A year of more
2022 was a year of open doors, for both the church and for us individually. The year of open doors was carried through yielded hearts and yielded minds. For 2023 we believe God is saying that it is the “Year of More.” This year we’re going to be going deep and wide.
2 “Clear lots of ground for your tents! Make your tents large. Spread out! Think big! Use plenty of rope, drive the tent pegs deep. 3 You’re going to need lots of elbow room for your growing family. You’re going to take over whole nations; you’re going to resettle abandoned cities. 4 Don’t be afraid – you’re not going to be embarrassed. Don’t hold back – you’re not going to come up short. You’ll forget all about the humiliations of your youth, and the indignities of being a widow will fade from memory.
Isaiah 54:2-4 MSG
Deeper in Him
There is always more to experience with God. Words can’t describe how complex and multifaceted He is. He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and ever-present, but He’s also personal and cares about the smallest details of your life. Only through an ever-growing relationship will get to know the depth of His personality and character.
As a church the ways we are going to actively grow deeper in Him is through:
- The Gospel journey (life in 6 words)
- Bible challenge (Beginning 30 January)
- 3 day fasts & Encounter Nights (throughout the year)
Wider in influence
The Great Commission is about living as followers of Christ so that we get to make disciples—not as a numbers game or obligation, but as a natural byproduct of our relationship with God and others. Yes, the Great Commission is a global task. But it begins at home in our own household, our neighborhood, and our community. In other words, lifestyle evangelism—a lifestyle of revealing Christ in us—can become a beacon of hope for those in our corner of the large world.
Destiny Group Faith Risk Challenges
Destiny groups are about activating people in their faith and moving people into their next step with God. This means we must challenge ourselves to build our faith. That is why we have faith challenges. These are the activities that will challenge but also build our faith.
In the year of more we need to #StepUp
And Jesus said to them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, you cannot have any life in you unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood [unless you appropriate His life and the saving merit of His blood].
John 6:53 AMPC
55 For My flesh is true and genuine food, and My blood is true and genuine drink. 56 He who feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood dwells continually in Me, and I [in like manner dwell continually] in him. 57 Just as the living Father sent Me and I live by (through, because of) the Father, even so whoever continues to feed on Me [whoever takes Me for his food and is nourished by Me] shall [in his turn] live through and because of Me.
John 6:55-57 AMPC
60 When His disciples heard this, many of them said, This is a hard and difficult and strange saying (an offensive and unbearable message). Who can stand to hear it? [Who can be expected to listen to such teaching?] 61 But Jesus, knowing within Himself that His disciples were complaining and protesting and grumbling about it, said to them: Is this a stumbling block and an offense to you? [Does this upset and displease and shock and scandalize you?] 62 What then [will be your reaction] if you should see the Son of Man ascending to [the place] where He was before?
John 6:60-62 AMPC
66 After this, many of His disciples drew back (returned to their old associations) and no longer accompanied Him. 67 Jesus said to the Twelve, Will you also go away? [And do you too desire to leave Me?] 68 Simon Peter answered, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words (the message) of eternal life. 69 And we have learned to believe and trust, and [more] we have come to know [surely] that You are the Holy One of God, the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of the living God.
John 6: 66-69 AMPC
The year of more is year of promise, process, and pain.
