This is an exciting 10 week programme that provides a 'next step' for churches that have already completed the core JSP 15 week programme. Most churches that engage with Jesus Shaped People will move on and undertake this programme. So its important to understand what's involved. Read this page for everything you need to know!
A 'next step' 10-week programme rooted in the life of the Early Church
If you have undertaken the main Jesus Shaped People programme you will already know that it looks at the life of Jesus in a fresh way. It asks 'What would happen to our church if we based everything we do on the life of Jesus?'. Not only is it a radical way to handle the Gospels, it leads to a thorough re-orientation in our churches.
Invariably churches that have adopted Jesus Shaped People ask 'what comes next?'
Spirit Filled Church answers that question. It does so by offering a way for them to take a careful look at the life and work of the very earliest Christians—those who formed the early Christian church in the Acts of the Apostles.
Spirit Filled Church examines how the early disciples continued to live out the principles that Jesus had modelled, and which had reshaped their lives. We see the five core priorities of JSP reflected, and how all this led to a fruitful time of dynamic ministry, rapid growth and a world-changing mission.
Careful and prayerful preparation should precede the adoption of the 10 week programme, and good evaluation of the convictions that emerge should take place, to ensure growth in wise vision and ministry development of the church.
Building on the five key themes from Jesus' ministry
Jesus Shaped People identified five key themes from the life of Jesus. These were:
- People
- Teaching
- Team Building
- Prayer
- Prophetic Challenge
Jesus Shaped People explored each of these themes—and the same themes form the core structure of Spirit Filled Church. This time we spend two weeks looking at each of the five themes, making up a 10-week programme.
By building our programme around the five priorities, Spirit Filled Church fulfils the twin aims of reinforcing the key teaching of Jesus Shaped People, whilst at the same time demonstrating how those principles were embedded into the life of the church.
A fully developed package for the whole church
Once again, we have developed a full package of materials and resources to enable your church to deliver an exciting, engaging and power-packed Spirit Filled Church programme in your local situation.
For each week of the programme we provide
- Sermon Notes for your clergy, readers and preachers,
- Detailed and easy-to-follow small group notes,
- Readings, collects and music suggestions,
- A full range of material for children and young people so that the whole church can engage with Spirit Filled Church together,
- Promotional and publicity materials.
Of course, churches who wish to run the Spirit Filled Church programme will have already used Jesus Shaped People, so you will already have experience and expertise in delivering these programmes. This will definitely help you!
However, take time to carefully and prayerfully prepare your church and leaders for Spirit Filled Church so that you can gain the most benefit from this resource.