The Last Judge: A Workbook for Church Leaders and Small Groups for Spiritual Growth and Formation

By Dr. Kevin A. Wade

The Last Judge is a spiritual workbook that provides each individual and church leader a chance to walk back over their spiritual maturation and see areas open for revitalization. Please come join us on this journey of reflection, renewal, and justification.

The Last Judge provides scriptural basis for examination of the

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Apr 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9798887384122

Dr. Kevin A. Wade

Dr. Kevin Wade is a pastor, author, and writer. He is the husband and father of eight beautiful children (seven girls and one son). He is a graduate of George Fox University, where he obtained his master's and doctorate degrees. Dr. Wade has written the following books: My Spiritual Journal, Consider This on This Day, A Daughter's Book of Secrets, Planting Daisies, Mommy, Santa Claus Looks Like Me!, and The Heritage Tree.

Book preview

Foreword

I learned two very important things about Kevin (my friend happens to be Dr. Wade) during our time in seminary together. The first was that not only is Kevin constantly learning, but all of Kevin’s learning is for the purpose of real-life application in his local ministry. No matter what class we were in, Kevin would always ask the professor how we could directly apply the course material to our ministries. This focus on practical theology was an inspiration and positive example to the rest of us, making sure that we were authentically integrating our academic work into our daily lives.

The second thing that I learned about Kevin was that he offers life-giving encouragement and heartfelt pastoral care to those around him. I know that to be true because he offered it to me. Our graduating class was almost entirely male, but Kevin always lifted up my voice and encouraged me to contribute and not be intimidated. It has now been seven years since we graduated, and Kevin is still offering encouragement and care to us as classmates.

One personal insight about my friend. He is willing to be not only a teacher and friend but also a cheerleader to those he deeply cares about. For instance, I will never forget the sight of Kevin in a mini kilt. It was during a two-week intensive seminary residency, and Kevin’s small group had arranged to wear matching kilts that day; however, Kevin’s was the only mini kilt in the room (and probably in all of Oregon). He provided joy in a time filled with tension and frustration, allowing us to take a needed breath.

I see the same pastoral intention and practicality integrated into the very detailed and thoughtful program that makes up the content of this workbook, The Last Judge. Kevin has taken wisdom from all of his experiences and education and has lovingly crafted it for the spiritual formation of the local church.

Far too often, our ecclesiastical models are built around church programs that are disconnected from everyday life rather than leading to formation in everyday life. Our current models may encourage a habit of church attendance but not full transformation in the life of the believer. Dr. Wade, through The Last Judge, uses a scriptural basis for his examination of the spiritual heart and the body of the church in order to bring the leadership and the congregation together in accountability and unity of growth. This focus on removing the obstacles for living into our God-given calling and talents is something that will be beneficial for years to come in the life of individuals and for the life of the church.

I recommend The Last Judge as a study workbook for use in any church desiring to strengthen the spiritual growth of its church family and small groups.

— Pastor Sarah Forti

Co-Director of Crossing the Threshold: Contemplative Foundations for Emerging Leaders

The Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation

"A family is like a forest; when you are

outside, it is dense. When you are inside you

see that each tree has its place."

— African proverb

Introduction

The Last Judge is a book of lessons created to craft dynamic allowances in conversation and fellowship among the children of God. It allows the believer, the pastor or church leader, and the church family opportunity to discover the journey that God has for their unique walk.

The journey of a Christian is an amazing one. It is filled with ups, downs, some valleys, and mountains, and then there are those lessons we glean after falling down and getting up. We all have and have had difficult days. Then days when we would have quit, but the Holy Spirit called us toward a different path. Those difficult days seem to return when others are watching and questioning our every waking move. They seem to judge us at the mention of chasing dreams and goals and seeking a better relationship with God. Yet, no one is qualified to judge us. This is why we should choose to be the last judge in our choices in growing our relationship with God.

The basis of The Last Judge’s book design is to open up paths for growth for members of the church family while creating opportunities for those working in the laity and in leadership to become spiritually accountable in support of each other and remain focused on the call given by God. The goal is to create the foundations to train up new leaders in the church family with a mind to reach out into the community and allow Christ to increase the family’s membership and strength in the areas their talents fit best. Its design stands hoping that those in leadership and laity will be open enough with one another through each lesson within to pass it onto those waiting and watching from a distance. Please, come join us on this journey to become stronger in Christ Jesus.

Society has imposed the wrong definition of judgment; the Scriptures’ context provides avenues for creating that white space needed for personal introspection and spiritual formation.

Judgment has the usual acceptance of an evil connotation, but it contains positive outcomes and destinations through a Christian viewpoint. It provides new avenues and a hope of change.

Condemnation has a defined outcome and outlook. It only offers punishment for wrong and harmful actions. It only provides an immediate stop to any proposed ideas of positives toward providing a change.

The layout for completing the seventeen lessons and applications begins here:

The classroom setting should be either in a semicircle or full circle. The pastor-parent should be seated within the circle or in front of the semicircle. The goal is to eliminate the position influence of lecturing to allow all participants to become equal while supporting opportunities to speak throughout the lessons.

The matters of the heart should be on the table. All topics questioned should be discussed and returned with accurate biblical applications. An open mind during this fellowship will allow each member of the church family the opportunity to partake in the items on the table.

A blend of secular and spiritual activities/goals is to be discussed and scheduled to open the doors of trust between the group’s participants. Planning and goal-setting are tops on the list.

Build bridges where there is a social disconnect between the age groups and raise fellowship in small social groups in the church toward other members and groups.

Bread and Meat sections hold questions related to biblical passages and the short story introductions in each chapter.

Church Family Application offers a series of activities to challenge the group in the purpose of looking in that mirror discussed in James chapter 1.

Personal Application provides one or two challenges for each participant to take home and research in their meditation and study in hopes they will use all that they have learned in the chapter studies.

Secular Changes is a setting to allow the participants to look directly at personal behaviors and open up avenues to grow the support system within the fellowship gained through the lessons:

The Journey Charts

Step Ball Change

Treading Water

A Stitch in Time

Jab, Cross, Hook, Cross

The Journey Charts

"No matter how hot your anger is,

it cannot cook yams."

— Nigerian proverb

The Journey Charts: Mile Markers and Off-Ramps

The Journey Charts were developed to display relational changes in the lives of the believers and create talking points directed toward one another. They allow us to understand the challenges personally faced by each believer and for each believer to reach out and assist one another up and over the mountains set on our daily journeys (Galatians 6:1–10). With the understanding that each believer is to renew their minds daily (Romans 12:2), a new aid is needed to grow the church family during the societal changes we experience as church families grow older and communication channels transform. The progression detailed in the Journey Charts will allow for retrospection (walk back over one’s life), introspection (examination and observation of personal choices), and preparation for the next weeks and months (creating a prayerful, spiritual plan).

The other is another nugget of choice. The