We take discipleship seriously because we take God and His Word seriously.  It’s our ongoing goal that all of our members develop habits that further their spiritual formation in Christ. Discipleship is at the center of God’s mission and our mission. It is the foundation of spiritual formation.

We place a high value on relationships that encourage growth as a disciple.  We affirm that God matures us in His own ways and timing, through His sovereign power and wisdom (Romans 8:28, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24). At the same time, we believe that He calls us to work purposefully (Philippians 2:12-13) toward this end.

We are each responsible for our own growth through personal devotion and the practice of spiritual disciplines.   But we’re not called to pursue this alone.  God has given church members the responsibility to care for one another and to see that we’re built up in Christ.

Most broadly, discipleship occurs through a combination of life habits in community, for instance: a steady diet of the preached Word in our corporate gatherings and Sunday morning classes, and participation in an up-in-out small group.

More specifically, though, discipleship occurs in even smaller, more intimate settings where we find encouragement and equipping to live faithfully for God’s glory.  We call these “Discipling Groups” (D-groups).  See below for a fuller description.

What are Discipling Groups (D-Groups)?

D-groups are gender-specific groups of two to five people who intentionally encourage one another to grow as disciples.  D-groups can adapt to changing needs and seasons of life, but the goal remains the same: to honestly and purposefully aim one another toward spiritual growth in Jesus.  Some groups stay within the broad boundaries of a discipling curriculum and multiply regularly; at other times they take the form of long-term, Christ-centered friendships.  D-groups create a fertile context in which spiritual growth can flourish.  We never outgrow our need to be discipled in all the various elements of spiritual formation.