Simple Church: 3X3 Manual

Download this Simple Church 3X3 Manual PDF version here:

iPhone or Smart phone version – Japanese/English
iPhone or Smart phone version – English
iPad or Tablet version – Japanese/English
iPad or Tablet version – English

Japanese or English printed manuals are also available; 400 yen for first one, includes postage. 200 yen for additional manuals. Mail us: mail@onfire.jp

If you’re new to simple church resources we recommend you do a little research beforehand to understand the “why” of simple church. For Japanese, we have created this video series on Youtube. Simple Church Video Series, JAPANESE LANGUAGE ONLY We recommend some simple explanations of organic church and simple church by Neil Cole at this link. Resources below are English but all aimed for use amongst Japanese.

CONNECT

Pray

● Invite the Holy Spirit to lead. → Example: onfire.jp/en/prayer/

Get to know each other：

  • (First time?) Share a little about your background, family, upbringing etc.
  • Which do you prefer, Italian or Chinese food?
  • For a holiday, Europe or Hawaii?
  • The beach in summer, or the hot-spring in winter?
  • What is the place you most want to visit in the world?
  • What animal are you the most like? Why?
  • What did you want to be when you were a child?
  • A meteorite will fall on your house in 5 minutes! What will you take with you?
  • What’s one accomplishment that gives you great satisfaction?
  • What was your first part-time job?
  • If you had $10 million what would you do with it?
  • What’s something you’ve won and how did you win it?
  • What’s one of your nicknames? What do you prefer to be called?
  • Who is the closest friend you’ve ever had?
  • How often do you doodle? What do your doodles usually look like?
  • What do you do if you can’t sleep at night?
  • What are you a “natural” at doing?
  • How do you relieve stress? →More questions: onfire.jp/en/q/

Optional: Communion

● Take communion together. Guide: onfire.jp/en/seisan/

WORSHIP

Live Worship or Youtube

Break out the instruments – or even if no-one plays an instrument, when you’re at home, a rental hall or Karaoke lounge etc., you can use online resources like Youtube to worship together. Check the playlists at this link in English and Japanese: onfire.jp/en/worship/

TWA (Japanese: Kan-kan-gan)

Choose a Psalm and have each person read one verse. Like a game of volleyball, take turns in giving T= thanks, W=worship, A=asking (Japanese – kansha, kandou or ganbou) to God in prayer. Keep the flow and keep it short. See examples here:  onfire.jp/en/kkg/

Some good Psalms to use: 1, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18, 23, 33, 40, 46, 62, 66, 84, 86, 100, 111, 112, 113, 134, 135, 138, 139, 118, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150

Confession

Take a few moments to quiet your heart and ask the Holy Spirit to show you anything that you need to confess and surrender to Him.

Silently confess and surrender any sin He shows you to the God who forgives and then read this passage:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Share with others if you feel you need to.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (James 5:16)

CHECKUP

Check-up and Sharing
● What was the high point and low point of this week?
● When during the week did you sense God’s presence?
● What are you thankful for?
● What did God speak to you this week through the Bible and during prayer?
● Share a short report from the week.

How did you go with:
● Oikos goals?
● Personal goals?
● Relationship goals?

Caution
● Be careful not to bring guilt or shame if people did not do well on their goals.
● Don’t compare.
● Pray to release any failures to Jesus.
● Stand up and move on.

BIBLE

Prepare ahead of time
● Ask the Holy Spirit before time to guide you to the right passage to read (examples below.)

Do with everyone
● Read aloud, using different versions if possible.
● If the passage is short, write it down.
● Consider historical details, or word meaning if need be.
● Have someone repeat the verse in their own words.

Some ideas for passages:
● Parable of the Sower: Matthew 13:1-23
● Do not Judge: Matthew 18:21-35
● Prophecy: 1 Corinthians 14:1-5
● Parable of the Talents: Matthew 25:14-30
● Parable of the two builders: Matt 7:24-27

Additional information:
● Discovery Bible Plans: onfire.jp/en/db/
● Cross Bible Study: onfire.jp/en/cbs/
● Following Jesus Series (Japanese only): onfire.jp/fj/

DISCUSSION

Discussion

To get the conversation going you might like to ask these questions:
● What stands out from the passage that God might be highlighting to me?
● What is challenging me?
● What can we learn about God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) through this passage?
● What can we learn about ourselves or humans through this passage?

Caution
● Don’t teach or preach.
● Let each person have their say.
● Don’t judge people’s opinions.
● Stay on topic.
● Observe time limits.

LISTEN

Pray
● Take 2 minutes to pray and listen to the Holy Spirit.

Listen
● What is the Lord speaking to me through this passage?
● Write down what you feel He shares with you.

Obey
● Is there something I need to do to respond to this passage?

Share
● Is there someone I need to share this with? A friend, family member?

Share with each other and pray for one-another that we can obey what we sense God telling us to do. If need be, contact each other during the week for encouragement.

TRAINING

Training and Tools onfire.jp/en/train/

Let’s do some short practical training. Watch a short training video and do the exercises:

Overflow Tools
● Learn to give your testimony.
● Learn to bless people through words and prophecy.
● Learn and practice sharing a simple gospel presentation, the Three Circles.
● Create your Oikos Map (relationship network)
● Learn to pray for the sick.

Family Growth Tools
● Learn to listen to the Holy Spirit to pray for people. (Listening prayer, intercession. prophecy)
● Learn to lead a person to deliverance using SOZO etc. → SOZO ministry website link

Personal Growth Tools
● Learn to memorise and declare scripture.
● Learn to overcome and change negative thought patterns.

GOALS

Pray
● Take 2 minutes, quieten your heart, listen to the Holy Spirit.

Listen
● Who is God highlighting to you?
● What goals is God giving to you?

Oikos (Greek word for household, affinity group, social network.)
● Is God highlighting anyone to pray for?
● Is God showing you to do something for anyone?

Set or revise personal goals in the following areas: 
● Bible, prayer, silence etc.
● Internet, media and time usage, money usage

Set or revise relationship goals in the following areas: 
● Family, friends, family of faith
● Anyone else God is highlighting to you?
● Share and take notes of each person’s goals.
● Remember to pray for each other during the week.

Caution
● Nothing is forced. Freely make your own goals.
● It’s not a competition. Don’t compare. Just listen to the Lord and obey for yourself.

PRAY

Share
● Share briefly your decisions from the LISTEN and GOALS section with each other.

Take Notes
● Write down each person’s goals and decisions so you can pray for them and follow up next week.
● During the week, remember to pray for one another and if need be make contact to encourage each other.

Pray
● Pray for any physical or emotional sickness.
● Pray and send each other out: →Examples: onfire.jp/en/prayer/

Jesus said: ‘As the Father sent me, I am sending you.’ (John 20:21) 

‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me, therefore go!’ (Matthew 28:20)

What’s the Key of Simple Church?

Simple church is not a new methodology. It is returning to the original form of Ecclesia (church) that Jesus taught and displayed through his way of life.

It’s simple! Through the relationships that are already in our lives we make disciples of those who want to know Jesus, encourage one-another, and see the kingdom of God come to earth. It’s an old way, with some new tools, but the key is believers like you and me filled and led by the Holy Spirit.

Simple church is also a process where safe places are established through deep bonds of love, and each person is built-up as part of the body in the Holy Spirit. Christ is the head. So, above all else, each one is directly connected to the head, filled with the Holy Spirit while remaining in Jesus, the Word, and encouraging one-another to follow and obey God.

As well as serving together, it is a community where people bear each other’s burdens and cover each other’s weaknesses with love. The life of faith is a journey from strength to strength and from faith to faith. We need brothers and sisters, companions, and friends who will fight together.

Above all, while using this Simple Church 3X3 manual please follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit and welcome the process of being transformed to become like Jesus.

We are still testing and trying new things so, if you have some improvements, new ideas or suggestions while using this simple church manual, please let us know.

Simple Church is flat, free and open. If you’re new to the game, take time to learn about simple church.

Online resources: onfire.jp/en/sc/ Simple Church 3X3 Online Version: onfire.jp/en/3×3/ To purchase a print copy of the 3X3 Manual, or to find resources for simple church, small groups or house church, please contact us at: mail@onfire.jp