Southwest Wake Christian Assembly
Diligent Workmen

The Lord instructs us to "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth" (2 Tim 2:15). He also instructs us (via Paul to Timothy) “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim 2:2).

How do the elders/shepherds of the church encourage men to grow as the leaders of their families and teachers of other men? There are many ways both formal and informal. As we’ve discussed this issue with many other leaders of churches we’ve been given many excellent examples of church based leadership training.

So, what do we do?

First of all we encourage our men to have both personal time in the word every day and lead their families in Family Worship on a daily basis. (See Family Worship for more on this topic).

We have a had a variety of things we've studied together in a variety of forms.  Currently, we are going through "God's Plan for Church Planting & Expansion", a study through the New Testament to examine the biblical model of church planting and expansion and its implications/applications to us.  Some of us meet on Thursday mornings, and some on Thursday evenings.

Some of our men (or families) meet with each other regularly or irregularly to work through various issues together

The elders put together a general road map of topics, assign some reading ahead of time, and then we get the men together and hash it out. This has taken vairous forms. Currently we are working through the foundations of working through the matters of interpreting and applying Scripture to our lives along this rough outline:

1. Bible Interpretation - the Literal Grammatical Historical Method
2. Overview of Church History (canonization of the NT, determine which early church writers were "orthodox")
   1. The Purpose and Practices of the Early (Biblical) Church
   2. Shepherding of the Church
      • Apostles Teaching
      • Progression of Leadership in Church History
   3. Threats to the Church: Heresies and False Teachings
      • Judaizers
      • Gnosticism
      • Special Revelation
3. Dispensational Systems (not to be confused with Dispensationalism) - NOTE: We will return to this study (and Eschatology) after finishing our current Church Planting & Expansion study
   
4. Eschatology (study of end times)

Previously, we encouraged the men to study a book a month, discussing it with other men as they do, gleaning the fruit and getting rid of the chaff as they apply what God would have them to their lives. The books were all be based on Scripture and rotated between "emphasis on church/theology", "emphasis on practical application"*, and a book(s) of the bible. At the end of each month, we gathered as many as possible together for a couple of hours to discuss what we've learned about God's truths and sharpen each other. We encouraged the men to read/study the entire book each month before coming to the discussion time, but also encouraged them to come and at least listen if they haven't finished the book, recognizing they'll get more out of it if they get into it.

The current plan is as follows (subject to change, but not too easily). We'll meet on the 4th Saturday of every month, other than November/December due to probable travel conflicts.

Typically we'll order the books in bulk more than a month ahead of time to get better pricing. Men are welcome to reimburse the church for the cost of the book, but should not feel compelled to.

Previous books and schedule follows:

Book & Topic	Meeting Time & Host
On Christian Liberty by Martin Luther (84 pages)	Saturday, December 6, 2003, 7:00-9:00 AM hosted by David & Linda Spain
Let the Nations Be Glad!: The Supremacy of God in Missions by John Piper (256 pages)	Saturday, January 24, 2004, 6:30-8:30 AM hosted by Ken & Carol Auer
James	Saturday, February 28, 2004, 6:30-8:30 AM Location TBD
War of Words: Getting to the Heart of Your Communication Struggles by Paul David Tripp (245 pages)	Saturday, March 27, 2004, 6:30-8:30 AM Location TBD
Charity and Its Fruits by Jonathan Edwards (?? pages)	Saturday, April 24, 2004, 6:30-8:30 AM Location TBD

The following is a list of our initial meetings, for those who would like to catch up, or ponder it for a model in their own local bodies.

Book & Topic	Meeting Time & Host
Biblical Eldership: An Urgent Call to Restore Biblical Church Leadership by Alexander Strauch. There are two versions of this book: "Comprehensive" version (337 pages) "Condensed" version (46 pages).	Saturday, October 26, 2002, 7:00-9:00 AM hosted by Court & Karen Weathers
Family Worship: Biblical Basis, Historical Reality, Current Need by Kerry Ptacek	Saturday, December 7, 2002, 1:30-5:30 PM hosted by Bob & Sherri DiLorenzo (NOTE: Phil Lancaster, editor of Patriarch Magazine will be here to lead our discussion of this topic)
1 & 2 Timothy & Titus	Saturday, January 25, 2003, 7:00-9:00 AM hosted by Ken & Carol Auer
New Testament Deacon: Minister of Mercy by Alexander Strauch	Saturday, February 22, 2003, 7:00-9:00 PM hosted by David & Linda Spain
Safely Home by Tom Eldridge	Saturday, March 22, 2003, time TBD hosted by Bob & Sherri DiLorenzo (NOTE: Mark Holden, of Family Light Ministries will be here to lead our discussion of this topic)
Acts	Saturday, April 26, 2003, 7:00-9:00 hosted by David & Linda Spain
Missionary Methods: St. Paul's or Ours? by Roland Allen	Saturday, May 24, 2003, 7:00-9:00 hosted by David & Linda Spain
Future Men by Douglas Wilson	Saturday, June 28, 2003, 7:00-9:00 hosted by David & Linda Spain
Romans	Saturday, July 26, 2003, 7:00-9:00 hosted by Ken & Carol Auer
Attributes of God by Arthur W. Pink	Saturday, August 23, 2003, 7:00-9:00 hosted by David & Linda Spain
Her Hand in Marriage by Douglas Wilson	Saturday, September 27, 2003, 7:00-9:00 hosted by David & Linda Spain
1 & 2 Peter	Saturday, October 26, 2003, 7:00-9:00 Location: Raven Rock State Park - Camping with "Called out Young Men"

*NOTE: If you are wondering why there are no "Marriage" books here it's because a bunch of men are meeting in groups of 2-3 and studying "Exemplary Husband" by Stuart Scott already... Those who aren't (or haven't) should :-).