Document created by JC. Last edited by JC on 28/02/17. Growth Tracks

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1 Growth Tracks This document outlines the essential content and key objectives of the Growth Track course. 1 of 11

2 Pt1: The Central Track Focus: How to grow in our personal relationship with Jesus Action Step: To start a bible reading plan and meet up with a friend who can talk through what they re learning. Length of Session: 20 mins We exist as a church... So that everyone can Flourish through a growing relationship with Jesus. The key to flourishing in life is having a growing relationship with Jesus. And our personal relationship with Jesus is our responsibility. Its great to come to church. But it s even more important we experience God for ourselves. Here are three ways we can grow in our personal relationship with Jesus 1. Reading the bible 2. Prayer 3. Worship We will focus on how to read the bible Hebrews 4:12 NLT For the word of God is alive and powerful WHY READING THE BIBLE IS IMPORTANT... The Bible will help us think right because it s full of Gods truth It equips us to overcome life s challenges and to do life well It teaches us truth that will bring us freedom It will give us a clear sense of direction and purpose in life It reveals God s promises to us and a pattern of life for successful living It gives us strength to resist temptations 2 of 11

3 It gives us wisdom to make the right choices It teaches us how to live a good and pure life It brings reminds us that we are created by God and for God. It helps us to experience Gods grace and love in a personally way. HOW TO READ IT 1. Read something everyday. Reading the Bible for any disciple of Jesus is so important. If you want to stay alive you must eat food. The same is true spiritually. The word of God is the food that keeps every Christ follower alive and well. Experts tell us it takes roughly 40 days to form a habit. If you have ever tried to begin a new habit in your life, you soon find that it s not easy! After day 3 we find ourselves back to square one! We had good intentions but no follow through. When it comes to reading God s word we must make it a daily priority to read something from God s word, even if it s only one verse. Many people say they don t have time to read the Bible. The truth is, you make time for what s important to you. 2. Before you begin to read, ASK GOD FOR HELP, for you to hear what He is saying. The Bible is different to any other book because it is God s word. As His child, He wants to speak to you. The Holy Spirit is your helper and teacher. The Holy Spirit will bring things alive to you and cause you to see things in God s word that you ve never seen before. 3. Think about what you re reading It s easy for us sometimes just to read a scripture and move on. But it s important to chew on a scripture and mediate on it. As you read, think to yourself, what does this truth mean for me? How does this change things 3 of 11

4 for me? How can I apply this truth to my life today? Remember, reading God s word shouldn t be treat as a task to tick of your list. Think. 4. Use your imagination. Put yourself into the story. How would you feel if you were part of this story? Don t be afraid to use your imagination when reading the Bible. 5. Remind yourself that this is God s Word. If you can t see God, read God. If you can t hear God, read God. The Bible is the primary way God speaks to us. Scripture is God breathed. So when you re reading scripture you are literally taking in the breath of God. Approach the Bible from this perspective and you find you get more from it. 6. Just keep at it. Some days you we just need to persevere. Even when things don t seem to make sense to you or you don t feel the benefit. As you faithfully keep at it, it s amazing what God does. His word will change you! Stay in the Word. Just keep at it. 7. Talk it through with another follower of Jesus The Christian life was never designed to live alone but rather in community. A great way to get more from Gods word is to discuss it with another Christian. PRACITICALS / FAQs There are many ways to enjoy the bible: download the YouVersion bible app for free. On this bible app you can also listen to the bible. Download various translations. And choose from thousands of different bible plans. Just search YouVersion in your app store and download for free! 4 of 11

5 Which bible translation should I use? We recommend NLT or The Message as a good place to start. But any translation that helps you understand and enjoy Gods word is a good translation! Does it matter when I read the bible? Not really. Everyones life looks different. Some people prefer to read it before they go to work. Others before they go to sleep. The key is to find what works best for you. For starters, it may be a good idea to start reading at the beginning of your day. This will set you up for the day! ACTION STEP To start a bible reading plan and meet up with a friend who can talk through what they re learning. STARTING A BIBLE PLAN: They say it take between 30 to 40 days to form a new habit. So we invite you to do this 21 Day Devotional your-first-steps-with-jesus-begin21/day/1 MEETING UP WITH A FRIEND: Who can you ask to meet and talk over what you re learning from Gods word? Think of someone and organise to meet them over the next 14 days. Leader note: Ask each person to write down who they can meet. If they can t think of anyone. We can arrange one of our Connections Team to meet them. 5 of 11

6 Pt2: The Community Track Focus: How to grow in your sense of belonging Action Step: to join a Connect Group or make some other relational step Length of Session: 20 mins Church is more than a Sunday event. Church is made up of incredible people. Play: What is the Church? (2 mins) Focus on one particular value (DNA CODE) We Are A Community of Disciples (It s about Relationship and Growth) We aren't not just about sitting in a row on a Sunday but we're passionate about building a strong sense of community and discipleship. In life, it's not just about WHAT you do but WHO you do it with. We are convinced that we can't grow to our fullest potential by ourselves. Proverbs 27:17 tells us that 'iron sharpens iron'. This means that if we want to grow into our callings then we must get around other disciples of Jesus and let the sparks fly! We have the most awesome privilege to be part of the greatest community on planet earth - the church. WHO WE ARE AS A CHURCH As you know, our services are contemporary. This is because we believe that the message of Jesus is relevant to this generation and our desire is to help people encounter the love and grace of God for themselves. CITYLIFE CHURCH STYLE We are Informal, Relational and Organised 6 of 11

7 Informal: Chilled out, casual and relatable to people and where they are. This describes the tone of everything we do, from Sunday Services to Connect Groups. We are real and down to earth! Relational: We serve a relationship God. A God that loves us, cares for us and forgives us. This how we choose to build community! Organised: Its different to be informal and relational if you aren t organised! So at CityLife Church we believe in the power of preparation! This means we work hard behind the scenes so that Sunday Services and everything else we do honours God and the people attending. One of the key verses we mention in team meetings is Proverbs 21:31 We prepare the horse for battle but victory comes from the Lord. Our responsibility is to prepare our socks off and then see God bring victory, success, salvation etc. YOU BELONG HERE Ephesians 2:19-22 The Message You re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He s using us all irrespective of how we got here in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home. Play Connect Group Interview (3mins) ACTION STEP To join a Connect Group (or register for a special interest group such as Teaching Nights, Alpha, CAP) 7 of 11

8 Leader note: make sure you have an up to date list of current connect groups that are running and also a list of special interest groups such as CAP, Teaching Nights and Alpha. 8 of 11

9 Pt3: The Contribution Track Focus: How to grow in our involvement? Action Step: to sign up as a Team Member / Partner of the Vision Length of Session: 20 mins Ephesians 2:19-22 The Message You re no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You re no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He s using us all irrespective of how we got here in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home. PLAYING MY PART This scripture makes clear that God wants to use us all to help build the house of God. You see, Church is not designed to be a spectator sport! It s not an event for you to attend, but rather a mission for you to be part of! Making CityLife your home means that this is something you are part of! It s something you re committed to, something you invest into, whether thats in time, effort, finance or anything. Everyone cares, everyone contributes, and everyone is a soul winner Ps Gary Clarke of Hillsong London 4 WAYS WE CAN ALL CONTRIBUTE TO CHURCH LIFE ATTENDING - be committed to be in church on Sundays as often as you can really helps to build church because church is better with you there!!! 9 of 11

10 You being in church helps the atmosphere especially as you approach each Sunday with expectancy, believing for God to speak to you and encourage others! BRINGING - Matthew 5 tells us not to hide our light. At CityLife we believe we all have responsibility to invite and bring people and to shine your light. And our focus in 2017 is to Relentlessly Reach, Relentlessly Raise. Let s believe God to use us to influence people in coming to church and hearing about Jesus! GIVING - Giving reflects the heart of God! This church is here today because of the faithfulness of the people who call this church home! Someone once said You are never more like God than when you GIVE!. The bible teaches us to bring our tithes and offerings into the house of God (local church). This principle helps us establish a culture of generosity in our own hearts and helps us see God as our provider. SERVING - Church isn t a spectator sport and neither is it a place where we just come for our own benefit! Church is also about serving God through serving others! We have a growing community of people who serve on team. We refer to these people as Team Members. Team Members are the heart and soul of CityLife Church and we would love for you to be part of it! Play Team Member Interview (3mins) ACTION STEP To sign up as a Team Member / Partner of the Vision Leader note: Ensure you have Team Member sign up forms ready and Partner of the Vision forms. 10 of 11

11 Pt4: New to Team Lunch Focus: How to be a Team Member (Culture of a Team Member) Action Step: to be an active team member Length of session: 45mins (including lunch) Craig already has content for New to Team Lunch. 11 of 11