SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT

As a body of believers, we have been called by God to assist persons in becoming confident Christians. We will:

• Encourage, empower, and equip men and women to fulfill their God-determined purpose;
• Make new disciples as we share God’s love with all people; and
• Promote spiritual growth through worship, prayer, discipleship, stewardship and the study of the word of God.

The vision of the Spiritual Development Ministry is to provide spiritual growth opportunities and programs that assist the people of God in developing a lifestyle of Christian service, character, and conduct.

Jesus spent three years with His disciples, one year at a time.   Similar is Christian Discipleship which begins with individuals taking one class at a time. For the first year of this journey, individuals should register for gender-based  and fall- through-spring class “Growing in Christ” 

This is the focus of the course:

1. Assurance of Salvation
2. Assurance of Answered Prayer
3. Assurance of Victory
4. Assurance of Forgiveness
5. Assurance of Guidance
6. Putting Christ First
7. His Strength
8. God’s Word
9. Love
10. Giving
11. The Church
12. Good Works
13. Witnessing

After completing the Growing in Christ course, the class advances to the “Experiencing God” class for the second year.

“Experiencing God is based on seven Scriptural realities that teach us how to develop a true relationship with the Creator. By understanding how God is working through us even as we try to fathom His ways, we can begin to clearly know and do His will and discover our lives greatly and gracefully changed.”

The final course is “The Mind of Christ” class.  

The class learns “how God works within them and transforms them, continually renewing and reshaping their minds to reflect the mind of Christ more closely.

The course introduces the lifelong process through which God will renew our minds and our lives to reflect the image of Christ. Based on Philippians 2:5: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus,” the study shows you how Jesus’ mind worked and how the Holy Spirit can teach you to think as He did.”

After completing these three foundational classes, MSBC disciples will thirst for more, and the Spiritual Formation class is highly recommended.

“The desire of every Christian should be to take on the personality and the character of Christ, the one whom we say we are disciples of. If we are going to be Disciples of Jesus, then it has to become our desire to be shaped into the mind and spirit like Him. Our desire must be to become yoked to Christ and the goal of Spiritual Formation is to do just that by transforming us. In Spiritual Formation we take an in depth look into the spiritual disciplines, prayer, fasting, studying, meditation and many more. Our Spiritual Formation classes are designed to be a journey that will transform you to look, live and respond like Christ. Come and enjoy the journey with Christ.  

Schedules for Personal growth classes vary. Small group classes may be offered from one to eight weeks, depending on the class. Choices change annually. Winter, spring, and summer  sessions are advertised with registration instructions. In addition to spiritual growth classes, offerings may include social and physical fitness choices. All classes are open to members and non-members and are free. Be on the lookout for a new round of classes registering in late November.

1. Children’s Church School – Each Sunday, 10:00AM-11:00AM (Grades PreK through 6).

The goals of Children’s Church School are 1) to provide Biblical foundation and understanding; 2) promote spiritual growth development; 3) prepare children for service and outreach opportunities within families, the church, and the community. 

 In addition, the Royalty Ministry, an extension of Church School meets with middle school through high school age students each Sunday.

2. Adult Church School- Each Sunday Morning

The Adult Church School provides opportunities for adults of all ages to delve into the Word as they navigate their Christian journey.