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The Triangle

Three dimensions are necessary for us to live a balanced life (up, in, out). We find these dimensions clearly explained in the Triangle.

UP, IN and OUT

• UP with God - where we develop in intimacy with Him
• IN with other believers - where we look to be a community
• OUT with non believers - where we seek to make an impact for the Kingdom of God

Jesus – UP IN and OUT

Luke 6:12–20
“One of those days Jesus went up to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them designating them apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Phillip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coast of Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear him and be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were cured, and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all. Looking at his disciples, he said: ‘Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.’”

Jesus – looking UP to God

• Jesus was in constant contact with his Father, whom he spoke of in very personal, intimate and familiar terms.
• Prayer, praise and waiting on his Father was a fundamental element in the lifestyle of Jesus.
• Luke’s gospel tells us that Jesus could often be found in lonely places praying (Luke 10:21-2).

Jesus – Living IN community

• Jesus came as a human being and showed us the way human beings are to live out their lives in society with others. We need each other.
• After prayer, Jesus called the twelve to become his small group: Mark 3 : 13 – 14 “He called to him those he wanted…He appointed twelve – that they might be with him…”
• Jesus spent three years building strong relationships with the disciples.

Jesus – reaching OUT to the world

• Jesus prayed to His Father (UP), then gathered a team of people to be with him and work alongside him (IN).
• Jesus then moved out into the crowd doing the works of the Kingdom, sharing the Good News (OUT).
• The pattern revealed in the life of Jesus shows us that in order to fulfill the great commission we first need to be in intimate relationship with the Father, then with one another before effectively moving out to the world with the Good News.