1. Transcendence; e.g., knowing God's transcendent plan for unity and peace. As we learn more about God's infallible and authoritative Word, we strengthen our commitment to worshipping God. As we draw closer to our Lord, we develop a greater understanding of how Christ is Lord over all of life, not just "spiritual activities." Christ reveals a perfect plan to meet all our spiritual, emotional, financial, and other needs. He has a plan for economics, management, law, education, and other branches of knowledge just as He alone has a perfect plan for prayer, evangelism, and the church. By following Christ, we can experience the unity and peace that He promises. Key Verse: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

2. Hierarchy; e.g., honoring and hearing our Lord as we submit to His authority. An individual can learn more about God's plan for his or her life by praying to the triune Lord defined in Scripture. Such prayers can produce the greatest results when we pray for and with those in authority over us, such as pastors, elders, mentors, and other spiritual teachers who guide us in hearing God. We can remain most faithful to divinely-guided plans in a culture of hierarchical accountability characterized by a corporate commitment to Biblical prayer, peacemaking, and presbyterian oversight. Key verse: "For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." (Matthew 18:20)

3. Ethics; e.g., enhancing freedom by emphasizing plans based on divine law rather than man's law.. The Ten Commandments and other parallel legal teachings in the Bible have not been abolished as a standard of righteousness, although many of the penalties for breaking the Law have been abolished because Christ bore the penalties on the cross. All negative legal teachings in Scripture now promote positive ideals. These positive ideals should be actively taught as an alternative to the antinomian curricula pervading state-subsidized schools. Knowledge of God's law strengthens Christian character in three primary ways: First, it drives the sinner to trust in Christ alone, the only perfect law-keeper. Second, it provides a standard of obedience for the believer, by which he or she may judge personal progress in sanctification. Third, it restrains evil, thereby maintaining greater order and peace in society. By prayerfully seeking to fulfill the law as Christ did, we are set free from sin. Key Verse: "You shall know the truth and it shall set you free." (John 8:32)

4. Outcomes of Obedience; e.g., obeying God to experience blessings of rich fellowship and abundant resources. Only through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit can the Christian fully enjoy the fruits of obedience. As we obey God, He blesses His church with rich fellowship and abundant resources. Key verse: "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you." (John 15:7)

5. Succession; e.g., spending resources to fulfill the Great Commission and strengthen God's covenantal communities. Believers are called to invest resources in reflecting Christ's character, building covenantal communities, and promoting spiritual unity in the church and throughout culture. This entails baptizing believers and teaching them to obey all that Christ has commanded, thereby extending covenantal promises through families, churches, schools, businesses, government, the judiciary, and other institutions. Key verse: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19-20)

Note: The paragraphs above reflect God's transcendence (T), Hierarchy (H), Ethics (E), Outcomes of Obedience (O), and Succession (S). The essential concepts have also been summarized in the rainbow-colored text below:

Know Our Lord's TRANSCENDENCE Through Biblical Worship,
Honor Our Lord's HIERARCHY Through Biblical Leadership,
Make Our Lord ETHICS Known Through Biblical Education,
Enjoy Our Lord's Blessed OUTCOMES Through Biblical OBEDIENCE, and
Extend Our Lord's Love and Faithfulness Through Biblical Church Growth and SUCCESSION