As I dive into the Acts 29 Network Application, one of the questions that is proving challenging to me is “Outside of the Bible, what is the most theologically-intensive book you have read cover-to-cover?” Because I didn’t go to seminary, and haven’t been in churches that place much emphasis on theology (excluding our current church), I don’t have a good answer to this question. I’ve decided to remedy this deficiency and read Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology. It’s highly recommended and seems to be the go-to Systematic Theology textbook for many of the New Calvinists. To help me stay diligent in my reading, I made a 28 day reading plan for the book. The plan is to read around 40 pages a day. Lord willing, I’ll start tomorrow and end on May 13. I’m including in this post a generic reading plan in case anyone else wants to read this book but needs the occasional prodding of a checklist Click here to download a PDF of the plan or click on the image below.

Please contact me if there are any changes I can make to this plan to make it more useful.

Scott Thomas’ message from the Acts 29 2009 Raleigh Boot Camp

Acts 11:19-25

19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists  also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Acts 13

1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger,  Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 

10 Qualifications of What a Church Planter is

Missionary, Apostolic Leader

Leading Men Into Mission

1. Spiritual Vitality
2. Theological Clarity
   • Guard the doctrinal door with winsome authority
3. Clarity and Strength of Calling
   • Church needs to commend you for ministry (planting) and send you
4. Strong marriage and family life
5. Relationship Building
6. Leadership Abilities
   1. As a church planter, do you prefer mules or stallions in your church? We need stallions
   2. Mules are sterile, won’t reproduce
   3. Must be willing to let the stallions run past you
7. Emotional health and stability
   1. A man who is not teachable and not coachable is not usable
   2. Know you weaknesses and strengths
8. A Missional Lifestyle
9. Disciple-making Skills
10. Entrepeneurial aptitude

Church stoppers

• Arrogance
• Betrays trust
• Unethical lifestyle