High School Middle School/Confirmation Our Vision Ride The River Mission Trip
Purpose Statement
The purpose of the Student Ministries at OFLC is to develop disciples who live connected in an authentic relationship with God, experience the love of Christ, put hope in their Creator, and live outside of themselves.
What is a Christian Disciple?
The Bible tells us that it is God – through the power of the Holy Spirit - who works faith in a person’s heart (Ephesians 2:8-9). Once faith is born, we have an opportunity to learn from Jesus. To become His follower…His disciple. What is a disciple? In its simplest sense, it's a student - an apprentice. In Jesus' day, a disciple “moved in with his teacher, served him, and treated him with absolute authority. He was expected not only to learn from his teacher, but to become like him in character and piety.”
Christian disciples are people who desire to learn from Jesus, to become like him, and to follow him at all costs. They believe that Christ must come first in their lives, and all other things second. They don't neglect those other relationships or responsibilities. Rather, they honor the Creator by doing all things for His glory (working hard in school, loving their family, helping their friends, etc...). Disciples are not perfect. They make mistakes, and sometimes fall very short of their desire to follow God. (more on that later). But they know deep in their hearts that following Christ is worth it.
A life of discipleship is rewarding, significant, and meaningful. When Christians strive to be more and more like Jesus, they impact the lives of their families, their friends, their communities, and their world. But we've all heard it said that nothing worthwhile is ever easy, and that is true of discipleship as well – it can be difficult, lonely, and sometimes even painful. The world doesn’t seem to understand or appreciate why anyone would give their life to Christ in this way, for this is what scripture says a disciple should do:
A Disciple Follows
Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
A Disciple Serves
John 12:26 “Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.”
A Disciple Loves
Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' “
A Disciple Gives Generously
Acts 4:32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.
A Disciple Encourages, Desires righteousness, & Defends Justice
Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
A Disciple Proclaims the Gospel and Disciples Others
Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
Perhaps you detect a paradox between your life and that of a disciple, or you're at least tempted to think you could never measure up. Well, to be blunt, you can’t… not on your own that is. No one can. That’s why it’s so refreshing and comforting to follow Jesus. Despite our faults and failings, he pursues us, and when we disobey him, he forgives us. However, God doesn't always rescue us. Sometimes we must suffer the real world consequences of our sin, and on occasion, the pain that comes with it. But though we turn away, he lovingly points us back to Him, and assures us He will never leave. Discipleship is not bland religion. Its real life. It’s relational. It’s holding on to the hand of the One True God and saying, “Help me daddy.”
Regardless of where you are in your spiritual journey, please know that the Student Ministries at Our Father has one goal: That you would become a life-long disciple of Christ. How can this happen? By living deeply rooted in Him. That’s what we’re all about. Our prayer is that you would clasp on to that waiting hand and trust that God (your daddy!) will hold you tight.
God’s Mercy and Grace
Micah Steiner, Minister to Youth and Families
Want to Dig Deeper?
Check out this article about former NFL running back Glen Coffee who left a lucrative NFL career to more fully pursue a life as a disciple of Christ: http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2010/08/coffee-ive-alre.html
I’m not saying this is what everyone should do, but it’s a pretty powerful example of a disciple leaving behind what the world considers valuable to pursue what God is calling him to do.