How we grow at
Abiding Savior
Every follower of Jesus is on a journey. Growth is what living things do, it’s part of life. Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:12 that the church exists to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ. That is why we believe our purpose at Abiding Savior is:
We seek to cultivate Christian transformation by helping our congregation:
KNOW
GROW
GO
Know God on a deeper level through Biblical teaching and equipping.
Grow together in Spirit
filled Christian community.
filled Christian community.
Go serve neighbors with the love of Christ so that
the Gospel is seen, shared, and lived
out in everyday life.
the Gospel is seen, shared, and lived
out in everyday life.
You will notice that Christian discipleship is not linear, it is circular. Everyone is somewhere on the circle. The more you KNOW about God, the more you GROW in sanctification, and the more you are being transformed, the more you find yourself discipling others. Yet, the fascinating thing with this journey is that the more you disciple others, the more you desire to know of God, which then in turn keeps you growing more… It’s a beautiful never-ending cycle!
KNOW
Knowing God on a deeper level is where faith builds its foundation and it comes through spending time in God’s Word. This accompanied with Biblical teaching, time in corporate worship and through being equipped to read and pray is how the believer grows in their faith. Whether you are just beginning to wonder about all of this or you have sat in these pews for fifty years, there is always more of God to KNOW.
Grow
Knowing the truth and being formed by it are two different things. Truth transforms. The Holy Spirit is in you, putting off your old self and putting on your new self.
Thus Spirit filled community is best done alongside people on the same journey as you. It happens in a small group, in Christian community and around your
own kitchen table. Christians cannot grow alone, because through the Word of God we challenge one another, encourage one another and walk together
through the good and the bad.
Thus Spirit filled community is best done alongside people on the same journey as you. It happens in a small group, in Christian community and around your
own kitchen table. Christians cannot grow alone, because through the Word of God we challenge one another, encourage one another and walk together
through the good and the bad.
GO
Maturity in the faith is not a finish line, it is being actively used by God. He has given you gifts, and he gave them for other people. Going to serve neighbors with the love of Christ is how the Gospel gets seen, shared, and lived out in everyday life. This is what we mean by “Each One Reach One”. It isn’t a program, it’s you taking one person — a friend, a neighbor, a coworker, someone in your own family — and walking with them, praying for them, answering their questions, until they are ready to come and see for themselves. This is what God has been growing you for.
Why the circle matters
GO does not end your journey — it begins someone else’s. The one who was served becomes the one who serves. The one who was taught becomes the one who teaches. When you walk beside a friend who is just starting to wonder about Jesus, you have brought them to KNOW, and the circle turns again.
Which is why no one graduates. The mature do not move on from the church; they come back around and make room for the next person. That is not a burden waiting at the end, it is the whole point.
Which is why no one graduates. The mature do not move on from the church; they come back around and make room for the next person. That is not a burden waiting at the end, it is the whole point.
this not just an idea, it is a plan
Our deacons have adopted a five-year plan to build this out one piece at a time, in order, rather than launching everything at once and letting it sag.
Classes and resources for the home first. Then small groups, and real training for the people who lead them. Then mentoring, once there are enough
people grown well enough to do it.
We are building in this order on purpose. We would rather do it right than do it early.
Classes and resources for the home first. Then small groups, and real training for the people who lead them. Then mentoring, once there are enough
people grown well enough to do it.
We are building in this order on purpose. We would rather do it right than do it early.
How we want to walk with you
Three relationships tend to mark people who are genuinely growing: a household that studies together, a small group where you live life together, and having a spiritual mentor pouring into you. Our job is to help you find all three and to make sure you are never left guessing at the next step. Every class points toward a group. Every group points toward a place to serve.