HGPF

This is the acronym that iGosians have come to love, despite the fact that it spells nothing and sounds strange. HGPF has been a central teaching at iGo Base Camps for well over 10 years now.

In case you need a refresher course, HGPF comes straight out of Ephesians 4:1-3. The letters stand for Humble, Gentle, Patient, and Forbearing. Paul is instructing the Ephesian church to maintain their Spirit-given unity by engaging each other in these ways in light of the amazing work of Christ (Chapters 1-3).

HGPF, like all of the other Base Camp teachings, ties directly into the Bottom Line. We don’t just relate to each other with HGPF so we will have good mission teams or happy youth groups. We love each other with HGPF in order to put the gospel and God’s glory on display. Check out what Jesus says about how we relate to each other:

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:35

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, ²¹  that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” – John 17:20-21

The world will know that we are following Christ by how we love each other. In addition, the world will know that God sent Jesus into the world when we are truly united. Our relationships must be informed by the bottom line and the gospel.

Which means that HGPF needs to be more than a 20-minute teaching session at Base Camp. You need to go deeper. You need to lean in a little more. Let HGPF and your understanding of God’s purpose for relationships invade your youth group, your church family, your friendships, and maybe even the way you treat your siblings.

Let’s call it the iGosian Summer Reading Club. I like the sound of that. The first book we would like to recommend is Relationships: A Mess Worth Making by Timothy S. Lane and Paul Tripp. Check out some of the HGPF and Bottom Line quotes straight from the book:

“God has a two-fold purpose for human community: personal growth and witness to the world Christ’s prayer is that his people would grow and reflect his glory to a watching world.”

“Your experience in relationships helps you understand why the Bible includes so many commands and exhortations to be patient, kind, forgiving, compassionate, gentle, and humble. The Bible assumes that relationships this side of eternity will be messy and require a lot of work. If this applies to our best relationships, how much more does it apply to relationships that are more difficult!”

“Notice all the differences that exist among us. We have different gifts, serve in different capacities in the body of Christ, and are at various levels of spiritual maturity. All of these differences are there by God’s sovereign apportionment. That is, God chooses to surround us with people who are different from us because he knows it will promote his purpose. Yet how often do we see diversity as a hindrance to good relationships and God’s purposes?”

“When I remember that Christ has given me everything I need to be the person he has designed me to be, I am free to serve and love you. When I know who I am, I am free to be humble, gentle, patient, forbearing, and loving as we navigate the inevitable messiness of relationships. Is there evidence that you are looking to your relationships to give you things you have already been given in Christ?”

The best part? This book is actually being given away for FREE today if you own a kindle or use a kindle reading app on one of those fancy electronic devices. Check it out. Download it. And get your iGosian Summer Reading Club off to a great start.