Community groups are not just Bible studies, they’re not only times for fellowship, and they’re not just opportunities for prayer and support.

They’re all of those things, in fact, but most importantly, in community there is on-going discipleship with one another. In community, we sharpen one another (Proverbs 27:17), gather and build each other up (1 Peter 2:4-5), and are sent (Matthew 28:19).

Discipleship in community is a means of drawing closer to Jesus through His Word and in the midst of like minded individuals, but it is also a call to action to be sent back out, prepared, in order to share His gospel.

What is discipleship?

There are four elements to consider: worship, transformation, obedience, and replication. Let's look at each on briefly.

WORSHIP

When we look towards worship in discipleship, we are looking for a clear understanding of who Jesus is and what Jesus has done. By having a clear understanding, we recognize our sin AND our need for Jesus! As we draw closer to Jesus in worship, transformation follows.

TRANSFORMATION

As we understand the person and work of Jesus Christ, our hearts and minds begin to transform; putting to death our old ways because we are redeemed! The Bible teaches that we are given a new life with new desires and a new heart! All of this is only possible because of the sacrifice and obedience that was Jesus.

OBEDIENCE

When we have a clear understanding of the gospel and as Jesus begins a work in us, we obey His word - not so that He can love us - but it is because we have been saved and loved by Jesus that we obey Him!

REPLICATION

Replication is the cycle of discipleship: meeting people where they are at and taking them to where Jesus wants them to be.

In community, we engage in various forms of discipleship (one-on-one and peer-to-peer) for the sake of caring for one another and for the purpose of equipping one another through God’s Word to then be sent on mission.