Getting Ready for CPM - 4 - David Watson
Scripture

The basis of all we do is found in Scripture. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the foundation of our salvation. This Gospel is fully revealed in the New Testament, but has its roots in the Old Testament. Scripture is the Word of God, and we are commanded to obey God. In John 14:21 Jesus says,

“Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” (NIV)

Moses writes in Deuteronomy 6

1 These are the commands, decrees and laws the LORD your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess,
2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.
3 Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you.
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.
5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (NIV)

God told Israel that possessing the Promised Land was contingent on their obedience to His Word. I think this continues to be the case, today. As we are obedient followers of God’s Word, He blesses our church planting efforts and we possess a land that does not worship the Creator. Scripture must be at the heart of everything we do and everything we teach. As we plant the Word of God in the hearts of people and teach them to obey the Word, the Holy Spirit of God works. The salvation of families and the establishment of churches are the natural outcome.

The Church Planter uses Scripture in all situations. He is a student of Scripture. He reads (listens to) Scripture and teaches others what the Word of God says. He meditates on Scripture and allows it to shape his thinking and his actions. Obedience to the Word of God is central to the spiritual life of the Church Planter.

Church planting begins in Bible study. This may be done through Chronological Bible Story Telling, Inductive Discovery Bible Study, or any other method that focuses on hearing and obeying the Word of God. It is through the Word of God that the Holy Spirit works to convict of sin and righteousness and judgment. It is through the power of preaching (proclaiming) the Word of God that salvation comes.

1 Corinthians 1:21 says,

“For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did
not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was
preached to save those who believe.” (NIV)

The Church Planter has one primary tool to do his job – Scripture. The Church Planter must know Scripture, obey Scripture, teach and preach Scripture, and help others to understand and obey Scripture. The natural result of planting the Gospel into the lives of others and teaching them to obey what they have heard is a reproducing church that transforms communities.

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