Action Plans 2024

Engaging in Church Life

Definition:
Being rooted in church life: daily Bible-reading, attending worship, involved in a BFG, and serving regularly.

Action steps for this year:

  • Set an attendance goal (like 40 Sundays this year), and track your worship attendance.
  • Join a BFG or talk to you BFG leader on how you can help
  • Membership class: this summer (BFG hour)
  • Serve on a ministry team: fbcdenison.org/serve

Acorn schedule:

  • Newcomers classes: April 28; Aug 18; Oct 6
    Basics of Christian Life course: begins March 17 in the BFG hour.
    Basics of Christian Life: mentoring option—sign up online to get 1-on-1 coaching through the course on your schedule.

Serving God and Others

Definition:
Turning away from a self-serving mindset and looking for ways to seek the good of others and of God.

Action steps for this year:

  • Sign up to Serve on a ministry team: fbcdenison.org/serve
  • Serve on a Love Out Loud ministry team (December)
  • Love Out Loud service fair: November 3
  • Church work days: March 2, March 16, Sept 7; Operation Christmas Child packing party: November 2

Acorn schedule:
Shape and Calling:

  • Sign up to go through it with a mentor.

Other suggestions:

  • Adopt the spiritual discipline of service:
  • Refuse to hurry others; choose to wait; look to serve rather than be served when with others.

Denying Self to Obey God

Definition:
Choosing the will of God and the good of others above getting your own way; doing God’s will, even when you don’t feel like it.

Action steps for this year:

  • Spiritual disciplines course.
  • Parents Habits of the Household study (Feb 18, March 17, April 21, and May 19 @ 4:30 pm)
  • Men’s and Women’s Bible study groups: Sunday evenings (Women), Tuesday morning (women); Tuesday evenings (Men).

Acorn schedule:
Intro to Spiritual Disciplines:

  • Offered in the fall
  • Small group or mentor options available

Other suggestions:

  • Begin tithing—give a set portion (aim for 10%) of your income each week.
  • Pray a daily offering prayer:
  • “Lord Jesus, today I offer my thoughts, my feelings, and my body to you. Lead me as you will.”

Seeking God

Definition:
Understanding and regularly practicing spiritual disciplines and habits that open your life to the work of the Holy Spirit.

Action steps for this year:

  • Choose a Bible-reading plan (go to fbcdenison.org/biblereading or look in our resource center)
  • Breakthrough/Encounter study
  • Spiritual disciplines course (in the fall)
  • Wednesday night adult Bible study and prayer
  • Men’s and Women’s Bible study groups: Sunday evenings (Women), Tuesday morning (women); Tuesday evenings (Men).

Acorn schedule:
Breakthrough/Encounter:

  • Men: Saturday mornings, Apr 6-May 4
  • Women: Sunday afternoons, Mar 24-May 5

Intro to Spiritual Disciplines:

  • Offered in the fall
  • Small group or mentor options available

Shape and Calling:

  • Sign up to go through it with a mentor

Other suggestions:

  • Utilize the key beliefs prayer guide (resource center)

Living in Victory

Definition:
Living free from habitual sin and free from trauma and pain from the past. Emotional health.

Action steps for this year:

  • Breakthrough/Encounter study
  • Men: Conquerors BFG (focuses on these issues).
  • Written and online resources (ask Pastor Steve)
  • Healing prayer session (ask Pastor Steve)

Acorn schedule:
Breakthrough/Encounter:

  • Men: Saturday mornings, Apr 6-May 4
  • Women: Sunday afternoons, Mar 24-May 5

Other suggestions:

  • Utilize the key beliefs prayer guide (resource center)
  • Look online for resources (podcasts, books, etc.) from Pete Scazzero.

Praying Effectively

Definition:
Praying persistently as a son/daughter of God, with increasing intimacy, consistency, and power.

Action steps for this year:

  • Use an Operation Andrew bookmark (look in resource center), praying for the salvation of people in your circle of influence.
  • Prayer revival: August 25-28 (Sun-Wed evenings)

Acorn schedule:
Breakthrough/Encounter:

  • Men: Saturday mornings, Apr 6-May 4
  • Women: Sunday afternoons, Mar 24-May 5

Intro to Spiritual Disciplines:

  • Offered in the fall
  • Small group or mentor options available

Other suggestions:

  • Utilize the key beliefs prayer guide (resource center)
  • Pray a daily offering prayer: Lord Jesus, today I offer my thoughts, my feelings, and my body to you. Lead me as you will.”
  • Develop a habit of morning, mid-day, and evening prayer.

Openness

Definition:
Being honest with God about your struggles and joys. Letting other Christians know you well and love you.

Action steps for this year:

  • Go on a retreat.
  • Share your testimony in your BFG, in worship (live or video), or in another small group.
  • Invite someone to be your prayer partner.
  • Participate in fun events: block party, game nights, Harvest Heat, etc.—and invite others.

Acorn schedule:
Go on a retreat:

  • D-Now (students): February 16-18
  • Camp: Kids (June 18-21) or Youth (July 5-7)
  • Men & Boys weekend: Sept. 20-21
  • Women’s retreat: October 25-26

Give a public testimony:

  • Contact Pastor Steve or Ryan to schedule a testimony in worship; contact your BFG leader or small group leader to give testimony there.

Hospitality

Definition:
Letting people in, sharing your life and your resources to welcome and shelter others.

Action steps for this year:

  • Serve with Laundry Love (second Saturdays of the month)
  • Host a BFG gathering in your home.
  • Invite neighbors or non-Christian friends for a meal in your home.
  • Love Out Loud: Adopt-a-Student project.
  • Participate in fun events: block party, game days, men’s and women’s outreach events, etc.—and invite others!

Other suggestions:

  • Serve on the hospitality team or on the Wednesday night meal team, taking time to get to know visitors.
  • Hang out in your front yard; greet neighbors and passersby. Initiate conversation with neighbors.
  • Plan a neighborhood block party with neighbors.
  • Visit artofneighboring.com for more resources and ideas.

Peacemaking

Definition:
Working as an agent of unity rather than conflict, across dividing lines, working for reconciliation in the world.

Action steps for this year:

  • Participate in Breakthrough/Encounter study, especially focusing on forgiveness.
  • Wednesday adult Bible study on Peacemaking (September/October ).

Acorn schedule:

Breakthrough/Encounter:

  • Men: Saturday mornings, Apr 6-May 4
  • Women: Sunday afternoons, Mar 24-May 5

Other suggestions:

  • Refrain from sharing political views or articles on social media.
  • Reduce time watching the news, especially partisan opinion programs.
  • Reduce social media consumption, particularly anything that stirs up contempt or envy for others.
  • Serve on Wednesday Night meal team, with an emphasis on getting to know our visitors and praying with them.
  • Read authors like John M. Perkins (see Pastor Steve).

Sharing Christ

Definition:
Openly speaking about Jesus to others. Confidently and consistently sharing the gospel with those who don’t yet believe.

Action steps for this year:

  • Participate in Laundry Love (second Saturdays).
  • Use an Operation Andrew bookmark (look in resource center), praying for the salvation of people in your circle of influence.
  • Go on a mission trip.
  • Participate in Share training.

Acorn schedule:
Share training:

  • Wednesday night adult study in the summer (June 19-August 7—tentative).

Go on a mission trip:

  • Information meeting: Feb 25th after worship
    Seattle mission trip: June 11-17
    Mexico mission trip: July 15-22

Other suggestions:

  • Use the Operation Andrew steps on the bookmark.
  • Speak openly about your relationship with Jesus to others.
  • Share the weekly sermon or service on social media with a thought about what God spoke to you.

Disciple-Making

Definition:
Teaching others what you know—how to follow Jesus, ways to grow, how you serve. Passing on what God has taught you.

Action steps for this year:

  • Parents Habits of the Household study (Feb 18, March 17, April 21, and May 19 @ 4:30 pm).
  • Use an Operation Andrew bookmark (look in resource center), praying for the salvation of people in your circle of influence.
  • Volunteer to mentor a new believer.

Acorn schedule:
Be a mentor:

  • Mentor a new believer (ask Pastor Steve).
  • Start a Kids Outdoor Zone group for boys (ask Pastor Steve).

Other suggestions:

  • Befriend/mentor a younger married couple (if married)
  • Befriend/mentor a younger single person (if single)
  • Recruit someone to your area of service and show them how you do it.

Faith-Filled Risk-Taking

Definition:
Stepping out from what’s comfortable and into the unknown, trusting Jesus with what comes next.

Action steps for this year:

  • Go on a mission trip!
  • Participate in Laundry Love (second Saturdays).
  • Volunteer with the student or kids ministry.
  • Sermon series: Fear and Loathing (fall)

Acorn schedule:
Go on a mission trip:

  • Information meeting: Feb 25th after worship
  • Seattle mission trip: June 11-17
  • Mexico mission trip: July 15-22

Other suggestions:

  • Begin tithing—give a set portion (aim for 10%) of yourincome each week.
  • Pray a daily prayer: “Lord Jesus, set me free today from my fears. Show me where you are working and I will join you. I trust you, because I know you love me.”

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