A Family of Disciples on Mission for Christ.  

a family...

Before the gospel changes us, we are "children of wrath" (Ephesians 2:1-3).  We are subject to God's judgment because of our sin.  But through the gospel, we are adopted into God's family (Galatians 4:4-7).  We become his sons and daughters.  We are no longer orphans, alienated from God and each other, but are brothers and sisters in God's family.

As family, we live by the "house rules" of God's Word, the Bible.  We look out for each other and care for one another.  We are faithful to our Father and seek to honor His good Name by how we live our lives (1Peter 2:12).  We also feel compassion for those still alienated from God and long to see them reconciled to our Father who created them in his image and likeness (Genesis 1:27). 

of disciples...

Before the gospel changes us, we are enslaved to "the desires of the flesh and of the mind" (Ephesians 2:1-3).  We act as our own gods, pursuing own own desires and committed to our own independence.  But through the gospel, we become "obedient from the heart" to Jesus and His righteousness (Romans 6:17-18).  We are changed into disciples - those who actively learn from Jesus in all areas of life.

As disciples, we study the Bible that we might "take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2Corinthians 10:5).  We learn from the teaching, training and wisdom of Godly leaders and teachers.  We grow as we discipline ourselves to spend time in God's word and in prayer.  We create communities of discipleship so we can learn from each other.  And we engage the world around us so we will be able to relate with wisdom to those we live amongst in this world.

on mission... 

Before the gospel changes us, we love to "follow the ways of this world" (Ephesians 2:1-3).  Our sin, which feels like an expression of freedom, actually enslaves us (Romans 6:16).  But God delivers us from our slavery to sin and self so that we can freely serve Him by power of His Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26).  Now our desire is to fulfill His mission to "go into all the world and preach the gospel" (Mark 16:15).

We "make the teaching about God our Savior attractive" (Titus 2:10) by living gospel-centered lives and proclaiming this gospel to those who ask about "the reason for the hope [we] have" (1Peter 3:18).  We expand our mission by sending our brothers and sisters ("Missionaries") to share the gospel around the world.

for Christ. 

Before the gospel changes us, we are "dead in transgressions and sins" (Ephesians 2:1-3).  In seeking to find life on our terms, we lost it (Matthew 10:39).  But God has made us alive in Christ (Ephesians 2:1-6), so that those born into sin are now reborn in Christ and become "a new creation" (2Corinthians 5:17).  

When the gospel takes root in a person it brings a fundamental change of identity, from death to life, from sinful man to Christ.  So whether we're living as family, as disciples, or as missionaries, everything is about Christ, "so that in everything He might have the supremacy" (Colossians 1:18).