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OCTOBER 2019

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Just thinking...167

For most Christians, Christianity is defined each week by Sunday morning. The assembly of the church easily becomes a primary focus (or the only focus) in a busy world! When church leaders develop strategies and make plans, the conversation usually includes worship services. Biblical descriptions of discipleship demand that we be intentional with our time, so we have to talk about the sleeping giant - what does it mean to be a Christian the other 167 hours of the week? Can one faithfully live the Christian life without daily contact with God, shared time with other Christians, including Jesus in daily conversations and daily life?

Each week has 167 hours that are like a sleeping giant waiting to be recognized and awakened, 167 hours that are God's power to turn individual lives, a church, and a city upside down for Jesus! Developing in every Christian a commitment to use the 167 hours for God's glory is not a labor-intensive task. It can be done with a little encouragement and some vision-casting. Multiply the number of members in your church by 167! Then multiply by 52!! Can you see the possibilities? Your church can deploy a force of world-changers to shape and mold culture, society, and the world for Jesus Christ. (For example, 200 members x 167 x 52 = 1,736,800 hours per year.) Too many churches have too many Christians who assemble consistently but are satisified with mediocrity. They do not see themselves as faithful, spirit-filled representatives and ambassadors of Jesus - sent forth to do something meaningful with their 167 hours. Small groups fail to see the possibility for changed lives, restored hope, repaired brokenness. Many Christians are trapped in a mentality that says "church is Sunday" and the rest of life is not church. If church is the building, small groups and other activities cannot be church. Too many small groups fail to recognize that in their meetings, church is occurring - in neighborhoods, schools, restaurants, coffee shops. What if your local church could awaken the sleeping giant? Would thousands of hours (# of members x 167 x 52) expand the influence and impact of your church? May I share some easy ways to do that effectively? Here are some ideas for helping members become intentional in their 167 hours.

• Suggest specific missional activities and tasks in the sermon or at the conclusion of class: spiritual conversations, number of evangelistic contacts, something to say or do, invitations, etc.
• Encourage specific discipleship tasks, e.g. daily prayer, Bible study-reading, service-ministry, contacts
• Develop intentional "167 programs" focused on the mission of the church
• Facilitate and encourage (demand!) involvement in multiple groups
• Develop more opportunities for spontaneous fellowship
• Celebrate what God is doing with the 167 hours, give examples (interviews, videos); use sermon illustrations related to 167

When Christians get the message and understand God's authority over the other 167 hours each week, the work of the local church will be revolutionized. Hab. 2:2 says, "Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others." Church leaders, helping your members be intentional in how they use their 167 is a step that will build the kingdom of God as never before.

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This article is also available at this link: Thinking about 167.