Concentric Circles of Concern Essays

Concentric Circles of Concern Essays Concentric Circles of Concern Paper Concentric Circles of Concern Paper Essay Topic: The Lord Of the Rings the Fellowship Of the Ring What may have been a death sentence o some, was seen as a new ministry door to him. Dry. Thompson enjoyed a fruitful minister as a pastoral consultant to the Cancer Counseling and Research Foundation; and pastoral consultant and board member of the Trinity Valley Hospice Association, Inc. Thompson died of cancer in 1980, leaving behind his wife Carolyn and daughter Dammars. In his final years were primarily spent ministering to those who were terminally ill. Dry. Claude V. King, editor for Concentric Circles of Concern. Though no biographical information was found readily available, Kind deserves at least this minimal bal line. His editorial works Include numerous popular authors, books and studies Including, Henry T Blacks Experiencing God series, T. W. Hunts Mind of Christ and In Gods Presence and Break Down the Walls by Raleigh Washington and Glen Kernel. It should be noted that King has contributed to numerous projects that have greatly impacted the Christian World. Content Summary In Concentric Circles of Concern, Dry Thompson maintains; The most important word in the human language, apart from proper nouns, is relationship (p. 8). He contends that relationships are the most important aspect of the human life, tracing the root cause of all problems facing humankind to ruptured relationships (p. 10). The premise of this book Is to understand that evangelism can only be real and effective when It flows out of a proper vertical connection with God and through a proper horizontal connection to others. Certainly one has to agree with this statement as the original fall of man, resulted in and continues to flow through a broken relationship D e teen a Adam. Nile It Is Volta as consultants to note Tanat ten atonement AT the second Adam, Christ has forever made reconciliation possible. It remains mans responsibility to respond to Gods invitation to be reconciled. Further, this reconciliation, provides the basis for a fresh vertical flow of the Holy Spirit, thus connecting an to Gods overall plan. Man then is empowered to become a minister of reconciliation to others. The Holy Spirit can freely flow through and to other s in our relational circle. This flow has the potential to demonstrate unconditional love and forgiveness to all it comes in contact with. However, If there are ruptured relationships between you and those in your concentric circles, there is going to be a rupture on the flow of the Holy Spirit through your life (24). The primary purpose of his book then, is to help direct the reader through a methodical assessment of ones personal or concentric relationships for the purpose of correcting and connecting people in a kingdom way. Dry. Thompson passion for reconciliation permeates his writings and seems to have deeply effected thousands of students over the years. At the core of his instruction, a diagram is utilized to define the Concentric Circles of Concern as well as the steps to ensure proper relationship. This reader, particularly appreciated the fact that this diagram and process was birthed out of months (perhaps years) of personal prayer ND study of the New Testament. The treasure Dry. Thompson sought was not another sermon or seminar, but rather a pattern of evangelism that might be in keeping with New Testament patterns and prove culturally relevant regardless of time of ethos. In my opinion, Dry. Thompson indeed struck gold, and we who benefit from his discoveries, owe him a deep debt of gratitude for the insight and his courage in pioneering change. Given the proper investment of time and effort, this book will assist any believer in both repairing their interpersonal relationships as well as assisting in the eternal redemption of others. Thompson once convinced of the validity of this patter, both re-thought and re-taught everything he was doing in the field of evangelism. The pattern consists of seven concentric circles that represent seven different levels of relationships. Beginning with ones self moving progressively outward through family, relatives, friends, neighbors and associates, acquaintances to person X (that unexpected kingdom connection). The author then leads the reader through a seven step process that helps insure that each relationship is whole and accessible to the Holy Spirits uninterrupted flow. That process begins with getting right. This encompasses the clearing of past offenses, getting right with God, yourself and others as mentioned in Matthew 5:23-24. The readers is then led to precede to survey existing relationships. This helps to determine those previously overlooked opportunities to share Christ love. Thirdly, we are to assume a posture of prayer, allowing Gods Holy Spirit to work in and through us in intercession and reconciliation. The fourth step in the process is the building of relational bridges into the lives of those God has revealed to us. These bridges are reinforced by step vive, the showing of Gods love and compassion. The act of showing love to others is often best communicated by the meeting of felt needs. Christ certainly used this method to build bridges into the hearts of a lost world. I John states that Jesus went about doing good and undoing the works of the devil. As this love becomes real to our Antennae recipients, teeny will Decode open to our message AT reconciliation anon respond by receiving Christ as Lord and Savior. That leads to the sixth step of making disciples. Dry. Thompson was very clear that decisions are only the first step toward splices. As our new eternal relationships develop, the reader is encouraged to utilize the same seven step process to assist the new convert in getting right with God and others and then moving on toward disciple multiplication. Evaluation In my opinion, Dry Thompson does indeed achieve his goal of developing and presenting a reproducible (New Testament) pattern for making disciples (p. 16). The seven stage strategy laid out from page 23 to 199 clearly defines biblical patterns of fulfilling the great commission of Christ. Furthermore his entire theses is built on the Renville of Jesus teaching regarding the most important commands found in Matthew 22:37-39; Love the Lord your God with all your soul and with all your heart and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. In fulfilling these two commands one can be assured of not only living a life that is divinely connected to God, but a life that is over flowing with the Holy Spirit. Dry Thompson rightly, deduces that the root cause of every problem facing mankind today is the rupture of relationships. This would include marital issues such as divorce. Family issues such as rebel lious children or generational gaps. One can easily see this played out in business issues and world wars. Relationships that have eroded due to inappropriate behavior give way to a ruptured communication and fellowship lines. This rupture then impedes not only the flow of communication and mutual love and concern. It will also disrupt the potential of the Holy Spirit in and through the life of a believer. Jesus highlighted this in Matthew 5:23-26 regarding the responsibility of every worshipper to ensure his legislations are whole prior to making his offering to God. Dry Thompson not only provides a well thought out and logical approach to repairing relationship, but he also provides a step by step strategy to share Christ and bring others to faith. He rightly concludes that the best relationships should be those which are closest to the believer. If believers are incapable of having proper relationships at home, then evangelism outside of the home is greatly hindered. Christians must be willing to forgive as Christ does?without conditions (p. 91). Once the believers relationship tit God and others are right, then the individual is ready to reach the world with the Gospel. What I found most interesting and potentially helpful was the seven stage strategy for reproducing Christ followers. As previously stated, every first step begins with ones personal relationship with Christ. Am I right with God? If so, am I right with those closest to me? Onward this question goes as I survey the state of my relationship to God and others. Once I know that I have done all I can do to establish a clear flow of kingdom compassion, I am then able to begin working through the six manning steps of surveying, praying, bridge building, loving and making disciples. Those that come to Christ through our personal relationship will certainly desire to continue this process in their own lives, so now true discipleship multiplication can begin. Nile some may Tina Dry I monsoons approach steeped In Baptist Jargon, (en 010 rater all teach evangelism at Southwestern Seminary) it in no way hindered his message or tainted his conclusions. Again, one can surmise that he hails from thoroughly evangelical and Calvinist underpinnings. Yet, his message is not contingent upon NY one thought, but a series of clearly displayed biblical principles. The overall message of this book rings loud and c lear that relationships are the most important gift we have to steward. God in fact instituted relationships from the earliest moments in the Garden in Eden when HE established an ongoing friendship with Adam. This was further underscored when God stated, It is not good for man to be alone (Gene 2:18). We can also surmise from this book as well as scripture that relationships are the only treasure from this life that we are allowed to enjoy in heaven. Relationship are eternal! There are a couple of ideas that I did not fully agree with. First the Dry Thompson strategy seems a bit too neat and systematic. One is left with the impression (at least) that if every step is followed, then the outcome is secured. That seems to border on a works based evangelism. Secondly, it is suggested that if we meet the felt needs of people they WILL come to Christ. While the book never states this idea outright, it makes certain allusions to the power of meeting a felt need. It is true, that Christ Himself demonstrated compassion daily, however, He did not heal or minister to every person that had needs. The caution that I have regarding the book and this point is that some may tend toward a man/ works centered evangelism. That being said, it is in no way insinuated by the author that anyone can come to Christ apart from the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Yet, some who lack a more than a social conversion may misinterpret his words in light of a social gospel. Certainly the power to do good, both satisfies and improves the lives of others. However, no one is put back in to right standing with God with out true Holy Ghost conviction, heart level repentance, and faith oriented confession of Jesus as Lord. This particular weakness, while present should not be deemed enough to short change the potential of this literary work. This book would be a great resource for any Christian individual or group that cares for humanity. The concepts are clear and concise enough as to provide the necessary tools for ages 12 and up. The reading and discussion of this material, coupled with the use of the extensive exercises at the end of each chapter will make this both timeless and effective for any would be soul winner. This would be a great small groups or new believers class material. The concept of clear and clean relationships should be the Joy and aim of very believer. The material covered within this book, gave me great insight into my own life and relationships. The simple and clear processes in which it led me through gave me a real understanding of how simple and important clear relationships are. Overall, this would be a great book for any church or Christian group to utilize in formulating a fresh new approach to reaching the lost. The personal and group activities suggested at the end of each chapter will help each reader to internalize every principal as well as implement an action plan for restoring relationships and advancing Gods kingdom.