Culture of Discipling
Discipling is not another thing we do. It is the way we do everything.
More than a program or a curriculum, discipleship is the normal way we live together as a church. This is lived out in corporate and personal contexts.
WHAT IS DISCIPLING?
Intentionally helping others follow Jesus.
WHAT IS A CULTURE OF DISCIPLESHIP?
When the whole church discipling the whole church is normal.
CORPORATE DISCIPLESHIP
In the Great Commission, Jesus instructed his disciples to make disciples by baptizing and teaching everything that he commanded.
The command to baptize means that the main context of discipleship is the local church. In a broad sense, discipleship happens in the life of the church as we worship and serve together. Here are a few examples of how we disciple one another in this way.
1 - Attend Sunday Morning Gathering
We encourage, exhort, and edify one another when we gather to hear from God. Sing whole-heartedly and loudly! Pray fervently with the church. Come ready to hear from the Word of God. Stay a while and talk to others.
2 - Pray
The Northwood Directory is set up as a private tool for our members to pray for each person in the church. If you don’t know the person, pray the Scripture you read that day over them. You could even send them an email or invite them over to get to know them.
3 - Initiate Hospitality
Bring others into your life. Invite a guest, new member, or member you don’t know to your home to get to know them. Hospitality could also be initiating coffee, lunch, or a walk along the beach or in a park.
4 - Evangelism
We want to help people follow Jesus even if they don’t know him. Look for ways to engage your neighborhood, coworkers, and friends with the gospel. Let others in the church know how they can pray for your evangelistic efforts.
5 - Serve in a Ministry
Serving in ministry is an opportunity for our members not driven primarily by a desire to express our gifts, but to love and edify others.
PERSONAL DISCIPLESHIP
While Jesus drew large crowds in his ministry, he also focused on intentionally investing in a few.
The relationships we build in broad discipleship should move towards a focused discipleship with a few. In a focused sense, a culture of discipleship is marked by initiating intentional relationships centered around the Word, transparency, and prayer.
This won’t always be easy! But this is what gospel ministry is all about. If you are not sure who to meet with, we want to connect you with others to get the ball rolling.
Join a Community Group
Our Community Groups are not intended to be filled by people that look just like us, but are diverse in make up. These groups are for men and women of different ages that spend time applying God’s Word to their lives and praying.
Initiate a Discipling Relationship
These are organic, yet intentional relationships with 1-3 other people of the same gender, who are helping one another follow Jesus. These might be driven more by location, work, subject, or schedule. These relationships might be focused on studying a book of the Bible, praying, reading the Scriptures, getting help with a particular struggle or question, or simply discussing a Christian book, podcast, or teachings from our church. These are not organized by the church, but instead you are encouraged to start these on your own. Community Bible Reading and our Recommended Resources can be useful tools to engage one another in discipling relationships.
We hope the these structures will encourage you in your discipling relationships, but please don’t feel limited by them. We encourage you to initiate these relationships on your own.
WORSHIP GATHERINGS
Sundays 10:00 am