Lesson 15: Crazy Love Chapter 10 - Travel Agent or Tour Guide?

Review

2 Timothy 3:7 “Always learning but never coming to the knowledge (epignosis – ABOVE knowledge --intimate understanding of the Divine) of the truth”

Those of us who are educators in the public and private realms have been schooled in basic theories of learning.  One of the theories we often use to determine if students actually learn is Bloom’s Taxonomy. This theory helps us to identify whether or not a student has merely memorized information or if they have actually incorporated the new knowledge into their “schema” (thinking processes and eventual behavior). 

Rote memory is the lowest form of learning and is not considered true knowledge (experiential understanding, intimate relationship with concepts, ability to utilize information in a real-world situation).

Paul was telling Timothy that merely learning to quote Scripture was not the same as living a life in true relationship with The Way, The Truth, and The Life.  One of the first steps in becoming intimate with Christ is to be able to confess Him among many witnesses, to give a coherent testimony of our relationship with Him, to express our trust and belief in Him as Lord, to be willing to share the Gospel with others as it was shared with us (Phil 2:11; Romans 10:9f; 1 Tim 6:12-14). 

The Master Teacher understood how humans "come to the knowledge of the truth" – through relationship with The Truth.

If we cannot articulate what we know, we really don’t know it. 

If we cannot verbalize our understanding then our understanding is superficial and short- lived. Many of the basic learning theories tell us that deep , long-term understanding can be easily articulated and will result in new skills and behavior patterns.  

Simply put, if we can’t talk about it, we really don’t “get” it. More importantly, if we really don’t “get” it, reflect on it, submit to it, then we won’t be changed by it. Perhaps that is why we do not see the life-changing transformation by Holy Spirit in many folks claiming to be Christians. Perhaps they have not allowed the Spirit to help them articulate and share with others the “hope of their salvation”.

Our testimony is only the beginning of our life in Christ and yet, many have never given time or energy into sharing their testimony. Until we can patiently, gently, lovingly, caringly, consistently, and faithfully share the good news, we stunt our process of intimate “knowledge of the truth.” 

The TRUTH is that true followers of Christ continually confess Him with their lips, continually share in discipling others, continually share the Light in dark places, continually pray for wisdom to walk through doors of opportunity, continually work the works of God. (Acts 1:14, 1 Thess 5:17; 2 Cor 9:12-14) But there is still more! 

God grant us the courage, faith, and humility to begin our journey into truth by following Christ in declaring the Kingdom to those who are lost.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lesson 15:  Chapter 10 ---Travel Agent or Tour Guide?

Once on a trip from Moscow to St Petersburg, Russia, I had the opportunity to sit next to a young man who was interested in a conversation in English. This is always a great opportunity to learn about people and to plant a seed for Christ. During our exchange, I learned that this young man was a chemical engineer and had been hired by a very well known company to do research and development. I mentioned in our conversation how much I enjoyed science and research and was thankful to God for making Himself known to us through His creation.

The man slowly turned, cocked his head and said, I've never thought about believing in God. (Which, of course, was the door of opportunity!) We spent the rest of the flight discussing the major issues scientists had with believing in God. After sharing my faith and my reasons for believing, the young man turned to me and said, "This has been the most intriguing conversation I have had in a very long time. My mind will be more open to hearing about God." Well, in my mind that was all I could have prayed for in such a short flight.

Upon arriving at the airport in St Petersburg, the young man got up from his seat, but did not run off like "Wow! I'm glad that is over!" But instead, insisted on helping me with my bags and showing me where to stand in line for customs. Although this was about my 12th trip to St Petes....I let him assist me and share in the joy of trusting each other.

When we see our testimony as a way to plant a seed for the gospel and trust God to bring others who will water, we have a more relaxed, enjoyable, fearless, honest approach to our testimony.

When we fear about what we might say or not say, what we might leave as an impression, then we are only trusting in our own abilities.  We have failed to see how the God of the Universe is able to take our weakness and make something glorious. We show our lack of faith in the Gospel, when we feel powerless and unsure.

But Christ did not send His disciples out "cold turkey". He spent 3 years mentoring them in his teachings and in His commission. They came back from their limited commission with questions and concerns and Christ spent time "debriefing" them and helping them to get a better grasp of His Kingdom.

Christ’s methods included, teaching, demonstrating with visual cues, challenging, baptizing, mentoring, sending out, bringing back in, debriefing, re-training and extended learning, sending out again, and demanding a confession of commitment and love. When we see how the Master accomplished His goals, we would do well to mimic His methods.

Those who have little or no questions about their faith are probably those who have never tested their faith by trying to share it. More than likely, they have never shared it with people in utter darkness and made it compelling and glorious to those who are lost. When we step out in faith and share our understanding of God's plan, we inevitably come up with areas where we need to not only hone our skills, pray for guidance, and trust God,  but where we need help from others in determining how to better address our testimony to the current culture. 

We must continually learn through debriefing, re-examining ourselves, our motives, our understanding of Scripture, asking for wisdom, and participating in communal prayers of agreement for the lost. This is the best reflection of 1st Century Christianity.

Having never learned to lovingly and graciously share the gospel often results in a false sense of self-righteousness--"I know the truth and you don't" attitude. The truth is that the gospel, if sown, IS THE POWER of God unto salvation. If we are not sowing it in love, consistently, graciously, bravely and tenderly, then we are not living by the truth or by faith. Just "being nice" and living morally, makes us more like the Pharisees, than like Christ. Our love for the lost must EXCEED that of the Pharisees or we will not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

What have we done today that required us to step out, "sight unseen" in faith for the gospel of Christ? How have we bravely pursued Christ this week?

What discomforts have we suffered for the gospel? What sacrifices have we made for the Kingdom? We say we love Christ and His church, but we have not demonstrated any crucial trust in the Commission of Christ to the lost and dying world.

“Do not be deceived, we shall reap what we sow”
________________________________________________

Examine yourself. Are you a Travel Agent or a Tour Guide?

So let's list characteristics of each to see which one describes us best!

Travel Agent	Tour Guide
-Works in an air conditioned office -Sits in a padded chair -Plans trips -Hands you a brochure -May motivate you to go, but may have never been -Says, “Have a nice trip!” -You won’t see after you pay -Goes home at the end of each day	-The expert who is side by side in the field with you the entire trip -Experiences exactly the same conditions as you -Understands hazards & warns you of dangers ahead -Plans for rest stops and facility breaks -Takes time to explain and educate along the way -Makes sure all equipment is available and fits well Spends time with each member

Resource: http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/pastor-articles/171503-are-you-a-travel-agent-or-a-tour-guide.html

There is a major difference between a travel agent and a tour guide.  This difference is seen best in white-water rafting. There are plenty of rafting outfitters from which to choose along a white-water river trail. A travel agent will mail you brochures. A travel agent will suggest a few rafting outfitters and a river to enjoy.

But a travel agent’s role ends there.

A travel agent spouts out intellectual information, hands you some brochures and smiles. A travel agent tells you to enjoy the journey.

“Nice to meet you. Enjoy the trip.”

A tour guide is different.

Along the Ocoee, in the Smoky Mountains, there is a great tour guide named Tripp. The name fits. He literally is a trip. Unlike the travel agent who hands you a brochure, he goes with you on the journey.

“Nice to meet you. Get in. Let’s go.”

Tripp knows the Ocoee. He knows each rapid intimately and talks about them with great energy.  “Double Suck. Moonshot. Flipper” Tripp enjoys each stage in the journey. It is fun to hear him share stories about the different parts of the river. You fall more in love with the river and the scenery because of him. You are inspired by his passion.

What makes Tripp a great tour guide is not his information. Even some of the local travel agents have the information. Tripp is great because of his love for the journey and because he takes you with him.

He takes you along the journey he has traveled. He does not instruct from a distance. He is with you. He is on the bus with you from the outfitter to the river. He is in the raft with you. And, if things do not go as planned, he is in the river with you.

Tripp has been where he is taking you. He is able to instruct because he is familiar with the journey. He speaks from a place of personal authority, and you listen. He is not perfect. His boat may tip over with you in it. But he is credible.

People need spiritual tour guides. They have had plenty of spiritual travel agents. Be a tour guide through the process of spiritual transformation in your church. Take people on a journey with you.

If you get in the boat, the ministry process will come alive. The ministry blueprint will make sense then. It will be clear.
___________________________________________________

Do we walk the walk with those who need The Light?

Examine yourself are you the Levi or the Good Samaritan?

Resource: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=649471821731788&set=a.569011403111164.128941.568983819780589&type=1

A minister transformed himself into a homeless person and went to the church that he was to be introduced to as the “new preacher” at that morning service. He walked around the building in his tattered clothes for 30 minutes while everyone filed in for service....only 3 people said hello to him. He asked people for change to buy food....no one in the building gave him change. He went into the auditorium to sit down in the front of the church and was told by the ushers he should sit in the back. He greeted people only to be greeted back with stares and dirty looks.

As he sat in the back of the church, he listened to the church announcements and such. When all that was done, the elders went up and were excited to introduce the new preacher to the congregation........"We would like to introduce to you our new preacher"....The congregation looked around clapping with joy and anticipation.....The homeless man sitting in the back stood up.....and started walking down the aisle.....the clapping stopped with ALL eyes on him....he walked up to the pulpit and took the microphone from the elders (who were in on this) and paused for a moment....then he recited

"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. 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, 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.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison, and go to visit you?'

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers, you did for me.'

After he recited this, he looked towards the congregation and told them all what he had experienced that morning...many began to cry and many heads were bowed in shame.... he then said....Today I see a gathering of people......not a church of Jesus Christ. The world has enough people, but not enough disciples...when will YOU decide to become disciples? He then dismissed service until next week.......Being a Christian is more than something you claim. It’s something you live by and share with others.

2 Timothy 2:15:  “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed.”

Ephesians 4:28B “...but rather labor for what is good, so that you will be able to share with those who are in need.”

I think the American culture and our "pursuit of happiness" syndrome have made us forget why God has blessed us as a nation with wealth and privilege.  Why do we have jobs? So we can become the rich man, who built bigger storehouses and who ignored Lazarus? Or did God bless us with our jobs so that we can share with those in need?

Have we barricaded ourselves in the Basilica or have we "Gone Out!" for the purpose of Christ? Are we piled up or spreading out for Christ.

“Christians are like manure: Spread them out and they help everything grow better, but keep them in one big pile and they stink horribly” (Chan, Chapter 10)

Examine yourself, humble yourself, deny yourself, be refined in the fire and prove your willingness to trust in the Holy Spirit and the Gospel of Christ.