Discipleship Program

In contrast to the majority of our class so far, I have not chosen a discipleship program that involves an 'event' or that is primarily interested in attracting new people. Instead, I have chosen to pursue a small group series for Journey Church, entitled, "The Blessed Life." This is a six-week sermon series that is followed along by video small group sessions led in the homes of the church members [hence, "home groups]. This series by Robert Morris and Gateway Church leads people into a deeper understanding of the role of finances in the life of Christians, and provides Biblical truths in a unique, fresh way. Because this series has been so successful in the past, I propose we schedule it for our Fall Home Groups in 2014.

These series of Home Groups are primarily focused on those who would consider Journey Church their 'home church' but it is not exclusively for those types of people - anyone is welcome. In fact, we have seen astounding success in the past amongst people who don't know Jesus - they are comforted by the holistic approach to finances that Robert Morris presents, even if they aren't willing to adopt it. It really has been a game-changer in the past for Journey - countless stories of God's blessing coming when people began to tithe, and tithing jumped more than 100%!

So with that, I propose we invest the remaining finances needed [I say this because most of the purchases have already been made in the past when this series was used] to encourage the next round of new believers that enter Journey's doors to take an honest look at how our finances should be viewed. Because money is often the 'last straw' to the heart of the unbeliever, we will also be planning baptism in conduction with the 5th week - this has worked very well in the past as well. I believe this will help people step from death to life in our church, and not only so, but also, with the additional finances that come from this series, we will be able to look into beginning work for another campus in late 2014! This stirs up the body and creates vision and excitement, God willing.

So here is the breakdown:

What: Sermon based small group series - "The Blessed Life"
Who: People who consider Journey Church their 'home church' as well as any unbelievers that are interested
When: Sunday Nights, October 19th-November 23rd, 2014, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Located in the homes of small group leaders to be determined
Why: To teach our congregation about the role of finances in our lives and to encourage each other through fellowship to follow through with these Biblical principles… and to eat food together!
How: Purchasing the materials and providing ample announcements and opportunities to sign up [both in person and online]

God, move in a new and powerful way through this series, we ask.

Tuesday, November 12th, 2013; Discipleship Project

Everyone needs someone.

Tonight, we worked on the discipleship of a specific type of person: our group was assigned a 14-year old guy, coming from a single-parent home, shy, not very popular, an average student, kind of considered a 'geek' to many. The significance of this type of student to be responsible to disciple was that he is quite different from the members of our group - this is so important. We cannot simply be effective at reaching people like ourselves - there are far too many other lost people in our world.

I think, the actual discipleship process we determined aside, that was the most significant thing for me. I'm very used to paying less attention to those who lack confidence. In fact, if I'm being honest, growing up, I didn't like to show my sisters attention because they felt too 'needy' to me. If I'm being real honest, I think I need to learn to be more 'needy.'

Needing companionship is an absolutely normal human trait. I can pretend I don't need friends, but that doesn't make my need go away. In fact, we all feel this way. If we have been hurt in the past, we don't want to be willing to admit we need community. But we do.

It's important as pastors that we keep this in mind because our job is, often, to be the friend to the friendless and ultimately show people Jesus in that way. For our 14-year old 'assignment,' that is exactly what it means: being a friend. Our potential is released in the company of kinship.

God, help me to never forget my need for relationships.