All Consuming Fire has been developed in the context of the local church: in classroom settings of women, men and women, small groups, and one-to-one soul care relationships. We are hearing stories of change, of the impact of the Holy Spirit on willing hearts, of steady transformation.
As the church, we have several challenges:
- How do we help people move beyond a wide road of comfortable Christianity (which is knowledge-based without significant life change) to the narrow road of the uncomfortable realities of suffering, sin, brokenness, and repentance, in order to experience life transformation?
- How do we enter the life of ministry knowing that relationships are messy, unpredictable, and discouraging, yet at the same time, grand, glorious, and full of the sweet aroma of Christ?
- How do we bring pleasure to the Father in the relationships He has given us to enjoy, and in the ministries He has entrusted to us?
- How do we know if our efforts are producing true Spiritual Formation?
All Consuming Fire provides a context in which spiritual concepts are brought to light, and discussed within safe communities. It has been specifically designed to ask the tough questions, to surface the inner motives of the heart, and to challenge the superficial attitudes that all of us encounter. It is intended to encourage your church to experience significant life change, one person at a time, by engaging life–with-life for the purpose of transformation.
How will we know we are a transformational community?
We will hear stories of brokenness over sin. We will see people repent and walk away from or destroy their idols, confront their fears, and jump off of the precipice of control into the safe arms of an uncontrollable God! We will watch people, who were spiritually dead, gain new life in Christ, and those, who were complacent or numb in their relationship with God, come alive! We will watch broken marriages healed, and interpersonal relationships restored. We will see people investing in the lives of others at great personal sacrifice, motivated by selfless love. We will experience the movement of the Holy Spirit; we will see transformation take place, and we will fall on our knees and worship!
What happened? These are some of the comments from past participants:
- “Excellent”.
- “This class both affirmed and challenged me in my relationship with God. I understand more fully the components and aspects of Spiritual Formation in personal ways that are life changing.”
- “Uplifting.”
- “I am learning to talk less and think more...and it is REALLY hard sometimes!”
- “Open and honest.”
- “It was very personal, applicable to daily life and spiritually meaningful.”
How do I know that it is theologically sound?
“Taken as a whole, I believe you have done an extraordinarily fine job.
It is thoroughly compatible with everything that I know of that constitutes “evangelical” theology and teaching. I think your questions are not only adequate, they are excellent. Also, your commentary preceding the questions is extraordinarily well-done and helpful. I think you have done an excellent piece of work that will serve to take believers down the right road of spiritual formation.”
All Consuming Fire can be used as background material for a preaching series, teaching material for Sunday school or small groups, and for spiritual mentoring. Since it is topical, the lessons can be used independently of one another.