Ministry To Men Oklahoma Region Christian Methodist Episcopal

Ministry To Men Oklahoma Region Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Ministry To Men Retreat March 12 -13, 2010

Rites of Passage Ritual Transitioning From Boys To Men in the CME Church Luke 2: 42 -52 Presented by: Eric Hill - Greater Cleaves & Tony Daniels - Israel Temple

Background Scripture • 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. 43 After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you. " 49"Why were you searching for me? " he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house? " 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them. • 51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Key Verse † After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Luke 2: 46 † And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. – Luke 2: 52

Purpose † To nurture spiritual growth and Christian maturity into our boys † To develop, teach, train and mentor † To inspire servant leadership † To prepare the next generation for evangelism Luke 2: 49 …Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business? ”

Passage 1 • Orientation to Discipleship † Who is Jesus and how can I be saved? † Why be Baptized? † How to establish a personal devotional prayer life? † Basic knowledge of the Bible † Memorization of foundational Scriptures Mat. 16: 13…“Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am? ” “But who do you say that I am? ” 16…“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. ”

Passage 2 † Decision Making † Learning Conflict Resolution † Making Right Choices † How to Develop Interpersonal Relationships † Family † Peers † Community Exo. 28: 15 "Fashion a breastplate for making decisions… 30…so it may be over Aaron's heart whenever he enters the presence of the LORD. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD.

Passage 3 † Money Management † Tithing/Giving † Establishing credit † Opening a checking and savings account † Investing money Mat. 20: 20…look, I have gained five more talents besides them. ’ 21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord. ’

† Etiquette Passage 4 † Proper dress and appropriate attire † How to tie a necktie † Dinning etiquette † Greeting and Conversation etiquette Luke 14: 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, go up higher. ’ Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.

Passage 5 † My Body, My Temple † Biblical teaching about Marriage & Sex † Keeping my body healthy † Hygiene and grooming † Physical fitness † Proper diet 1 Cor. 6: 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Passage 6 † Service Projects † To teach that community service is not a punishment † Encourage participation in church services † Provide opportunity for serving the needy in the community Gal. 5: 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ”

Once the Passages are complete † Conduct a M†M Rite of Passage Ceremony † Each year prepare a class of young men for the Rites of Passage † Ceremony to be conducted at the Retreat † Speaker – Bishop, Elder, Pastor † Certificate of Completion/Awards † Prayer and laying on of hands by Leadership and Brotherhood † Launch out to ministry – Continue to develop at the local church

† What do we need to get started? † Committed Men to Volunteer themselves to work in the program † Men with the knowledge and experience to develop curriculum for the various Passages † Young men and boys to commit to the program to the end † Willingness to serve and help young men succeed in this ministry

† How do we implement? † Establish Two District Academies † Conduct Two Passage Sessions each Quarter † Provide a testing activity in order to advance to next set of passages. † Complete all six passages by March

Questions? Comments? Suggestions?

Ministry To Men Oklahoma Region Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Ministry To Men Retreat March 12 -13, 2010