what is a disciple?

The purpose of Hope Church is to Glorify God by becoming devoted followers for Christ.

We want to become all God designed us to be but as Lawrence J. Peter once said

“If you don't know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else.”

What exactly does a “devoted follower” or a “disciple of Jesus” look like? Unfortunately a follower of Christ is often described by what they do rather than who they are. Following Jesus is more than doing religious things - it is allowing God to fundamentally transform us in every aspect of who we are.

Jesus said the greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39).

So being a follower of Jesus must have to do with loving God and others. Below is what hopechurch believes a Christ-follower should look like. However, this is a target. In order to be fully transformed in these areas takes a lifetime but we are determined to start the journey of glorifying God by becoming more and more devoted to him.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

We are to develop…

1. A lifestyle of worship (Rom 12:1-2, Psalm 95:6)

2. Personal purity and morality (1 John 3:3, 2 Tim 2:22, Mt 5:27-28, Phil 4:8 )

3. A deeper trust (faith) in God  (risk-taking disciples) (Psalm 9:10, Prov 3:5-6, Josh 1:5-9, Mt 13:44-46, Heb 11:8-10)

4. Kingdom Priorities  Prov 30:8-9; Mt 6:10, 33, John 2:17;  Phil 3:20, 4:11; 1 John 2:15-17

Love your neighbor as yourself.”

We are to develop…

5. A servant’s heart (relationships) Matthew 20:27-28, 23:11; Mark 10:45; 2 Cor 4:5 Phil 1:4

6. Humility Rom 12, Phil 2:3-5; 1 Peter 5:5

7. A capacity to give and receive Forgiveness Matthew 6:14-15; Mark 11:25; Luke 6:35; Eph 4:32

8. A love of Mercy Micah 6:8; Matthew 5:7

9. An attitude of Acceptance 1 Sam 16:7b; Rom 15:7; James 2:1-9, grace

10. A life of Sacrificial Generosity 2 Sam 24:24; Luke 14:33; 1 John 3:16-19; 1 Cor 4:2; 1 Timothy 6:6-7, 17-19; 2 Cor 8:7, 13-14, 9:10-11

11. A heart for Justice (protecting the disenfranchised) Isa 58:6-10; Jms 1:27, Mt 25:31-46

12. A lifestyle of Evangelism that balances gentleness and urgency John 4:35; 2 Cor 6:2; 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Peter 3:9 Philemon 6; Heb 9:27

13. Endurance Rom 5:3-4, 15:4; Gal 6:9; Heb 12:1-3; James 5:7-8

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So how can hopechurch help you on your journey of growth as a follower of Jesus?

Well, we’ve outlined a simple process to assist you on your journey. If you like we will even help you find a coach who will help you decide what the next steps might be for you.

There are three foci that we emphasize as necessary for a follower of Jesus to have.

B Bible (Understanding the Scriptures)

Concepts:

Increasing in Scriptural Knowledge

Conforming to the Biblical World View

Allowing the Scriptures to nurture your Character development

Pathway Opportunities:

Commit to a Small group or Bible Study

Regularly attend Worship Services

Develop your personal spiritual disciplines

Attend the LifeClass Seminars

A  Apply (Practicing what you know)

Concepts:

Embodying what the Bible teaches

Modeling an Christian Lifestyle

Being accountable to the Body of Christ and its leaders

Pathway Opportunities:

Be baptized and become a member of hope church

Find your Gifts through the P.L.A.C.E. Process

Find a ministry based on your P.L.A.C.E. shape.

Explore opportunities to serve outside of your comfort zone

Find a prayer partner, a mentor/coach or someone to hold you accountable for your continued growth.

M  Multiplication (The privilege of sharing in God’s Mission)

Concepts:

Finding your calling

Sharing the gospel through your story

Reaching outside of yourself

Pathway Opportunities:

Participate in church outreach events

Develop a personal evangelism plan through ‘Share Jesus without Fear’

Commit to joining the DR Missions Team

Find someone to coach/mentor

Start a new evangelistic small group

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1. so what does this all mean?
   

1. moreopportunities
   

                                                                   Check out our lifeclasses

                                                      by clicking here.

Interested in getting a masters level degree that’s fully accredited through Bethel University* and cheaper than going to seminary?

Check out hopechurch School of Leadership by clicking here.

We are accepting students for January 2012 classes.