Our responsibility as a church is to provide opportunities that promote and encourage the process of spiritual growth. We believe strongly in relationship building, so everything we do as a church is designed to get people to fully participate in membership.

Once someone decides to become a follower of Jesus, salvation, baptism and connection with a church family are the next steps. However, becoming a GROWING follower of Jesus is a process, not a destination. The following is a list of values that are necessary for everyone who desires a growing relationship with Jesus.

• GATHERING: consistently gathering with the Church to celebrate Jesus and encounter Biblical teaching. (Acts 2:42, Hebrews 10:25)
• COMMUNITY: building authentic relationships of encouragement and accountability with other followers of Jesus. (Acts 2:44, 1 Corinthians 12:12)
• SERVING: developing a servant's heart that looks to always meet the needs of others. (Matthew 20:28, 1 Peter 4:10)
• GOD'S WORD: spending consistent time reading the Bible and applying its Truth. (Acts 2:42, 2 Timothy 3:16)
• SHARING THEIR STORY: creating conversations about what God has done and is doing in his/her life. (Acts 1:8, 1 Peter 3:15)
• WISDOM: seeking God's will in all decisions. (Proverbs 8:11, James 1:5)
• GENEROSITY: developing a growing generosity with resources, time and finances. (Proverbs 3:9, 2 Corinnthians 9:7)
• INTEGRITY: striving to develop a reputation that honors God. (Matthew 5:16, Ephesians 4:1-3)
• INFLUENCE: maximizing influence to point others to Jesus. (Deuteronomy 4:9, 1 Peter 3:16)

New Hope believes that spiritual growth happens when a believer takes responsibility for his or her personal relationship with God.
This list as a whole can be intimidating and seem overwhelming. If you desire to grow in your relationship with Jesus, your next step may be to choose one of these values to begin putting into action for the first time. If you feel stuck or anxious about how to take that next step, a Bible Study class is a great environment to talk about those questions and concerns.

6 Reasons Bible Study Class is Important

A Bible Study Class improves your Bible knowledge. When you know and understand God's Word for yourself, you are more likely to obey the Lord. The Bible knowledge gained in Bible Study also helps you become more proficient in using God's Word, the Bible.

A Bible Study Class assists your spiritual growth. Think of Bible Study Class teachers and members who have modeled the Christian life. You learned from their examples how to live for Jesus. Most importantly, spiritual growth often occurs best in the context of a small group. That's a Bible Study Class.

A Bible Study Class provides a "place to belong". In a Bible Study class you are known, personally recognized and transparency is more likely to occur. You can share needs and concerns from your life. As you participate in class discussions, you become part of the group.

A Bible Study Class helps you build meaningful relationships. You meet people, learn their names, hear their stories and meet their families. You share fellowship times with class members. You minister alongside others.

A Bible Study Class gives you opportunities to serve and minister. Contacts with sometimes "unchurched prospects" gives you the privilege of sharing your faith. You show the love of Jesus by ministering to class members who have needs.

A Bible Study Class has a place for the whole family. In one trip to church, your entire family can participate in the important purposes of the Bible Study, fellowship, descipleship, ministry and evangelism. You gain the assurance of knowing every member of your family is involved in weekly, small-group Bible Study classes, which is growing their Bible knowledge and helping them grow spiritually.