On Education and Being Family Integrated

One of the distinguishing characteristics of our church is that we are striving to promote Scriptural discipleship and spiritual growth. We are concerned with the prevalent ideas concerning church growth that exists today – not simply with growing numbers, but with growing members. Though many Christians and churches measure other things, we believe the only certain observable sign of growth is a life of increasing holiness, rooted in Christian self-denial. These concepts are nearly extinct in the modern church. Our desire is to recover true discipleship and spiritual maturity to build the church and promote a clearer witness to the world.

We believe there are two contributors to this Scriptural discipleship and spiritual maturity of each believer. The first is the family (Deuteronomy 5:32-33, 6:2, 5-7 and 13-18; Proverbs 1:8; Ephesians 6:4) and the second is the church, both the body as a whole and the individuals that constitute its membership (Ephesians 4:1-16; Colossians 3:16; Titus 2:1-8). The two are not exclusive. They work in tandem. The family is to be the primary contributor and the church is to follow as an undergirder that equips, supports and reinforces the family in its attempt to accomplish its God-given responsibility.

Our rationale for this stance can be best explained in this message by Voddie Baucham on the home, the church and the discipleship of the family found here.

Therefore, our Educational Ministry will be distinctive as reflected in our choice of curriculum, make-up of classes and age specific programming.

Adults, Youth, and Children

Paul’s instruction to Titus includes specific details as to the corporate nature of education and discipleship. “But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.” (Titus 2:1-8) Therefore our studies are not age-graded/segregated. Our desire is to integrate the various ages from Young Adult to Senior Adult so the younger benefit from the wisdom and stability of those older and the older benefit from the life and vigor of those younger.

Wednesday Evening 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

Corporate prayer is an important and necessary aspect of the Church of Jesus Christ. It is a means that God has given His Church through which His will is accomplished (cf. Acts 12:1-19; Colossians 4:2-4). Without prayer, the Church will not know the will of God, nor have the spirit to obey it (Colossians 1:9-10). In prayer, the Spirit of God works in our own spirits quickening us in our communication with God (Romans 8:26; Philippians 1:19). The word of God and prayer are two means of grace which are not separated, and through which the will of God is made known, believed, and obeyed (Acts 6:4; 1 Timothy 4:5 1 Corinthians 2:10,14; Matthew 26:41).

While it is important for Christians to pray, it is likewise important that they pray together. Jesus’ model for prayer presented in Matthew 6:9-13, otherwise known as “the Lord’s prayer,” uses the first person plural pronouns, “Our,” “us,” and “we” indicating that this prayer is prayed among, and with, others. Prayer is not only a means of grace to sanctify us individually, but also a means to sanctify us corporately and advance the kingdom of God (Colossians 4:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; 3:1). At Legacy, we believe that it is important, for the welfare of our own personal spiritual estate, the welfare of our homes, and the prosperity of Christ’s Church, that our members regularly gather together to pray for one another, our nation, and for Christ’s kingdom. So on the first and third Wednesdays we gather in regional groups for prayer and fellowship. Wednesday evening is our time of prayer and discipleship. The goal is to equip men and woman to fulfill their Biblical, God-given roles as a single adults, spouses, parents and grandparents. On these evenings we divide into regional groups and meet on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. These "smaller" groups allow for deeper prayer, accountability and continued parental involvement with our students and children. Information on our groups can be found by clicking on the particular location. North/South

On the second and fourth Wednesdays our men (12 years old and above) gather at the Sienna Estates Clubhouse in Centerton from 6:30 - 8:00 for Men's Fraternity. More information can be found here. Call the church for directions.

Sunday Mornings 9:15 - 10:15 a.m.

There is great benefit to spending time with wise, godly Christians. We seek to season the consciences of students by bringing them together at church with believers of all ages to learn abut God and His truth. Additionally, we emphasize that parents are the principal shapers of young minds and that the home is the primary campus in which those minds are shaped. As a result, we do not offer the typical entertainment-driven youth ministry for junior high and high school students but rather challenge parents to disciple their children at home and build upon that foundation through a ministry that involves them closely in the life and teaching of the church as a whole. As students hear the gospel and see it lived out among the whole congregation, we trust that God will faithfully accomplish His sovereign purposes in their lives.

“Paul defined the church as “the pillar and the support of truth”(I Tim. 3:15)…In each generation, the church’s most critical task is to uphold and proclaim the truth as it was delivered to her by her Lord. One important aspect of this task is the diligent preparation of the church’s children to continue to be the support and pillar of the truth in the generation to come. God calls the church of each generation to “contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). - Starr Meade in "Training Hearts, Teaching Minds”

We're of the persuasion that catechizing is the way to go in accomplishing that with our children. Of course, not everyone may come to the same conclusion (and no one would necessarily be wrong). We simply believe the church can offer support, accountability, and organization as we come alongside one another in this endeavor. All this to say, we believe that a program using Scripture and a catechism at it’s center is a great way to accomplish all of this.

So on Sunday mornings we gather before worship for a time of large/small group discussion, scripture memory, and catechizing. We call it Katechein. Other activities like crafts, games, character qualities are nice and fun, but they are the icing on the cake. Life is busy and not everyone wants all the extras. At least not as the focal point.

Our weekly material can be downloaded here.

* Adapted from Capitol Hills Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.