Jesus Cropped from the Picture

Sacred Roots: Focus of Energy

love toward others, and discipleship is the process of increasing a believer’s capacity to theologize, worship, and do outreach .

These suggestions are not meant to be prescriptive:

Theology is the Church’s reflection on the Story of God’s Kingdom victory over the devil , revealed in the Great Tradition. With humility, believers look to God’s inspired Word, the councils and creeds, and the history of the Church to understand this triumphant Story, so the People of the Story can re-enact, embody, and continue the Story. The Church’s worship, discipleship , and outreach grow out of its theology, expressed in various ways among orthodox traditions. Worship 133 can be thought of in terms of frustrating the kingdom of darkness by declaring the excellence of our God and King (John 4.24). This includes individual and corporate expressions of devotion for the glory of God, not for the accomplishment of any outreach or benefit to self or others. 128 Worship includes singing, prayer, and the spiritual disciplines. While believers profit from these activities, they are done out of love for God, not for the welfare of the individual. Discipleship equips believers to join the battle against the other kingdom (Matt. 28.18-20, 2 Tim. 2.2). Children and new adult believers must be oriented to their new identity as the People of the Story . Then they must continually grow in their ability to represent the Kingdom. This occurs through a variety of creative ways including preaching, Bible studies, drama, the sacraments, informal meetings, formal catechism, children’s education, small groups, Sunday School, and confirmation classes.

181