Christ the King

Dear Friends in Jesus, our King,

God wants you to be completely invested in following Jesus!  

That may sound like a “no brainer” statement.  Yet all too frequently, you and I may think that following Jesus requires special training which only some believers possess.  In actuality, following Jesus is far simpler than we have made it out to be.  Here is what is involved:

1) Gather with others,  2) Follow Jesus,  3) Repeat #1 and #2.   

This simple process of discipleship (gather, follow, repeat) is what Jesus taught his disciples.  It is applicable for you and me today.  In order to provide an answer to the questions “How do we gather?” and “How do we follow?” the Lord has taken us on a journey of learning.  This journey has involved many people and much prayer.  God has provided clarification for many questions about what it means to gather and learn to follow Jesus together. 

Below, you'll find answers to many of these questions.

Next month, you’ll begin to hear more about connecting to a “Life Group.”  A Life Group is a community of disciples who gather to intentionally follow the three relational dimensions of Jesus’ life (up, in, out).  In these days I ask you to pray for God’s Spirit to open your heart to all that Jesus Christ desires for you, for His church and for those who are in need of Christ in their lives.

Your brother in following Jesus,

Pastor Al Doering

You may read through the questions and answers that appear in the Q & A section (below), or you may use these links to jump right to a question that interests you. 

1. What do you mean by “discipleship?”   
2. I’ve heard of people talking about new terms like: Life Group, D-group, & huddle. What is that all about?     
3. Who has been involved in this experiment?   
4. What will this mean for me?
5. How do I learn to follow Jesus?   
6. Is this something I could pursue on my own?   
7. What is a Life Group?   
8. Is a Life Group larger than a small group?   
9. Is there any smaller group where people connect?   
10. How is a Life Group led? 
11. How is one Life Group unique from another?   
12. What is the rhythm of their life together?
13. May children be included in a Life Group? 
14. How do people become connected to a Life Group?   
15. How do Life Groups fulfill the “great commission” (make disciples)?   
16. What is the lifespan of a group?   
17. What if I am currently a member of a “care group” (a small group)?   
18. How does the concept of a Life Group affect existing ministry programs?   
19. But my life is so full, how will I find time for this?   
20. What about Bible Studies?   
21. What about worship as a congregation?   
22. What is the time frame for CTK in terms of beginning Life Groups?   
23. Am I required to join a Life Group?   
24. What can I do right now?   
    
    
    

1. What do you mean by “discipleship?” A disciple is a learner. A disciple learns to “seek first the Kingdom of God” in every aspect of their existence. Discipleship implies a journey which is available to every believer, helping them follow Jesus and experience his work in their lives more completely.
   
   
2. I’ve heard of people talking about new terms like: Life Group, D-group, & huddle. What is that all about? As God is leading us we have been exploring various terms to describe how people gather together and follow Jesus.
   
   
3. Who has been involved in this experiment? Many CTK leaders (members, staff, care group leaders, Board of Directors, Elders, prayer team, etc.) and their spouses were invited to be involved in the past 18 months of prayer and learning.
   
   
4. What will this mean for me? We hope it means you will be curious about what Jesus desires for your entire life. We hope you will invest in a discipleship journey which has as its goal: learning to follow Jesus.
   
   
5. How do I learn to follow Jesus? Because you have faith in Christ we know God’s Holy Spirit dwells in you. Open your heart to the leading of that Spirit.
   
   
6. Is this something I could pursue on my own? We believe that God does not want you to follow Him alone, but with others, in a community. Throughout the New Testament there are references to the value of following Jesus together. We encourage you to consider a relational community we are calling “Life Group.”
   
   
7. What is a Life Group? A Life Group is a community of disciples who gather to intentionally follow the three relational dimensions of Jesus’ life (up, in, out). Jesus related to his father (up), those near to God (in), and those farther from God (out). The Life Group seeks God in prayer and worship (up), pursues the love of Christ in their relationships with one another (in), and actively connects with those who are in need of God’s grace in their lives (out).
   
   
8. Is a Life Group larger than a small group? Yes. Life Groups may begin with a handful of people, but they will normally grow to an average of 25-40 people. This larger group brings the feel of an extended family and provides the critical mass for the group to engage in their “out.”
   
   
9. Is there any smaller group where people connect? Yes. Within the Life Group participants will be encouraged to form discipleship groups (D-groups). D-groups (3-6 people) use some basic discipleship tools to identify how the Kingdom of God is breaking into their lives. We have learned that this consistent exercise with a small group of disciples opens our eyes to the reality and presence of God in fantastic ways.
   
   
10. How is a Life Group led? A Life Group has an identified leader who works with a leadership team to help the group members seek the Kingdom of God. The leader of a Life Group will be a part of a huddle where they will experience discipleship coaching by a pastor or staff member.
    
    
11. How is one Life Group unique from another? Life Groups will have many similarities, but their distinctiveness will be attached to their “out” (mission). For example: one of our exploratory Life Groups focused on serving single mothers, the other served families who had physical needs.
    
    
12. What is the rhythm of their life together? Life Groups will normally gather at least once a month, usually in a home. D-groups will meet separately at least once a month.As they pursue a mission (their “out”) Life Groups will invest time as God leads.
    
    
13. May children be included in a Life Group? Yes. A Life Group may choose to include children. If they so choose, the Life Group would have the feel of an "extended family".
    
    
14. How do people become connected to a Life Group? The purpose of each Life Group will be communicated to the congregation. As these purposes are known, and as more groups form, individuals are free to join whichever group resonates with their heart for following Jesus.
    
    
15. How do Life Groups fulfill the “great commission” (make disciples)? Because Life Groups are balanced around the three relationship dimensions of Jesus’ life it will be natural for the group to welcome pre-Christians to their community. In fact, we have observed that the “out” can be a natural connection for pre-Christians to participate in a Life Group.
    
    
16. What is the lifespan of a group? Groups will probably experience change as they invite others to join them, build relationships and engage in their “out.” New leaders and groups will emerge as the Spirit of God leads His people. This multiplication process will be dependent on the leading of the Holy Spirit.
    
    
17. What if I am currently a member of a “care group” (a small group)? You are welcome to remain connected to your care group. Every care group will be invited to consider transitioning to the up/in/out dimensions of Jesus’ life. A care group may a) invite other disciples to join them, taking on the character of a Life Group; b) they may merge with another care group to form a Life Group, or c) they may choose to follow Jesus without expanding the size of their group.
    
    
18. How does the concept of a Life Group affect existing ministry programs? A current ministry may continue without being connected to a Life Group. On the other hand, a Life Group may provide significant support and encouragement for an existing ministry. For example Life Groups may choose as their “out”: Stephen ministry, Celebrate Recovery, Divorce Recovery, Marriage ministry, Promiseland, etc. These Life Groups (like all Life Groups) would provide a balanced community (up, in & out) through which support and leadership would flow toward their “out”.
    
    
19. But my life is so full, how will I find time for this? All we can tell you is what we have discovered. The more we learn to follow Jesus according to our passion, (our “out”) the more his Spirit takes care of priorities. Jesus’ promise “peace I leave with you” is deeply woven into the fabric of following Him day by day.
    
    
20. What about Bible Studies? Learning from God’s Word will always be a priority for God’s people. In Life Groups the Word will be opened and applied within the context of a discipleship lifestyle (up, in, out). Weekly Bible studies provide additional opportunities to explore the Scriptures.
    
    
21. What about worship as a congregation? The value of regular worship with the larger body of believers will always play a major role in our experience of our life together. Life Groups will provide an additional experience of worship based upon the dynamics of the group.
    
    
22. What is the time frame for CTK in terms of beginning Life Groups? We are seeking leaders who have a passion for a mission and a desire to invite others to join them in a Life Group for that mission. As leaders identify themselves (to Pastor Al or Jadi Meyer) they will begin a huddling/coaching process. We anticipate that by September the congregation will be informed about the Life Groups which are beginning.
    
    
23. Am I required to join a Life Group? No. We live by grace and we follow Jesus by grace. If you are a believer it is not optional to die to yourself and live fully for Christ (love God and others). This specific discipleship journey via Life Groups is optional. We believe that God wants you to gather with others and follow Jesus. In the coming months, as you hear invitations to participate in a Life Group, we hope you will say “yes, Lord, I’ll explore this opportunity to learn about following you."
    
    
24. What can I do right now? Pray. “Holy Spirit, help me learn to follow Jesus. Help me to seek the Kingdom of God in all that I do.” This is not a one time prayer. It is a daily response to Jesus’ invitation to seek Him above everything else.