God’s Alternative Program
One of the biblical responsibilities of the Church is to stand upon the Truth of God’s Word. One of the ways the Church demonstrates this is by discipling and raising up generations upon generations of Bible-believing, Bible-living, Bible-standing Christians.
Enter the God’s Alternative Program (GAP). Below is an overview provided for GAP participants:
The Mission
The mission of God’s Alternative Program is to equip Young Adults to build a life of true success. I believe this occurs when young adults understand the evil of their age (1 Chron. 12:32), turn to God’s Truth for wisdom (2 Kings 22:11-13), and confidently embrace their holy calling (Eph. 4:1) to advance His kingdom in every sphere of life (Matt. 6:33).
The prophet Ezekiel, writing in the 6th Century BC, captures the heart of GAP’s discipleship mission:
“I searched for a man among them who would build up a wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one.” -Ezekiel 22:30
GAP Curriculum
Three Pillars
Over the years, the culture—like an inexorable stream—has carved valleys in the foundations of truth. God’s truth, however, has not, and it will not give way. Nevertheless, as in every age, the gaps our culture has created provide opportunities for men and women to take their stand.
Thus, the GAP discipleship ministry is designed to provide a biblical vision built on three pillars upon which each student may stand as they find their place impacting their spheres of influence for Christ: (1) Bible, (2) Christian Worldview, and (3) Life Leadership
Practical Training
GAP also trains young adults to grasp a biblical vision for: True Success / Family / Church / Workplace / Culture / Creation Care / Craftsmanship / Life Leadership / biblical Manhood & Womanhood / Replicating Discipleship
The GAP Plumbline
There are two types of builders: one is the foolish, and one is the wise. While the fool may build his house with superior tools, materials, and plans, it nevertheless will fall in time because it is built upon the wrong foundation (Matt. 7:26-27). On the other hand, the wise builder begins with understanding (Prov. 24:3-4), and his house stands because it is built upon the rock (Matt. 7:24-25). The difference between the two is a matter of decision, “…everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Every human is given the opportunity to choose the path of the wise builder or not.
What is the foundation of the GAP ministry from which we seek to build each GAP student’s discipleship experience? The foundation is God’s Word. It is the Truth handed down throughout the centuries given to mankind to show him how to live as one desiring to be before the face of God (Psalm 27:8), longing for His Word (1 Peter 2:2), and navigating (Ps. 119:105) in the darkness (Eph. 6:12) of a corrupted culture (2 Tim. 3:1-7).
Having said that, we admit that not only were we born with a corrupted nature (Eph. 2:1-2), but that we also have ongoing, corrupted proclivities that require our diligence to put to death (Rom. 8:13) and to treat as dead (Col. 3:5). Additionally, we accept that we are living in a corrupted culture (1 John 2:16), that we have an enemy who would seek our demise (1 Peter 5:8), but that we are more than equipped to battle (Eph. 6:13-17) this defeated (1 Cor. 15:54-57) foe.
Thus, in the face of confusion, uncertainty, questions, doubt, fear, and the like, each GAP disciple will ask God for wisdom (James 1:5) when we don’t know the best way forward. This is often the case in life. While we may want direct one-for-one answers to life’s circumstances and situations, we often find that God doesn’t work that way. Thus, we acknowledge that most of life is not binary or black and white, which means I must make most of my decisions on principles from God’s Word and not rules. The apostle Paul reminds us that milk is for the immature needing rules and meat is for the mature (1 Cor. 3:1-3) who can live with decisions based upon principles. The author of Hebrews (Heb. 5:11-14) agrees.
Thus, one aim of the GAP discipleship process is to help each student build upon the sure foundation of God’s Word by laying down three key principles (“the plumbline”): humility, hunger, and honor that each student is expected to maintain, cultivate, and exhibit.
Hunger
“Go to the ant, you lazy one, observe its ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer, or ruler, prepares its food in the summer and gathers its provision in the harvest.” -Proverbs 6:6-8
As Christians, we recognize that though we are complete in Christ lacking in nothing (Col 2:9-10), we are still hungry for more of Him (John 6:33-34). This hunger is not satisfied by worldly things (Rom. 12:2), but rather by righteousness (Matt. 5:6). Thus, we testify that Christ has filled the hungry with good things (Luke 1:53). All the while, when we do not and are not experiencing this satiation, we testify with Paul that we are still content (Phil. 4:11-13), we will not complain (Phil. 2:14-15) possessing ourselves as Christians, and we will thus persevere as good soldiers unsullied by the world (2 Tim. 2:3-4) through the many trials we face in GAP and beyond, because we accept them as opportunities God has and will use to mature us in our Christian faith (James 1:2-4).
Therefore, we commit to pursuing every opportunity presented to us while in GAP with excellence, purpose, and hard work. We acknowledge that there will be times when we do not want to participate in activities asked of us; however, with a good attitude we will lean in and demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the standards and expectations for which we first agreed to abide. As such, we commit to growing and developing month-over-month in every sphere of influence.
Responsibility
Life comes in seasons (Ecc. 3:1-8), and each season by necessity demands growth and positive change (1 Cor. 13:11). At the same time, every season and during every transition each person is expected to be responsible for their own actions (Gal. 6:5). The apostle Paul makes this clear regarding the family (1 Tim. 5:8), the employee (1 Cor. 3:8), the athlete (2 Tim. 2:5), and the farmer (2 Tim. 2:6). While we may be tempted to fall into the crowd doing or saying things we know are against God’s Word and the plumbline, we acknowledge that we are still guilty by association and must all give an account for our own actions (2 Cor. 5:10).
Moreover, we confess that they reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7), and that if we sow the wind, we will reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7). Practically, this means that even a child is known by their actions (Prov. 20:11), and that each GAP disciple seeks to do what is right (James 4:17) the first time.
Thus, each student is solely responsible and accountable for his own decisions and actions. Excuses will not be tolerated. While we recognize that there will be many reasons for providing an excuse, we moreover recognize that excuses are a form of pride that if not taken seriously will lead to a disastrous future. Explanations are always a possibility but are seldom justifying.
Humility
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.” -Philippians 2:3-8
We commit to daily clothing ourselves with the garment of humility (1 Peter 5:5), and openly confess that God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). We choose to walk in the steps of Christ (1 Peter 2:21) as the example of humility (Phil. 2:3-8). Christ, also showing a heart of humility (Matt. 11:29), is our Guide for how we are to treat others. As Christians, we accept that we have been bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:20), are adopted as children of God (Eph. 1:5; Gal. 4:5-7), and are therefore new creations (2 Cor. 5:17). This means that we are no longer slaves to sin (Rom. 6:6), and are able to walk un-condemned (Rom. 8:1) boldly approaching the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16) because of Christ’s work on our behalf.
Therefore, seeking a correct view of who God is and who we are in light of that truth, we begin to fully understand His vastness, but at the same time does not diminish our value and uniqueness. This right view of ourselves in light of God will help us live in a place where we accept that where we are weak, He is strong (2 Cor. 12:9). At the same time, we understand that our confidence, security, and identity are rooted and established in the person of Jesus Christ, and we can do all things through Him (Phil. 4:13).
Self-Control
We acknowledge that walking in humility means that we must possess self-control. Accordingly, we seek to cultivate self-control as part of the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:23) and admit that a man who has no control over his spirit is like a city with no protection from invasion (Proverbs 25:28). One way we not only show self-control, but demonstrate strength is to manage our anger (Proverbs 16:32). At the same time, we are aware of our desire to be liked, to be understood, to fit in, and to be accepted, and as such, we readily call to mind that, “A fool does not delight in understanding, but in revealing his own mind” (Proverbs 18:2). Thus, we agree that “One who withholds his words has knowledge, and one who has a cool spirit is a person of understanding. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent” (Proverbs 17:27-28).
Therefore, whether on campus or not, students will refrain from exhibiting behavior, speech, and attitudes that would show themselves to be foolish and bring discredit upon Christ, themselves, GAP, or Denton Bible Church. Students are expected to exercise self-control over anger, language, sexual conduct, and other discrediting or inappropriate behavior. While students should be confident, they should not be arrogant or boastful.
Honor
“Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver implements, but also implements of wood and of earthenware, and some are for honor while others are for dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be an implement for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” -2 Timothy 2:20-22
God is the only one ultimately able to receive and give honor (Rev. 5:12-13). Therefore, it is from Him that we understand honor and accept the responsibility to live honorably (1 Thess. 4:4). Accordingly, we seek to honor the myriad individual members of God’s spiritual body (1 Cor. 12:13) manifested in the Church (1 Cor. 12:23-24), and to be devoted to one another in brotherly love giving preference to each other in honor (Rom. 12:10). We choose not to take honor to ourselves (Hebrews 5:4), but to look to that future day when Jesus returns, and our faith will prove to result in honor (1 Peter 1:7). We recognize that there is always a temptation to live dishonorably, and we recall that honor is not fitting for a fool (Proverbs 26:1). Thus, we choose to daily present ourselves as vessels of honor (2 Tim. 2:20-22).
Integrity
We acknowledge that one of the key ways we can live dishonorably is to walk in deceit. Therefore, we have an uncompromising conviction to uphold our integrity at all costs and to set God’s standard as our own that we might live lives worthy of the calling we have received. We will constantly strive for truth and honor in our personal lives so that we may lead others to do the same. We will not lie, we will not steal, we will not cheat, nor will we tolerate those who do. Honor involves living a life with your legacy in mind from the beginning. It is the establishment of kingdom principles and an eternal mindset in all areas of life. It is the outward reflection of a person’s trustworthiness and integrity. “A good name is to be more desired than great wealth…” Proverbs 22:1a
Furthermore, we understand that integrity is what is done when no one is watching. This involves living with a plan and intentionality to guard and protect against secret sin. A huge part of integrity falls in the realm of repentance and confession, even for the smallest of sin issues. The two biblical perspectives on confession are confession to God, which brings forgiveness, and confession to others, which brings healing and restoration. We seek to be whole and healthy Christians.
The GAP discipleship ministry is one answer the Church is providing as a means of casting a biblical vision for the next generation.
— October 6, 2021