Engaging in Church Life
Definition:
Being rooted in church life: daily Bible-reading, attending worship, involved in a BFG, and serving regularly.
Action steps for this year:
- Set an attendance goal (like 40 Sundays this year), and track your worship attendance.
- Join a BFG or talk to you BFG leader on how you can help
- Membership class: this summer (BFG hour)
- Serve on a ministry team: fbcdenison.org/serve
Acorn schedule:
- Newcomers classes: April 28; Aug 18; Oct 6
Basics of Christian Life course: begins March 17 in the BFG hour.
Basics of Christian Life: mentoring option—sign up online to get 1-on-1 coaching through the course on your schedule.
Serving God and Others
Definition:
Turning away from a self-serving mindset and looking for ways to seek the good of others and of God.
Action steps for this year:
- Sign up to Serve on a ministry team: fbcdenison.org/serve
- Serve on a Love Out Loud ministry team (December)
- Love Out Loud service fair: November 3
- Church work days: March 2, March 16, Sept 7; Operation Christmas Child packing party: November 2
Acorn schedule:
Shape and Calling:
- Sign up to go through it with a mentor.
Other suggestions:
- Adopt the spiritual discipline of service:
- Refuse to hurry others; choose to wait; look to serve rather than be served when with others.
Denying Self to Obey God
Definition:
Choosing the will of God and the good of others above getting your own way; doing God’s will, even when you don’t feel like it.
Action steps for this year:
- Spiritual disciplines course.
- Parents Habits of the Household study (Feb 18, March 17, April 21, and May 19 @ 4:30 pm)
- Men’s and Women’s Bible study groups: Sunday evenings (Women), Tuesday morning (women); Tuesday evenings (Men).
Acorn schedule:
Intro to Spiritual Disciplines:
- Offered in the fall
- Small group or mentor options available
Other suggestions:
- Begin tithing—give a set portion (aim for 10%) of your income each week.
- Pray a daily offering prayer:
- “Lord Jesus, today I offer my thoughts, my feelings, and my body to you. Lead me as you will.”
Seeking God
Definition:
Understanding and regularly practicing spiritual disciplines and habits that open your life to the work of the Holy Spirit.
Action steps for this year:
- Choose a Bible-reading plan (go to fbcdenison.org/biblereading or look in our resource center)
- Breakthrough/Encounter study
- Spiritual disciplines course (in the fall)
- Wednesday night adult Bible study and prayer
- Men’s and Women’s Bible study groups: Sunday evenings (Women), Tuesday morning (women); Tuesday evenings (Men).
Acorn schedule:
Breakthrough/Encounter:
- Men: Saturday mornings, Apr 6-May 4
- Women: Sunday afternoons, Mar 24-May 5
Intro to Spiritual Disciplines:
- Offered in the fall
- Small group or mentor options available
Shape and Calling:
- Sign up to go through it with a mentor
Other suggestions:
- Utilize the key beliefs prayer guide (resource center)
Living in Victory
Definition:
Living free from habitual sin and free from trauma and pain from the past. Emotional health.
Action steps for this year:
- Breakthrough/Encounter study
- Men: Conquerors BFG (focuses on these issues).
- Written and online resources (ask Pastor Steve)
- Healing prayer session (ask Pastor Steve)
Acorn schedule:
Breakthrough/Encounter:
- Men: Saturday mornings, Apr 6-May 4
- Women: Sunday afternoons, Mar 24-May 5
Other suggestions:
- Utilize the key beliefs prayer guide (resource center)
- Look online for resources (podcasts, books, etc.) from Pete Scazzero.
Praying Effectively
Definition:
Praying persistently as a son/daughter of God, with increasing intimacy, consistency, and power.
Action steps for this year:
- Use an Operation Andrew bookmark (look in resource center), praying for the salvation of people in your circle of influence.
- Prayer revival: August 25-28 (Sun-Wed evenings)
Acorn schedule:
Breakthrough/Encounter:
- Men: Saturday mornings, Apr 6-May 4
- Women: Sunday afternoons, Mar 24-May 5
Intro to Spiritual Disciplines:
- Offered in the fall
- Small group or mentor options available
Other suggestions:
- Utilize the key beliefs prayer guide (resource center)
- Pray a daily offering prayer: Lord Jesus, today I offer my thoughts, my feelings, and my body to you. Lead me as you will.”
- Develop a habit of morning, mid-day, and evening prayer.
Openness
Definition:
Being honest with God about your struggles and joys. Letting other Christians know you well and love you.
Action steps for this year:
- Go on a retreat.
- Share your testimony in your BFG, in worship (live or video), or in another small group.
- Invite someone to be your prayer partner.
- Participate in fun events: block party, game nights, Harvest Heat, etc.—and invite others.
Acorn schedule:
Go on a retreat:
- D-Now (students): February 16-18
- Camp: Kids (June 18-21) or Youth (July 5-7)
- Men & Boys weekend: Sept. 20-21
- Women’s retreat: October 25-26
Give a public testimony:
- Contact Pastor Steve or Ryan to schedule a testimony in worship; contact your BFG leader or small group leader to give testimony there.
Hospitality
Definition:
Letting people in, sharing your life and your resources to welcome and shelter others.
Action steps for this year:
- Serve with Laundry Love (second Saturdays of the month)
- Host a BFG gathering in your home.
- Invite neighbors or non-Christian friends for a meal in your home.
- Love Out Loud: Adopt-a-Student project.
- Participate in fun events: block party, game days, men’s and women’s outreach events, etc.—and invite others!
Other suggestions:
- Serve on the hospitality team or on the Wednesday night meal team, taking time to get to know visitors.
- Hang out in your front yard; greet neighbors and passersby. Initiate conversation with neighbors.
- Plan a neighborhood block party with neighbors.
- Visit artofneighboring.com for more resources and ideas.
Peacemaking
Definition:
Working as an agent of unity rather than conflict, across dividing lines, working for reconciliation in the world.
Action steps for this year:
- Participate in Breakthrough/Encounter study, especially focusing on forgiveness.
- Wednesday adult Bible study on Peacemaking (September/October ).
Acorn schedule:
Breakthrough/Encounter:
- Men: Saturday mornings, Apr 6-May 4
- Women: Sunday afternoons, Mar 24-May 5
Other suggestions:
- Refrain from sharing political views or articles on social media.
- Reduce time watching the news, especially partisan opinion programs.
- Reduce social media consumption, particularly anything that stirs up contempt or envy for others.
- Serve on Wednesday Night meal team, with an emphasis on getting to know our visitors and praying with them.
- Read authors like John M. Perkins (see Pastor Steve).
Sharing Christ
Definition:
Openly speaking about Jesus to others. Confidently and consistently sharing the gospel with those who don’t yet believe.
Action steps for this year:
- Participate in Laundry Love (second Saturdays).
- Use an Operation Andrew bookmark (look in resource center), praying for the salvation of people in your circle of influence.
- Go on a mission trip.
- Participate in Share training.
Acorn schedule:
Share training:
- Wednesday night adult study in the summer (June 19-August 7—tentative).
Go on a mission trip:
- Information meeting: Feb 25th after worship
Seattle mission trip: June 11-17
Mexico mission trip: July 15-22
Other suggestions:
- Use the Operation Andrew steps on the bookmark.
- Speak openly about your relationship with Jesus to others.
- Share the weekly sermon or service on social media with a thought about what God spoke to you.
Disciple-Making
Definition:
Teaching others what you know—how to follow Jesus, ways to grow, how you serve. Passing on what God has taught you.
Action steps for this year:
- Parents Habits of the Household study (Feb 18, March 17, April 21, and May 19 @ 4:30 pm).
- Use an Operation Andrew bookmark (look in resource center), praying for the salvation of people in your circle of influence.
- Volunteer to mentor a new believer.
Acorn schedule:
Be a mentor:
- Mentor a new believer (ask Pastor Steve).
- Start a Kids Outdoor Zone group for boys (ask Pastor Steve).
Other suggestions:
- Befriend/mentor a younger married couple (if married)
- Befriend/mentor a younger single person (if single)
- Recruit someone to your area of service and show them how you do it.
Faith-Filled Risk-Taking
Definition:
Stepping out from what’s comfortable and into the unknown, trusting Jesus with what comes next.
Action steps for this year:
- Go on a mission trip!
- Participate in Laundry Love (second Saturdays).
- Volunteer with the student or kids ministry.
- Sermon series: Fear and Loathing (fall)
Acorn schedule:
Go on a mission trip:
- Information meeting: Feb 25th after worship
- Seattle mission trip: June 11-17
- Mexico mission trip: July 15-22
Other suggestions:
- Begin tithing—give a set portion (aim for 10%) of yourincome each week.
- Pray a daily prayer: “Lord Jesus, set me free today from my fears. Show me where you are working and I will join you. I trust you, because I know you love me.”
