At Crossview Church of Christ, we believe that learning is the initial step in an ongoing life of transformational discipleship. Our goal is to help you grow in your faith, deepen your understanding of God's Word, and live out your beliefs in practical ways.
*ESV Bible used for all bible passages*
LEARNING TO GROW IN FAITH
1. Hear: Exposure to the Gospel Message
Faith begins with hearing the Word of God. Through sermons, Bible studies, and personal reading, we expose ourselves to the transformative message of the Gospel.
Romans 10:17 "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."
Mark 16:15 "And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'"
2. Believe: Developing Faith in Jesus Christ
As we hear the Gospel, we are called to believe in Jesus Christ, placing our trust in Him for salvation.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."
3. Repent: Change of Mind, Heart, and Action. Turning Away from Sin and Self, and Turning Towards God
Repentance is a vital step in our journey, involving a heartfelt mind change (metanoia) away from sin and towards God.
Acts 2:38 "And Peter said to them, 'Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"
Acts 3:19 "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,"
4. Confess: Public Declaration of Faith in Jesus
We openly confess our faith in Jesus Christ, acknowledging Him as our Lord and Savior.
Romans 10:9-10 "Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Matthew 10:32-33 "So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven."
5. Baptism: Symbolic Act of Death to the Old Life and Resurrection into New Life in Christ
Baptism symbolizes our death to sin and resurrection to a new life in Christ. Romans 6:3-4 "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
Colossians 2:12 "Having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead."
6. Receive the Holy Spirit: Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Empowering the Believer
The Holy Spirit dwells within us, guiding and empowering us to live according to God's will.
John 14:16-17 "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth,...You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you."
Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control..."
CONTINUAL GROWTH IN DISCIPLESHIP
1. Listen to Learn
We strive to acquire knowledge and wisdom by being attentive to God's Word and teachings.
Proverbs 18:15 "An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge."
James 1:19 "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger"
Psalm 119:18 "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law."
2. Learn to Understand
Understanding God's Word deeply helps us keep His commands and live faithfully.
Psalm 119:34 "Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart."
Proverbs 2:1-6 "My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding...then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."
2 Timothy 2:15 "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."
3. Understand to Trust
With understanding comes trust in God's faithfulness and His plans for us.
Psalm 9:10 "And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you."
Nahum 1:7 "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble he knows those who take refuge in him."
Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
4. Trust to Change
Trusting God leads to transformation and renewal of our minds and hearts.
Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Philippians 1:6 "...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away behold, the new has come."
5. Change to Grow
Spiritual growth is a continuous process as we strive to become more like Christ.
2 Peter 3:18 "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
Ephesians 4:14-15 "So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine...Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ."
Philippians 3:12-14 "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own...I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
6. Grow to Surrender
Growth leads to a deeper surrender to God's will, living a life of sacrifice and service.
Luke 9:23 "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"
Romans 12:1 "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
7. Surrender to Forgive
True surrender includes forgiving others as God has forgiven us.
Matthew 6:14-15 "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Ephesians 4:32 "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
Colossians 3:13 "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
8. Forgive to Heal
Forgiveness brings healing to our hearts and relationships.
Psalm 147:3 "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
Isaiah 53:5 "But he was pierced for our transgressions he was crushed for our iniquities upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."
James 5:16 "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed..."
9. Heal to Teach
As we experience healing, we are equipped to teach and comfort others.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ...who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction..."
1 Peter 3:15 "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you yet do it with gentleness and respect."
Get Involved: We invite you to embark on this transformational journey with us. Whether you are new to faith or seeking to deepen your spiritual walk, there is a place for you at Crossview Church of Christ. Join us in pursuing authentic worship, limitless discipleship, and endless fellowship.
Learn More: For more information about our transformational discipleship bible studies and/or small groups bible discussions, please contact us at discipleship@crossviewlkld.org or call 863.443.9187. We look forward to growing with you!
