The 12 Foundation Stones Overview Q: Could you please give a brief overview of the 12 Foundation Stones? A: A Brief Overview of the 12 Foundation Stones Course When to start Someone is ready to start the 12 Foundation Stones course if: 1. They are saved. 2. They have prayed to be filled with the Holy Spirit. 3. They show an interest in the Word. 4. They know that we believe it is the Endtime. 5. They have a basic idea of who The Family is. COURSE CONTENTS AND TOPICS The 12 Foundation Stones course is made up of three books: - The Class Book, containing all of the class text for teacher. - The Study Book, with “homework” reading for the students. - The Teacher’s Supplement, with teacher’s aids for specific classes, progress charts, song sheets, teaching tips, ML reference lists on various topics, etc. The classes - The 12 Foundation Stones take students from the point of salvation to a fairly deep understanding of basic Christian teaching and living. - The course consists of an introductory class, then twelve sets of two classes, each set covering one of twelve “foundation” topics, and finally a concluding class. - At the rate of one class a week, this course will last about six months (though it could be taught over a shorter or longer period of time depending on the absorption level of your group and the frequency of your classes). - Each class has a class text for you to teach from. This includes both the main class text as well as suggestions of songs, skits and optional interesting reading. The 12 foundation topics are… 1. The Word of God 2. The Holy Spirit 3. Prayer 4. Hearing from Heaven 5. The Golden Rule 6. Bible Knowledge 7. Bible Prophecy 8. The Greatest Love 9. Heaven 10. Witnessing 11. Overcoming Problems 12. Going God’s Way Course objectives This list summarizes what the 12 Foundation Stones course participants should achieve during the course (although some goals should have been reached beforehand, such as being saved). - To be saved - To be filled with the Holy Spirit - To read the Word regularly - To memorize God’s Word - To receive and manifest the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit - To regularly pray and acknowledge the Lord in their daily lives - To praise the Lord - To hear from the Lord - To treat others with love - To have outgoing concern to reach out and help others - To give of their money and materials to help the needy and God’s work - To have a foundation knowledge of the Bible - To know it is the Endtime - To be aware of the Signs of the Times - To be confident of the Lord’s love for them and to communicate with Him on a personal level - To understand that salvation is by grace and is eternal - To tell others about Jesus - To make progress in their personal lives and overcome problems - To make decisions with a godly perspective - To desire to do what God wants them to Each class also includes… - A suggestion of a specific book (Get Activated or other publications) that the students should buy or borrow. - Teacher’s tips: Advice for each class, which you should read in advance in order to prepare for the class. - Many classes include suggestions for specific skits. The text for the skit can be found at the end of the class. - Most classes include recommendations for relevant songs to sing. The lyrics (one set with chords, one without) for these can be found on the Song Sheets in the Teachers Supplement. MATERIALS FOR STUDENTS The 12 Foundation Stones course includes a number of materials to be given to the students: Study Notes - The Study Notes contain additional reading material that supplements each class as “homework.” The Study Notes are available in a spiral bound book which can be given or sold to the student. Publications to offer - Besides the Study Book, students should be encouraged to buy (or borrow) the book that is recommended along with each class. Diploma for graduates - A diploma is available for students who complete the 12 Foundation Stones. Supplementary Reading List - This MO Letter reading list is designed to accompany the 12 Foundation Stones classes as supplementary reading. You can either read the MLs with the students as part of an additional class; or you can assign them as homework to read on their own, as you feel led. HOW TO TEACH THE 12 FOUNDATION STONES Focus on the Focus Points! Focus Points are key thoughts. Each Focus Point contains a thought or an aspect of a subject that you need to teach. Under the Focus Point heading, you will find text that you can read and/or explain to your students. There are a number of verses. There are anecdotes—some serious, some humorous—to bring the points to life. In some cases there are also suggestions of appropriate songs or other activities. Please remember when teaching this course that you do not need to use all of the material. It is not expected that you read everything, or the classes will be much too long and difficult for your students to absorb. Whether you use all of the material under a certain heading, or most of it, or very little of it, it is important that somehow you have taught the concept of the Focus Point. Adapting the classes Do you have a favorite anecdote (or Bible story, or verse) that you like to use when teaching to illustrate a certain point? If you don’t find your favorites in the 12 Foundation Stones classes, you’re welcome to use them where and when you feel they fit best, along with any other additional materials or pubs that will complement the main points of the classes. When we put the classes together, there was so much available material to choose from, we couldn’t include it all! So, if you have stories and especially if you have true life testimonies that would help liven up the classes, please use these, as the Lord leads you. You’ll want to try to stick to the framework and outline of the class so that the students will get a good grasp of the focus points, but beefing it up with personal testimonies or pubs that are on topic are welcome additions. Stand-alone classes Do you hold meaningful meetings or classes in prisons, refugee camps, universities, or other venues? You can find some useful ideas for class material in the 12 Foundation Stones classes. If the crowd doesn’t have much prior foundation, then you may find the preparatory classes especially useful. In addition to teaching the Foundation Stones as a course with your regular sheep, you can also teach them as stand-alone classes for those you have less frequent contact with. Where to find teaching tips and instructions for using the classes… Teaching tips can be found in the 12 Foundation Stones Class book. Be sure to read these! - Introducing the 12 Foundation Stones, page viii onwards. - At the start of every class. - In the Teachers Supplement, chapter 1. (The full package of the 12 Foundation Stones classes and all related material is also included on the InfoStore CD, in an easy to follow and use format. Additional materials will be posted on the MO site as library updates to InfoStore.)