GROW

In the first three chapters of Epistle to the Ephesians, we discover that Jesus is far more than a great teacher or a good person—He is the Son of God, and everything God is doing in the world centers on Him. Before you were ever born, before the world was even created, God had a plan to bring people into His family through Jesus. Jesus came to save us because sin had separated us from God. On the cross, Jesus gave His life so our sins could be forgiven, our shame could be washed away, and our broken relationship with God could be restored. But Jesus didn’t stay dead—God raised Him from the grave and placed Him above every power, every fear, every problem, and every enemy. That means there is nothing in your life that is bigger than Jesus.

Ephesians also tells us that because of Jesus, you don’t have to stay far from God. Through Jesus, you have access to the Father. That means you can talk to God anytime through prayer—not because you’ve earned it, but because Jesus made a way for you. You don’t have to wonder if God hears you. In Christ, you are welcomed into God’s family. And Jesus doesn’t just forgive you and leave you alone—He invites you to stay close to Him. Paul prays that Christ would live in your heart through faith, that your life would be rooted and grounded in His love, like a tree planted deep in good soil. As you stay close to Jesus, talk to the Father, and let the Holy Spirit strengthen you from the inside, Jesus begins to change the way you think, the way you live, and the way you love. That’s who Jesus is in Ephesians—your Savior, your peace, your King, your way to the Father, and the One who wants to make His home in your heart.

Discipleship Outcomes

• Abide in the Word and obey His voice 

• Pray consistently

Practical Applications

• Read the Bible daily

• Spend designated time in prayer

• Pray privately and corporately

Running the race of faith means more than just knowing the right answers about God—it means becoming the kind of person Jesus is shaping you to be. In the first three chapters of Epistle to the Ephesians, we learn that God made us alive with Christ, brought us close through His love, and gave us His Spirit to make us strong from the inside out. Paul prays that Christ would live in our hearts through faith, that we would be rooted and grounded in His love, and that we would be filled with God’s fullness. That means following Jesus isn’t just about learning Bible facts—it’s about letting Jesus change the way you think, feel, live, and love.

As you grow in Christ, you are invited to live a life of worship, putting God first in every part of your life—not just at church, but at home, at school, with friends, and when no one is watching. You are also called to practice spiritual disciplines—simple habits that help you stay close to Jesus. That might mean creating space for reflection, slowing down long enough to think about what God is teaching you and what’s going on in your heart. It might mean practicing a weekly fast, giving something up for a time so you can depend more on God. It also means setting aside one day for rest and renewal, remembering that your worth comes from being loved by God, not from always being busy. And as Christ’s love sinks deeper into your heart, He begins to help you manage your thoughts and emotions, bringing healing to your fears, your anger, your wounds, and your worries. Through Jesus, you have access to the Father in prayer, strength through the Holy Spirit, and a new life that is being shaped into something strong, peaceful, and full of love.

Discipleship Outcomes

• Live a life of worship 

• Practice the spiritual disciplines 

• Manage emotions and thoughts to pursue healing. 

Practical Applications

• Create space for reflection

• Practice a weekly fast

• Designate one day for rest and renewal

To follow Jesus is to be a disciple—not just once, but for a lifetime. A disciple is more than a learner of Jesus’ teachings; it’s someone who learns to live as He lived. Discipleship isn’t a season—it’s the Christian life, marked by daily surrender, growth, and transformation. Jesus invites us to take up our cross daily (Luke 9:23), walking with Him through every season as He shapes us from the inside out. This lifelong journey is called sanctification—the Spirit-led process of becoming whole and holy. It’s not about quick fixes or surface change, but about deep formation in our thoughts, desires, and identity. As we walk in repentance, practice spiritual disciplines, and persevere through life’s challenges, we are slowly being made more like Christ.This mirrors The Exodus Way, where God formed Israel in the wilderness—not just to free them from slavery, but to reshape who they were. In the same way, sanctification is our ongoing Exodus—where God leads, refines, and forms us into people who reflect His love, presence, and purpose.

Discipleship Outcomes

• Walk in ongoing repentance and renewal 

• Manage emotions and thoughts to pursue healing.  

• Persevere with purpose

The Exodus Way is the biblical pattern of God leading His people out of slavery, through the wilderness, and into new life with Him. It’s not just a story of escape—it’s a journey of transformation. In the wilderness, Israel was invited to leave behind the mindset of Egypt and be renewed as God's covenant people. This same pattern speaks to our repentance and renewal today: turning from the lies and loyalties of our old life, and learning to trust, obey, and walk with God in the unfamiliar places. The wilderness becomes the space where we are stripped of self-reliance and shaped into who God has called us to be.

Ongoing repentance and renewal means continually turning away from sin, pride, and self-reliance, and turning toward Jesus with a humble, open heart. It’s not a one-time act but a daily rhythm of aligning our lives with God’s truth and grace. As we confess, surrender, and receive His mercy, the Holy Spirit renews our minds, softens our hearts, and transforms us to be more like Christ.

Persevering with purpose means continuing to follow Jesus even when the path is difficult, uncertain, or slow. It’s choosing faithfulness over comfort, trusting that God is at work even in seasons of waiting, struggle, or suffering. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we endure—not in our own strength, but by keeping our eyes on Jesus, who walks with us and strengthens us every step of the way.