the proGnosis

Once again we are going through CE in our church, and once again I am so encouraged by and confident of the material. Last weekend I went and spoke at a CE training day and again I was reminded how clear and deliberate the course is. I love the course for a number of reasons:

1. CE believes in the sovereignty of God

In all the training material we are constantly reminded that it is God who opens blind eyes. This doctrine releases us from two things: a. Despair when someone doesn’t become a Christian. B. Pride when someone does become a Christian.

2. CE let’s a Gospel tell the gospel

I love the fact that we just walk through the Gospel of Mark and let it speak for itself. Indeed, the hope of CE is that people will meet the living Jesus as He walks off the pages of Mark.

3. CE is heavy on integrity

This course does not hide stuff, over emphasis stuff, or distort the gospel in any way. I love the fact that you can be 100% confident that you are telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

4. CE is based within relationship

Meals, small group discussion and 1-1 friendships are vital parts of the course. People don’t just come, sit and listen. Relationship is a key.

5. CE is a creative course

The DVD’s are great (if a little cheesy at points!). But more than that, the talks are full of passionate logic, challenging sayings, and good illustrations.

6. CE goes through the pain barrier

Although I never want to do this in my flesh, I do believe that we need to do it. That is, we need to be honest about that which the Bible is honest about: the severity of Sin, the reality of judgement, and the physical nature of hell.

7. CE makes sure that Jesus is the hero of every week

Hallelujah! I LOVE the fact that this course is not based on a personality other than Christ. I hate sitting in an ‘evangelistic’ event where you come out thinking the speaker is brilliant. This course constantly points to Jesus, and always shows how He is our saviour and Lord.

8. CE understands that how people enter the faith is how they carry on

If we use the Bible sparingly and ignore painful truths when we are sharing the gospel with someone, that is how they will act when they are saved (this is taught and caught behaviour). In this course people are shown clearly the importance of Scripture and a desire to believe all that it teaches – no matter how painful.

9. CE gives clear opportunities for people to become Christians

Although I am weary of ‘come up the front and give…’, I do think it is important to challenge people to respond to the gospel. I believe the course has got this just right. And that people are asked to respond to the true gospel.

10. CE reminds me of the gospel

You’d think that doing the course nearly 10 times I would get bored of it. Actually, each time I am reminded of how sinful I am and how loved I am in the gospel. No matter how many times I hear it or say it, I cannot help but be encouraged by the phrase (stolen from Tim Keller apparently),’I am more wicked than I ever thought, but more loved than I ever dreamt.’

For more information go to

www.christianityexplored.org