SO WHAT IS DISCIPLESHIP?
Discipleship is very simply the process of making disciples. Here at Lifebrook we take an intentional approach to this process; the process of moving someone from being dead in their sin without God to a growing and maturing relationship with the one true God of the universe. This begins with evangelism and stops with passing from this life to the next. The goal of discipleship, at least defined by those who call Lifebrook home, is to create disciples who live in such as way, it is as if Jesus Christ was living their lives for them.
THE 5 “SETTINGS” OF DISCIPLESHIP
In his book, Discipleship That Fits, Bobby Harrington of Discipleship.org defines 5 “Contexts” in which Discipleship occurs. We call these “contexts”, “settings”; but they could also be called “spaces” or any other descriptor that fits.
The Public Setting
Exists where people gather in the hundreds around a shared outside resource. In this environment the focus is on engaging with the outside resource, rather than building relational depth with others who also happen to be there.
Jesus modeled this in Matthew 5:1-2, John 6:1-2, and Mark 6:34 as He delivered the Sermon on the Mount, fed the 5,000, and displayed compassion for the shepherd-less. At Lifebrook we have Sunday Morning to utilize this setting of discipleship.
The Social Setting
Is the range between twenty and seventy people, where we share snapshots of who we are and thereby seek to build affinity with others.
Jesus modeled this in Luke 10:1, Matthew 9:9-13, and Luke 19 as He sent the 70 out, ate with Matthew’s tax collector friends, and attended a party at the home of Zacchaeus. At Lifebrook we have our MEN’s and Women’s Ministry, Lifebrook Student Hangout, and our Wednesday Night services.
The Personal Setting
Forms in groups of four to twelve, where we can feel able to share private information between good friends.
Jesus modeled this in John 13, Matthew 8:23-27, and Mark 8:27-33 as He washed the disciples feet, calmed the storm around the disciples boat, and the confession and rebuking of Peter. At Lifebrook our Alpha groups and Emotionally Healthy Discipleship tables are specifically designed to be no larger than 8 people. We also have several small groups that meet in homes and coffee shops.
The Transparent Setting
Is when you are with just one or two others, making a group of two to four people, your closest of relationships. This setting is characterized by complete openness and candor, nothing is held back.
Jesus modeled this in Luke 9:28-36, Mark 10:35-45, and Matthew 26:36-38 during Transfiguration, as He handled James and John’s request, and as He requested prayer support at Gethsemane.
The Divine Setting
Represents God’s direct interactions with us, His people, at a one-on-one level. Our focus shifts from cultivating relationships with others to being alone with our Creator and Redeemer as He encounters us in our inner world.
Jesus modeled this in Mark 1:36, Luke 6:12, and John 5:19 as He woke early to pray, sought God the Father before calling the Twelve, and as He does only what He sees the Father doing.
EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY DISCIPLESHIP
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality
A plan for discipleship that deeply changes our relationship with God
The EH Spirituality Course:
- directly addresses the reality that emotional maturity and spiritual maturity are inseparable. It is not possible to be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature.
- equips people to develop a personal, first-hand relationship with Jesus by incorporating stillness, silence and Scripture as daily life rhythms.
The EH Spirituality Course moves people through 8 powerful life changing sessions:
- The Problem of Emotionally Unhealthy Spirituality
- Know Yourself That You May Know God
- Going Back in Order to Go Forward
- Journey Through the Wall
- Enlarge Your Soul Through Grief and Loss
- Discover the Rhythms of the Daily Office and Sabbath
- Grow Into an Emotionally Healthy Adult
- Go the next step to develop a “Rule of Life”
Why the EH Spirituality Course?
An estimated 85% of Christians are stuck in their relationship with Christ
Only 1% of church leaders say that the church is doing well in discipling new and young Christians
Only 20% of church-goers participate in any type of discipleship activity
Only 1 in 4 Christians study the Bible to find God’s will for their lives
Emotionally Healthy Relationships
A plan for discipleship that deeply changes our relationship with others
The EH Relationships Course:
- equips people with 8 practical skills to love others well as mature followers of Jesus.
- transforms the culture of our churches by offering new language, new tools, and new strategies to break through relational roadblocks.
The EH Relationships Course includes powerful skills developed over 20 years:
- Check Your Community Temperature Reading
- Stop Mind Reading and Clarify Expectations
- Genogram Your Family
- Explore The Iceberg
- Listen Incarnationally
- Climb the Ladder to Integrity
- Fight Cleanly
- Develop a “Rule of Life” to Implement Your New Learnings
Why the EH Relationships Course?
People need practical tools to actually do the Bible’s teaching to love well
Our ability to resolve conflicts maturely remains one of the most pressing problems in our churches
Most people in our churches have a disconnected spirituality. “Increased” love for God is not translating into increased ability to love others
The quality of love inside the church is not really that different from the quality outside the church
ABOUT US
Welcome to Lifebrook!
We are so thankful that you’ve found us and hope this website serves as a great first step to learning more about our local church and answering any questions you may have. As you look around our site and come to know our church, you will find that everything at Lifebrook is built upon one core value; creating disciples that live their lives as if Jesus Christ was living it for them. At Lifebrook, we strive to live such lives by embracing the four principles located below and, glorify God in all things. We certainly can’t claim to do these things perfectly, but through God’s grace, it is our desire. We want to welcome you to Lifebrook and encourage to join us soon!
DISCOVER
Our Sunday Morning atmosphere is one of love and acceptance, form the moment you step on campus. Our greeters will help you check in your children to Lifebrook Kids, find a good seat, and answer any questions you may have. You can visit the Café and grab a custom-made drink and sweet treat while you engage in community before service. Our worship service is Christ centered and relevant and relaxed. Four to six times a year we offer an Eat & Greet lunch following the service for those who are new to Lifebrook; to hear more about our mission and vision, meet the Lifebrook leadership, and ask questions. We want you to come and be our guest.
DISCIPLESHIP
We believe as followers of Jesus Christ that we should live “as though Jesus were living our lives for us”. We believe all followers of Jesus Christ should be regularly spending time with God in silence and prayer. Our staff, leadership team, and congregation are actively involved in one-on-one and small group discipleship. We offer Wednesday night IMPROV studies that read through scripture and cover other various topics throughout the year. On Sunday Morning we have Lifebrook Kids during service for ages nursery through fifth grade.
SERVE
You will discover many ways that you can get involved and serve. You can begin by taking a gifts assessment and then sit down with a staff member to discover how you can serve. We have a strong relationship with the community and take every opportunity we can to serve our community. From our Easter Fair partnership with the Rotary Club to our annual Chili Cook-Off, Free Kids Summer Lunch Program, Bethalto Homecoming, and more; you do not just attend Lifebrook, you become part of the ministry. We do not believe that the church is a building. We believe the church is people living and loving well.
MULTIPLY
Matthew 28:19 says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” Lifebrook is not a social club that has selective membership. We do not define our success based on the size of our building, our budget, or the number of seats we fill. Our goal is to equip Spirit-filled ambassadors for Jesus Christ. No matter what your past looks like, “if you are in Christ, you are a new creation. The old has passed away and the new is now.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
BAPTISM
What is baptism?
Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change. It’s a public declaration of how Jesus changed your life. Being baptized shows others that you’ve decided to follow Jesus, and allows them to celebrate this decision with you (Acts 16:31-34).
Baptism doesn’t save a person; it’s a symbol and celebration of salvation (1 Peter 3:21). The power that brought Jesus back to life is the same power Jesus uses to change our lives – and that’s worth getting excited about!
Why should I be baptized?
Jesus instructs us to be baptized and set the example by being baptized (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 1:9).
Obedience to Jesus shows we believe and follow Him. (1 John 2:3). Because Jesus went public about His love for us, we can go public about our love for Him. Being baptized shows that we turn away from a life of sin toward Jesus, the only one who can change us (Acts 2:38-41).
Do we baptize children?
As parents, we can help point our children to Jesus, but they are the ones to decide if they will commit their lives to Him (Romans 10:9).
Any instance of baptism follows a person’s decision to trust Jesus for his or her salvation and commitment to follow Him (Acts 10:47-48). At NWCOG, we wait until children are old enough to express their own decision to follow Jesus and understand the meaning of baptism.
When should I get baptized?
For everyone who decides to follow Jesus, baptism is the next step. Anyone who commits his or her life to following Jesus is ready to be baptized (Acts 8:12).
How do we baptize?
Baptisms in the Bible were by immersion. The original word for baptism most often referred to being immersed or submerged in water. Jesus was baptized by being immersed in the water and rising out of it (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10).
Submersion in the water symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Being submersed underwater represents our death to sin and old way of life, and being raised out of the water is a picture of how Jesus raised us and gave us a fresh start in life (Romans 6:3-5).
Lifebrook Church
400 N. Beau Chateau
Bethalto, IL 62010
Phone: 618-377-8804
Email: office@lifebrookchurch.org
Email: office@lifebrookchurch.org
Use The Contact Form Below To Get In Touch With Us