The ABC's of Discipleship...

I have just come across, through the wonderful art of email, a very simple approach to discipleship called the ABC Squared approach.

In a nutshell, here are the ABC's of discipleship:

ATTENDING – The first step in the discipleship process is regular church attendance. Weekly worship is vital to all Christians. Those who attend regularly will be invited to join the church, if they have not already done so. Every church needs to develop a program to draw people into regular worship and the sequential steps needed to move them to the next step, belonging.

BELONGING – The second step in the discipleship process is belonging to a small group. In this way, the need for fellowship is met along with the opportunity for deeper study (discipleship). Here at Almond Union, the opportunities for small groups include one of our two adult Sunday Schools, a Bible Study, or the choir.

CARING – The third step in the discipleship process is caring fro others through service. All Christians are called by God to serve, both within the church and in the local community. At Almond Union, we have a number of opportunities to serve, including the Almond Area Food Pantry, the Samaritan's Loft homeless ministry, our Angel Food Ministries, or one of our six committees.

CALLING – In the fourth stop in the discipleship process, members are challenged to call others to Christ. Evangelism completes the discipleship process as those who are engaged in it begin to disciple others. On a personal basis, that means inviting neighbors to church. We have a plan (FRAN Plan) whereby we can intentionally pray for friends, relatives, acquaintances, and neighbors, while looking for opportunities to invite them to be part of our church family, and part of the Body of Christ.

Where are you in the ABC's of discipleship? Are you moving along toward the calling phase? Are you actively inviting others to share your faith? Are you inviting them to be part of your Church Family?