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 sermon series: February 19th - March 26th.
- Supplementary BFG lessons: February 19th and March 19th.
- Serve on a ministry team: Service Fair is March 26th.
Acorn schedule:
- Newcomers classes: February 12th; May 7th; August 13th; November 12th.
- Basics of Christian Life course: begins February 26th 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:
- Serve on a ministry team.
- Attend the Service Fair (March 26th).
- Serve on a Love Out Loud ministry team (December).
- Love Out Loud service fair: October 22nd.
- Watch for church work days and volunteer.
Acorn schedule:
Shape and Calling:
- Men: Saturday mornings, March 25th - May 13th
- Women: Sunday evenings, March 19th - May 7th
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.
- Philippians sermon series (this summer).
Acorn schedule:
Intro to Spiritual Disciplines:
- Habits of Grace beginning Wednesday, February 15th.
- Also available for free online to read on your own or with a mentor
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.”
- Parents Habits of the Household study begins in August.
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 (look in resource center).
- Spiritual disciplines course.
- Shape and Calling.
- Women’s study: How to Read the Bible - begins September 11th.
Acorn schedule:
Intro to Spiritual Disciplines:
- Habits of Grace beginning Wednesday, February 8th.
- Also available for free online to read on your own or with a mentor.
Shape and Calling:
- Men: Saturday mornings, March 18th - May 6th
- Women: Sunday evenings, March 19th - May 7th
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:
- Emotional health Wednesday night study (September-November).
- Men: Conquerors BFG (focuses on these issues).
- Written and online resources (ask Pastor Steve).
- Healing prayer session (ask Pastor Steve).
Acorn schedule:
Encounter course:
- 1-on-1 mentoring option for 2023
- Group course/seminar will be in 2024
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:
- Participate in Operation Andrew, praying for the salvation of people in your circle of influence.
- Prayer revival: August 27th - 30th (Sunday - Wednesday evenings)
Acorn schedule:
Intro to Spiritual Disciplines:
- Habits of Grace beginning Wednesday, February 8th.
- Also available for free online to read on your own or with a mentor.
Encounter course:
- 1-on-1 mentoring option for 2023.
- Group course/seminar will be in 2024.
Other suggestions:
- Utilize the key beliefs prayer guide (resource center).
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 24th - 26th
- Women’s retreat: October 20th - 21st
- Men’s night/men & boys day: November 3rd - 4th (tentative)
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:
- Host a BFG gathering in your home.
- Invite those on your Operation Andrew card for a meal in your home.
- Love Out Loud: Adopt-a-Student project.
- Participate in fun events: block party, game nights, Harvest Heat, etc.—and invite others.
- Serve with Laundry Love (second Saturdays of the month)
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 Operation Andrew, praying for the salvation of people in your circle of influence.
- Emotional health Wednesday night study (September- November).
- Get trained for Faith and Finances or Work Life through the Chalmers Center (see Pastor Steve for details).
Other suggestions:
- 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 Operation Andrew, praying for the salvation of people in your circle of influence.
- Operation Andrew: invite those on your prayer list to the block party (June 4th), a BFG outreach, and Harvest Heat (October 8th).
- Operation Andrew: set up an appointment during the ministry week to share the gospel (August 28th - September 2nd).
- Participate in Share training.
- Participate in Laundry Love (second Saturdays).
- Participate in apartment outreach ministry (details TBA)
Acorn schedule:
Share training:
- Asking the Question study: BFGs beginning April 16th.
Go on a mission trip:
- Mexico mission trip: July 15th - 22nd
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:
- Participate in Operation Andrew: praying for the salvation of people in your circle of influence.
- Operation Andrew: invite those on your prayer list to the block party (June 4th), a
- BFG outreach, and Harvest Heat (October 8th).
- Operation Andrew: set up an appointment during the ministry week to share the gospel (August 28th - September 2nd).
- Parents Habits of the Household study begins in August.
Acorn schedule:
Be a mentor:
- Women: Flourish mentoring program (all year; learn details at Ladies luncheon, February 19th)
- Operation Andrew: mentor a new believer (fall/winter).
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:
- Participate in Operation Andrew, praying for the salvation of people in your circle of influence.
- Operation Andrew: invite those on your prayer list to the block party (June 4th), a
- BFG outreach, and Harvest Heat (October 8th).
- Operation Andrew: set up an appointment during the ministry week to share the gospel (August 28th - September 2nd).
- Participate in Laundry Love (second Saturdays).
- Participate in apartment outreach ministry (details TBA).
Acorn schedule:
Go on a mission trip:
- Mexico mission trip: July 15th - 22nd
Other suggestions:
- Begin tithing—give a set portion (aim for 10%) of your income 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.”
