Ready to get started? You can reach out to our Administrative Pastor Amber Brown HERE if you want to learn more and if you are ready to jump into an amazing discipleship journey you can start by joining a House Group below! Or fill out our form HERE to see the available groups and where you can get connected.
At Vineyard Florence discipleship is not just something we do, but it is who we are. We believe that when Jesus invited us into the amazing challenge of “Making disciples” He meant it. When we say “discipleship” what we mean is the process of becoming more like Christ and teaching others to do the same.
Our strategy for discipleship starts with the UP/IN/OUT triangle (Copyright of 3DM- https://www.3dmpublishing.com/ ). We use a simple shape and three little words to help us model the life of Jesus. Learn more about how we approach being a disciple-making culture and the opportunities to join us as we live as a family on mission. We do this through House Groups, which is our primary disciple-making vehicle.
When we look at the life of Jesus we see His life lived out in three relationships, UP with His Father, IN with His chosen followers, and OUT with the world around Him. Here is how we as a church define UP/IN/OUT.
UP - Your connection to the Father.
As Jesus followers we start here, a place where identity is formed and you learn to know God for yourself. This can look like passionate worship, prayer (private & cooperate), stillness, sabbath, time in the word.
IN - The people you do life together with.
Jesus invites us to not live life alone but to have those whom we do life together with. This is where you grow and are shaped by community. This life-on-life growth is where discipling takes place. Specifically, these are relationships where you are authentic, open, and honest. This could be your family, friends, House Group, close co-workers.
OUT - Your love for the lost.
Jesus never lost sight of His Father’s vision, to reach out to a dark and dying world. That is the same vision God has for us. To reach OUT and love those around us into a relationship with Him. We do this by having a missional zeal in all we do! Often times this can be serving others, meeting needs, praying for those around you, knowing your neighbors, loving the poor, teaching, feeding, healing, and comforting.
'Building a Discipling Culture' by Mike Breen, Chapter 7 pp. 92-108
Weekend Gathering - This is what most people would call “church” in a traditional sense. When we gather on Sunday morning to worship and receive teaching, training, and tactics in a message. Our weekend gathering is also our primary front door to first time guests and connection point for those that call VF home.
House Group - This is where we have gatherings in homes scattered throughout the area, and invite our neighbors, friends, family, co-workers to join. It is a time to focus on practical everyday Jesus following. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” ACTS 2:42-47
Discipleship Group - This is a group for focused highly intentional discipleship. Participants commit to 9-12 months of a weekly meeting, scripture reading, and learning the Life Shapes. This is life on life growth, development, and discipleship.
Huddle - This is a group for people who are leading or co-leading a House Group (HG), Discipleship Group (DG), or leading a ministry at VF. It is important, as we start making disciples, that someone continues discipling us along our journey as disciple-makers.
