Holistic Discipleship at NBC
Discipleship is relationship and teaching together focused intrinsically on Jesus Christ.
Why Discipleship?
We see it in what Jesus did: He made disciples and called people to follow Him so He could teach them and show them love through relationship. In the Great Commission of Matthew 28:10-20, Jesus calls us to make disciples - "teaching them...and I am with you...."
Basic Discipleship Model
A Disciple is a....
Learner - Always pursuing learning in Christ.
"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." Colossians 3:1-2
Applier - Aims to put into practice Jesus in all areas of life.
"The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:9
Reproducer - Disciples others in the name of Jesus Christ for His glory.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20
Core Mission - As we walk together in everyday life, we strive through the power of the Holy Spirit and obedience to the Word of God, to grow passionate, honest, loving, and selfless servants of Jesus Christ.
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock." Matthew 7:24
7-24 groups are a formal time of discipleship at NBC. Students meet in small groups with staff and faculty members every Wednesday to discuss what it means to live our their faith on a very practical level. The groups take time for prayer and reading God's Word together in order to hear God's voice on how we should live.
7-24 Group Core Values
We Strive to put into practice what we are learning everyday and in every moment.
(1 Thessalonians 5:15-22)
Every Day Life - Discipleship is a process that requires engagement every day. We were made to follow Christ together and called to ministry together.
Through the Holy Spirit - We need to be depending on the Holy Spirit's words and leading.
Obedience to the Word of God - The Word of God is held as our chief authoritative source for truth about reality, doctrine and practice.
Passionate - To inspire passion for Jesus Christ and His Church in all areas of this life.
Honest Truth - Honesty is the outcome of being united to and saturated in truth.
Loving - Following Jesus Christ is not about my own benefit alone but about his heart for the people around me. Love, as an action, is rooted in Christ's overflowing compassion for others which is impressed on our hearts by the work of the Holy Spirit. (Philippians 2:3-5)
Selfless Servants - Love for Jesus and for others around you is seen when you put their needs and wants before your own.
7-24 Group Core Methods
These are important because they will shape the community of NBC. They are culture shapers. When we meet in 7-24 groups, the leaders are encouraged to keep these in mind to help the students to move past the surface level answers and go deeper in their understanding.
Ask the Next Question - When someone shares something which needs clarification, ASK in order to spot the lies that are blinding and holding them back.
Speak to the Unspoken - Don't be shy about the things that really matter but are often not spoken of - don't let secret sins and struggles stay secret and don't give Satan the foothold of secrecy.
Go to the Word of God - The Word of God is living and active - authoritative, trustworthy and relevant, so we integrate it consistently in disciplining and teaching (Hebrews 4:12, Joshua 1:8). The Word of God is our basis of truth because it never fails.
Spot the Lie - As disciples we need to be able to point out the lies in people's beliefs, opinions, choices and feelings. Use the Word of God as the ruler to measure if what a person is saying, feeling or doing is out of love and is righteous, true, and just.
Don't Just Relent, Repent - Often when we realize we have been sinning or believing a lie, we simply determine to stop doing it. But what we need to do is confess one to another, to repent of our sin and ask God to forgive us in Jesus' name.
His Expectations, Not Mine! - We can help others realize when their expectations are self-seeking and not Christ-centered simply by challenging them to think about their expectations in the situation and where those expectations come from.