G.W. Bill Elliott, Jr once noted;
Embarrassingly, I put in my 2-cents worth, but still got change back!
Week:
1
Foundations of Faith
An introduction to the gospel and identity in Christ. This week grounds participants in the core story of the Christian life, clarifying who God is, what Christ has done, and how that shapes our identity. The study of this week emphasizes the beginnings of trust—how belief becomes the soil for spiritual growth and practical discipleship. Participants will leave with simple, tangible ways to remember and live out these foundational truths.
Objectives
Begin simple spiritual habits (short prayer, Scripture reading).
Practice honest openness before God.
Grasp basic gospel truths and personal identity in Christ.
Reflections
What one small spiritual habit will I start this week?
Where do I hide from God or others, and why?
How does being “in Christ” change how I see myself?
NowTo the HowTo
Accountability/Tracking
Check off daily habit: read Scripture + 5 minute prayer; record one insight in a shared group doc.
Community Action
Pair up and exchange one short testimony; pray for one another’s next step.
Creative Project
Create a one page “Identity Card” (name, gospel truth, favorite verse) to keep in your wallet or phone.
Leader Prompt
Invite one volunteer to model a 60 second testimony and coach the group on simple, invitational language.
Personal Practice
Spend five minutes each morning this week writing one sentence that begins “Because I am in Christ, I…” and read it aloud once a day.
Devotionals
Not for Naught, Give a Shout
' Life ' means many things and is used in so many ways, but at it's core, it is defined as; 'any specified period of animate existence'. Plants have life, animals have life, as does the human race have life. Especially with humans, life also includes our spirit and soul, which is a much deeper version of the physical life other things on this planet experience. Even among the humans, there seems to be a wide variation in life; some are exuberant, excited, and energetically productive; while...
Footfalls of Faith
As I walk around, most of the time I hold my head up and my eyes are on my path, my course, and the 'road ahead', as it were. Rarely do I look down and watch my feet as I walk... I don't need to make sure they are following the commands of my nervous-system... I trust they will obey my wishes and commands for them... even better, I have a vast life of experience walking, which only instills my trust and belief that my steps will rarely falter. Unless it is dark! Then, I am not at all so...
Seeing Is Not Believing
Who knows when or where the phrase " seeing is believing " started, but it is a blatant lie; not even disguised as a half-truth. Seeing is NOT believing, it is 'understanding', it is acknowledgement of reality, it is something we experience once we see it (understand, or acknowledge its presence)... after, not before. Believing, at it's root, is trust. To 'see' something engages the understanding side of our lives, the logical, the tangible. Our devotional today helps us better understand...