians to think they are the only ones who are right.”

Fear often times paralyzes me like a cog in a wheel, especially

when I’m in a situation where being bold about my faith and the

love of Christ is needed. My calling as His faithful servant is to

be obedient and embrace the opportunities He places before me.

Such was the case in the conversation with Andrea that followed.

I shared with Andrea how easy it is to be swayed by the

popular beliefs of our times. It can get confusing, however, in my

life I have strived to maintain convictions in Christ who was

prophesied about thousands of years before His birth. I’m always

in awe of His miracles and His love and acceptance of all people.

The authenticity of scripture written at different times in history

remains consistent and unified. My hope was that our discussion

would resonate with Andrea as God gave me the boldness to

share about my faith in Christ. My prayers were for Jesus to

continue the conversation that we began.

Andrea is no longer dating this young man. She has plans to get

involved in a bible study and is exploring churches in San

Francisco in hopes of finding a church home. This experience

taught me that Gospel sharing through love builds relationships

as we explore the truth together.


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Stories of Gospel Sharing:

Phillip and the Ethiopian Eunuch Acts 8: 26-40

Priscilla and Aquila and Apollos Acts 18: 23-26

Peter and Cornelius Acts 10

Jesus’ first Disciples John 1: 35-43

Jesus teaches Nicodemus John 3: 1-21

Jesus sends out twelve Mark 6:7-13; 30-31

Jesus sends out seventy-two Luke 10: 1-12; 17-18


God is the Gospel, John Piper

Just Walk Across the Room, Bill Hybels

Contagious Christian, Lee Strobel


A Generous ChurchA Generous Church 2 Corinthians 8: 1-9

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God

has given the Macedonian churches. 2 In the midst of a very severe trial,

their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3

For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their

ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the

privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 5 And they exceeded

our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by

the will of God also to us. 6 So we urged Titus, just as he had earlier made a

beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7 But

since you excel in everything —in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in

complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you

also excel in this grace of giving.

8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by

comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our

Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake He became

poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

Opening Remarks—Mark Wollan, Associate

Pastor

In life, we tend to connect generosity with wealth. Generous people (so

we think) are those who have a lot – and therefore, can give a lot. As

Christians, it’s important to have a different understanding of

generosity. Generosity is a choice we make to use whatever gifts and

resources God gives to us for His glory and not our own.

In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul points to the Macedonian churches as a model

of generosity. Though they were going through a severe trial and

poverty, they gave joyfully and generously. In this study we’ll look at

important choices they made which enabled them to be generous in

spite of their circumstances.

Week Four


Warm it Up

1. Complete this sentence: I would be a more generous person if…

What do you think it means to be generous?

Talk it Over

1. Read 2 Corinthians 8: 1-9. How does Paul describe the condition

of the Macedonian churches and how does he describe their

giving? What does this tell you about the connection between

wealth and generosity?

2. In verse 5 Paul writes; “…they gave themselves first to the Lord

and then to us in keeping with God’s will.” How does a “God

first” commitment change our motivation and capacity for

generosity? (Look at 2 Corinthians 8:9 for insight.)

3. Paul affirms the Corinthian church in verse 7, but it appears that

generosity may have been a neglected characteristic among the

believers. What lesson do you think we can learn from a verse like

this?

4. What would it mean to you to excel in the grace of giving?

Work it Out

1. Where have you let a hardship or challenge limit your generosity?

What could you do this week to test the principle that generosity

leads to joy…even if you are going through a difficult time?

2. Jesus is the model of the rich becoming poor, so that others

become rich. Consider a “bold move” that would help you follow

the example of Jesus: What possession could you sell?

3. What service could you offer? To whom could you be generous?

- make a meal - serve

- send a card - donate resources


Pray it Through

Let’s pray together CPC’s Generous Church prayer:

“Lord, may the people of CPC excel in the grace of giving.”

Wrap it Up

Generosity is a choice we make to use gifts and resources for

God’s glory and not our own.

We can choose to be generous even during times of hardship and

challenge.

Generosity leads to joy.

Jesus’ decision to go to the cross for us was an act of extreme

generosity.

As believers we are called to follow Jesus into a life of generosity.

A Generous Life Story by Steve Comes

A number of years ago, CPC leadership surprised the

congregation by handing out $10,000 in $100 bills to

anyone willing to step out in faith and serve God by

helping others. It was called The Kingdom

Assignment. Kingdom Assignments are biblically

grounded in Matthew 25:14-30, the parable of the

talents. They serve as a catalyst to inspire people to do

extraordinary things for a purpose greater than themselves, to

respond to a God-given passion.


con’t.

I accepted one of the $100, but had no idea what my Kingdom

Assignment was going to be. Sixty days into the ninety day

program I realized the greatest impact I could have with ‘my’

$100 was to raise $30,000 and bring the Kingdom Assignment

program to three other churches. Prior to stepping out in faith on

this ‘assignment’, I had never raised money for a cause before.

For that matter, I had barely used my resources for anything

other than my family’s needs.

With God’s guidance, in a few short weeks, the program was fully

funded and over the next few months, three bay area churches

took on their own Kingdom Assignments. As a result, more than

300 people stepped out in faith, responded to a passion God had

placed within them and impacted the lives of thousands. The

stories were amazing. The impact was beyond measure.

The experience of my first Kingdom Assignment and helping to

organize others since has caused me to re-think the way I view

generosity and my responsibility in God’s Kingdom. I better un-

derstand how each of us is uniquely gifted and how our gifts can

be generously used. Generosity is the simple act of giving our

time, talent, and financial resources, even when we don’t think we

can. Generosity’s reward is hearing the sound of Jesus’ voice

saying; “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

We have all been given a passion. A need, cause, or issue that

captures our heart—a purpose beyond our everyday life. We've

also been given the resources necessary to meet that need.

Through generosity, God can release in us a purpose that often

gets buried under the routine of daily life.

Generosity begins when we step out in faith to make a difference.

What's on your heart? Where can you make a difference?


Stories on Generosity:

Robbing God Malachi 3: 8-10

Sharing possessions Acts 2: 44-45; 4: 32-37

The widow’s offering Mark 12: 41-44

Favoritism forbidden James 2: 1-5

God said, “I give…” Genesis 1: 29-30


Money, Possessions & Eternity, Randy Alcorn

Generosity; Gordon MacDonald

The Treasure Principle; Randy Alcorn

The Genius of Generosity; Chip Ingram

Visit CPC’s Good Works website at www.cpcgoodworks.org

Generous Church Website – www.generouschurch.com

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Week Five

An Intergenerational ChurchAn Intergenerational Church

1 Corinthians 12:24-27

...but God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that

lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its

parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every

part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Ephesians 2:22

And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which

God lives by His Spirit.

Opening Remarks—Bill Haslim, Associate Pastor

Several American universities have made available

online resources for international students coming to

study in our country in order to help them understand

our culture. Here is a quote from one of them:

“Probably the most important thing to understand about Americans

is their devotion to "individualism." Since childhood, Americans are

encouraged to see themselves as individuals responsible for their own

destiny, not as a member of any collective group. Many Americans

believe that the ideal person is an autonomous, self-reliant individual.

They generally do not prefer being dependent on other people or

having others dependent on them.”

We often value our individualism as a sign of personal strength. But

what God really desires for us is a deep connection in community and

fellowship. Contrast the words above with what we read about God’s

intentions for his church in 1 Corinthians 12:24-27:

But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts

that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but

that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part

suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part

rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you

is a part of it.

Becoming an intergenerational church begins simply with becoming a

better connected church. There are many things that hinder us from

connecting to the body as God intends, one of which may be the

cultural attitudes we have inherited. Becoming the kind of

community that Jesus modeled with his disciples will take intentional

effort, but for the sake of what God wants to build among us, it is

certainly worth it.

Warm it Up

1. How did people from a different generation play a role in your

story of meeting Christ?

2. Who will you share the gospel with this week?

3. What is one way that you have been blessed personally by your

connections to other age groups in our church family?



Talk it Over

1. Looking back at 1 Corinthians 12:25-26, how do you see this

picture that our different ‘parts should have equal concern for

each other’ lived out in the body of Christ? At CPC? In your own

life?

2. How is it a benefit to the church for us to share in each other’s

suffering and honor?

3. Read Ephesians 2:18-22. What does it mean for us to be built

together? And who is the one doing the building?

4. How can a group of people function as a dwelling for God? We

often think of Christ living in us individually, but how is it

different to envision Him living in us collectively?

Work it Out

1. What is one personal obstacle that makes it difficult for you to be

better connected to the rest of the church community? Is there a

step you can take to move past that obstacle?

2. Now think about those connections you already have in the

church. How might your part of the body (your circle of existing

relationships) reach out to be an encouragement or support to

another part of the body you don’t know so well? What might

such a step cost you?

3. Identify one simple action or change to your routine that will

either bring you into better connection to supportive relationships

within the church or bring you into new connection with someone

from a different age group within the church.

4. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow

citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.

Ephesians 2:19

What does it mean to be a member of God’s household?

Think of how your household functions, and the rights and

responsibilities you hold there.


Pray it Through

Our entire vision for CPC to become radically engaged is really a

prayer. A part of what we are asking God to do is to form us into the

kind of community he intends for his church. Join us in praying for

God to help us reach across the natural barriers that prevent us from

becoming a strong, connected family of faith: “Lord, may CPC be a

community where every generation engages with one another.”

Wrap it Up

No one comes to faith in Jesus Christ alone. God uses each of us

to further His work in the lives of others.

There is much in our culture and lifestyle that hinders the

connectedness God intends to see in His body. He is calling us to

push past those tendencies and divisions that segregate us from

one another.

Give yourself intentionally to others in the church beyond your

familiar circles of relationships.


An Intergenerational Story by Hannah MacDonald

I’ve been blessed being the youngest in a large, active

church family my entire life, yet, I have also been

surrounded by people from different walks of life.

This too has been a blessing as these relationships

include mentors, friends, and role models. Their

involvement in my life has broadened fellowship

beyond those from my age group to spending quality time and

building amazing relationships with retirees, missionaries, toddlers,

and just some people whom I simply adore. One of the most

influential ways I have met such a diverse group of people is

working with Children's Ministries. I have been an intern and

volunteer for Children's Ministries during the past few years

working as a Sunday school teacher for two and five year olds.

They have taught me far more than I have taught them, being role

models of patience, generosity, kindness, and trust every Sunday.

The fact that some of these kids can trust me, a stranger in a new

environment to them, minutes after their entire world – mom or

dad- left amazes me! How wonderful my life would be if I could

trust God, my Father, the same way!

I have also had the opportunity to work with amazing parents of

toddlers and a few out-of this-world colleagues in Children's

Ministries. Their willingness to talk, teach, and be exemplary role

models to me, have transformed my relationship with God into a

24/7 thing instead periodically on Sundays and before a family

meal. The diversity within my fellowship has opened my eyes to

the realistic and practical world and to the many different and

precious ways God shows his grace, mercy , and love towards us. I

am more confident now to trust God in all circumstances, because

he knows just a bit more than I ever will. I hope to keep increasing

my circle of fellowship throughout my life, because it's been one of

the best ways I've learned about God.


Stories of mentorship/encouragement:

Paul & Timothy 2 Timothy 1: 1-14

Ruth & Naomi Ruth 1

Elizabeth and Mary Luke 1: 39-45


The Intergenerational Church: Understanding Congregations from

WWII to www.com by Peter Menconi

http://fulleryouthinstitute.org/intergenerational-ministry/

#resources

Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build a Lasting Faith in Your Kids

by Dr. Kara Powell & Dr. Chap Clark

http://ministry-to-children.com/intergenerational-ministry/

F o r

F u r t h e r

S t u d y


A Compassionate ChurchA Compassionate Church

Matthew 25: 31-40 31 “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him,

He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before

Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd

separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on His right

and the goats on His left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are

blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you

since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me

something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was

a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I

was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit

me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see you

hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When

did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe

you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the

least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Week Six


Opening Remarks—Mark Wollan, Associate Pastor

In his book, “The Hole in Our Gospel”, Rich Stearns

tells the story of a pastor who took scissors and cut out

all the verses in his bible that dealt with poverty,

wealth, justice and oppression. That bible, he told his congregation –

is the “American Bible”.

Like it or not, it’s a powerful statement about how we often ignore

those difficult topics. In Matthew 25: 31-40, Jesus tells a sobering

story about people who completely missed opportunities to serve him,

through the poor, oppressed and needy.

CPC’s 2020 Vision challenges us to a life of compassion through

serving those in need. In doing so, we are actually serving Jesus

himself.

Warm it Up

What is your typical response when confronted with a need that calls

for a compassionate response?

Make a donation to an organization that can help.

Spring into action, personally.

Offer a silent prayer.

Try to get it “out of my mind” as soon as possible.

Feel helpless to make a difference.

Talk it Over

1. The context of this story is a scene of final judgment. What does

this say about the significance of our actions? How do you make

sense of this in light of the truth that we are saved by faith, not

works? (Judgment Day is a revealing of what’s really going on.)

2. What question do both the sheep and the goats ask? What does

the King’s response in verse 40 and 45 tell you about the

connection between God and acts of compassion. How does this

change our motivation to be compassionate?

3. Look at Jesus’ description of those in need (Verses 34-36). Can

some be found right here in our community? Our church? Which

ones? How can you respond?

Work it Out

1. Make a list of needs that you notice during the course of one day

this week.

2. Make a decision to respond in a “hands on” way to one need you

become aware of.

Pray it Through

CPC’s Vision 2020 includes this prayer: “Lord, may the CPC

community joyfully serve the poor and needy in personal and practical

ways.” Matthew 25: 31-40 shows us that the stakes are high!


Wrap it Up

Compassion:

How we live is a reflection of what we believe about Jesus.

Judgment Day will be one of both great and tragic surprises.

We must open our eyes to the needs of others in our church,

community and world.

When we serve the ‘least’ we are serving Jesus himself.


A Compassion Story by Jesse Engle

The story of sheep and goats from Matthew 25

contains one of the strongest warnings found

anywhere in the Bible. The setting is Judgment Day.

Christ has returned “blazing in beauty” and has

taken “his place on His glorious throne.”

Everyone’s being sorted into one of two groups:

sheep go to His right, goats to His left. Sheep are welcomed into

Heaven forever. Goats? Even in the modern language of The

Message translation it’s unbelievably harsh. “Get out, worthless

goats! You’re good for nothing but the fires of hell.” Wow. Serious

business. I struggle with apocalyptic language but this message

couldn’t be more clear.

What’s interesting is that the one thing presented in this story as

the single determinant whether we are sheep or goats is how we

treat the poor—whether we’re compassionate or not. Rich

examples are given to make it clear exactly who Jesus is talking

about: the hungry, the thirsty, the homeless, the cold, the sick,

the prisoners. The people that most of us find unlovable at best,

detestable at worst.


con’t.

Sounds a lot like your neighbors, doesn’t it? Probably not. For

those of us living in the bubble surrounding Danville, we’ve

pretty effectively insulated ourselves from the poor.

So we need to proactively seek them out. We need to put ourselves

in the path of people and circumstances that break the heart of

God so we position ourselves for opportunities to meet God and

demonstrate that we’re His sheep.

I consider myself incredibly fortunate to encounter some of the

poorest people on the planet on a regular basis. My brother, John

Engle, has lived in Haiti for 20 years working to improve the

education system there. He and his family provide me with easy

access to the kind of people Jesus is talking about in Matthew. I’ve

found that developing personal relationships with poor people and

working alongside them to improve their lives is a critical part of

my spiritual health. It allows me to practice compassion and

strengthen my faith. It also makes me a more joyful person.

If it were necessary to have an additional argument for compas-

sion—besides the role it plays in our eternal condition—there

actually is one. Not only is compassion required of us, it’s good for

us. Being compassionate means turning your attention away from

yourself and toward others. When we do this regularly, we become

happier.

We don’t need to go to Haiti to find poor people. Poor doesn’t only

refer to people who are materially poor, but those who are spiritu-

ally poor as well. People that need our compassion are all around

us. They just don’t stand out as much in a place like Danville. So

we need to try harder to find them and embrace them when we do.

I’m not even close to being the most compassionate guy I know.

Sometimes I worry that living in Danville doesn’t give me enough

opportunity to develop compassion in my character.

Stories of Compassion:

Compassion miracles from Elisah 2 Kings 4

God’s compassion for His people Lamentations 3: 21-32

Compassionate friends Mark 2: 1-5

Compassion vs. judgment John 8: 1-11


The Hole in Our Gospel; Richard Stearns

When Helping Hurts; Steve Corbett, Brian Fikkert

Following Jesus Through the Eye of the Needle; Kent Annan


F o r

F u r t h e r

S t u d y

con’t.

If I lived somewhere with a lower standard of living, I’d

encounter more opportunities to be compassionate. Just because

I’ve made living choices that have the effect of insulating me from

the poor doesn’t excuse me from being compassionate toward

them and seeking opportunities to serve them.

I don’t want to be a surprised goat on Judgment Day. Neither do

you. Find people that need your compassion and meet a need

today!

The Pastoral Staff will host a Sunday Night Experience starting

September 9th through October 14th in the CPC Multi-Purpose Room

from 6:30—8:00 pm.

Everyone is welcome! Come as a Small Group or come as an individual

and join a group for this study. For more information or to register

visit www.cpcdanville.org or contact

Terry Campbell at 837-5525 ext. 319 or at [email protected]


For Facilitators of Small Groups

1. As you go through the content for the week, make a note of

the questions you think would generate good discussion in

your group time.

2. Ask group members which questions impacted them and

have them share if they are willing.

3. Take time to give thanks to God for His gift of salvation in

Jesus.

4. Keep us posted on the prayers of your group—when you’re

meeting, who’s participating, etc. Contact Terry Campbell

or Linda Roberts for your facilitator log-in and password so

your group information can be updated regularly online.


We are grateful for all those who have

contributed their stories to this study guide:

- Patrick Jones

- MaryBeth McCullum

- Celeste Ornellas

- Steve Comes

- Hannah MacDonald

- Jesse Engle

How to Share Your Story and Hear About Others

Let’s get radically engaged as a church community by sharing

how God is at work in each of our lives!

As you work through the Radically Engaged Vision

2020 Study Guide, contribute a daily dose of

inspiration! Share your story on CPC’s Facebook

page—www.facebook.com/cpcdanville.org.

Want to stay engaged with what’s going on at

CPC and our Radically Engaged Vision 2020?


222 W. El Pintado Road Danville, CA 94526

925.837.5525 www.cpcdanville.org

CPC Small Group Contact Information:

Cathy Burkholder, Pastor, Life Transformation

[email protected] 925.837.5525 ext. 201

Lee Camp, Elder of Small Groups

[email protected] 925.837.0424

Terry Campbell, Director of Small Groups


Linda Roberts, Admin Support for Small Groups


radically engaged study guide

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