Six parts of a connected whole

The six forgotten ways are utterly dependent on one another. Think about a tree. Trees have four principle parts – roots, trunks, branches and leaves. But if any part is missing the rest of the tree will die. Without roots the tree has no supply of water. Without the trunk the root won't receive food from the leaves, the branches would have no support and the leaves would lack water and wither. Without branches the leaves would not spread wide in the sunlight. Without leaves there would be no food supply and the tree would starve.

Like a tree

When all six elements of the forgotten ways are active, explosive growth is possible. And this is the key take-home message. Improvement in any one way is useful, but only when all six are active will the full benefit become clear. Like the parts of the tree, the six ways depend on one another and work together.

Think of Jesus in the centre surrounded by and intimately involved in each of the other concepts – becoming disciples, outward and integrated, gifts for building, a living organism and more than community. Imagine all six elements at work together. Nothing will be impossible.

That is the dream; it's an awesome revelation. Let's watch Jesus turn that dream into reality in our lives together.

Discuss – What is the most important thing you have discovered during this part of the guide? Different things may stand out for different people; tell one another what seems important and why.