12 in 12
Do you come to church, feel inspired in your spiritual life, and have a desire to grow? Then you walk out the door, and the rest of the week happens. You wish that you could take that spiritual high into your daily life, but don’t know where to begin. As a result, you proceed through the week, losing your spiritual momentum, until the next church service.
Our mission at The Bible Chapel is to develop followers of Jesus Christ. We often say, “Wherever you are in your spiritual journey, we want to help you take one step closer to a relationship with Christ or one step further in your relationship with Christ.”
At the end of 2011, we committed to “do Christmas differently.” We want that same freshness and spiritual vitality to pervade our entire lives. To that end, we’ve selected 12 foundational practices that provide a framework for discipleship. This commitment will not be for everyone. No one is forced to comply, and no one will receive public accolades for completing these actions. You may choose to include your family, friends, or Life Group, but at the end of the day, this commitment is between you and God.
For the year 2012, we believe it’s time to get back to the basics of following Jesus.
Click here to download and print the 12 in 12 booklet!
Join our 12 in 12 Facebook page!
1Commit to read through the entire Bible this year, or to reading though the New Testament.
- Through the Bible in a Year
- Through the New Testament in a Year
- Printable version
Click here to sign up for Daily Devotional emails.
The Daily Walk Bible is available for purchase in the Chapter 2 Bookstore.
2Hearing daily from God’s Word is essential, and so is responding to him in prayer. Writing out your prayer conversations with God helps you to respond in practical ways and record God’s answers to your prayers.
Commit to using a prayer journal.
Blank journals are available for purchase at the Chapter 2 Bookstore.
Apps are also available online if you’d like to keep an electronic version.
3A follower of Jesus Christ needs companions for the spiritual journey. Developing and nurturing Christian relationships is another essential discipline.
Beginning new relationships can be a challenge, but it is very rewarding to have a network of support and encouragement in your Christian walk. Commit to connecting with other believers.
Click here for more information, or contact Bob Mason at bmason@biblechapel.org.
4Scripture says that WE are the body of Christ and every believer is a part of it. God not only calls us to connect with each other, he wants us to serve one another in the way he has uniquely gifted each of us. Commit to discovering your spiritual gift and serving others.
Click here to take our Spiritual Gifts Inventory or Spiritual Development Assessment.
After completing the assessment, a volunteer coordinator will be in touch to provide service opportunity suggestions that are in line with your spiritual gifts.
If you have questions you would like to discuss regarding the best place to serve, check out Starting Point or send an email to serve@biblechapel.org.
Click here to view a list of service opportunities.
5In Matthew 5:16, Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” God has brought you to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. He likely did that through another person. Now, it’s time that you share the good news with someone he puts in your path.
Begin by praying that God will show you who he wants you to share with. This prayer is a good one to record in your prayer journal. Ask him to give you a heart of compassion for those in your life who do not yet know Christ. Look for life intersection points of conversation—things you have in common with the person. Be genuinely interested in them, and share openly about your own faith. When the time comes to explain the actual message of the gospel, we recommend using the bridge illustration on the next page.
The Essentials for Growth Study Guide is intended for believers who are looking for practical steps. Click here to view and download the booklet, Journey 101.
6Our Elders, Deacons, and Staff lead a time of prayer and praise. The time is usually spent in 15 minutes of worship singing and 45 minutes of prayer. No preparation is needed. Simply show up, willing to join with others in a time of prayer.
The Congregational Prayer and Praise Service is held from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on the following dates:
- Monday, March 5 – Washington Campus
- Monday, April 9
- Monday, May 7
- Monday, June 4
- Monday, July 2
- Monday, August 6
- Monday, September 10
- Monday, October 1
- Monday, November 5
- Monday, December 3
7Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” He knew that we spend our money on things that are important to us, and he wants to have first place in our lives. Giving him first place in our lives often means getting our own financial house in order, so that we can direct the financial resources to the eternal work he is calling us to give generously towards.
Giving sacrificially means doing without something you want in order to give to God’s eternal work. You may do that through the ministry of our local church by giving in our weekend services or online through myBibleChapel.
If you are struggling financially, feeling weighed down with debt, or having difficulty managing your spending, join the Freed-Up Financial class, Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. (February 22-March 28, Room 160). Click here for more information and to register.
If you have questions, please contact one of our Elders.
8Worship is the proper response to God for who he is and what he has done in our lives. When we take time to set our hearts and mind on God, the other issues and concerns of life are put into proper perspective. You will find great joy as you experience God’s presence in worship!
Join Kirk and the band at the South Hills campus as we PRAISE OUR GOD!
- Sunday, February 19 – 7:00-9:00 p.m.
- Sunday, May 20 – 7:00-9:00 p.m.
- Sunday, August 19 – 7:00-9:00 p.m.
- Sunday, October 28 – 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Click here for more info.
9Growth happens when we are stretched. There is nothing more stretching than a cross-cultural experience. Being obedient to God’s call to share Christ with the entire world reminds us that Christ is the answer for all people. Through a cross-cultural experience you will see God at work in your life and in the lives of others like never before!
Click here for information on upcoming mission trips.
You don’t need to travel across the ocean to engage in a cross-cultural trip. You can cross a bridge to Oakland and serve at Pittsburgh Regional International Student Ministry (PRISM). We also have great partnerships in the community with the City Mission (Washington), Light of Life Rescue Mission (North Side), Pregnancy Resource Center (South Hills), and Choices Pregnancy Center (Robinson).
Click here for Community Outreach info (South Hills campus).
Click here for Community Outreach info (Robinson).
10In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus makes the point that we should look out for the needs of those whom God puts in our path. Unfortunately, we are too often like the religious leaders in that story; in too much of a hurry to stop and pay attention to the needs of others.
Ask God to open your eyes to the needs of others right around you. When you come across someone in need, find out what they need most and ask God if and how he wants to meet that need through you. If you are married, let these compassions become opportunities to bring you closer together as a couple, as you pray and discern the Lord’s Will together.
Contact Laura Ankrom at lankrom@biblechapel.org for more information.
11The Navigators Topical Memory System
The Navigators iPhone/iPod Touch App
Scripture cards are also available in the Chapter 2 Bookstore.
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Christ the Center |
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Obedience to Christ |
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The Word |
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Prayer |
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Fellowship |
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Witnessing |
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All Have Sinned |
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Sin’s Penalty |
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Christ Paid the Penalty |
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Salvation is not by Works |
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Must Receive Christ |
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Assurance of Salvation |
12Mark Twain defines a “classic” as, “something that everybody wants to have read and nobody wants to read.” Like classes in English, there are many Spiritual books that are often talked about, but rarely read. We think that should change. We want to encourage you have first-hand exposure to some of these Spiritual classics.
All books available at the Chapter 2 Bookstore.
- January-March: Knowing God by J.I. Packer
- April-June: Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
- July-September: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
- October-December: Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
