What Are Formation Groups?
Formation Groups are intended to provide another vehicle where discipleship can occur. The goal is to make disciples who would make disciples. Our definition of a disciple is someone who is pursuing conformity to Jesus Christ as they grow in the five outcomes. Formation Groups meet 2x per month and last for 9-12 months each year. Each group is committed to growing in the 5 outcomes and making disciples.
How do Formation Groups Work?
During these meetings we gather to discuss a book that has been recommended and approved by the elders as beneficial for life and faith. We will pray together and reflect on God’s work in and through us. We will work to memorize some part of God’s Word. Essentially, this is another tool that aims at keeping the group focused on God, Truth, Love, and Mission.
Relational investment is critical. Having those who are a part of the Formation Group involved in our lives through, at the very least, ongoing communication, is fundamental. Interactions and life experiences need to be shared.
What are the Expectations for Someone in a Formation Group?
Commitment to make disciples in the future.
The whole purpose is to make disciples who will make disciples. We are looking for third, fourth, fifth, etc. generations of disciples.
Commitment to completing the agreed upon tasks & attending meetings on a regular basis.
Readings for discussion must be completed for this type of time and investment to be worthwhile. Scripture memory, while difficult, should be a regular discipline.
Commitment to allow access & provide accountability.
This is a vehicle intended to sharpen one another and be a catalyst for maturity. In order for that to happen, there needs to be honesty and accountability.
Commitment to evaluate the future of the group.
Evaluate whether the group should continue with the same participants or whether the group should multiply.
Ready to Join a Formation Group?
Fill out the form below and a Formation Group Coordinator will follow up with you with more details about getting involved.
Suggested Books for Formation Groups
Below is a compilation of recommended books from our elders by subject.
God Is-Mark Jones
None Greater-Matthew Barrett
The Holiness of God-R.C. Sproul
Knowing God-J.I. Packer
Big God-Orlando Saer
Justified By Faith Alone-R.C. Sproul
Transforming Grace-Jerry Bridges
Redemption: Accomplished and Applied-John Murray
Union with Christ-Rankin Wilbourne
The Christian Life-Sinclair Ferguson
Putting Amazing Back into Grace: Embracing the Heart of the Gospel -Michael Horton
Chosen By God-RC Sproul
God’s Big Picture-Vaughn Roberts
Taking God at His Word-Kevin DeYoung
Jesus on Every Page-David Murray
Knowable Word-Peter Krol
Even Better than Eden-Nancy Guthrie
A House for My Name: A Survey of the Old Testament-Peter J. Leithart
How to Memorize Scripture for Life: From One Verse to Entire Books-Andrew M. Davis
When People Are Big-Edward T Welch
Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health-Donald Whitney
Antinomianism: Reformed Theology’s Unwelcome Guest?-Mark Jones
A Praying Life-Paul Miller
The Peacemaker-Ken Sande
True Community-Jerry Bridges
Identity Theft-Melissa Kruger
Who Am I?-Jerry Bridges
God at Work-Gene Edward Veith Jr.
Devoted To God-Sinclair Ferguson
The Lord’s Prayer-Kevin DeYoung
How People Change-Timothy S. Lane
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment-Jeremiah Burroughs
The Envy of Eve-Melissa Kruger
Overcoming Sin and Temptation-John Owen (Kelly Kapic & Justin Taylor)
Precious Remedies Against Satan’s Devices-Thomas Brooks
The Dangerous Duty of Delight-John Piper
Just Do Something-Kevin DeYoung
Discipling: How to Help Others Follow Jesus– Mark Dever
The Tech-Wise Family-Andy Crouch
Men and Women in the Church: A Short, Biblical, Practical Introduction-Kevin DeYoung
Prayer: John Bunyan
The Gospel & Personal Evangelism-Mark Dever
Honest Evangelism-Rico Tice
Expository Apologetics– Voddie Baucham
The Reason For God-Tim Keller
The Gospel Comes With a House Key-Rosaria Butterfield
Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air-Greg Koukl
Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God– J.I. Packer
The Master’s Plan of Evangelism-Robert Coleman
Shepherding A Child’s Heart-Tedd Tripp
Give Them Grace: Dazzling Your Kids with the Love of Jesus-Elyse Fitzpatrick
Family Driven Faith-Voddie Baucham
This Momentary Marriage-John Piper
Married for God-Christopher Ash
The Meaning of Marriage-Tim Keller
Christ & the Future-Cornelius Venema
Kingdom Come-Sam Storms
More Than Conquerors: An Interpretation of the Book of Revelation-William Hendrickson
The Bible and the Future– Anthony A. Hoekema
Managing God’s Money-Randy Alcorn
Money, Possessions, and Eternity-Randy Alcorn
Do More Better-Tim Challies
When God Weeps-Joni Eareckson Tada
Wrestling With An Angel-Greg Lucas
Pure in Heart-J. Garrett Kell
Sexual Detox-Tim Challies
What Does the Bible Really Teach about Homosexuality?-Kevin DeYoung
5 Lies of our Anti-Christian Age-Rosaria Butterfield
God and the Transgender Debate-Andrew T. Walker
Assisted Suicide-Vaughan Roberts
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made-Dr Megan Best
Tearing Us Apart-Ryan T Anderson & Alexandra Desanctis
Love Thy Body-Nancy Pearcey
The New Reformation: Finding Hope in the Fight for Ethnic Unity-Shai Linne
When Helping Hurts-Steve Corbett & Brian Fokker
In the Year of our Lord-Sinclair Ferguson
To The Golden Shore: The Life of Adoniram Judson-Courtney Anderson
Here I Stand-Roland Bainton
Through Gates of Splendor-Elisabeth Elliott
From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya-Ruth Tucker
Faithful Witness: The Life and Ministry of William Carey-Timothy George
The Screwtape Letters-C.S. Lewis
Pilgrim’s Progress-John Bunyan