MINISTRIES
MEN'S DISCIPLESHIP
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul and the apostle John divided up the men in the congregation into three groups. The first group was composed of new believers who were described as spiritual babies in Christ, in need of the milk of the Word and constant supervision. The second group would be composed of the young men who were no longer spiritual infants but not experienced and mature enough to go to the next level. The last group was composed of those men who had known Christ for many years, and had demonstrated a remarkable degree of spiritual maturity, wisdom, and understanding. Each group was addressed according to the needs and temptations that beset them in various phases of spiritual manhood.
It is therefore necessary that the men in any given church be addressed according to their maturity and age. This is where personal discipleship enters into the picture. Those men who wish to enter into the Men’s Discipleship program must be prepared to be discipled in the ways of the Lord; to study the Word of God and apply it to all of life; to get involved in church activities; to faithfully attend services; and to zealously support its various ministries by prayer and giving.
The discipleship program is not for everyone. Those who are not prepared to commit themselves to regularly attend and support the ministries of the church need not apply. Those who attend other churches but seek to attend Men’s Discipleship alone need not apply. Those who do not have any desire to improve themselves or their families need not apply. Those who are unwilling to read books, write research papers, and study the Word to show themselves approved of God need not apply.
In other words, the discipleship program is designed for those Christian men who are zealous of good works; who desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; who are not content to be a mere nominal Christian; who aspire to excellence in the Christian life; who seek opportunities of ministry, be it elder, deacon, Sunday School teacher, evangelist, missionary, etc. This is not for the lazy, faint of heart, indolent, or nominal believer; it is designed for those who seek to glorify God in all they do, and to become better men, Christians, husabands, fathers, and churchmen.
To qualify for this discipleship program, you have to attend FCC for at least three months, demonstrate that you are actively supporting the church through attendance and giving, and manifest respect and submission to the elders of the church. If someone fails to read their assignments or write the papers required, they may be dropped from the program at the discretion of the eldership. To be part of this program is a privilege and not a right!
The end result is a better education in the things of God than can be obtained at any seminary or Bible college. The program will equip you to be a man of God in all respects.
WOMEN'S DISCIPLESHIP
Women’s Discipleship is for those women of God who wish to pursue godliness in every aspect of their lives.
The women in this program learn in detail what exactly is meant by “spiritual maturity.” They learn how to pray for one another, how to support one another in the body of Christ, how to become better mothers, daughters, wives, and Christians.
The Women’s Discipleship Program is patterned after Titus 2:3-5. In that Scripture passage, Paul is giving Titus instructions for pastoring his church. He tells Paul to teach what is in accord with sound or “healthy” doctrine. It is in this context that we read the key (and often neglected) verses 3-5.
The church’s pastor or elders are to verbally instruct the more spiritually mature women in the church. Those women, in turn, personally disciple the less spiritually mature women and those new in the faith. The emphasis is teaching, personal discipleship, prayer, and one anothering. Involvement in the Women’s Discipleship Program means obedience to Scripture, commitment, and spiritual growth.
