Celebration of Discipline:
The Discipline of Guidance
(Downloadable Word document)

Introduction
* We should be striving to be a Spirit-led, Spirit-empowered, and Spirit-intoxicated people
- Individual guidance should give way to corporate guidance
* God leads His people by (1) guiding groups of people and (2) instructing individuals through group experiences
- God led His "gathered people" from Egypt into the promised land
- Jesus taught us: "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:19,20)

God's Will + Believer's Unity = Authority

- The apostolic church
¢ The First Christians -
"Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all." (Acts 4:32-33)
¢ Corporate Guidance after Corporate Worship -
"Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, 'Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away." (Acts 13:1-3)
¢ Corporate Guidance through Controversy -
"For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:" (Acts 15:28)
* Corporate Guidance does not equal majority rule, anarchy, or human totalitarianism. It is a Spirit directed unity.

Models for Corporate Guidance
* Turning to others to know God's will on a matter - e.g., St. Francis of Assisi
* Meetings for Clearness - seeking the mind of the Spirit about a particular question
- "Sounding" and "Testing" the Call
* Seeking discernment on personal matters
* Seeking Guidance on Church Business Matters
- Viewing a business meeting as a worship service; Unity, not majority, is the rule
- Hearing the Kol Yahweh and moving at His direction
- Issues are approached with an assurance that the mind of the Spirit can be known

Spiritual Director
* God's Usher, leading souls in God's way
* An advisor, concerned with the whole person and all aspects of life
* Develops between two people out of natural relationships
- Prayer forms the basis for arranging this relationship
* Spiritual directors have a genuine maturity
Limits of Corporate Guidance
* Manipulation and control by leaders, imposing their will on individuals
* Hard-hearted and stiff-necked people, thwarting a Spirit-inspired leader
* Pursuing guidance outside of Biblical norms. Scripture must pervade all our thinking and actions.
* We are fallible human beings. Despite our best efforts, there will be times when we come into a "sharp contention." We must be kind to each other and always lift each other up in prayer.

Discussion Questions
* What are some of the ways we typically seek and get guidance?
* Have you ever been part of a group in which you and others received divine guidance through the group experience? How did you confirm that the leading was from God, rather than from the collective outcome of human opinion?
* Recalling Matthew 18:19-20, why do you think "agreement" between believers is so important that Jesus places it as a condition of the Father's response?
- Do you think Jesus' statements mean that His presence in a group gathered in His name differs in some unique way from His presence with individuals? Why or why not?
* How do you interpret the term "spiritual director"? What are some of the qualifications of one?
* Are our business and committee meetings viewed as times of worship where we seek to know the mind of the Spirit on church matters? Why or why not?