8 CORE PRACTICES
There are many different ministries, programs, and events within a church. Each church must reflect its unique culture, ministries, and calling. However, Jesus modeled 8 Core Practices in His life and ministry. These practices are essential to healthy spiritual growth and maturity in the life of every follower of Jesus and the local church.
Daily Devotions
God wants to speak to each of us and the main way he does that is through his Word. Most of us are incredibly busy and finding the time is difficult. Daily devotions require daily discipline. Daily devotions are divine moments to walk with God, talk with God, sit with God, and worship with God like a friend. God wants to pour out dreams, visions, and direction for our lives
Sunday Worship
Sunday worship is not just about having an individual experience with God. We could do that at home. It’s about the people of God bringing the presence of God with them and joining their spirits together with the Holy Spirit. As we gather, we learn a shared vision and mission from the scriptures that equips us to move together as the body of Christ.
Continual Surrender
Salvation is found in no other name but Jesus. We trust in him for our salvation and daily surrender our lives to him. We live in a culture that says, “I answer to no one. I live my way and by my rules. I decide what’s best for me.” As a result, our world is filled with chaos, pain, depression, abuse, sexual confusion, hatred, and division. Following Jesus is about living counter-cultural. We no longer live for ourselves. Instead, we humble ourselves in worship, devotion, and obedience to Christ alone.
Sharing Christ
We have been saved from the curse of sin and death and we desire for others to experience the freedom we have found. So, we share our faith to a world in need of God’s grace and mercy.
Persistent Prayer
People's first instinct usually isn’t to pray. Instead, they exhaust all other means. Prayer shouldn’t be our last option. It must be our first option. It’s in prayer we remind ourselves that God is bigger than our crisis and we can fully trust in him.
Godly Friendships
People face difficulties and adversity in this life. In moments like these their tendency is to withdraw and go into isolation. Isolation is where the enemy traps them and preys upon their mind. The devil will try to convince them that no one understands, no one cares, and they’re the only one who has faced this problem. Everyone needs a small group that speaks the truth of God into their lives. A small group that will encourage, support, and love them.
Sacrificial Serving
Sacrificial serving is a call to die to my plans and my desires and live for Christ’s plans and desires. It’s a call to serve people around me and people around the world and daily showing the love of Jesus to someone in a tangible way. Through sacrificial serving, we model the life of Jesus and display the love of Christ to our broken world.
Generous Giving
Giving can be hard and doesn’t always come naturally. Giving isn’t an obligation it’s an opportunity to be a blessing. Every blessing we have in this life is a gift from God. It comes from God, it is God's, and goes back to God. God blesses us to be a blessing to others. Generosity isn’t measured by the size of our pocketbook. Generosity is measured by the size of our hearts. God wants us to give from the heart.