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discipleship at the avenue

Discipleship is the main focus of the giving of our time at CABC. As we continue to answer God’s call of making disciples, it is important to remember that the “making” of a disciple doesn’t stop with conversion…it only begins. The heart of discipleship is an ongoing pursuit of two things— 1) Pursuing God and 2) Pursuing Love (actions motivated by the glory of God and the good of others). In our disciple making, it is also important to take to heart the means that God has created and ordained for us to do this very thing. Listed below are four areas of discipleship where God has called us to invest our time. The first two primarily happen within the walls Columbus Avenue and the last two primarily happen outside:

 

WORSHIP GATHERINGS

It is here where the whole church gathers to the corporate worship of our God (Pursuing God) and becomes equipped for the building up of the church (Pursuing Love). This is a time of giving and receiving. We give by offering our praise to God and encouragement to one another through the singing of His Word (Colossians 3:16-17; Ephesians 5:18-19). Also in this gathering, we receive by the reading, preaching, and partaking (Lord’s Supper) of God’s Word. It is here where God uses Pastors and Teachers to equip His Church for the work of building up His Church (Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Corinthians 12:28-29). In investing our time in these gatherings, God prepares us for the giving of our talents and treasure to hold up His Truth.

 

FELLOWSHIP GROUPS

In these groups everything revolves around the word, “Fellowship.” The foundational meaning of this word is “to share,” and these groups are designed for Columbus Avenuers to do that very thing. The early church provides an excellent model of sharing (Acts 2:42-46). From prayers to meals, spiritual gifts to discussions about the Bible, life is meant to be abundantly shared in these groups. In investing our time in these groups, we explore the specifics of applying His Truth through the giving of our talent and treasure. As we pursue God together in the fellowship of His Word, we also pursue love by serving and building one another up towards maturity and unity (Ephesians 4:12-13). Though there are other groups in and around Columbus Avenue, here are links to some of our church-organized fellowship groups (both generational and multigenerational):

 

FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP

Though this giving of our time does not primarily take place within the walls of our Columbus Avenue campus, it is nonetheless an essential element for making disciples (Ephesians 5-6:1; Colossians 3:18-25). As families grow in discipleship, God’s Church grows in maturity, and His kingdom is furthered in this world. It is here where the Truth of God is taught and lived out in godly marriages and parenting. Though this is the call, the reality is that not all families are able to do this. In the case where the family is lacking, the Church is called to step in to care for and train up disciples in need (James 1:27; 2 Timothy 1:1-6).

 

INDIVIDUAL DISCIPLESHIP

When we think of making and growing disciples, we must remember that we, too, are disciples in need of growth. Just like families, as individuals grow in personal discipleship, the church grows. When it all comes down to it, we are responsible to grow in our personal devotion to God (Matthew 6) as well as our witness of Him to the world (Matthew 5:13-16). God has sufficiently gifted every believer to fulfill both of these callings with His Word and His indwelling Spirit who teaches us to know Him and leads us to grow in Him (1 John 2:24-28; 2 Peter 1:3-11). Along with the other three areas of discipleship, here are some ways Columbus Avenue offers growth in personal discipleship (Pursuing God) and personal witness/outreach (Pursuing Love).