The
Become More Like Jesus and Prepare for Heaven
Small Group Ministry
based on the
Preparing for Heaven: Building the Eternal Phase of Your Life curriculum
at HeavenBeckons.com
A discipleship ministry
through teaching and implementing
the 65 Togethers of Scripture for Christian relationships
in order to become more and more like Jesus Christ
______________________________________________________________________
Become More Like Jesus and Prepare for Heaven
Small Group Ministry
based on the
Preparing for Heaven: Building the Eternal Phase of Your Life curriculum
at HeavenBeckons.com
A discipleship ministry
through teaching and implementing
the 65 Togethers of Scripture for Christian relationships
in order to become more and more like Jesus Christ
______________________________________________________________________
This ministry goes far beyond teaching to deeper discipleship that yields significant change into the image of Jesus Christ that enhances a participant’s experience in heaven *forever*. As such, it is a serious endeavor that involves commitment to follow learning with doing.
This will likely begin as a small group and can stay as a small group. However, there is the chance that popularity of the content and outcome of this curriculum, with its solid discipleship into real significant change into Christlikeness (godliness), will offer the opportunity to the ministry leader to change this ministry from a small group format to a large workshop format where participants break down into small groups during the second half of each meeting. This workshop format is discussed at the end.
Overview
Not counting instructional podcasts, there are 68 podcasts. To cover the material will take 68 meetings. This is not meant to be a brief experience, although some can leave and some can join at any time. After the 68 sessions, it can all be done over again. This curriculum can be of great value if it runs through the 68 podcasts and then does it all over again. Christians who choose to repeat the curriculum will just grow further into the image of Jesus Christ through their relations with other participants as well as their Christian Inner Circle of Christian friends, family members and, if they have one, spouse. And, they will gain additional enhancement of heaven.
The Become More Like Jesus and Prepare for Heaven Ministry Leader should be one to commit to this for a couple of years or be willing to train another to take over.
Christian individuals can come into the group at any time, but will need to listen on their own time to the three introductory podcasts at HeavenBeckons.com before joining the group (or workshop). These three podcasts include the introductory material that explains and motivates spiritual change through significant relationships between believers.
the Initial Podcast at the home page of HeavenBeckons.com
Critical Information about Preparing for Heaven (Course One, Track 4a)
Foundations (Course 1, Track 4b)
Leadership Considerations
[1] The most important qualification for the leader of this Become More Like Jesus and Prepare for Heaven Ministry is a strong desire to see God receive more glory. Worship is giving glory to God and has been defined as reflecting back to God His own character. Thus, the more a Christian is like Jesus who is the perfect reflection of God the Father, the more God is glorified.
Since heaven is all about God, preparing for heaven is done by becoming more and more like Jesus deep down in our spirits for an eternal life of glorifying God. This is the purpose of this ministry. Love, honor and glory to God is the primary outcome. However, increasing an enhanced life in heaven for Christian participants is the second priority and very important.
Therefore, a leader of this ministry must truly find joy in helping Christians change their spirits, who they are deep inside of themselves, to become more like Jesus so that God will receive more glory. Consider that a participant in this ministry changes to be more like Jesus five percent. Let’s liken that allegorically to 5 more pounds of glory sent to God, not just this year, but forever. In two years it becomes 10 pounds of glory, but in a thousand years, God will receive 5,000 additional pounds more glory. In 10,000 years, it will be 50,000 pounds of glory. Ten ministry participants changing to be like Jesus 5% will in 10,000 years give to God 500,000 pounds of glory.
If you do not understand this, this ministry is not for you to lead. If you do understand it and consider it worth a priority on your time to see God more glorified, then this ministry should be seriously considered.
[2] Leaders should also be aware of how much they themselves want to change to be like Jesus and that they, like the ministry participants they lead, need just as much to change more into the likeness of Jesus. None of us has come even close to maximum godliness!
[3] Leaders must understand and agree with both the podcasts at HeavenBeckons.com titled “Critical Information about Preparing for Heaven” (Course One, Track 4a) and “Foundations” (Course 1, Track 4b) as well as the longer text explanations at ChristiansTogether.org of the “Preface and Introduction” and Chapters 1-5. Minor disagreements and lack of understanding is acceptable and to be expected.
[4] Optional: Leaders will gain a lot of professional group leadership skills if they go through my small group leaders training course at LambsBride.org. My professional Masters Degree in Social Work is in working with small groups. (HeavenBeckons.com, ChristiansTogether.org and LambsBride.org are all part of the Lamb’s Bride Project, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit Colorado corporation.)
How to Start and Continue this Discipleship Ministry
These suggestions are based on meetings being 90 minutes.
Before the First Meeting Have prospective group members listen twice to the initial podcast at the Home Page of HeavenBeckons.com. (Sometimes phones and tablets are louder than computers.)
First Meeting
If you wish, there is a link to a pdf file of this initial podcast you can print out for your reference during the meeting or to make copies for everyone.
In this order:
1. Explain that the purpose of the Become More Like Jesus and Prepare for Heaven Ministry is for group members to help one another grow to be more like Jesus and prepare for heaven. Explain that commitment to this purpose will be required after Session Four to continue in the group. Ask for questions and feedback.
2. Explain that even before Session Five, everyone needs to agree to confidentiality to make it safe for people to share their thoughts and feelings. What is said in the meetings is not to become gossip with others outside of the group.
3. Explain that there will be preparation required before each session as the Become More Like Jesus and Prepare for Heaven Ministry is serious business and not entertainment or to provide an activity for people who need something to do. As such, it will not be like a church Sunday school class or other passive church program. At Session Four, people will have to commit to seriously pursue increased godliness which will include:
a. Listening and/or reading the week’s 15-minute podcast at HeavenBeckons.com and printing out from their computers the script of that podcast,
b. Coming to the meetings every time it is possible and asking questions, participating in discussions, and when applicable actually doing the Together of Scripture addressed that meeting,
c. Keeping personal material of others confidential unless the person actually gives permission for it to be shared.
4. Discussing the content of the first initial podcast (on the home page of HeavenBeckons.com) and asking other participants to identify if they are sure they are going to heaven or just hope they are. Explaining the good news of salvation in hopes that all will be sure of their salvation and inheritance of heaven. Help everyone to be certain of heaven, certain that they are going there, and excited about being with God in His home.
5. Brainstorm what they envision heaven to be like. Help them to see the personal aspects of heaven more than the physical aspects.
Subsequent Meetings
Meetings should be divided so that during the first 30 minutes the meeting’s podcast is discussed. Participants should be quite familiar with the material in the podcast from their prior reading and listening. But the leader will have more knowledge from reading the corresponding portions at ChristiansTogether.org. After the 30 minutes, a break of 15 minutes will be welcomed. That will leave 45 minutes for the second half of each meeting.
After the learning portion, the second half of the meeting should be actual application of that week’s Together in the small group with one another and/or identifying for each participant where and how she or he can apply it in her or his circle of close Christian friends, close Christian family members, and spouse if there is one.
Meetings 2 & 3 are Very Important – if needed, take more than one meeting for each.
Meeting Two is the podcast of Course One, Track 4a titled Critical Information about Preparing for Heaven and Meeting Three is the podcast of Course One, Track 4b titled Foundations. It is very important for all group members to understand these two podcasts, as they are the underlying premise for all of the other podcasts. Don’t rush through this material. Extend the teaching portion to the total time of each of these two meetings and encourage a lot of comments and questions.
Meetings Regarding the Togethers
Now go to the basic first half / second half format explained above.
The next meeting will be Course One, Track 5 on Worship God Together. Generally follow the sound tracks (portions) as presented, but if a need arises to learn how to implement a certain Together because of some situation a group member or members face, insert that Together next and then go back to where you were before.
Growth into a Workshop Format for More Participants than Ten
The advantage of opening participation to a group larger than 8 to 10 members is that during the second half of each meeting, participants can break down into small, maybe tiny, groups of people in their own Christian Inner Circles. Others would break down into small groups of people they at least know. Those who do not know anyone as an acquaintance would form small groups of four people, giving them the chance to become a Christian Inner Circle down the road.
To grow to a workshop format, participants can be encouraged to bring their close Christian friends and family members for the purpose of beginning to do the Togethers with one another and beginning a process of deeper biblical relationships during the second half of each session. Their contact with one another will continue as they are a part of one another’s lives into the future after they leave this ministry.
If this larger workshop format requires space that cannot be provided free by a church, or business, or other venue in the community, it might be necessary to rent space and charge participants a small fee. They should be willing in light of the enhancements in heaven they are gaining through the Become More Like Jesus and Prepare for Heaven Ministry.
This will likely begin as a small group and can stay as a small group. However, there is the chance that popularity of the content and outcome of this curriculum, with its solid discipleship into real significant change into Christlikeness (godliness), will offer the opportunity to the ministry leader to change this ministry from a small group format to a large workshop format where participants break down into small groups during the second half of each meeting. This workshop format is discussed at the end.
Overview
Not counting instructional podcasts, there are 68 podcasts. To cover the material will take 68 meetings. This is not meant to be a brief experience, although some can leave and some can join at any time. After the 68 sessions, it can all be done over again. This curriculum can be of great value if it runs through the 68 podcasts and then does it all over again. Christians who choose to repeat the curriculum will just grow further into the image of Jesus Christ through their relations with other participants as well as their Christian Inner Circle of Christian friends, family members and, if they have one, spouse. And, they will gain additional enhancement of heaven.
The Become More Like Jesus and Prepare for Heaven Ministry Leader should be one to commit to this for a couple of years or be willing to train another to take over.
Christian individuals can come into the group at any time, but will need to listen on their own time to the three introductory podcasts at HeavenBeckons.com before joining the group (or workshop). These three podcasts include the introductory material that explains and motivates spiritual change through significant relationships between believers.
the Initial Podcast at the home page of HeavenBeckons.com
Critical Information about Preparing for Heaven (Course One, Track 4a)
Foundations (Course 1, Track 4b)
Leadership Considerations
[1] The most important qualification for the leader of this Become More Like Jesus and Prepare for Heaven Ministry is a strong desire to see God receive more glory. Worship is giving glory to God and has been defined as reflecting back to God His own character. Thus, the more a Christian is like Jesus who is the perfect reflection of God the Father, the more God is glorified.
Since heaven is all about God, preparing for heaven is done by becoming more and more like Jesus deep down in our spirits for an eternal life of glorifying God. This is the purpose of this ministry. Love, honor and glory to God is the primary outcome. However, increasing an enhanced life in heaven for Christian participants is the second priority and very important.
Therefore, a leader of this ministry must truly find joy in helping Christians change their spirits, who they are deep inside of themselves, to become more like Jesus so that God will receive more glory. Consider that a participant in this ministry changes to be more like Jesus five percent. Let’s liken that allegorically to 5 more pounds of glory sent to God, not just this year, but forever. In two years it becomes 10 pounds of glory, but in a thousand years, God will receive 5,000 additional pounds more glory. In 10,000 years, it will be 50,000 pounds of glory. Ten ministry participants changing to be like Jesus 5% will in 10,000 years give to God 500,000 pounds of glory.
If you do not understand this, this ministry is not for you to lead. If you do understand it and consider it worth a priority on your time to see God more glorified, then this ministry should be seriously considered.
[2] Leaders should also be aware of how much they themselves want to change to be like Jesus and that they, like the ministry participants they lead, need just as much to change more into the likeness of Jesus. None of us has come even close to maximum godliness!
[3] Leaders must understand and agree with both the podcasts at HeavenBeckons.com titled “Critical Information about Preparing for Heaven” (Course One, Track 4a) and “Foundations” (Course 1, Track 4b) as well as the longer text explanations at ChristiansTogether.org of the “Preface and Introduction” and Chapters 1-5. Minor disagreements and lack of understanding is acceptable and to be expected.
[4] Optional: Leaders will gain a lot of professional group leadership skills if they go through my small group leaders training course at LambsBride.org. My professional Masters Degree in Social Work is in working with small groups. (HeavenBeckons.com, ChristiansTogether.org and LambsBride.org are all part of the Lamb’s Bride Project, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit Colorado corporation.)
How to Start and Continue this Discipleship Ministry
These suggestions are based on meetings being 90 minutes.
Before the First Meeting Have prospective group members listen twice to the initial podcast at the Home Page of HeavenBeckons.com. (Sometimes phones and tablets are louder than computers.)
First Meeting
If you wish, there is a link to a pdf file of this initial podcast you can print out for your reference during the meeting or to make copies for everyone.
In this order:
1. Explain that the purpose of the Become More Like Jesus and Prepare for Heaven Ministry is for group members to help one another grow to be more like Jesus and prepare for heaven. Explain that commitment to this purpose will be required after Session Four to continue in the group. Ask for questions and feedback.
2. Explain that even before Session Five, everyone needs to agree to confidentiality to make it safe for people to share their thoughts and feelings. What is said in the meetings is not to become gossip with others outside of the group.
3. Explain that there will be preparation required before each session as the Become More Like Jesus and Prepare for Heaven Ministry is serious business and not entertainment or to provide an activity for people who need something to do. As such, it will not be like a church Sunday school class or other passive church program. At Session Four, people will have to commit to seriously pursue increased godliness which will include:
a. Listening and/or reading the week’s 15-minute podcast at HeavenBeckons.com and printing out from their computers the script of that podcast,
b. Coming to the meetings every time it is possible and asking questions, participating in discussions, and when applicable actually doing the Together of Scripture addressed that meeting,
c. Keeping personal material of others confidential unless the person actually gives permission for it to be shared.
4. Discussing the content of the first initial podcast (on the home page of HeavenBeckons.com) and asking other participants to identify if they are sure they are going to heaven or just hope they are. Explaining the good news of salvation in hopes that all will be sure of their salvation and inheritance of heaven. Help everyone to be certain of heaven, certain that they are going there, and excited about being with God in His home.
5. Brainstorm what they envision heaven to be like. Help them to see the personal aspects of heaven more than the physical aspects.
Subsequent Meetings
Meetings should be divided so that during the first 30 minutes the meeting’s podcast is discussed. Participants should be quite familiar with the material in the podcast from their prior reading and listening. But the leader will have more knowledge from reading the corresponding portions at ChristiansTogether.org. After the 30 minutes, a break of 15 minutes will be welcomed. That will leave 45 minutes for the second half of each meeting.
After the learning portion, the second half of the meeting should be actual application of that week’s Together in the small group with one another and/or identifying for each participant where and how she or he can apply it in her or his circle of close Christian friends, close Christian family members, and spouse if there is one.
Meetings 2 & 3 are Very Important – if needed, take more than one meeting for each.
Meeting Two is the podcast of Course One, Track 4a titled Critical Information about Preparing for Heaven and Meeting Three is the podcast of Course One, Track 4b titled Foundations. It is very important for all group members to understand these two podcasts, as they are the underlying premise for all of the other podcasts. Don’t rush through this material. Extend the teaching portion to the total time of each of these two meetings and encourage a lot of comments and questions.
Meetings Regarding the Togethers
Now go to the basic first half / second half format explained above.
The next meeting will be Course One, Track 5 on Worship God Together. Generally follow the sound tracks (portions) as presented, but if a need arises to learn how to implement a certain Together because of some situation a group member or members face, insert that Together next and then go back to where you were before.
Growth into a Workshop Format for More Participants than Ten
The advantage of opening participation to a group larger than 8 to 10 members is that during the second half of each meeting, participants can break down into small, maybe tiny, groups of people in their own Christian Inner Circles. Others would break down into small groups of people they at least know. Those who do not know anyone as an acquaintance would form small groups of four people, giving them the chance to become a Christian Inner Circle down the road.
To grow to a workshop format, participants can be encouraged to bring their close Christian friends and family members for the purpose of beginning to do the Togethers with one another and beginning a process of deeper biblical relationships during the second half of each session. Their contact with one another will continue as they are a part of one another’s lives into the future after they leave this ministry.
If this larger workshop format requires space that cannot be provided free by a church, or business, or other venue in the community, it might be necessary to rent space and charge participants a small fee. They should be willing in light of the enhancements in heaven they are gaining through the Become More Like Jesus and Prepare for Heaven Ministry.