Discipleship
Discipleship is all about
Examine through the Word of God
Experience through the Power of God
Effect through the Presence of God
Engage with the Love of God
Engaging with a community in a meaningful and transformative way requires intentional preparation and alignment of our inner lives, our relationship with God, and the outward effects of this transformation. The process can be broken down into three essential steps, each of which builds upon the other. Skipping any of these steps risks engaging in a way that is shallow, ineffective, or even hypocritical. Let us delve into each step and its implications:
1. Examine Ourselves:
Before we can authentically contribute to our community, we must first look inward. This step is about introspection, repentance, and self-awareness.
Why It Matters: True engagement begins with integrity. We must confront our motivations, biases, and shortcomings to ensure our actions are not driven by ego, self-interest, or unresolved issues.
2. Experience God
Having examined ourselves, the next step is to turn to God for renewal and guidance. This is where we deepen our relationship with Him, drawing strength, purpose, and clarity from His presence.
Why It Matters: Without experiencing God's transformative power, our efforts may lack the spiritual depth needed to make a lasting impact. God’s presence ensures our actions are rooted in His love and truth.
3. Confirm the Effects:
The effects of our inner transformation must be evident in three interconnected spheres:
Being Circle: Our identity and character. Are we living as people shaped by God’s truth and grace?
Caring Circle: Our relationships with those close to us. Are we expressing God’s love and care in our immediate spheres of influence?
Sharing Circle: Our broader community impact. Are we using our gifts, resources, and opportunities to serve others in meaningful ways?
Why It Matters: Authentic transformation leads to observable changes. If our faith does not produce fruit in these circles, our engagement risks being hollow or performative.
4. Engage the Community:
Only after completing these preparatory steps is it time to step into community engagement. At this stage, we are equipped to serve with authenticity, humility, and a God-centered focus.
Why It Matters: Engaging prematurely, without self-examination, divine renewal, and visible transformation, risks hypocrisy. True engagement comes from an overflow of what God has done in and through us.
Avoiding Hypocrisy:
Skipping any of these steps undermines the process:
Without self-examination, we may act out of pride or ignorance.
Without experiencing God, our efforts may lack spiritual depth and guidance.
Without confirming the effects, we risk presenting a false or incomplete witness to others.
Engaging the community without these foundational steps can lead to actions that are disconnected from our true selves and from God’s purpose. Hypocrisy not only diminishes our witness but also harms the very community we aim to serve.
Discipleship Framework
Recognizing that everyone is at a different stage in their faith journey, we’ve designed assessments tailored to four distinct groups (4 Phases of Believers) based on their level of spiritual growth:
Converts – Those who are Discovering the Grace & Truth (Jesus), leading them to repentance toward God. They are beginning their walk of faith, seeking clarity and conviction. Read more Converts
Believers – Those who are Embracing the Grace & Truth (Jesus), resulting in being justified by the death & resurrection of Jesus Christ. They place their faith in Jesus as Savior and receive forgiveness and declared righteous. Read more Believers
Disciples – Those who are Practicing the Grace & Truth (Jesus), experiencing sanctification through the power of Holy Spirit. They follow Jesus daily, growing in righteousness, holiness and obedience. Read more Disciples
Servants – Those who are Surrendering to the Grace & Truth (Jesus), leading to bringing others to faith. Their lives reflect Christ's mission as they serve and disciple others in His name. Read more Servants or Friends
Click here Assessments
1. Examine
A call to Integrity:
True Faith is not merely a sure knowledge by which we hold as truth all that God has revealed to us through His Word, but it is also characterized by a heartfelt trust. We hope that everyone will be challenged to read and reread the scriptures to examine whether what we believe aligns with what is written in the Holy scriptures.
Click to Examine
2. Experience
A call to Reality:
Ask yourself 2 pretty serious questions:
Do you genuinely experience the Kingdom of God?
Has your life been transformed by the power of the Gospel?
Knowing the right answers or knowing what we should say is not the same thing as really believing or experiencing the things being preached. As disciples, we diligently seek from God what he has freely given. In addition to believing the essential truths about the gospel, disciples experience the transforming power of God's grace.
Click to Experience
3. Effect
A call to Causality:
After experiencing enough personal spiritual growth, Lets examine interplay of effect between the
Being Circle,
Caring Circle, and
Sharing Circle.
These 3 highlights the holistic approach to spiritual and relational well-being as modeled in Scripture. These circles interact to reflect the comprehensive transformation that faith brings to every dimension of life: the inner self, family dynamics, and community relationships.
Click to see the Effect
4. Engage
A call to Authenticity:
Engaging within community is a sacred responsibility. By following this progression—examining ourselves, experiencing God, and confirming the effects—we ensure that our actions are genuine and impactful. This process reflects the heart of true discipleship: to be transformed by God and to share that transformation with others in love and humility. We can't make a difference when we're alone; it's God's plan for us to work together as a group. The idea of coming together to impact others and glorify God reflects a strong sense of community and shared purpose. Working together despite our differences can lead to powerful outcomes, especially when unified by Holy Spirit and a common goal to Glorify God. When true followers of Christ fellowship in one spirit and mind, the effect is powerful and transformative.
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