This past week we began men's and women's DiG Groups. DiG stands for Discipled in Grace, and doubles as a metaphor for "digging" deeply into the gospel. Anyway, one of the foundational principles that we are working with is the fact that the law-gospel paradigm is a two-edged sword. The law tells me that I am more sinful (and have more of a propensity toward evil) than I realize. On the other hand, the gospel tells me that I am more forgiven, loved and accepted than I even have the capacity to grasp and fully appreciate.

This means two things. First, I should never underestimate the power of indwelling sin. I should not be surprised when I do or say sinful, or just plain sinful things. The sin monster within is a beast. Do not underestimate it. However, second, I also should not underestimate the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. This means that I need not despair of my sin, thinking that there is no hope for change when my sin monster raises its ugly head. The Spirit is stronger than the flesh.

My role is to let the two-edged sword keep me humble and hopeful as I rest in the reality that I am no longer under the condemnation of the law, but am safe under the promise of God's grace in the gospel. I am his, and not because I am good. I am his because—and only because—of his grace. Grace that looks me in the eye and reconfirms to my heart every day that God has made a wretch a son by making his son a wretch. This is the good news of the gospel. 

Thanks to Johnny Long, my Paul of sorts, for such great blogging fodder in his Grace4Life course, which is the curriculum for Creekstone's DiG Groups. Click on the picture for a larger view.

The Wednesday DiG Groups are now scheduled to meet from 6:30 p.m.—8:00 p.m. at the church offices on the square (rather than 8:00-9:30 p.m.).

• The men's DiG Group, led by McKay Caston, begins THIS WEDNESDAY, Sept. 8.  If there is enough interest in two men's DiG Groups, we will have an early group that meets at 6:30 p.m., and a late group that begins at 8:00 p.m. The registration form now includes an option.

• The women's DiG Group, led by Kristy Caston, begins NEXT Wednesday, Sept. 15. 

If you plan to attend, please sign up online ASAP.
Click this link to register.

Our goal is that men and women who are equipped through DiG will be prepared to lead other DiG groups, which will give us the opportunity to have more groups that meet on various days at various times in various places. But Creekstone, as a church "plant," is still but a sapling. As we grow more offerings will be available. 

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Main ideas from last night's SNF teaching on Discipleship...

1. Chrisitan discipleship is not primarily about performance and practices (what to do as a Christian), but about identity (discovering who I am as a forgiven and adopted child of the King).

2. "Being precedes doing" / "Being empowers/motivates doing"

3. Four key elements of Christian Discipleship:

- The priority of theology

- The significance of relationship

- The necessity of friends

- The centrality of grace

4. When Jesus says "follow me," he leads us to the cross.

5. Being a disciple (follower, learer) of Jesus ultimately is about learning what it means to live in light of the gospel/cross/grace.

Thanks to Johnny Long for formatting this article in the discipleship course, Sonship for Africa.