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Lesson Twelve: Embrace the Vision

Preparation and Prayer

Bring to the meeting:

» A Bible and your 3-ring binder

» Any letters or essays in process (enough copies for all)

» Copies of book reviews from the last lesson's assignment

As you open your meeting, pray:

» Pray that each member will embrace the vision as his/her own and go forth into the world to teach obedience to all Jesus has commanded.

» That His Word will reach millions through your words and those of CWG writers nationwide.

 

Embracing the Vision: Where Can we go From Here?

The first eleven CWG lessons established a vision for writing in the secular marketplace. Now, in this last lesson, we encourage you to Embrace the Vision...

...for reaching the secular audience
Salt must be used in order to be tasted. It has no effect sitting on the shelf. If we do not go out into the world with God's Truth, who else will? As Bob Briner says, "It's time for believers to confidently carry their faith with them into the marketplace so that our very culture feels the difference."

The urgent need exists for writing which teaches God's truth in the secular press. Christian writers must recognize they are to be healers to a sick and diseased world. Simply ministering to healthy Christians is an abdication of our fundamental mission.

...for training and encouraging more writers
D. L. Moody said, "It is better to set a hundred men to work than to do the work of a hundred men." Our job may seem formidable, but if it is shared with others who embrace the vision, the load will be lighter.

How can you spread the vision?

» Pray for God to bring more writers to your group.

» Start a weekly Sunday school class using this material.

» Call or write to people whose letters to the editor have shown understanding of God's Truth. Share with them the CWG vision and invite them to join your group or start one of their own.

» Establish a connection with local Christian high schools, home-schoolers and youth groups, and invite teens and college people to your meetings.

Getting youth involved in this vision is vitally important. God commands that we are to train and encourage our children. As tomorrow's leaders they must be taught to think in terms of God's vision and to share the biblical worldview you are learning.

... for realizing the Source of confidence
When God directed Moses to build the Tabernacle, He did not say, "Build it," and let him figure out the rest. Instead, He gave precise directions for its construction and supplied the talent to carry out the task. In Exodus 31:1-6 God mentions Bezalel: "And I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship ... and in the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you."

In this God assures us:

» It is the Spirit of God who gives us skill, ability and knowledge to create.

» He gives us the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to accomplish the work He assigns.

» God is as ready to help and bless the work of the least-known yet faithful servant as He is to aid the most prominent leader

...for developing a discipling work ethic
Apathy, complacency, distractions and even hostility by others can all threaten to keep us from obeying God's command to make disciples. Writing only when we feel like it, or when we feel "inspired" is not enough; we must make discipleship a priority and be faithful to teach God's word through our writing on a regular basis.

...for persisting in adversity or disappointment
Even under cloudy conditions, World War II bombers knew they were getting close to their targets when anti-aircraft flack grew stronger. We are guaranteed the same opposition by our enemy the closer we get to our target. Teaching God's Word will almost always invite resistance.

When God called Ezekiel, He said, "neither fear them nor fear their words, though thistles and thorns are with you and you sit on scorpions; neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their presence ...But you shall speak My words to them whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious." (Ezekiel 2:6-7)

We, like Ezekiel, are called to communicate God's truth. God does not call us to win every time; He just wants us to show up for the job every day. Some readers will scoff; some will ridicule. But if we do our best, many will believe and learn what it means to live as a disciple of Christ.

 

Questions For Discussion:

» How would your group define a "discipling work ethic"? What factors can be implemented to perpetuate this newly defined work ethic?

» What kind of resistance have you met as you followed these lessons? How could sharing this with your fellow writers be a way of encouraging them to persist?

» Where do your skills lie in the area of writing? What burden has God given you since the beginning of these lessons? What will you do now in obedience to Him?

Perfecting Our Skills

Critique:

Take fifteen to thirty minutes to read and critique written pieces which members of your group have brought. Be affirming and constructive. Do the Book Reviews inspire you to read the books described by the reviewer? Do they contain Scripture? Remember to use our steps to R.A.C.E! (Refer to Lesson Two.)

Feature Writing

God may be cailing you to branch out in your writing. In Lesson Eleven your assignment was to gather information about specialty magazines accepting freelance submissions. If you have a favorite trade journal or hobby magazine, ask God to give you a vision for a feature article which would subtly inject His Truth.

All newspapers print feature articles as well, covering a variety of subjects and incorporating many styles of writing.

What kind of topic makes a good feature story?

Feature stories are different from news stories in that they do not cover currently breaking news. They include interviews of famous people, anecdotal stories, how-to's, hobbies, and human-interest of any kind.

Your unique experiences combine to form seeds of inspiration. People you know, places you've lived, family history, hobbies or special interests are all material for feature articles. What might God have to say about buying cars, for example? (Think carefully-there might actually be an article about prudently handling money!)

How are they written?

The feature story differs from an opinion piece in several ways: It avoids the first person (use of I, we, us, our, my ... ), and refrains from editorializing, which is injecting your opinion into the story. The feature is an objective, entertaining article and is not meant to sway a reader's opinion. This type of writing, although different from opinions and editorials, is a great way to highlight Christian ideas to those starving for God's Truth.

How long is a Feature?

Length is relative; it should only be as long as you can make it interesting to read. The editor will see that it is cut down to fit the space allotted.

How is the story constructed?

Feature articles are not always in chronological order. You might want to start with a few descriptive paragraphs to set the scene and paint a vivid picture for the reader's imagination. Then describe what your subject (for example, an interesting person) is involved with, and then touch on his background, telling what he has done that has led him to this point. Use whatever works best for your subject. Gracefully weave scripture where it would best enhance the story.

Ideas for feature articles

Choose topics that are of interest to a wide audience, since editors always keep their audience in mind when selecting articles for publication.

» Health issues

» Projects involving youth in your area

» Members of your community with special talents

» Inspiring stories of those with disabilities or illnesses

» Interview a missionary returning from the field

» Parenting topics

» Regional seasonal activities (for children or adults)

» Hobbies, foods, money management, or business

 

Application: Adopt a Long - Term Vision

The Church Writing Group experience does not end here; you have only begun to explore all that's possible in God! Eagerly anticipate whatever He has for you to write!

1. Write! Write in season and out; when you feel inspired, and when you don't; when it is convenient and when it is difficult; when you have time, and when you must find time. Adopt a discipling work ethic which will bring thousands into an obedient relationship with the Lord in whom they profess to believe.

2. Prays for God to place you in situations crying for His Kingdom to be present. Ask Him to give you His heart, His burden for the situation.

3. Grow! If you find writing to be your God-given talent or interest, take courses in writing. Explore classes offered by local seminaries, churches or community colleges.

4. Submit letters and opinion pieces to local and national publications and trade journals whenever you see the opportunity. Don't wait for someone else to do it.

5. Plan the next six months with your Church Writing Group. Ask at least one member to take a month in which he or she will write and submit a piece to a local publication.

6. If writing feature articles intrigues you, pray for God to give you a subject. Then begin researching, interviewing and taking notes. Get started!

 

Technical Tips

Your and you're:

Your is possessive; you're is a contraction for "you are."

Misuse of pronouns:

Incorrect: "Danny and me are going to the game."
Correct: "Danny and I...
(Hint: Take out all other nouns except the pronoun.) Incorrect: "Mike spoke to Jane and I today." (Take out Jane: "Mike spoke to I..."?)
Correct: "Mike spoke to Jane and me today."

A lot, not alot:

Alot is not a word!

Comma:

Before and after a year when it follows a day and month, and a state when it follows a town or city. Example: "On May 1, 1986, the first annual Spring pageant began."
"A fort near San Antonio, Texas, was named Alamo."

Never end a sentence with more than one period.

Example: "The Sunday service starts at 10:00 a.m."

Its and it's:

Its is possessive; it's is a contraction for "it is."

Use a colon or dash

(: or -), never a semicolon, to introduce a list. Example: "She travelled to three cites: Denver, Chicago and Detroit."

An apostrophe

Never indicates possessive of a pronoun (hers, theirs, ours, its).

Good and well:

Good is an adjective and only describes a noun. Well is an adjective (when referring to health) and an adverb (when describing how something is done). Example: "A good job is one worth doing well."

 

Scripture References

» Exod. 31:1-6
» Gal. 6:9
» Deut. 31:6
» Eph. 2:10
» Deut. 34:7
» Phil. 1:6
» Ezek. 2:6-7
» Phil. 1:27-30
» Luke 12:12
» 1 Thes. 5:11
» John 14:26
» Heb. 12:1-3
» Rom. 12:19-21
» 1 Pet. 2:20-25
» 1 Cor. 1:18-31
» 1 Pet. 3:13-17
» 1 Cor. 15:58
» 1 Pet. 4:12-16
» 2 Cor. 11:24-27

 

Thoughts to Ponder

"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I should do and with the help of God, I will do!"

-Everett Hale

THE TIME IS NOW!
Jesus was 12 years old when he began to teach in the synagogue. Our young people must be encouraged to boldly speak God's Truth in love, and to do it as naturally as breathing. Moses was 120 years old and still in active leadership when the Lord finally called him home. (Deut 34:7) There is no retirement from ministry until God says, "Rest."

 

This is the final lesson in the "Church Writing Group" curriculum. Reproduction of this lesson is permissible.

For more information contact The Amy Foundation, P.O. Box 16091, Lansing, Ml 48901, (517) 323-6233.

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