How to grow in the Faith?

Pray everyday

Trust in Him at all times, you people.
Pour out your hearts before Him. God is a refuge for us. Selah
Psalm 62:8 (NASB)

Daily prayer is essential in the Christian life as it humbles us before God by laying our needs, anxieties, and longings at His feet. When we pray, we show our trustful dependence upon Him for everything we need as His children. We recognize who we are — our helplessness, limitations, and failures — in the light of who God is and what He can do in our lives and in the lives of others.

Read the Bible

It is important for us to read the Bible as Christians. The Bible is our primary source through which God Himself speaks to us for our instruction, inspiration, and direction. It is a book that is “living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword… able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb 4:12). It also rebukes us, corrects us, and trains us in righteousness (1 Tim 3:16). When we read it, we understand more of who God is and His will for us, increasing our faith and enabling us to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Romans 10: 17 (NSAB)

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must
believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him.
Hebrews 11: 6 (NASB)

Faithfully attend your discipleship group (DGroup) and approach it with seriousness and discipline.

The Christian life is not meant to be lived alone. God wants us to be with other Christians so we can grow in Christlikeness, resulting in greater fruitfulness in our walks and in His service. Joining a DGroup is a commitment that reflects how God and your spiritual growth is a priority to you. It not only helps you understand the word of God but also holds you accountable to the standard of Christ.

What to expect from members in a Discipleship Group (DGroup)?

• Discipleship Covenant

• Confidentiality
  —
  I will not gossip about fellow members, and will ensure that what is shared in the group stays in the group
• Honesty
  —
  I will be open and honest with my DGroup leader and fellow members
• Respect
  —
  I will respect those in my DGroup by attending meetings regularly and punctually and by honoring the authority of the leader.
• Intercession
  —
  I will pray regularly for my DGroup leader and fellow members.
• Spiritual growth
  —
  because I am joining this DGroup to grow spiritually and to help others do the same, I will refrain from conducting business, borrowing money, or using this group for purposes other than spiritual growth.
• Timothies
  —
  I will have it as my goal to eventually build my own discipleship group (DGroup).
• 2nd Timothy 2:2 (Apostle Paul is speaking to Timothy, Paul is a discipler of Timothy)
  The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

• Discipleship Accountability Questions

• Have you been faithful in your quiet time, Bible reading, and prayer?
• How is your relationship with your immediate family?
• When was the last time you shared the Gospel? Are you discipling or taking steps to disciple other men/women?
• Have you been struggling with impure thoughts? Have you looked at questionable materials (e.g., movies, TV, books, websites, magazines) which would bring shame to the Lord?
• Are you struggling with substance abuse (e.g., drugs, alcohol, tobacco)?
• Have you been in any kind of situation with a man/woman when your feelings and/or actions became inappropriate? Have you been in a situation where others could have suspected that something inappropriate was going on?
• What are your problems or challenges in your personal life or ministry?
• How is your financial situation? Do you have any debts? Have you been faithful in giving your tithes to the Lord?
• Have you lied or modified your answer to any of the above questions?

Attend GLC classes and get equipped – https://glc.ccf.org.ph

Who is a Disciple?

A disciple is committed follower of the Lord Jesus Christ who helps others become committed followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

What is discipleship?

Discipleship is a life-long process by which a new Christian grows daily in his relationship with God towards Christlikeness in the power of the Holy Spirit.

How to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

You can pray this prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, I confess that I have been in control of my own life, I recognize that I have sinned against you, and I repent from my sin/s of _________________ (mention your sins).

Thank you for forgiving me for all my sins. I desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Please fill me now with the Holy Spirit as you commanded me to be filled. (Ephesians 5:18). I believe Your promise that You will answer me when I ask anything according to Your will. I surrender the control of my whole life to You. By the power of the Holy Spirit, I will follow You and live to please You. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.

To learn more about the Holy Spirit – https://glc.ccf.org.ph

DGroup Guidelines

DGroup Guidelines

We praise God for what He is doing through CCF and our discipleship movement. In the Philippines and around the world, we have thousands of DGroups meeting together to make Christ-Committed Followers who will make Christ Committed Followers! What a joy it is to partner with you in this discipleship movement.

For alignment and accountability in our primary ministry of discipleship in small groups, below are some important reminders on our DGroup guidelines.

1. Every DGroup leader must have an up-line DGroup leader and must be regularly participating in the DGroup meetings under that leader for accountability.

We need to be connected to each other for mutual encouragement, accountability, and protection, serving together and helping each other grow in Christlikeness. Every DGroup leader must also be under an Area/Satellite Pastor. If for any reason you or your DGroup leader are no longer with CCF, please inform Discipleship Management or your Area Pastor for endorsement of your group to another DGroup leader.

2. The weekly materials for DGroup discussion should be based on the Sunday worship service messages and then our GLC materials before using other materials.

God leads His local church through His appointed pastors. Therefore, discussing the messages in the DGroup meetings is important for review, application, and transformation. The 4Ws Small Group Guide is provided weekly to aid in this. You may download a soft copy of this material from the CCF website (www.ccf.org.ph/4ws). In addition, to help ensure systematic progress in our spiritual life, you may use the DGroup meeting as a venue to complete the GLC curriculum. Please visit the GLC website (glc.ccf.org.ph) for more information.

If, after discussing the message-based 4Ws and completing GLC, you would like to take up other materials in your DGroup, kindly seek the approval of your up-line DGroup leader or your Area Pastor, or send an email to Ptr Peter Tan-chi ([email protected]) and/or Ptr Ricky Sarthou ([email protected]).

Other resources can also be found on our website at the resources tab (ccf.org.ph/resources), at the DLeader’s Corner (ccf.org.ph/dleaders-corner), and by utilizing CCF’s resource subscription to Right Now Media (rightnowmedia.org) for commitment card holders*.

* To sign-up for a commitment card, go to ccf.org.ph/commitment-card.

3. DGroup should not use the DGroup for business or borrowing money.

Our DGroup are for life-on-life discipleship. Its purpose is not for business transactions, network marketing. selling goods, and borrowing of money. These are not to be practiced in the DGroup.

4. DGroup are challenged to multiply.

In obedience to the Great Commission, let us make it our goal for all DGroup leaders, to prayerfully identify, equip, and empower all DGroup members to become DGroup leaders. Two practical suggestions that can be considered in multiplying our DGroup would be by: 1) Using the Go Viral Process, and 2) Disciple immediate family members and start a family DGroup.

We are also encouraging every leader to plug their DGroup via CCF’s Small Groups Account. For those who are already registered, don’t forget to update your information to make sure that the email address and contact number are up to date. For those who are planning to start their own group, you can create your account by going to smallgroups.ccf.org.ph. Click here to view the tutorial.

If you have friends or relatives who wants to join a DGroup, they can sign-up at the same portal (smallgroups.ccf.org.ph). To view the tutorial, go to go.ccf.org.ph/JoinDgroup.

If any of these guidelines are not being followed in your DGroup, please share this with your Area/Satellite Pastor. It is important for you to do so to ensure that we move forward together in this discipleship process of making Christ-Committed Followers.

We appreciate you. God bless you!

Ptr. Peter Tan-chi, Senior Pastor

Ptr. Ricky Sarthou, Executive Pastor

Ptr. JP Masakayan, Executive Director for Operations

Ptr. Nett Gochuico, National Church Planting Director

Ptr. Jim Whelchel, International Church Planting Director (BEYOND)