The following are the rough notes for a small group study, based on one of the key vineyard distinctives.  It’s not meant to be the definitive guide to the Main and the Plain - and is written in note form, but it might be helpful for some people.

I do also suggest listening to John Mumford’s (National Director of Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland) talk on the distincitves

Distinctives: Things God has called us to.  Things we display, model, practise.  Foundations for now and the future of Vineyard Churches.

The Main and the Plain

We make the plain thing in scripture the main thing.

Wimber: “Let’s not get distracted with the overzealous activities of some, but keep our focus on the main and plain things of the scripture.  In other words, let’s begin organising ourselves to give this blessing away.”

Translation: it basically means keeping the main thing the main thing. So while the Holy Spirit does some exciting things from time to time, we should also recognise that He is involved in us carrying on with the things that are clear in Scripture - worship, preaching, evangelism, serving the poor, making room for God.

Examples: Toronto, Florida.  Great things, but our anchor is the bible, it keeps our feet in Jesus and means we don’t hurt ourselves or others by getting carried away.

“I read the book and try to do what it says”.   In the midst of revival type phenomena Wimber always encouraged his leader’s to stick to Christ.

Don’t lose your anchor even while being hungry for what God is doing or stirring up.

This keeps us grounded, it keeps us Christ focused.  We are a people who constantly say “what do the scriptures say?”

Romans 4v3 –“What does the Scripture Say?”

We aim to be a people who have a passion for reading the bible.  We aim for confident/Strong bible teaching in small and large groups.

The easy and the hard bits.  Dull and exciting.

Different translations – digest and spill out

We ask: what does this book say and how does it apply to us and our Church/circumstances

We need to get into the habit of taking our bibles to church/small group

Next year (2011) is the 400th anniversary of the first English translation.  The King James.  It was so controversial that the King had to put his name on it so it could be used.

Story: Man & Wife, in a 3rd world country, distributing bibles.  Approach a petrol station, heavily armed man, wife feel they should give him a bible, but drive on.  Feeling persists, they turn back and husband apprehensively gives him a bible.  Armed man says: “I had a dream two days ago that someone would come to me here and give me the words of life.  I have been waiting here ever since.”

The bible is key and it’s too easy to take it for granted.

“There’s only one ministry out there…That’s Jesus’ ministry!  The more you simply conform your life to His words and His Works the more effective the ministry around you will become.”

So how do we apply this?

Discipline

Reading guides

Schedule it in your diary/routine

With friends / partner?

How do you do it?