LifeConnection is committed to growing into a missional community of truth, beauty, and generosity. This will occur as individuals are equipped and grow up in Jesus. Notice the way the Apostle Paul puts it in Ephesians chapter 4:

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

He says the Lord has given gifted people to the Church that they will “equip the saints for the work of ministry” (11-12). The goal of this is seen in verse 16: “the whole body… when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” His point? As each individual Christian grows in Christ in the local church the whole church will grow together.

In the Growth Track we want to give several steps to take to grow up in Jesus so that our church will together grow, glorifying the Father and living for the good of our city.

Grounded in the Gospel
Step 1: What is the Gospel
The Prodigal God
This is a great, little book to help you understand what the gospel is. This is a must read resource because we can too often lose sight of the true meaning and importance of the gospel for our lives.


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The Cross-Centered Life
Another short book that is packed full of gospel truths to help set our course on Jesus. Read this book slowly and allow it to aid you in more fully understanding what the gospel is.


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Step 2: Gospel Application
The gospel isn’t only the message that saves us but also the message that transforms us into the image of Jesus over time (Galatians 3:1-3). It’s not a matter of religious effort and commitment, it’s a work of the Spirit as we apply the gospel to our hearts.
A Gospel Primer
This is a book of reflections on the gospel and it’s impact in our lives. You can read it devotionally reflecting on each section over time. By doing this you will grow to understand more fully how to apply the gospel to your own heart.


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The Bookends of the Christian Life
Begin to understand how to live from your new identity in Christ as you rely upon the power of the Holy Spirit. Again, you will learn how to apply the gospel to your own life as you read through this resource.


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Growing in Community
Step 1: Consecrated Engagement
Growing in community happens as we take steps to live outside ourselves. We have to look beyond ourselves and get involved in the lives of others. We must come to the place of believing God at his word, we’ve been redeemed as a people for his namesake. So we are to live and function as a healthy community of believers living from the gospel, for the gospel (Ephesians 4:1).
Serve Teams The Christian life isn’t about knowledge acquisition but a life of service centered on Jesus. Sunday Serve Teams are a great way to get in the game and begin growing in Jesus through your personal service. Take a step and get involved today.Contact the church office to find out opportunities that will fit your interests, talents, and meet tangible needs.
Gospel Community Life was never intended to be a solo endeavor; rather, God created us to live in community with one another. Indeed, it is impossible to live out the Christian life on our own. This is why LifeConnection constantly talks about our Gospel Communities which meet in homes throughout Independence. This is a great place to meet people, develop friendships around Jesus, and live on mission with Jesus.Contact Carson to find out more about getting involved with a Gospel Community near you.
Step 2: Corporate Nature of the Christian Life
"One Another" Statements It is said that the vast majority of the New Testament cannot be obeyed if we are not living in the community of the local church because of their community-minded outlook. Consider the “one another” statements of the New Testament. Read through them slowly, spend time dwelling on their implications for your life.

One Another Statements

Meditate on Community-focused Passages Working through the Bible you constantly see the call on the individual to find themselves as part of the people of God. While this is not an exhaustive list the passages here have been used by the Lord to shape our hearts and church. Spend time slowly moving through these passages dwelling on the implications for your life.

Community Focused Passages

Step 3: Helpful Books
What is a Healthy Church?
This book guides us to recognize key characteristics of a healthy church and then challenges each person to do his or her part in developing those characteristics in the local church body.


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What is a Healthy Church Member?
For Christians, playing an active part in the local church is not optional. God intends for every believer to contribute to the mission of the local church and experience profound spiritual growth as a result. This book shows church members, pastors, and church leaders what a healthy church member looks like.


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The Master Plan of Evangelism
Jesus ministry and mission centered on people. His focus wasn’t some program or rally, it was to work in and through the lives of ordinary believers like you. This book will help you grow to understand what it looks like to grow into a disciple-making disciple.


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Disciples are Made Not Born
This is a helpful book which will motivate you to live as a disciple-making disciple. At LifeConnection we are convinced that the Lord wants to use you to live as a missionary where you live, work, and play.


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Giving in Mission

 

The Gospel & Personal Evangelism
Mark Dever seeks to encourage readers to understand the fundamentals of evangelism and to challenge them to develop a culture of evangelism in their lives and their local churches.


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Questioning Evangelism
A revolutionary look at sharing Christ with those far from God by using the probing, provocative, and penetrating method Jesus used to engage others in personal dialogue and caring interaction.


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