Personal Faith Development
Personal Faith Development: Through these personal practices we do the soul work that connects us to others, immerses us in God’s Word, and positions us to grow in grace and mature in Christ. We place ourselves in the most advantageous circumstances to learn and grow in our following of Christ. We cooperate with the Holy Spirit in our own spiritual maturation. We learn in community.
Exploring Disciples:
• Prayer:
o Pray “flash prayers” silently for others: short intentional prayers for God to touch their lives.
o Start your day asking God to guide your day.
o End your day by praying the Lord’s prayer.
• Scripture Reflection:
o Use the Discipleship Journal that is available in the weekly bulletin.
o Read for knowledge and understanding.
• Small Group: Take a beginning course exploring basic Christian beliefs in a relaxed, safe small group atmosphere. Check the church website or church bulletin for upcoming courses.
Growing Disciples:
• Prayer:
o Start your day praying for God’s guidance.
o Pray for the needs of others in your life, your community and around the world.
o Reflect on your day, and confess your struggles to God.
• Scripture reflection:
o Begin to spend time each day reading the Bible.
o Use the Daily Discipleship Journal.
o Read for knowledge and understanding, and also how the Bible speaks to you and our world.
o Purchase a good study bible like New Oxford Annotated Bible. Begin studying the book of Mark for yourself.
• Small group:
Take a new member class to explore our church’s mission and check the church website or church bulletin for upcoming classes.
Close To Christ:
• Prayer:
o Set aside intentional time each day to pray.
o Learn new methods of prayer — you can start with a list of resources provided in the office or on our church website.
o Find a prayer partner — encourage each other based on a commitment to prayer that you share together.
• Scripture reflection:
o Use the Daily Discipleship Journal or follow the daily Scripture readings and write your reflections in a journal.
o Establish a daily pattern of Bible reading.
o Read for knowledge, understanding and life-application.
o Spend time reflecting on Scripture and letting God speak to you.
o Explore new ways to read, study and reflect on the Bible.
• Small Group:
o Disciple Bible Study 1 (32 weeks): Beginning with Genesis and continuing through Revelation, participants will read approximately 80 percent of the Bible during this life-changing study. It is designed not only to increase your knowledge of the Bible, but also to lead you into a deeper faith and more committed discipleship on your faith journey.
o Wesley Group: Wesley groups practice four things together:
▪ Create close community and fellowship with one another.
▪ Study the Bible and help each other apply it to their daily lives. Groups will choose curriculum (DBS 2, 3, 4, Christian Believer, Short-term studies, etc.) or use the Daily Discipleship Journal as their guide.
▪ Participate in serving each other and in mission to the community.
▪ Pray for the needs of friends, neighbors, the church and each other.
Committed to Christ:
• Prayer:
o Increasing prayer.
o Learn about contemplative prayer.
o Spend time in silence and solitude each day.
• Scripture reflection:
• Daily Scripture Reading
• Discipleship Journal
o Successfully read entire Bible and understand the basis it has for living in union with Christ and with others.
• Small Group:
o Covenant Group: Up to seven persons who meet weekly for one hour to hold themselves mutually accountable for their discipleship. Guided by a group-written covenant, and not curriculum. Group members study the Bible outside of this group, pray together and for each other throughout the week.
o Lead Others in Group Life: At this point in your faith journey, consider guiding others in group life. Talk to the church staff about how to get started. Keep in mind you will still want to be a part of a Wesley Group for your own spiritual growth.