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Hebrews 10:22-25 is the foundation for “The Most Excellent Way” Support/Fellowship Meetings.
LET US draw near ...
We draw near to God to be in His presence. The Holy Spirit teaches and strengthens us in our resolve to provide sound Biblical HOPE and ENCOURAGEMENT to those seeking freedom from addictions and other life-controlling sins. We are in this process of change together as sons and daughters of God by our common faith in Christ.
LET US hold unswervingly ...
We hold fast to the profession of our hope: Jesus. Hold unswervingly speaks of our remaining true to what we profess ― what we believe about God and what we say to others about our hope.
We are encouraged to hold onto what we first believed unswervingly (without wavering). We have good reason for staying on course ― the Word of God that builds up our faith. Our God is faithful to keep His promises — our spiritual growth and eternal security are linked to the promises of God.
How do we hold unswervingly ― staying faithful to Jesus?
We are honest with God, ourselves and each other.
When we’re happy, we express it.
When we’re struggling, we say so.
We use every opportunity to explore the faithfulness of God that sustains our hope — we search His Word.
LET US consider how we may spur...
The word spur means to stimulate strongly or arouse. In “The Most Excellent Way” our goal is to spur or stimulate each other to:
- Love for others without prejudice.
- Accept each other as brothers and sisters in Christ — it’s the Holy Spirit working in us to demonstrate God’s plan of acceptance through Christ.
- Testify of God’s forgiveness in our lives, and how He has spurred us onto toward love and good deeds.
- Provide living proof by example of how God has changed us, and continues to change us, day by day.
Our good deeds toward others spurs them on to the seek God’s way for changing their lives. Work done for the good of others will attract and win them to Christ. God gets the glory!
LET US to not give up meeting ...
People who are trapped in addictions need to be welcomed into the Church, where they will find the love, acceptance and forgiveness of God leading to new life in Christ. Even though an indepen-dent attitude has existed since the Garden, we know God did not design us to survive on our own. He created us to be completely dependent on Him, and to need each other.
We keep “The Most Excellent Way” meetings going because we know to withdraw from the strength of fellow-ship is to invite disaster — like a soldier in battle who lags behind the rest of his platoon and becomes an easy target for the enemy.
LET US encourage one another ...
These words reveal that Christians are responsible for each other. We are not only interested in our own spiritual well-being — we also encourage others to remain fervent in their love and active in their service to God.
We encourage:
- Daily study of and meditation on the Word of God, His commands and promises;
- Memorization of Scripture;
- Searching the Scriptures for God’s way for solving problems of living;
- Worshipping and praising God with words and actions of obedience;
- Praying without ceasing to maintain our continual spiritual connection to our Creator and Savior;
- Regular Church attendance and service within the Body of Christ;
- Good stewardship and generous sharing of the tangible and spiritual gifts God has provided each of us.
Many distractions crowd our days, but as we put God first, the dam of our faith sustains us against the flood of temptations and spiritual attacks.
Encouragement happens all the more as we see the Day approaching. The Day (Christ’s return) is guaranteed ― Jesus will return. He will not forget, and He will not change His plans.
How long do we meet together in “The Most Excellent Way” Support/Fellowship Meetings? Just long enough to experience freedom from addictions, and gain confidence in the Lord to move on with our lives in Christ. “The Most Excellent Way” is not a way of life — it is just a place to begin new life!
“... Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 NIV
• How the Meetings Work
The Most Excellent Way ministry operates as weekly, one-and-one-half hour, structured Support Meetings for the chemically dependent, family members and friends, and their children.
Jesus is our focus.
The Holy Spirit is our Guide
The Word of God is our authority.
New and eternal life in Christ is our goal!
Guidelines for the meeting format are provided in the Leader's Ministry Manual. In general, the meeting opens with prayer, followed by reading of the Opening Statement, Attitudes of Victorious Living, Titus 3:3-8; attendees briefly introduce themselves; The Most Excellent Way tokens are "awarded" to those who have been clean and sober for various periods of time.
The meeting leader then presents a 20-30-minute Bible study (study aids are included in the Ministry Manual). After the study, everyone is encouraged to share for three to five minutes (time is determined by size of group) about what the study meant to them, what they are experiencing in their lives, their struggles and successes, their prayer needs and praise reports, etc. The meeting closes with group Prayer, followed by prayer for individuals as requested and/or as prompted by the Holy Spirit.
The Most Excellent Way is Love! Everyone in the meetings experiences the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit as the Name of Jesus is lifted up!
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• Dependent Support Meetings
Many participants come from A.A. to The Most Excellent Way searching for an environment where they can freely express their faith in Jesus and grow in the Word of God.
Unbelievers come and find genuine love, peer support, Christ and eternal hope and peace.
Others are backslidden Christians, timid and shame-faced, who the Holy Spirit draws back to Jesus.
• Family & Friends Support Meetings ...
. . . help spouses, parents and "adult children" to stop trying to control, fix and blame their dependent loved ones in order to survive their own misery. They receive loving support and learn how others are becoming GOD-dependent - the process of taking personal responsibility for their thoughts, attitudes and actions despite their circumstances.
The Most Excellent Way is the Biblical solution for those who believe they are "co-dependent." We focus on God's Word, not our feelings. Love, not bitterness and resentment. Forgiveness, not retaliation. Hope, not self-pity. Doing, not excusing.
We learn that we will never have peace-filled and joy-filled lives (spiritual happiness) until God is enough and everything - just as addicts and alcoholics must learn.
• The Children's Meeting . . .
. . . is a unique environment - an alternative to childcare (babysitting) - in which youngsters are encouraged to freely express their feelings of fear, hopelessness, guilt and frustration typically felt by children living with chemically dependent parents.
Our kids are validated for who they are, assured that
Jesus will never leave them nor forsake them.
• Find a Meeting in Your Area:
There are approximately 100 "The Most Excellent Way" Support Meetings in the United States.
If you are currently attending "The Most Excellent Way" meetings and the information we have is incorrect, please call us as soon as possible, or update your meeting online.
If you would like to start "The Most Excellent Way" in your area, please call us or register and join our ministry team online.
Click here to browse U.S.A. Support Meetings
Meeting list provided in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.
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