The Life of faith:  Individual/Family

Personal Obedience
Personal obedience is a necessary expression of faith in Christ.  We are to obey the teachings of Christ and the apostles- not as a means of salvation, but as a grateful response to the grace we have received.  Our obedience is not motivated by slavish adherence to external laws, but by an inner commitment to love God and please Him in all respects. 

The Devotional Life

The devotional life is the practice of private worship, recognizing that the heart of the Christian faith is a personal relationship between the God of holy love and human beings for whom He cares.  For this relationship to grow the Christ-follower must give consistent attention to prayer and the reading and study of Scripture.  The result is the Christ-follower's deepening trust, growing understanding and Christ-like living. 

Marriage

God ordained marriage at creation as the lifelong covenant between a man and a woman.  The New Testament uses the relationship between Christ and His Church as the model for the union between a husband and a wife.  The love they share is demonstrated through mutual respect and support as each responsibly serves the other.  Exclusive to marriage is the sexual relationship.  It is God's gift, and is for the expression of intimacy and the continuation of the human race. 

Spiritual Maturity

Spiritual maturity is the process of transforming the entire character of the Christ-follower into the image of Christ.  He is the source, the focus and the goal of this process.  Christ-followers mature as they practice a vital devotional life, use their spiritual gifts, share their faith, and demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

The Family

The family is ordained by God as society's basic unit.  Its nucleus is a husband and a wife and any children they may have.  Scripture commends parents to provide the proper environment in which children can grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  As an expression of this responsibility, parents are encouraged to bring their children before the congregation in an act of public dedication.  By instruction and example, parents are to teach their children about faith in God, leading them toward personal acceptance of Christ as saving Lord.