Disciple Formation

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DISCIPLE FORMATION 2007 ANNUAL REPORT

JANUARY 2008

Jonathan Edwards, the famous 18 th century American pastor and theologian said, “God is glorified not only by His glory’s being seen (understood with the mind), but by its being rejoiced in. When those that see (understand, comprehend, know) it delight in it, God is more glorified than if they only see it. His glory is then received by the whole soul, both by the understanding and the heart.” Edwards understood that the biblical goal of all knowledge about God is worship of God. We do not study the Bible and the truths about God contained there so that we can win at “Bible Trivia” or as Dr. Howard Hendricks has said, “…so that we can be smarter sinners.” Rather, we aim to know the truth of God so that we grow in our delight in God.

This is the reason that the “Disciple Formation Team” exists. Our purpose statement says, “We exist to give every person 13 years old and up, who is associated with RHCC accessible opportunities to grow in their knowledge and application of the Bible, theology and Christian practice for the glory of God and their eternal joy.” The primary means we are currently using to fulfill this purpose is our inter-gender, intergenerational Discovery Groups and other same gender small groups and our “Foundations in the Faith” curriculum. In addition we seek to promote growth in knowledge that leads to joy in God through the resources available on our website, in the library and at the information table.

This past year we taught Units 1 (Introduction to Theology), 2 (Theology Proper: The Doctrine of God), 3 (Anthropology and Creation) & 4 (Christology) of the “Foundations in the Faith” curriculum. It is the aim of this curriculum to provide the “kindling” of biblical doctrine so that the Holy Spirit can set the truth of God on fire in our hearts so that we will “Serve the Lord with gladness!” and “Come into his presence with singing!” (Psalm 100:2). It is an overview of what has historically been called, “Systematic Theology.” This 8 unit, 60-session curriculum is based on R.C. Sproul’s video series entitled, “Foundations in the Faith” and reading of the text, “Biblical Doctrine” by Wayne Grudem followed by discussion in a classroom setting. We had total attendance of 100 people at the four sessions. Our goal this year is to do units 5-8 beginning with Unit 5 being offered on four consecutive Thursday nights starting January 17. The goal is that these classes will be regularly offered so that everyone 16 and older in the congregation will be able to complete all 60 sessions.

We have begun the process of identifying, motivating, equipping and supporting a growing number of growing spiritual leaders this past year. We conducted our first training seminar in October of 2007 with 26 current and potential leaders in attendance. We will be conducting the second phase of the training in March of this year and the third phase by the end of the summer. In addition we will do a second sequence of the training this year with a second group of current and potential leaders. It is our ambition to have an adequate number of equipped and supported leaders to make sure that everyone 16 and older, whom God sends to us, has the opportunity to be discipled in both one to one relationships and in small group settings. We believe that the truth of the gospel communicated over the bridge of a personal relationship is essential to helping people make progress in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. We aim to have a growing cadre of men and women who can say with the apostle Paul, “we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children. We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well because you had become so dear to us” (1 Thess. 2:7-8).

In addition to these areas of growth we also aim this year to continue to develop the resources available in our library, on the info table and through our website. We will continue to assist those new to our congregation to be informed about our church and become connected to it through the ten week newcomer Bible Study: “Quest for Joy” and through the “Discovering Membership at River Hills Community Church” seminars. Please join us in praying that the “word of God will spread rapidly and be glorified among us” to the glory of God and for our eternal joy.

Growing with you,

Disciple Formation Team Coordinator: John Swanson

Discovery Group Leaders: Randy Benish, Dave Cullum, Ed Fruin, Doug Grenawalt, Dave Joos, Troy Meyer, Brent Mitchell, Les Mitchell, Derek Perdue & Ed Wojciechowski

Women’s Group Leaders: Sandy Benish, Beth Cullum, Melissa Fruin and Cherie Wojciechowski

Men’s Group Leaders: Randy Benish, Curt Seiler & John Swanson

Art Journal Coordinator: Jane Swanson

Librarian: Margaret Grenawalt

Webmaster: Shawn Lynes