CORE Groups
A CORE Group is a group of 3 individuals of the same gender who gather regularly for the purpose of mutual discipleship. Discipleship can be defined as every Christian’s maturing process. While discipleship happens in a variety of ways (preaching, Bible study, prayer, etc), we hope that CORE gives the individuals in the church the opportunity to participate in discipling each other by consistently pointing each other back to the truth of the gospel.
While CORE Groups are not a replacement for other discipleship options at Grace, we see them as a great resource to supplement our other discipleship and formation options. As individuals committed to each other, we hope to grow in our love for God as we commit to practicing these disciplines geared toward gospel centrality. We believe that it is helpful to not only practice these disciplines, but live them out together with a high level of accountability and intentionality.
Confess.
Outreach.
Reading.
Encouragement.
CONFESSION
Confession is confiding in other believers about our sin struggles and the first element of the Gospel. Sin is any way we have fallen short of God’s standard of perfection in thought, word, or deed (Romans 3:23). When we confess ourselves as sinners, we humbly recognize that we are depraved and in need of a Savior. Although Christ’s blood has cleansed us from all unrighteousness, the Bible encourages us to confess our sins to each other and pray for each other. In this, we proclaim our need for Christ and it leads us to repentance and aids in sanctification. Repentance means to turn away from our sin and move toward God. Sanctification is our lifelong journey and growth in Christ-likeness.
OUTREACH
Outreach is about making disciples. Only God does the work of saving sinners, but we must always be alert and sensitive to the work he has given us here on earth.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” -Matthew 28:19-20
RELATIONSHIP & READING
Relationship with God & Reading is about abiding in Christ. As Christians, we must stay connected to God. We can do this by reading His word and through prayer. The scriptures are the clearest way to hear from God, know His heart, His voice, and follow His will. Most Christians firmly believe in the importance of spending daily regular time in God’s word and in prayer. Yet, so many of us struggle to do this consistently. God has granted us the priceless privilege of fellowship with Himself. In order to know the God of the Bible, we need to invest our time into our relationship with Him.
ENCOURAGEMENT
Exhortation means strongly encouraging someone to do something. In this case, we encourage one another to know and obey God. Exhortation is essential if we are going to live out the call of God on our lives. If confession is accountability for what we don’t want to do, exhortation is fuel for what we are called to do.
In all of the other areas of CORE, we have asked, “what does practical obedience look like? ”During this section of CORE, we encourage one another in what God has revealed to us about our sin struggles, in our outreach, and in our relationship with God. We ask, in light of what has been revealed, “What does God want me to do?”
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” -Hebrew 10:23-25
I’d like more information!
We are so excited you’re seeking out deeper discipleship with Jesus.
When you’re ready to start a CORE Group with two other people, contact the ministry leader to schedule your first meeting! We spend time discussing any questions or concerns with your group, and then spend time sharing our stories with each other to build trust and unity.
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We encourage you to be praying, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you in finding two people to join a CORE Group with you. The questions you can be asking the Lord are:
1) Who spurs me on towards godliness?
2) Who is God calling me to invest in?
Once you have found these two people, sign up at this link for a Women’s Group, and this link for a Men’s Group
If you need help taking this next step, or help getting connected, please contact Bekka Lambert at bekkal@gracecc.net or Matt Patrick at mattp@gracecc.net
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CORE can deepen and change your relationship with God significantly. Confessing our sins to each other and bringing ourselves back to the Gospel while applying it to everyday moments helps refocus and recenter our lives around God and His purpose for us. Romans 12:1-2 says “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
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As Eugene Peterson once said, discipleship is a “long slow obedience” in the same direction. Effecting change in your life takes time, discipline, and perseverance. Our experience with CORE has been that you will notice changes over time in your habits, attitudes, and thoughts.
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CORE requires a deep personal commitment to doing the next thing. When we are desiring to experience life change and to become more like Jesus, we are an active participant in our own transformation.
For more information or questions, contact:
