Holiness: Do We Understand Why?

by Debbie Simler-Goff

“All my life I was told to live holiness but was never shown why I should do it,” said Sis. Carla Burton, pastor’s wife and author of the new Bible study series Steps to Holiness. “I was raised in church. My father was a pastor and missionary. I grew up always believing in the necessity of holiness. But becoming a minister’s wife made me realize the need to teach holiness.”

At Turning Point Church in Madison, TN, Pastor Kurtis Burton and his wife devote an entire month every year to holiness teaching. “Some years I teach the women and my husband teaches the men. Then other years I’ll teach the men and he’ll teach the women,” Sis. Burton said.
This type of teaching spurred tremendous spiritual growth in their congregation. And others in ministry took notice. Soon they were asking for copies of Sis. Burton’s holiness lessons.

“We had a couple in our church that started a home mission’s work who asked for my notes in booklet form,” she said. This request inspired her to compile her notes into three separate booklets: Steps to Holiness, Inward Holiness, and Outward Holiness.

“The booklets stand alone, but are designed to be taught in order,” Sis. Burton explained. “Each booklet provides foundational teaching for the next one. The biggest mistake we make in Pentecost is getting holiness teaching out of order. God is a God of order. He expects us to get everything in order.”

So what is the proper order of holiness teaching, according to Sis. Burton?

1. The Attitude of Holiness: i.e., Why does God even want us to try to be holy? Why is holiness important to God?

2. The Basic Principles of Holiness: i.e., How does the scripture apply to what we deal with in today’s culture? “Obviously the Bible doesn’t say ‘Thou shalt not look at pornography,’” explained Sis. Burton. “But the Biblical principals are there. And these principals apply to any generation, any technology and any culture.”

3. Inward Holiness: our thought life, heart issues and perspective in general.

4. Outward Holiness: addressing the external holiness issues.

This excellent and timely Bible study series can be used for private study, one-on-one teaching or in a group setting.

The three booklet set can be purchased through Pentecostal Publishing House or by mailing a check directly to Turning Point Church, 1011 E. Old Hickory Blvd., Madison, TN 37115. The cost is $10 plus $2 for shipping and handling.

Additional information on Turning Point Ministries and the Burtons can be found by visiting their website at www.turningpointministries.com. They welcome your comments regarding holiness in general or how Steps to Holiness has blessed you.