Becoming a Sower

Instructor

Rev. Paul Dugan -

Paul is the Pastor of Education and Discipleship here at CPC. He has been married to Kathy for 28 years. They have 3 children - Jeremy, Corey, & Sean. Paul's interests are music (classical, jazz), reading (history, theology) and traveling with Kathy.  Paul is known at church for his acronym creations and to date has created more acronyms than any other staff member in the history of Community Presbyterian Church.

Course Outline

Course objective:  to equip adults in the art of spiritual conversation as modeled by Jesus in the Gospel of John.

Session Descriptions

Session One–Introduction:  John 20:30-31 Key verse:  These (signs) are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
          This session will introduce the purpose of this course as an apprenticeship with Jesus in the art of spiritual conversation, with the Gospel of John as our “manual.”  Participants will have the opportunity to share their initial fears and struggles regarding the idea of sharing Jesus with others, and wrestle with some common misconceptions about evangelism.

Session Two–Presence:  John 1:1-18  Key verse: The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood (1:14 The Message).
          Spiritual conversation takes place in a relational context. The Gospel of John opens with a poetic declaration of the incarnate Word, that God the Son has taken flesh and “moved into the neighborhood.”  Authentic conversation cannot begin until we enter into our neighbor’s world.

Session Three–Invitation: John 1:29-51  Key verse:  Come and see (1:46).
          Spiritual conversation involves an invitation to experience Jesus firsthand. When Nathaniel objected, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip challenged him to come and see for himself. Like Nathaniel, many today carry personal biases regarding Jesus, the Bible, the church, etc. The conversationalist gently invites others to step beyond their personal prejudices and experience Jesus firsthand.

Session Four–Provocativity: John 3:1-21  Key verse:  I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again (3:3).
          Spiritual conversation sometimes involves raising provocative images and questions. Jesus’ use of images (ex. new birth, wind) seemed to raise more questions in the mind of this religious leader than it resolved. The conversationalist must not be afraid to gently challenge preconceptions, understanding that it is possible to be religious,  moral, “spiritual” and yet unregenerate.

Session Five–Broken Wells:  John 4:1-42  Key verse:  Go, call your husband… (4:16).
          Spiritual conversation involves moving beyond abstract religious debates to issues of the heart. The Samaritan woman was looking for fulfillment in all the wrong places. These “broken wells” cannot hold water. The conversationalist is aware of common “broken wells” and understands how Jesus ultimately fills these needs.

Session Six–The Controversial Jesus:  John 6:1-15,25-51  Key verse: I AM the bread of life… (6:35).
          Spiritual conversation inevitably moves to the subject of the exclusive claims of Jesus. Jesus in this passage said “I AM the bread of life…”  John’s Gospel emphasizes Jesus’ teaching about himself. As they were in Jesus’ time, these exclusive claims are a scandal to our postmodern culture. The conversationalist must wrestle with how to honestly communicate these claims to our pre-Christian friends without shutting down the ongoing conversation.

Session Seven–Unexpected Acceptance:  John 8:1-11  Key verse:  “Neither do I condemn you,”  Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin” (8:11).
          Spiritual conversation involves unconditional acceptance. In contrast to the attitude held by the self-righteous religious leaders, Jesus responded to the woman caught in adultery with compassion, dignity and forthrightness. The conversationalist surprises others with grace and acceptance, yet speaks the truth about sin.

Session Eight–A Listening Heart:  John 11:1-6,17-48  Key verse:  If you had been here, my brother would not have died (11:21).
          Spiritual conversation involves listening with our whole hearts. Jesus, in his encounter with Mary and Martha following their brother’s death, demonstrates a full range of human emotions. He enters into their pain even as he declares the truth of the resurrection. The conversationalist hears and feels deeply.

Session Nine–The Mark of a Christian:  John 13:1-17,34-35 Key verse:  By this will all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (13:35).
          Spiritual conversation is most effective when reinforced by the witness of a loving Christian community. Jesus provided a radical redefinition of love as he took on the role of a servant at his farewell meal with his disciples, and washed their feet. The conversationalist understands that the living witness of a loving Christian community is more powerful than our words.

Session Ten–He Will Testify: It’s Not All Up to You!:  Selected readings from John 14, 15, and 16  Key verse: He will testify about me (15:26b).
          Spiritual conversation is propelled and enlivened by the work of the Paraclete (Holy Spirit). Jesus promised his disciples that the Father would send the Paraclete, who would both convict and convince the world in the process of bringing people to faith. The conversationalist is learning to discern the leading of the Holy Spirit as he/she engages people in the world.

Session Eleven–From Doubt to Worship:  John 20:19-31  Key verse: Unless I see…I will not believe (20:25).
          Spiritual conversation involves wrestling with doubt. Thomas, like many today, had personal objections to the message of a risen Jesus. Instead of brushing these aside, Jesus made a special appearance to Thomas. Conversationalists understand the dynamics of doubt and take time to help others overcome their obstacles to faith.

Recommended resources for further study:
Carson, D.A., The Gospel According to John. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991
Kostenberger, Andreas J., Encountering John. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1999
Miller, Stephen, Conversation: A History of a Declining Art. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2006
Peace, Richard, Holy Conversation:Talking About God in Everyday Life. Downer's Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006
Richardson, Rick, Reimagining Evangelism. Downer's Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006
Wright, Tom, John for Everyone (2 Vols). Philadelphia: Westminster, 2004