In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus gives the church its primary mission. We are to ‘Go and make disciples. Simply put, Jesus says the church is to both evangelize and edify. The church is called, as their primary function, to both ‘Reach the lost and teach the saints.
NLF’s evangelism is primarily done through a method called ‘relational evangelism’. Through the relationships and interactions that we already have, we learn to share the gospel with family, friends, and neighbors, with the expectation that they will receive Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Evangelism is also done through our various strategic and intentional events, held periodically for our attendees and for all those in the community in which we serve. It is making ourselves (believers) available to Show the love and greatness of Jesus while offering everyone the opportunity to come to Know Him.
Once someone accepts Jesus Christ as Savior, the second part of Jesus’ commission, then must take place. That being, the church must grow/equip/train believers, with the goal that they become like Jesus in their thinking, behavior, and the way they relate to others. This process is known as discipleship. The process is completed when those who are being disciplined are able to duplicate the same process in the lives of others.
New Life Fellowship’s process of growing a believer from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity is called ‘Pathway to Spiritual Maturity.
The First Step in the process is called ‘Life Begins’
What is Life Begins?
Life Begin is an 8-week interactive small group study that focuses on the basics of the Christian faith. Here, people can come to learn or revisit key topics such as the person of Jesus, prayer, sin/temptation, salvation, the authority of Scripture, spiritual gifts, and others. It is a great way to meet other believers and begin to learn to love and live out the scriptures in an environment that is conducive to growth and transformation
The Next Life Begins Class Takes Place On:
The Second Step in the process is called ‘Life Groups’
What are Life Groups?
Life Groups exist to provide opportunities for individuals to experience growth, with the overall goal of transforming the way people think, behave, and relate to others. Our Life Group Step is comprised of three different components, designed to meet an individual where they currently are in their spiritual life. Those three components are:
· Support Groups
· Connect Groups
· Learning Groups
The Support groups are designed to minister to those who may be in a season where they need healing from their Hurts, Habits, and or Hang-ups. This is a weekly (10-week sessions) small group gathering that allows those gathered to learn from God’s Word, encourage and pray for one another, and hold each other accountable.
The Connection groups are designed to allow people to connect with others who share a commonality, either in a special interest, the season of life, or the spiritual growth area. These weekly (10 -week sessions) interactive small groups provide a relational/community element along with a biblical component based upon the type of small group that is assembled: i.e., women’s, men’s, married couples, singles, etc.
The Learning groups are designed to grow you deeper in your Christian faith by participating in various in-depth biblical and theological studies. You will engage in Christian doctrine; Bible Study methods; and principles in evangelism and discipleship, each with the goal of moving participants toward spiritual maturity.
The Third Step in the process is called ‘The Discipleship Track’
What is the Discipleship Track?
The Discipleship Track is designed to lead individuals who have completed the Learning group step in a two-year intense interactive micro-group (groups of no more than 3-5 people). Here participants will engage in topics dealing with the transformation of the Heart, Head, Hands, and Habits. The goal of this track is to train and equip believers to not only become biblically equipped in the ability to cultivate Christlikeness in their own lives but also to be able to equip and train others to cultivate Christlikeness in their own lives. Once participants complete this track, they will commit to leading a micro-group through this same track for at least one year.