B4T Champions

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**IMPORTANT** We strongly encourage this curriculum to be done in community. Sign up for a group here.

NOTE: As of 2022, the curriculum below has all been moved to an online learning management system.
Please visit this page to do the homework.

Goal: To discover the importance of prioritizing relationships with God and people

in the work of championing B4T.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN: Submit feedback on the Lesson 1 Meeting.

B4T Champion LIFE Assignments
L=Learn, I=Integrate, F=Foster, E=Enjoy
WEEK 1

L – Read John 14-17 and write down what you learn about relationships.
I – Spend 15 minutes with God without having an agenda.
I – Seek out someone to become your Church Leader Advocate (CLA) for the duration of this training.  A CLA should be someone in leadership at your church (formally or informally) who can regularly track with your progress for your personal benefit. Ideally, they should be someone who:

• Agrees to meet monthly to encourage you and pray for you.
• Helps you to build a deeper relationship with your church leadership.
• Holds you accountable to your B4T Champion goals.
• Will be able to open doors for you to meet with others in your church and community about B4T.

F – Pray for 3 people in your sphere of influence (e.g., work friend, family member, church friend) to grow in their relationship with God and others.
F – Share with someone what you are learning about relationships.
E – Ask Jesus what He thinks and feels about His relationship with the Trinity. Praise Him for His insights.

WEEK 2

L – Read Patrick Lai’s blog entry about the importance of relationships. Record your response.
L – Watch the “Up Close” video and in your words write down what you think B4T is all about. Record your response.
I – Spend 15 minutes with God without having an agenda.
F – Pray for 3 people in your sphere of influence (e.g., work friend, family member, church friend) to grow in their relationship with God and others.
E – Ask Jesus what He thinks and feels about having relationship with you. Praise Him for His insights.
E – Tell someone how much you value your relationship with them.

WEEK 3

L – Read “Tentmaking Rosetta Stone” (TRS).
L – Read the Tentmaking section titled “Living the Life” on pages 257-264. Respond to the questions about relationship.
I – Spend 15 minutes with God without having an agenda.
F – Pray for 3 people in your sphere of influence (e.g., work friend, family member, church friend) to grow in their relationship with God and others.
F – Share with someone what you are learning about relationships.
E – Ask Jesus what He thinks and feels about people relating to one another. Praise Him for His insights.

WEEK 4

L – Read The Gospel in B4T. Then record your response.
I – Spend 15 minutes with God without having an agenda.
F – Pray for 3 people in your sphere of influence (e.g., work friend, family member, church friend) to grow in their relationship with God and others.
E – Ask Jesus if there is anything else He wants to show you about the topic of Relationship that He hasn’t shown you yet. Praise Him for His insights.
E – Tell someone how much you value your relationship with them.

Want to go deeper in this topic?

Read Tentmaking by Patrick Lai. (For a monthly reading plan, see Appendix.)
Read Abiding in Christ by Andrew Murray.
Read The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence.
Read Letters of a Modern Mystic by Frank Laubach.
Read Love Works by Joel Manby.
Watch Mark Virkler’s 2-part series on “4 Keys to Hearing God’s Voice”:
Part 1
Part 2

Goal: To develop a biblical ecclesiology in our lives

and understanding that honors the Church as God’s spiritual authority on earth,

including the work of B4T.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN: Submit feedback on the Lesson 2 Meeting.

B4T Champion LIFE Assignments
L=Learn, I=Integrate, F=Foster, E=Enjoy
WEEK 1

L – Read Revelation 2-3. How does Jesus feel about the churches He is addressing? Record what you learn.
L – Listen to “Glory in the Church” by Devin Dickel. Then record your response.
I – If you are not not already, take steps toward becoming a serving member of a local church.
I – Spend time praying for your church leaders and the churches in your city to more fully reflect Jesus’ Core Purpose.
I – Schedule a follow-up meeting sometime this month with your Church Leader Advocate.
F – Identify the key leaders in your church in the area of Church Planting (be aware they may not have official roles). Schedule a time to meet this month to share the Church Core Purpose material with them. Record notes and any ideas they generate.
E – Ask Jesus what He thinks and feels about your church family. Praise Him for His insights.

WEEK 2

L – Read “Jesus’ Church” by Devin Dickel. Pick two of Jesus’ titles from the Appendix, read the biblical context, and ask the Holy Spirit to show you the church’s corollary identity. Record what He shows you.
I – Begin Church mapping by first asking the question, “What do we already have?” Make a list of all the strategic resources already in place at your church. (e.g., Missions mindset? Business community? Vibrant youth culture? Leadership who gets it? Influence? Availability? Other?)
F – If possible, invite a church leader to visit you at your workplace sometime this month.
F – Pray for the Church Planting leaders in your church to help plant churches that reflect Jesus’ Core Purpose.
E – Ask Jesus what He thinks and feels about the church presence in your city. Praise Him for His insights.

WEEK 3

L – Read one of Paul’s epistles. Record something new you learned about the church.
I – Share a work-related problem with a church leader and ask them for prayer.
F – Share with someone what you are learning about church-centeredness.
F – Pray for the Church Planting leaders in your city to help plant churches that reflect Jesus’ Core Purpose.
E – Ask Jesus what He thinks and feels about the church presence in your nation. Praise Him for His insights.

WEEK 4

L – Read Tentmaking (if needed, review TRS) section titled “Church/Para-Church Ministry” on pages 107-108. Also read Chapter 10. Respond to questions about Church-Centeredness.
I – Spend time praying for the global Church to more fully reflect Jesus’ Core Purpose.
F – Share with someone (ideally outside the Church) the benefits you’ve experienced of being part of your local church.
F – Pray for the Church Planting leaders in your nation to help plant churches that reflect Jesus’ Core Purpose.
E – Ask Jesus if there is anything else He wants to show you about the church to help you grow in Church-centeredness. Praise Him for His insights.
E – Tell a church leader or elder how much you appreciate their leadership in the church.

Want to go deeper in this topic?

Watch the Core Purposes video by OPEN.
Read Ekklesia by Ed Silvoso.
Read The Shaping of Things to Come: Innovation and Mission for the 21st-Century Church by Michael Frost & Alan Hirsch.
Read “Overcoming the Church and Business Divide by Devin Don.

Goal: To discover the WHY of B4T and begin to embody this purpose in our lives.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN: Submit feedback on the Lesson 3 Meeting.

B4T Champion LIFE Assignments
L=Learn, I=Integrate, F=Foster, E=Enjoy
WEEK 1

L – Watch “Our Obligation to the Unreached–Part 1” by David Platt. Record your response.
I – Download the Joshua Project app called Unreached of the Day (or visit the website at joshuaproject.net). Read and pray over 3 unreached people groups this week.
I – Schedule a follow-up meeting sometime this month with your Church Leader Advocate. Update them about your meetings with the other leaders and pray with them.
F – Identify the key leaders in your church in the area of Missions (be aware they may not have official roles). Schedule a time to meet this month to share the Church Core Purpose material with them. Record notes and any ideas they generate.
E – Ask Jesus what He thinks and feels about unreached peoples. Praise Him for His insights.

WEEK 2

L – Read “How Much Is Left to Do in the Great Commission?” by John Piper. Record your response.
I – Read and pray over 3 unreached people groups on the Unreached of the Day app this week.
F – Start or grow a friendship with someone from one of the unreached THUMB groups: Tribal (Animistic), Hindu, Unreligious (from country of origin like China as an example), Muslim, or Buddhist.
E – Ask Jesus what He thinks and feels about the THUMB groups. Praise Him for His insights.

WEEK 3

L – Read “The Bible as a Missions Story” from the Traveling team and look up all the references in the “For Further Study” section at the end. Record your response.
I – Read and pray over 3 unreached people groups on the Unreached of the Day app this week.
I – Pick one of the unreached people groups you have been praying for. Create an outline for how your church could practically go about reaching this whole group with the Gospel (i.e., timeline, resources needed, number of churches needing to be planted, strategic cities to target, entry strategy, exit strategy, etc.).
F – Take a friend to visit (or pray over) a temple, mosque, or ethnic marketplace.
E – Ask Jesus what He thinks and feels about languages without Bible translations. Praise Him for His insights.

WEEK 4

L – Watch Patrick Lai’s video about the apostle Peter. Record your response.
I – Read and pray over 3 unreached people groups on the Unreached of the Day app this week.
F – Pray for the Missions leaders in your church to have wisdom for how they can best work toward completing the Great Commission.
F – Tell a friend what you’ve been learning about God’s heart for the nations.
E – Eat a meal at an ethnic restaurant with a friend. Order something delicious!
E – Ask Jesus if there is anything else He wants to show you about His heart for all nations. Praise Him for His insights.

Want to go deeper in this topic?

Read God’s Bottom Line by Bob Sjogren.
Read When Everything is Missions by Denny Spitters and Matthew Ellison.
Read Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper.
Read the Scriptures related to the nations listed in this article.
Sign up for a Perspectives Course near you or online.
Take a group from your church to an Engage Global weekend training in the Twin Cities.
Invite the Traveling Team to host an event at your church.
Study about the nations of the world at the Operation World or Joshua Project website.
Attend the annual Finishing the Task conference at Saddleback Church in California.

Goal: To discover the HOW of B4T,

beginning with learning how to think rightly about work

so that God is properly included in everything.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN: Submit feedback on the Lesson 4 Meeting.

B4T Champion LIFE Assignments
L=Learn, I=Integrate, F=Foster, E=Enjoy
WEEK 1

L – Read Genesis 1-2. What do you notice about God as a worker, and what do you notice about man’s original design as a worker? Record your response.
L – Listen to “WorKship” by Patrick Lai. Record your response.
I – Dedicate your work to God. Write a specific dedication.
I – Schedule a follow-up meeting sometime this month with the church leader that is praying for you. Update them about your meetings with the other leaders and pray with them.
F – Identify the key leaders in your church in the area of Business (be aware they may not have official roles). Schedule a time to meet this month to share the Church Core Purpose material with them. Record notes and any ideas they generate.
E – Ask Jesus what He thinks and feels about the Father’s work. Praise Him for His insights.

WEEK 2

L – Spend an hour or more browsing theologyofwork.org. Find two good articles you’d like to share with the group. Record them here.
I – Incorporate holistic language like “worKship” or avodah in one conversation this week.
F – Share one of the articles you found with a friend and ask them to discuss it with you.
F – Pray for the Business leaders in your church to embrace a biblical view of work.
E – Ask Jesus what He thinks and feels about your work. Praise Him for His insights.

WEEK 3

L – Read Proverbs and record what you learn about work. Try to distinguish between orthodoxy and orthopraxy.
L – Watch the Betenbough Homes video and look for evidence of their orthodoxy of work. Record your response.
I – Invite God into the specific details of your work every day this week.
F – Begin organizing an Up-Close, 4Ws, or other event at your church for 3-6 months from now. Contact strategic relationships to partner with you in this effort. Record those contacts and other ideas for this.
F -Tell a friend what you’ve been learning about the Orthodoxy of Work.
E – Ask Jesus what He thinks and feels about your “ministry” at work. Praise Him for His insights.

WEEK 4

L – Read “Chapter 2: Understanding Business for Transformation” from Business for Transformation: Getting Started by Patrick Lai. Respond to the questions.
I – List 5 ways your job at work makes life better for someone else. Record those ways. Remind yourself that this is ministry.
F – Pray for the Business leaders in your church to see themselves as ministers in the marketplace.
F – Begin gathering together a group of motivated people in your church for a meeting (or series of meetings) in which you can brainstorm together actionable steps to pursue that are specific to your community. Include the following topics: Resources, Opportunities, Weaknesses/Threats, Ideas for Events, Ideas for Establishing Core Purpose Culture, Goals and Objectives to be accomplished. Record notes on the meeting.
E – Ask Jesus if there is anything else He wants to show you about the Orthodoxy of Work. Praise Him for His insights.

Want to go deeper in this topic?

Watch Growing a Missional Congregation: Digging Up Our Bitter Roots by Devin Don.
Watch Kingdom at Work Virtual playlist.
Read Business for the Glory of God by Wayne Grudem.
Read Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work by Tim Keller.
Read Work Matters: Connecting Sunday Worship to Monday Work by Tom Nelson.
Read Workship: Recalibrating Work and Worship by Patrick Lai.

Orthodoxy of Work Blogs and Resources
Theology of Work: theologyofwork.org
Made to Flourish resource library: madetoflourish.org/resource-library
The Gospel Coalition resource library on work and vocation: resources.thegospelcoalition.org
Denver Institute for Faith and Work blog: denverinstitute.org/blog
Institute for Faith, Work, and Economics blog: tifwe.org/blog

Goal: To continue discovering the HOW of B4T

by building on the foundation of right belief about work (orthodoxy)

to help form right practices (orthopraxy) in our work.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN: Submit feedback on the Lesson 5 Meeting.

B4T Champion LIFE Assignments
L=Learn, I=Integrate, F=Foster, E=Enjoy
WEEK 1

L – Meditate on the story of Joseph in Genesis 39-41 and record your observations on how he labored in each of his roles. What specific practices stand out to you?
ICreate a personal plan for growing in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge during this month. Share with someone to help hold you accountable.
I – Schedule a follow-up meeting sometime this month with the church leader that is praying for you. Update them about your meetings with the other leaders and pray with them.
F – Take the time to share a helpful practice you’ve been mastering with a co-worker or friend so as to help them develop greater professional expertise in their life.
F – Identify the key leaders in your church in the areas of Prayer and Praise (be aware they may not have official roles). Schedule a time to meet this month to share the Church Core Purpose material with them. Record notes and any ideas they generate.
F – Schedule a time this month to invite friends and/or co-workers to watch Poverty, Inc. with you. Record your response.
E – Ask Jesus what He thinks and feels about the Father’s Toolbox. Praise Him for His insights.

WEEK 2

L – Listen to the LeadStep podcast episode on Leading for Transformation. Record your response.
I – Ask the Lord to help you work with all your heart and might as unto him each workday this month. Journal about any areas you struggle with, then take them before the Lord.
F – Schedule a meeting this month with partners to plan the BAM/B4T/FWE event in your area. What is the agenda? Speakers? Partners? Vision/Theme of event? Follow-up assignments for attendees? For reference, see the Up Close meeting templates for: Admin Instructions, Meeting Agenda, Sample Invitation Letter, Flyer, Event Reminder, and RSVP.
F – Pray for the Prayer and Praise leaders in your church to help the marketplace workers incorporate praise and prayer more practically into the workplace.
E – Ask Jesus what He thinks and feels about Excellence in Work. Praise Him for His insights.

WEEK 3

L – Read Paul’s warning to the Thessalonians in 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15. What do you learn about the teaching/tradition Paul expects from the church related to work? Record your response.
I – Ask the Lord to show you an area of your work-life you could do with greater excellence. Request Him to help you.
F – Take the time to share a helpful practice you’ve been mastering with a co-worker or friend so as to help them develop greater professional expertise in their life.
E – Ask Jesus what He thinks and feels about God’s Attitude about Work. Praise Him for His insights.

WEEK 4

L – Read Tentmaking (if needed, review TRS) pages 169-172 and 221-227. Respond to questions about this text.
I – Ask the Lord to show you what part of your wisdom plan needs to continue beyond this month. Request His help to continue.
F – Discuss what you are learning about the orthopraxy of work with a friend.
E – Ask Jesus if there is anything else He wants to show you about the Orthopraxy of Work. Praise Him for His insights.

Want to go deeper in this topic?

Watch Devin Dickel’s message to Grace Church Southern Pines, Sept 2019: “Work, Workers, and the Church.
Read Anointed for Business by Ed Silvoso.
Read Wisdom’s Guiding Principles to Building a Thriving Business by Jonathan Carpenter.
Listen to Bill Job in Orthopraxy of Work.

Orthopraxy of Work Blogs and Resources
Faith Driven Entrepreneur: faithdrivenentrepreneur.org
Business as Mission Blog: businessasmission.com/blog
BAM Global Reports: bamglobal.org/reports
Significant Matters SAT Talks Videos: significantmatters.com
Praxis Labs: Rule of Life Handbook

Goal: To discover the importance of discipleship in the life of the B4T Champion and provide some ideas for engaging in it.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN: Submit feedback on the Lesson 6 Meeting.

B4T Champion LIFE Assignments
L=Learn, I=Integrate, F=Foster, E=Enjoy
WEEK 1

L – Read 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon and record what you learn about Paul’s discipleship relationships. How does he show transparency and accountability? Where can you see evidence of a father’s heart?
I – Create a list of 3-5 names of co-workers/neighbors/friends who you will intentionally pray for, love, and proclaim good news to this month. Write up a plan for doing this. Ask your mentor to hold you accountable to this plan.
I – Schedule a follow-up meeting sometime this month with the church leader that is praying for you. Update them about your meetings with the other leaders and pray with them.
F – If not doing so already, pray for and seek out one or more people in your community who you can begin mentoring in a discipleship relationship.
F – Identify the key leaders in your church in the areas of Discipleship (be aware they may not have official roles). Schedule a time to meet this month to share the Church Core Purpose material with them. Record notes and any ideas they generate.
F – Schedule a follow up meeting with strategic leaders in your community to continue planning a customized event around the topic of BAM/B4T/FWE. Try to get a date on the calendar.
E – Ask Jesus what He thinks and feels about having a Heart of Discipleship. Praise Him for His insights.

WEEK 2

L – Watch Vince Miller’s message about discipleship. What did you learn about discipleship relationships? What did you learn about the lifestyle of discipleship? Record your response.
I – If not doing so already, pray for and seek out one or more people in your community to mentor you in a discipleship relationship.
F – Pray for the Discipleship leaders in your church to effectively model and teach on Jesus’ example of discipleship so that the whole congregation can fruitfully participate.
E – Do something fun with your mentee that you both enjoy (watch a football game together, eat out, go get coffee, have a game night, etc.).
E – Ask Jesus what He thinks and feels about Discipleship Relationships. Praise Him for His insights.

WEEK 3

L – Read “Born to Reproduce” by Dawson Trotman. Record your response.
I – Update your mentor on how you are doing with your plan to pray, love and share good news with the names on your list.
F – Do a prayer walk or service project or evangelism outreach together with your mentee.
F – Write a note to your mentors, thanking them for their role in your life.
E – Ask Jesus what He thinks and feels about living a Lifestyle of Discipleship. Praise Him for His insights.

WEEK 4

L – Watch this short video about dominoes. How does this relate to heart of discipleship? Record your response.
L – Read Patrick Lai’s quotes in Tentmaking (if needed, review TRS) on discipleship and then answer the corresponding questions.
I – Update your mentor on how you are doing with your plan to pray, love and share good news with the names on your list.
F – Pray for the Discipleship leaders in your church to be first and foremost discipled by Jesus and secondly to be discipled by other mentors.
F – Begin recruiting others from your church and community to participate in the next B4T Champions group to be led by you.
E – Ask Jesus if there is anything else He wants to show you about Discipleship. Praise Him for His insights.

Want to go deeper in this topic?

Read Doing Life With: A Mentoring Approach to Making Christ Followers by Jerry Daley.
Read Growing Up: How to Be a Disciple Who Makes Disciples by Robby Gallaty.
Read The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Read Prayer Evangelism by Ed Silvoso.
Read Getting Naked by Patrick Lencioni.
Watch Francis Chan’s preaching on discipleship.
Session 1
Session 2
Session 3
Session 4
Read Patrick Lai’s 5-part blog series on Discipleship.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

Congratulations! You have completed all the training to become a B4T Champion.

You have learned about investing deeply in relationships,

honoring God’s Church as primary in His strategy to reach the world,

teaching others to live out the Front and Back Wheels of B4T,

and engaging in a lifestyle of discipleship.

You are equipped to keep the ancient, biblical practice of B4T going into the future until Christ returns!

The only question now is, “Will you?”

BEFORE YOU BEGIN: Submit feedback on the Lesson 7 Meeting.

May He who began a good work in you, carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 1:6)

FINAL ASSIGNMENTS

Please take time to reflect on all that you have experienced and learned this last 7 months, ask the Lord what role He wants you to play, and leave your feedback by clicking the links below. Thank you!

Seek the Lord in prayer about what He wants your ongoing contribution to the work of B4T to be. Record response here.

Submit feedback online, regarding the whole B4T Champions Training.

Want to go deeper in this topic?

Read Behold the Lamb: The history, life and dream of the Moravian Church by Peter Hoover.
Read A History of the Moravian Church by Joseph Edmund Hutton.
Read Profit for the Lord by William J. Danker.
Read Business for Transformation: Getting Started by Patrick Lai.
Read Scatter: Go Therefore and Take Your Job With You by Andrew Scott.
Read Transformation by Ed Silvoso.

Stay current with Business as Mission/Business for Transformation blogs:
Patrick Lai’s blog: b4tblog.com
Scatter Global blog: scatterglobal.com/blog
BAM blog: businessasmission.com/blog

The book Tentmaking by Patrick Lai is a staple in the B4T World. We have broken it up here into a suggested reading plan. This breakdown is optional.

Month 1: Chapters 1-4

Month 2: Chapters 5-7

Month 3: Chapters 8-10

Month 4: Chapters 11-13

Month 5: Chapters 14-16

Month 6: Chapters 17-18

After you complete the homework for this lesson, please submit feedback here.
Have new ideas for homework, content, processes, etc.? Submit here.
Have any prayer requests for the prayer team? Submit here.