The OCF Handbook

IN THIS CHAPTER

The family of Christ is commanded to love our neighbor, so that means singles, couples, and children loving “our neighbor” unique to our time

of life. Singles have great freedom in action and can focus on serving one Lord and Master. Marriage, as God gave it to His creation, is between one man and one woman (Genesis 1:26-31; 2:18-25; Matthew 19:4-6). The blessing of marriage is that the labor of two people is multiplied, and the home becomes a place to develop and grow toward greater effectiveness in outreach. Those who have children get to develop within them a vision that they are part of the parent’s military calling and spiritual work.

The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].

IN THIS CHAPTER

Our enduring and eternal family relationship is that which God has established through His adoption of those of us who belong to Christ. In light of this, we no longer look at one another as acquaintances and friends, but as brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters. These relationships define how we do life together.

The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].

IN THIS CHAPTER

Chapel programs vary widely among military installations and among the branches of the military, but chapels are generally a place where religious conversations are welcomed and where Christians can serve to make the gospel of Jesus Christ visible. They are great places to grow in appreciation for people from different spiritual, denominational, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. This chapter explores ways to be a representative of Christ wherever you are assigned, ways to support the Command Religious Program (or similar), and how to nest that participation within local church membership.

The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].

IN THIS CHAPTER

Our nation is blessed to have a military chaplaincy, and OCF wants its members to reach out to their chapel staff, build good relationships with them, and seek to bless the chaplain teams whenever possible. We are careful to say that we support the chaplaincy, but we do not ask members to support a particular chaplain or chapel program. Supporting the chaplaincy can be done whether the doctrine and theology of a particular chaplain or religious affairs professional are Christian or not, since they remain responsible for implementing the commander’s religious program.

The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].

IN THIS CHAPTER

Mentors need mentees, and mentees need mentors. This two-way process of spurring one another on in Christian faith, specifically in the context of Christian and professional living, is Christian mentoring. This chapter gives ideas for starting, developing, and sustaining a mentoring relationship and for making transitions.

The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].

IN THIS CHAPTER

Ensure you stay connected to Biblical fellowship through a PCS or TDY/TAD. You and your group can use the OCF Directory, OCF staff, and friends who can help connect people in various locations. The habits and rhythm of TDY/TAD locations and new assignments tend to be established in the first days and weeks after arrival, so join a local body to find fellowship and worship right away.

The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].

IN THIS CHAPTER

It can be overwhelming to think about being the host or facilitator of

a small group Bible study, so this chapter will be an encouragement to facilitators who wrestle with getting a group started on time, ended on time, or staying focused on the Bible text at hand. Prayer time usually needs expectations to be set with an explanation about how to proceed. We want our OCF leaders to be humble yet faithful to sound doctrine, and we need them to keep participants aware of events, retreats, and conferences that might be of interest.

The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].

IN THIS CHAPTER

If a small group does not already exist, you can lead a PDO to ask God to grow a local OCF fellowship where you live. We challenge you to take a step of faith with others, and in doing so, may you be blessed by those who join in! Every group requires a willing leader to get started.

The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].

IN THIS CHAPTER

Small Bible study groups develop resilient, maturing Christian believers who grow in their ability to integrate faith into every area of their lives. Lifelong friendships are developed, comfort and encouragement are found, and family bonds are built within small communities sharing the Word and life together.

The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].

IN THIS CHAPTER

If you are in the military, then you are managing great wealth. Now consider what it means for God to be the owner of every financial asset that He has entrusted to your care. What follows is a brief discussion of using money

to meet current obligations, to give generously, and to faithfully store up a portion for future expenses.

The full OCF Handbook can be viewed and downloaded at www.ocfusa.org/handbook. Send thoughts or questions to [email protected].