REFINE
Realizing Each Fire Is Necessary for Eternity
Program Overview
REFINE is a discipleship challenge for young women who desire to deepen their relationship with Christ. The first phase of the challenge begins at home with potential students working with their fathers through Pre-REFINE, a three-week prerequisite course. After satisfactory completion of the prerequisite course, the young ladies then go to the Indianapolis Training Center for seven weeks of intense training and service. During the last three days of training, the fathers come and participate in a father/daughter seminar designed to encourage continuing accountability at home.
Important Note: Students of single parent families where the father is not able to participate are welcome. Do not hesitate to contact the REFINE office for more information.
REFINE Goals
The goal of REFINE is to encourage young ladies to build the foundation of a strong relationship with Christ and a servant’s heart into their lives. This foundation is crucial for spiritual maturity and effective ministry. With the vision of developing a servant’s heart, REFINE seeks to encourage the qualities of deference and humility in each girl’s life.
During their time at the Training Center, young ladies receive training and participate in various ministry opportunities. Fathers join their daughters at the Indianapolis Training Center for a father/daughter seminar during the last three days of training. The purpose of this seminar is to equip the fathers to work out an accountability plan with their daughters to encourage her continued spiritual growth at home.
Pre-REFINE Correspondence Course
Some of the components of the Pre-REFINE course include the daughter completing portions of the Faith Journal and recording her daily schedule. Also, the father and daughter together complete service projects, memorize and discuss sections of Scripture, and meet weekly for accountability reporting.
Please keep in mind that REFINE is not for everyone, and there are certain qualities that are needed in order for REFINE be effective in the lives of each young lady. Pre-REFINE helps to determine whether these qualities are present in the lives of prospective students. Successful completion of Pre-REFINE demonstrates a willingness in the life of the girl to follow instructions, the ability to articulate spiritual concepts, and motivation to complete assignments with her father. By successfully completing Pre-REFINE the father demonstrates an interest in motivating his daughter to memorize Scripture, to complete assignments, and to provide accountability.
Course Content
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Developing a Relationship With God (Weeks 1–7)
Classroom Instruction
Young ladies receive about 50 hours worth of video sessions (including 32 hours of the Basic Seminar) and approximately 16 hours of live instruction. Live speakers have included Mrs. Debbie Greer, Mrs. Trish Ritchie, Mrs. Leah Elms, Mrs. Judy Gergeni, and Mrs. Karen Juday. Session topics include prayer, surrender, brokenness, faith, virtue, holiness, authority, design, music, evangelism, and friendship.
Small Group Mentoring
Each girl spends time with her team discussing and reviewing the material covered in the video sessions. During this time, she completes study guides designed to encourage personal study and application of the session topic.
Discovering the Heart of God Through Daily Devotional Times
Each morning the students spend one hour with the Lord in personal devotions. They work through two devotional guides by Kay Arthur, Lord, Teach Me to Pray in 28 Days and Lord, I want to Know You. Students are challenged through these devotionals to develop a deeper prayer life and to deepen their understanding of who God is through studying the names of God.
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Developing a Servant’s Heart (Weeks 1–3)
Service Projects
During the first three weeks of REFINE, the girls are involved in a variety service projects. These projects have included cleaning rooms, meal preparation, table setting, kitchen cleanup, buffet line running, waiting tables, dishes, vacuuming, dusting, washing windows, picking up trash, raking leaves, hedge trimming, and weeding.
Teamwork and Accountability
REFINE young ladies live, train, and work with a team of three girls under the supervision of a team leader. This arrangement provides accountability, allows each girl to establish interpersonal relationships, and gives opportunity to learn the concepts of teamwork.
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Teaching Biblical Truth to the Next Generation (Week 4)
How to Lead a Child to Christ
Young ladies learn how to give a clear Gospel presentation to children using various tools. Instruction is also given on how to counsel children for salvation and help them gain assurance of their salvation.
How to Teach the Bible to Children
REFINE students learn how to put together a Bible lesson with an evangelistic emphasis. Tips and methods are also given on how to creatively hold the interest of children during a Bible lesson.
Putting Together a Bible Club
Girls learn how to teach the various aspects of a Bible club: songs, memory verses, Bible lessons, and review games. Each team prepares a Bible club together and gives a club demonstration to the class in preparation for teaching an actual club.
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Ministry and Service Opportunities (Weeks 5–6)
Bible Clubs
See above.
Community Service Projects
REFINE works with local neighborhood associations to serve the community and to provide young ladies with service ideas that they may do at home.
Crisis Pregnancy Center
REFINE serves the local crisis pregnancy center by organizing the donations of baby clothes, formula, and toys in their supply pantry.
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Preparing for Home (Week 7)
Planning for the Future
During the last three days of the program, the fathers and daughters attend training sessions that give them practical steps on how they can deepen their relationship with one another and work together on planning for the daughter’s future. Speakers include Mr. and Mrs. Todd Williams, and Mr. Dewey Novotny, the developer of the Life Purpose Planning materials, which equip students and parents to identify the students’ life purpose and how to accomplish it.
Developing Accountability
Fathers and daughters will have time to work together to formulate a plan for continued application of lessons and commitments from the REFINE training, as well as planning for the future.
