Section Two: The Quest Equipping Track
OBSERVATIONS, QUOTES AND ASSUMPTIONS: Agree or disagree?
A. Quest is a tool that functions as a spiritual rite of passage, and offers the necessary relational bonding, adventure, challenge and self-discovery necessary to adolescent differentiation. The end result of healthy development is a spiritual adult ready to parent.
B. Quest is a small group process modeled on Eagle scouting, a familiar American rite of passage. Using a familiar model enhances the adoption of an innovation. A group that undertakes a Quest will perform four tasks involving pilgrimage, ministry and personal sacrifice. They will seek the Lord’s will, take up their cross and carry it as a ministry to bless others. As a rite of passage, the Quest is an exciting and life changing spiritual adventure.
C. Prerequisites to Quest: Three necessary steps precede the beginning of a Quest; these “speed bumps” prevent an immature person from beginning a Quest until they are prepared. A pilgrim has first participated faithfully in a Jump Group, thereby developing habits of prayer, reading scripture, interacting with lost people and reviewing his or her behavior with questions and a mentor. Second, mature Christians tithe or have a written plan to become tithers (Matthew 6:21, Malachi 3:6-18). Third, potential Quest pilgrims have also participated in a gift identification process to help them discern God’s calling on their lives and their area of ministry as laity.
Example: A JUMP group has two apprentices who are diabetics. After the gifts/ministry identification process, the apprentices decide their people target ministry group will be other diabetics. They refine their JUMP group practice to reflect this interest. Their prayer tool lists consist of other diabetics; their accountability questions for the JUMP group include goal questions for the management of their illness.
QUOTE [1]
NOTE
DISCERNMENT QUESTIONS
RESOURCES
[1] The quote is a selection from David O. Kueker’s Fuller Seminary Doctor of Ministry project submitted in September, 2007, entitled Diagnosis, Dialogue, and Decision: A Threefold Process of Revitalization For the Illinois Great Rivers Conference.
It is shared here in recognition of its 12th Anniversary along with comments to update and provide perspective on the material. The original project was a Training Manual/Study Guide of three Seminars supported by three chapters of research and an Introduction. The material is available for download at www.disciplewalk.com/Resources.html. In 2009 it was provided for purchase as a softcover book entitled Designing Discipleship Systems: Christian Disciple Making For Any Size Church, Any Theology through CreateSpace.com.
[2][3] [4][5] [6][7] [8]
All Scripture quotations are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Please review the page How and Why We Use Quotes.