DISCIPLESHIP
MATTERS

What is CCC’s discipleship vision?

Welcome to Christ Community Church—a diverse community of people on a lifelong journey toward becoming more like Jesus!

Whether you are already part of the CCC family, considering formal membership, or exploring the possibility of baptism, marriage, or another opportunity here, understanding our vision for Christian discipleship will be helpful to you.

  • We believe every follower of Jesus is called to make disciples and that every disciple has a best next step on the discipleship pathway.

  • We trust the Holy Spirit to work in each disciple’s life to help them follow and become like Jesus, displaying fruits of the Spirit as they mature through various stages of faith.

  • We will identify intentional leaders and create relational environments where followers of Jesus can think about his teachings, obey what he taught, andcelebrate stories about who they are becoming in Jesus.

We’re delighted for you to enjoy the broad variety of ministries we offer at CCC, but our desire is that being connected here will help you become a growing disciple of Jesus. Please read on and let us know if you’d like to talk further about any aspect of our vision.

WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE HERE!

Who are we?

What is our mission?

We make disciples of Jesus for kingdom impact.

What is a disciple?

A disciple is someone who is following and becoming like Jesus.

What is a disciple-maker?

A disciple-maker is someone who is walking alongside someone else with intention, to help them follow and become like Jesus, so THEY join God’s mission.

What does it mean to “follow and become like Jesus”?

To follow and become like Jesus, we believe what he said, we do what he did and obey what he taught, and we display the fruits of the Spirit as we walk in relationship with him.

What are our values?

The CCC DNA statements give us a picture of the type of disciples we are becoming.

What do we mean by discipleship?

Discipleship is an intentional, relational, and reproducible journey with Jesus Christ.

Our decisions in partnership with the Holy Spirit lead us to maturity so that we become more like Jesus in both attitude and actions. Discipleship does not happen by accident—it is a lifelong commitment of wholehearted surrender to God as we learn from Jesus, listen to the Holy Spirit, and walk alongside others as they learn how to follow Jesus. Our capacity to grow as disciples of Jesus is dependent on our willingness to abide in him.

 

John 15:4–5

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

 

Why discipleship?

All followers of Jesus are called to make disciples.

Mature disciple makers join God where he is already at work and invite others to take their best next step toward Jesus. We cannot “make” someone else follow Jesus. Instead, we create environments and provide resources that help people along their pathway. We make the most of our opportunities and trust God to open the doors. The Holy Spirit empowers followers to grow closer to Jesus, and each individual must be a willing and active participant.

Sometimes those who claim to follow Jesus are not yet in relationships where he or she walks alongside a younger or less mature disciple. Discipleship is not just about being discipled by an older or more mature believer, but about passing it along to another person. Everyone can help someone take their best next step toward Jesus.

Disciples need different “best next steps” on the discipleship pathway.

Followers of Jesus do not mature at the same rate or in the same way; people are at various stages of faith. We see evidence of these stages in stories like Jesus’ parable of the talents, as well as Paul’s description of “worldly” Christians who are not ready for solid food. Just as humans go through predictable stages of physical and social development, disciples of Jesus go through various stages of faith throughout their lives.

Because followers of Jesus start at different points along the pathway, those who walk alongside (disciple makers) need to help other followers learn to listen to God, assess their current stage of faith, and find their best next step. Each intersection needs a person (disciple maker) to walk alongside, and a process (identifiable content / next steps) to follow. Discipleship happens best when intentional leaders create relational environments where the Holy Spirit works in and through peoples’ lives as they mature and become more like Jesus.

What are “stages of faith”?

The descriptions below can help you identify current realities so that you can discover best next steps on the discipleship pathway for yourself or for others.

  • Those at this stage see the awesome power of God in contrast to our own finite lives. Life has a sense of innocence and a desire to find meaning and/or there may be hurt to overcome.

  • Those at this stage seek structure and friendships that align with their new identity in Christ. Life is marked by communities who care for one another and model spiritual disciplines.

  • Those at this stage recognize their uniqueness and find joy in using their gifts to serve God and others. Life is marked by productivity, contribution, and responsibility. Involvement in church life increases.

  • Think of this as a “mid-life crisis” for the faith journey. Those at this stage may experience darkness, confusion, or tragedy that causes them to question everything they thought they knew about God. They may sense emptiness or a lack of fulfillment in spiritual activities that once brought them joy. Some question God when they realize their former striving for God did not lead to the fulfilled, deeper life they had hoped. God “breaks out of the box” we formed for him in earlier stages of faith.

  • Those at this stage emerge from the journey inward with a growing awareness of God’s presence and power. They experience an intrinsic motivation to leverage their lives for kingdom impact. They listen for God’s voice and long to engage where they sense God’s Spirit is working in the world around them.

  • Those at this stage reflect compassion for others based on a deep sense of abandonment to God’s will. Intimacy with God is the most important part of their lives. They have an ever-decreasing desire for things of the world. Life is centered on obedience, peace, and wisdom. They are loving role models for detachment and letting go.

Descriptions are adapted from Ashbrook, Mansions of the Heart; Caliguire, STIR; Gaultier, Journey of the Soul; Hagberg & Guelich, Critical Journey; Putnam, Real Life Discipleship; and Van Loon, Becoming Sage. For an assessment, or a more complete description of characteristics and needs at each stage, please contact one of our Adult Ministries team members.

What is our discipleship pathway?

Since each person is at a different stage of faith, your best next step will vary.

Read the descriptions below, find the one that best describes you, and consider that starting point for your journey. If you would like to know more about the stages of faith, or simply want to talk with someone about your best next step, please contact someone on the Adult Ministries team or stop by the Connect Area in the atrium on Sunday.

If you are new to CCC, ready to get connected, or considering membership, attend 101.

  • 101 is made up of four weekly experiences that will help you encounter Jesus, connect to community, discover your purpose, and contribute to kingdom impact. You can jump into 101 any of the first three Sundays of each month to get started on your journey to discovering and becoming all who God has called you to be! Learn more and sign up online at cccomaha.org/101.

If you are curious about who Jesus is, join a Discovery Group.

  • These groups provide a safe space to ask questions and overcome barriers to having a relationship with God. There are no pat answers or pressure to “join a religion.” Instead, simply explore who God is, what he says about creation, and his desire to connect with us. To learn more, contact Allison Dykhouse at AllisonD@cccomaha.org.

If you recently decided to follow Jesus or were just baptized, join a New Life Group.

  • These groups help you begin to understand the full gospel, while helping you take first steps in reading the Bible, praying, and listening to God. To learn more, contact Allison Dykhouse at AllisonD@cccomaha.org.

If you are continuing to follow Jesus and learn about faith, consider these steps:

  • Join a Community Group. Community Groups do life together. They meet regularly for fellowship, study, and prayer. Relationships and life transformation are the primary purposes of Community Groups.

  • Join a mentoring group. Mentoring groups are available for both men and women and follow a nine-month schedule starting each September. They include monthly gatherings and shared reading assignments.

  • Sign up for a class. Classes are short-term events for groups who meet for a defined season with a common purpose of commitment. Information and equipping are the primary purpose of classes.

  • To find a group or class, visit cccomaha.info.

If you are struggling with addiction, codependency, grief, or other challenging lifecircumstances, consider these steps:

  • Join a Renewal Group. Renewal Groups help people get on a pathway to wholeness and healing while providing ongoing support for those with shared life experiences.

  • Connect with a Stephen Minister. Stephen Ministers are men and women trained to provide confidential one-on-one care to people experiencing a difficult time in life. They have a passion for bringing Christ’s love and care to people during a season of need.

  • Meet with a spiritual director. A spiritual director listens to God as they listen to you with the goal of helping you notice God’s guidance and promptings, so you are more apt to live a life marked by the divine. To learn more, contact Wendell Nelson at WendellN@cccomaha.org

  • Find a counselor. CityCare Counseling offers professional, licensed counselors who foster growth and offer hope and healing through a Christ-centered worldview. Learn more at citycarecounseling.org.

  • Consider one of our forms of Healing Prayer. Contact Missy Collins for more information at MissyC@cccomaha.org.

If you are excited about your faith journey and ready to join a serving team, consider these steps:

  • Attend 101 if you haven’t already.

  • Sign up to serve! We are passionate about helping you discover your purpose and make a difference. No matter your background, personality, or passion, there’s a place for you on Team CCC. Learn more at cccomaha.org/serve.

If you are struggling with doubt or sensing a lack of fulfillment in your walk with Jesus, consider these steps.

  • Meet with a spiritual director or staff minister, or join a mentoring group. To learn more, contact Wendell Nelson at WendellN@cccomaha.org

  • Check our events page for classes and groups related to Stage 4/The Wall.

If you are a mature believer who is ready to embrace a life of disciple-makinginfluence, consider these steps:

  • Join a Learning/Discerning Group. Participants grow at an exponential rate by learning from others and developing deep community. Over time, they assist each other in discerning how to best leverage their life experience, spiritual gifts, and passions to join God in his redemptive mission. To learn more, contact Wendell Nelson at WendellN@cccomaha.org

  • Join a Leadership Development Cohort. Monthly bible studies and shared reading assignments with a seasoned leader prepare you for greater kingdom impact. To learn more, contact Dawn Gentry at DawnG@cccomaha.org.

  • Sign up for a short-term missions opportunity. Travel across the country or around the world with other disciples sharing the gospel and using practical life skills to bless others. Learn more at ccccomaha.org/stm.

Who are you becoming?

As we walk in relationship with Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, the more we believe and obey what Jesus did.

The more we do what Jesus did, the more like Jesus we become over time. Our discipleship pathway is a lifetime journey of formation and we can aspire to develop character traits like those below, mentioned in scripture.

 

A. COURAGE

I follow God’s leading despite difficulty, fear, or opposition.

B. FAITH

I put my trust in God’s characterand promises.

C. FAITHFULNESS

I remain true to God’s Word and mine, persevering in the face of trials.

 

D. FIDELITY

I engage in sexual intimacy only within my marriage to a person of the opposite sex.

E. HONESTY

I speak the truth about myself and others, except where constrained by love.

F. HOPE

I choose to believe God is working for the good, even when I cannot see it.

 

G. HOSPITALITY

I extend kindness to strangers, sojourners, and people different from me.

H. HUMILITY

I choose to take the position of learner & servant before others.

I. GENEROSITY

I give to God’s work in proportion to the grace I’ve been given.

 

J. GENTLENESS

I exhibit sensitivity, tenderness, and calmness in my treatment of others.

K. GOODNESS

I seek to create environments that resist abuses of power and promote healing.

L. GRACE

I extend goodness and forgiveness to those who have hurt or failed me, even when they are ignorant of their failure.

M. JOY

I remain content, confident, and thankful in all circumstances.

N. JUSTICE

I labor to shape societal systems that reflect God’s Kingdom.

O. KINDNESS

I show practical consideration and compassion toward others.

 

P. LOVE

I will the good of others and treat them as I would want to be treated myself.

Q. MEEKNESS

I submit my power and capacities to the service of God’s will.

R. MERCY

I withhold bad from those who deserve it if it can further God’s good for them.

 

S. OBEDIENCE

I surrender to what God asks me to do, and I accept responsibility for my commitmentsand actions.

T. PATIENCE

I demonstrate forbearance in the face of others’ sins, fears, and limitations.

U. PEACE

I release anxiety about the past, present, or future.

 

V. PURITY

I avoid images, speech, thoughts, and actions which objectify, dishonor, or use other people for my pleasure.

W. SELF-CONTROL

Through the Holy Spirit, I display power to control my passions and appetites.

X. STEWARDSHIP

I exercise care for the created world God has entrusted to me.

 

Y. WISDOM

I discern how the Holy Spirit would have me act in most circumstances.

Some definitions adapted from a brochure by Christ Church in Oakbrook, Illinois (ChristChurch.us/discipleship).

Gen 1; Micah 6:8; Matt 5–7, 19; Rom 3:5–30, 12:9–12; 2 Cor 8; Gal 5:22–23; Eph 4–5; Phil 4:4–8; Col 3:1–17; 1 Thess 4:1–12, 1 Tim 4:12; Heb 11; James 3; 1 Pet 4:10, 2 Pet 1:1–11

 
 

A prayer for you

God, we thank you for your son Jesus, who died and rose again for our sins, and also lived a life worth following. Help each person who reads this to believe what you say, do what Jesus did, and obey what Jesus taught. Thank you for your Holy Spirit who walks alongside us on this pathway. Help us become more like Jesus every day. Amen.