Discipleship Matters
It is clear throughout Jesus’ life that discipleship was incredibly important to him. So important, in fact, that it was included in some of his last words to his disciples before he left earth. In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus says, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
We also take seriously the Apostle Paul’s words in Colossians 1:28, “We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” Simply put, discipleship is the lifelong process of spiritual growth, aided by the Holy Spirit and personal relationships. We see in Scripture that discipleship is the important, joyful, and at times difficult process of learning and maturing spiritually.
Based on these two passages of Scripture, Northstar refers to our discipleship ministry as D28. There are many different elements to D28, and we hope that you will find a place both to be discipled and to disciple others!
We also take seriously the Apostle Paul’s words in Colossians 1:28, “We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.” Simply put, discipleship is the lifelong process of spiritual growth, aided by the Holy Spirit and personal relationships. We see in Scripture that discipleship is the important, joyful, and at times difficult process of learning and maturing spiritually.
Based on these two passages of Scripture, Northstar refers to our discipleship ministry as D28. There are many different elements to D28, and we hope that you will find a place both to be discipled and to disciple others!
A D28 group at Northstar will have some key elements.
The group will be made up of a leader and 2-3 participants, all of the same gender. They will meet regularly at an agreed upon time, and there will be some homework and reading throughout the rest of the week. There will also be time for prayer and sharing in these groups as part of the meeting time. Our goal is to have these groups become an open and honest place for participants to be vulnerable and encouraged in their walk with Christ.
Discipleship matters at Northstar because discipleship matters to Jesus.
The group will be made up of a leader and 2-3 participants, all of the same gender. They will meet regularly at an agreed upon time, and there will be some homework and reading throughout the rest of the week. There will also be time for prayer and sharing in these groups as part of the meeting time. Our goal is to have these groups become an open and honest place for participants to be vulnerable and encouraged in their walk with Christ.
Discipleship matters at Northstar because discipleship matters to Jesus.
D28: Initiative
At Northstar, discipleship has taken many forms over the years. In 2019, we launched D28: Initiative, a discipleship curriculum developed by us that we encouraged all of our covenant members to participate in. The Initiative should be thought of as an “initiation into discipleship,” and thus every person who wants to be discipled at Northstar is required to begin with D28: Initiative. The curriculum is based on what it looks like to cultivate an intimate love relationship with Jesus, and is focused around the ideas of intimacy, humility, obedience, and influence. D28: Initiative ensures that all those involved in D28 have a common understanding of what it means to have and grow a relationship with God, and common language to describe that relationship. Your discipleship journey does not stop with the Initiative! There are many options available to you for continuing discipleship.
When to Sign Up
D28 groups start a few weeks into each semester (Spring, Summer, Fall), so sign up right away! We are excited to see how God uses our discipleship ministry to encourage and grow us in our walk with the Lord. We hope that you will join us in this exciting opportunity!