As we've looked at what it might be that can be a simple but important statement to get across the importance of our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, we saw what Student Life's mission is - Every Student Deeper.
Not being folks that need to recreate the wheel, we thought this provided for us a message that resonates in the adult world as well. It doesn't matter where you are in your current walk, we want to help you take the next step to a deeper faith. Are you someone that just comes on Sunday morning? That's great! We hope you keep coming but we know that if all you do to grow in faith is spend that hour on Sunday, then you will shortchange yourself in learning who our God is. We want to challenge you to take the next step.
Perhaps that is to come to one of our larger Sunday morning groups. There you can either take a lead role or spend some time in the background - but you will be a part of a group that will help you go deeper.
Perhaps your step is to engage in a smaller group. Grow Groups, Women's Studies, Men's Studies, and our core classes will provide you with this opportunity. In a smaller group, there is more opportunity for personal connecting and fellowship takes on a different light as we support one another in our faith walks.
We have designs for the future that include even smaller groups - accountability groups and mentors - that will provide closer support, challenges, and connecting opportunities.
There is one thing that drives all of these thoughts and that is the model that Jesus gave us. When He walked on the earth, He taught 'the multitudes' - they numbered in the thousands at times. This is similar to what happens in worship on Sunday mornings here at Sugarloaf. This is an important piece to our faith as each service is designed to deliver one message through the music, testimonies, prayer and teaching. This is primarily a time when most folks look to receive from God though it requires engagement as well to truly grow.
Jesus also spent time with 'the crowd' - numbering in the hundreds. This will be who our Community Groups are designed to reach out to. As the numbers lessen, the ability to get to know one another increases and it is easier to make deeper connections with one another.
There were also 12 disciples that were with Jesus. He did deeper teaching with them and they grew very close as they learned about faith together. This is what we model our Grow Groups on. In groups that are around 12 in number, very deep connecting often takes place and engagement in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ is strengthened through those relationships.
Even beyond the 12, Peter, James, and John were closer to Christ and listed as being a smaller group that Jesus chose to confide in. This will be the model of our future accountability groups. These groups will be a powerful opportunity to build the kinds of relationships that stand through every trial and difficulty. We look forward to their development over the next few years.
We figure if we model Christ, we will be okay in the long run!
So - it doesn't matter where you are right now, we have a place for you in moving closer to Christ and deepening your faith. If you are unchurched, come and check us out here at Sugarloaf. You can experience worship and teaching unnoticed (if you choose) among the multitude. If you are part of the multitude but find that something seems to be missing, then take the next step for your faith-walk and join a group. Whether it's a large group or small group is not as important as engaging with others in your journey. If you're not sure where to plug in - contact me and I'll be glad to help you figure that out (mdevine@sugarloaf.org).
God asks us to play our part in reaching the world with the message of Christ...and we believe that in order to do so, we must be seeking Him out and growing in our faith regardless of how long or how short that faith-walk is. Join us as we seek to make a difference - for Him!
Take your next step...
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