Making Disciples is the first part of the process. It is discipleship training that we want all of our mission team partners (members) to engage in. They are lifelong growth opportunities for people to continue moving forward as local missionaries as God has gifted them.
Making Disciples (Matthew 28:16-20)
1. Join a Life Group and/or a Transformation Group
2. The Discovery Gathering ~ core teachings of Jesus, core of LACF, PLACE assessment (7 sessions)
3. Moving Forward: One-on-One & Small Group Discipleship ~ core practices of a Jesus follower (8 sessions)
4. Lifestyle Outreach Initiative ~ seven service learning opportunities (7 sessions)
Life Groups (ongoing)
Life Groups consist of multiple households gathered weekly in homes, workplaces, businesses, schools, or another location. The groups generally consist of between 4 - 12 people. However, they can sometimes include up to 20 people depending on the setting. Participants grow in understanding and applying God’s Word to our lives (learn), practice loving our neighbors (impact), build Christ-like relationships (forge relationships), enjoy life together (entertain), and take time to be refreshed in our relationship with God (rest). In other words, we learn, impact, forge relationships, entertain, and rest. We call it our L.I.F.E. R.hythm. When new leaders are raised up, a new Life Group is birthed.
Transformation Groups (ongoing)
Transformation Groups are 3 people (a group of men or a group of women) who meet weekly for intentional discipleship support. They are committed to reading Scripture, praying for impact people, and asking one another character questions. When the group has 4 consistent people, they become 2 groups of 2 and immediately seek to bring another person (or 2) with them.
The Discovery Gathering
The Discovery Gathering is for everyone who wants to become a member of LACF, for current members who want to see how God is at work in our midst, and for anyone who is interested in studying core teachings of the Word, digging more deeply into our vision, mission, and core values, discovering your passion and giftedness for serving, and getting personally engaged in mission work.
Moving Forward
Moving Forward is designed to help those who are exploring what it means to follow Jesus, for new followers of Jesus, and for those who desire to keep growing as disciples of Jesus. Our commitment will be eight-weeks (30 minutes/day for devotions and 1.5 hours/week for discussion). It will be a great way to engage in four core practices of Christ-centered community including hunger for God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17), vibrant prayer Lives (Ephesians 6:18), fellowship with Jesus followers (Hebrews 10:25), and going with the Good News (Matthew 28:18-20).
Lifestyle Outreach Initiative
Followers of Jesus are set free to serve, because of what Jesus accomplished for us (Matthew 20:28; Romans 12:11). The Lifestyle Outreach Initiative will be a series of seven different service learning opportunities. Each opportunity to serve will help me and everyone who joins me to grow in a lifestyle of Christ-like service.