Coming up this Sunday we will be beginning our three part Gospel 301 class. The focus of this class is Looking To Multiply: Intentional Disciple Making. I myself am very excited to sit down and look at what it means to be a disciple maker.
One of the focal points of our church is being missional, living on mission with God to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Jesus said “As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” We are sent by Jesus to be fishers of men and make disciples for Him. Our mission statement even says “We exist to glorify God by living on mission with Him in making disciples through gospel centered worship, transformation and community.” I literally see this mission statement everyday when I walk through the doors of the church, and I trust me, I am on board (obviously, otherwise I’m in the wrong place). Jesus says in Matthew 28, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” So needless to say it’s evident that we are called to make disciples.
The question that arises in my head however, is “what does that look like?” I know what I am supposed to do, but how do I do it? Gospel 301 will help answer questions just like mine. In the class we will tackle what it means to be a disciple. If we don’t understand what it means to be a disciple, then how can we try to make disciples? We will also look at how to be an effective missionary. Each city, each town, each village has its own cultural context, as missionaries we need to understand how to be as effective as possible in engaging own communities with the gospel. We will also be looking at practical ways to share our faith. Sharing our faith is one of most uncomfortable things in the world (at least fin my experience). Sometimes it happens naturally (and I really hope and pray for those moments) but other times it can be awkward or difficult to find the right moment or the right words. So we’ll be exploring ways of how we can practically share our faith. And these are just a few of the things that will be discussed.
Like I said, I am excited for Gospel 301, I hope you are as well and I hope to see you there! The dates for Gospel 301 are May 19th, 26th, & June 2nd following our Corporate Worship Service.