Now is the Time to Take a Step!
If you haven’t caught wind of it yet, let me remind you: this year at Central, it’s the year of discipleship. We kicked off the ‘church’ year in the beginning of September when we asked the question “what does the Lord require of you?” Remember that? The answer from Amos, but reiterated by Jesus, is to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. The way we put it is to always be taking “steps” along the path of following Jesus. Because what we heard is that discipleship – following Jesus – is
a lifelong journey of following after Jesus in every aspect of our lives.
It doesn’t end at baptism.
It doesn’t end at belief.
It doesn’t end with salvation.
In fact, that’s just where discipleship begins.
For the last month, we heard about what discipleship (following the Lamb!) looks like in our hotly divided and divisive political landscape. I hope that the series was both an eye opener and personally challenging. Discipleship is meant to be!
I’m excited for this Sunday, because I get a chance to cast a big vision for what discipleship ought to be about here at Central (because I think it’s what discipleship is all about for Jesus!), before we kick off our fall series the following week – and the first of the “Central Steps” series – called “Step Up: Growing Up In Christ”.
That series will focus on the basics of growing in our relationship with Jesus, and that is when our Step Groups will starts. If you haven’t heard about Step Groups yet, they are groups of 3-4 people who will gather for 6 weeks at a time to take steps of faith together. In those Step Groups, we’ll work through material from a book called “Discipleship Essentials” as we encourage, equip, and challenge one another to grow in faith.
I’m really excited for these experimental Step Groups to start. We’ve never done something like this before, but I eagerly hope for big things from them. We’ve had a good number of people sign up for a Step Group, but I’d love to see more! I’ll be putting the first draft of Steps Groups together this week, and I hope your name is on the list.
So if you haven’t signed up for a fall Step Group, now is the time.
Take this step towards following Jesus with us.
Email me and let me know you’re interested. Even if you can’t commit to all 6 weeks, even if you have hesitations, even if even if, sign up anyway! The books are ordered and will be in next week – but you still have time to sign up.
Like I said a few weeks ago when we launched this idea:
if you consider yourself an active part of Central Baptist Church, this is the step we’re asking you to take this year as we seek to grow in faith together.
If you have questions, let me know.
If you want to hear or learn more, ask away!
If you don’t think you’re ready, you are.
So again, sign up today!