ORIENTATION GUIDE
Contents are a licensed Christ Chapel Bible Church derivative of the original “STEPS” material.
© 2024 Citizens Church
All Rights Reserved.
Original © 2015 The Village Church
Used by permission.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of Citizens Church.
Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Citizens Church
4501 Legacy Dr Plano, TX 75024
www.citizenschurch.com
ORIGINAL CONTENT AUTHOR: Michael Snetzer
Overview and Expectations
Welcome to Thrive!
We’re so glad you’re here. No matter where you are spiritually, Thrive provides a community to be encouraged, be real, and be challenged to dig in and experience an extraordinary life. It’s an opportunity to discover God’s answers for thriving in the difficult parts of life’s journey.
The mission of Thrive is to bring glory to God through lives changed by the gospel of Jesus. This intensive discipleship program includes daily Bible study and reflection, assessments, one-on-one mentoring, small groups, and teaching. Thrive helps us gain traction in our relationship with God by addressing unresolved issues from our past, uprooting unhealthy coping patterns, and practicing spiritual formation principles that lead to Christian maturity. In the Great Commission, Jesus calls us to make disciples by teaching them to observe—not just know—His commands. God desires heart-level obedience, and when the gospel takes root, it deeply transforms us and how we relate to everything. Thrive offers a structure that helps us move from hearing the Word to doing it, because it’s in the application of truth that we bear fruit.
MATTHEW 28:18 – 20
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Thrive is not a religious system for climbing our way to God, but a response of faithful obedience to what the gospel has already accomplished and promised. The centrality of the gospel is essential to our approach: We begin by laying a foundation of what Jesus has done for those who believe, then invite participants to live in light of that truth. On that foundation, we use assessments to help apply the gospel to areas of past and present struggle that hinder the abundant life Jesus offers.
JAMES 1:22
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
PHILOSOPHY
RECONNECTING US TO THE GOSPEL
Thrive seeks to equip the Church with a confidence that the Scriptures are sufficient in addressing the deepest issues of our lives and that the gospel of Jesus is relevant (even superior) to the world’s solutions in addressing these issues. We must recover a right understanding and application of the gospel as the remedy for all that ails us.
COMMUNITY IS YOUR ADVANTAGE
Our desire is that you would understand the change process in the context of church community because God designed us to do life beside each other.
A LIFE OF CONTINUAL TRANSFORMATION
We want everyone to experience the healing and freedom that comes from knowing Christ, so we can all live our lives as citizens of the Kingdom of God. Our hope is not that you remain stuck in a program, but rather, that you grow and move through life in the joy of the Lord!
RECONCILIATION WITH GOD
Reconciliation with God is the goal. Noticing our behavior changing is the by-product. Only Jesus can reconcile us to God, not our good deeds. As our hearts are reconciled to His, His Spirit changes how we relate to everything.
GIVING YOUR ALL
It is a temptation to reduce our walk with the Lord to holiness in one area. If we believe we are “okay” with God because we haven’t sinned in a particular way, we tend toward moralism or legalism, which is merely another form of slavery. Jesus said: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” The Christian life is about surrendering every area of life to God, every day.
PROGRAMS DON’T HEAL PEOPLE
Thrive or any other ministry or program doesn’t heal. Only Jesus Christ can deliver us from bondage to sin and reconcile us to God. We are not here to exalt a program, but the person and work of Jesus Christ. Fundamentally, sin is the worship of the creation rather than the Creator. When you give yourself to a program instead of Christ, you enslave yourself to a program.
SCOPE & SEQUENCE
Here is a general idea of what to expect this semester. The program is broken up into three main movements:
1. Understanding God 2. Understanding Ourselves 3. Loving Others Bonus
THE FIVE COMPONENTS
HOMEWORK (3 HOURS PER WEEK)
BIBLE STUDY
Throughout much of the program, participants will commit to daily Bible study and reflection. The pattern is six days of digging into God’s Word and stopping on the seventh day to reflect. The questions vary in difficulty and some might even be difficult to understand. It is okay to admit we don’t have all the answers. A right answer is an honest answer.
ASSESSMENT
We first examine the fruit in our lives. As we move through the assessment process, we will uncover the roots of any ungodly fruit that drive our ungodly thoughts, actions, and emotions. We are seeking to examine and rid ourselves of those things that hinder the freedom Christ intends for His people. There are six separate assessments that will be discussed and prayed through with Mentors.
ONE-ON-ONE MENTORING (AVG. 2 HOURS PER WEEK)
Participants should schedule time each week to meet with their mentor to review their Mentor Prep sections of homework, or walk through their assessments at the appropriate time of the semester. The amount of time varies depending on what is covered each week.
WEEKLY LARGE GROUP (1 HOUR)
Each week there is a comprehensive lesson rooted in the Scriptures, aimed at the heart with the gospel of Jesus Christ exhorting the greatest command. This time will be accompanied by corporate worship music and host content personalized for your semester.
WEEKLY SMALL GROUP (1 HOUR)
Community is an important aspect to Thrive. Each person will be assigned a small group led by a qualified leader to shepherd the group through the process. The group leaders will ask good questions, keep the conversation moving, and make group time an easy place for you to share. This gives participants the opportunity to learn and be encouraged by others.
LET’S USE THE EXAMPLE OF A THURSDAY NIGHT GROUP.
COST/COMMITMENT & BENEFIT
The level of commitment for completing Thrive as it is designed requires an average of seven hours per week: one hour for the weekly small group, one hour for the teaching, three hours for homework (Bible study or writing assessments) and two hours for meeting with a mentor. It is similar in commitment to taking a college course. Financially speaking, the benefits might be considered equivalent to this low-cost local example:
$2,400 $600 $3,000
16 hours of coaching or counseling at about $150 per hour
ENCOURAGEMENT
Tuition for a typical semester-long course VALUE
This is a brave thing you’re doing! Remember that every step you take, no matter how difficult, is a step toward growth. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed at times—that’s a sign you’re venturing out into new territory and learning to trust God in ways you didn’t expect. Take it one step at a time, and don’t forget to celebrate each small victory along the way. God’s got this! You and He together will make a great team.
MATTHEW 11:28 – 30
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Thrive Prep Work
Before the 14 weeks of Thrive can officially begin, you must complete orientation and the following checklist. This is to ensure you are well prepared prior to committing and being accepted into the program!
Once completed, you will have the opportunity to commit and complete the online registration for Thrive. Along with your materials payment, this step will officially complete your Thrive application.
You will then wait to hear about acceptance into the program this semester, as well as other important information regarding the first meeting.
PRE-THRIVE CHECKLIST:
Complete online Orientation.
Agree with the “Participant Commitment” (on p. 12) as you complete online registration for Thrive.
Identify a mentor using the provided guide. (below)* If you already have a mentor, have them apply to Thrive Leadership. (my.ccbcfamily.org/registration/thrive-mentor)
Work through a sample of the Thrive daily homework.
Listen to the podcast: “How to Tell Your Story.”
Prepare to share your story.
*IDENTIFY A MENTOR
Identifying a mentor can be a challenge in and of itself. Perhaps you have already identified someone to mentor you. If you don’t have a mentor, we suggest letting those you are in a relationship with know you are going through Thrive and are looking for a mentor. Consider asking two or three people, and don’t be discouraged if your first choice cannot commit. Mentors must be in place prior to the start of Thrive.
A “qualified” mentor is someone who …
has completed Thrive in the past
is someone whose mentor would also recommend them to mentor
is currently in a good place spiritually and has completed the Thrive mentor training
A mentor from outside of Thrive is not necessarily unqualified but simply has not completed Thrive. They may be qualified in every other way to mentor but may not be familiar with the content and scope of Thrive as it is laid out at our church. Please reach out to us with questions!
A mentor is committed to meeting weekly with you throughout the semester, completing the required training sessions offered, and joining the final large group Celebration. They are also responsible for working with mentees on an aftercare plan. Mentors are expected to commit an average of two hours a week.
Thrive Mentor Application:
(my.ccbcfamily.org/registration/thrive-mentor)
Prepare to Share Your Story
Why should I share? Everyone has a story. Your story is important. It provides the context to who you are today. Your story is unique and needs to be told. Your story is filled with shaping influences (both positive and negative) and ways you responded to those influences. These influences shape how we think about the world around us, including God, self, and others.
As you prepare to share your story, consider pain points in your life. Consider the high and low markers in your life and how you were changed or shaped by them. Consider how you responded to these events or people. Consider how your view of self, others, God, and your circumstances changed. Change can be for better or worse.
Visit this QR code for specific guidance on how to tell your story in Thrive.
How to Tell Your Story in Thrive:
(share.transistor.fm/s/0e7a9fec)
As you prepare to share, you should think about how you will fit your story into about 30 total minutes as you sit with your mentor during your first meeting. You’ll get to hear their story when you meet, as well!
Thrive Small Group Ground Rules
The following characteristics will contribute to a safe and successful Thrive small group experience.
1. Successful small groups have a balance of each person getting to contribute and share without any one person dominating the group’s time and attention. So, don’t talk too little and don’t talk too much.
2. Avoid the temptation to try to fix one another. Safe and successful small groups are characterized by support rather than advice-giving. Trying to “fix” someone else is usually a sign that we don’t want to deal with our own stuff.
3. Share with honesty and authenticity. Sharing our struggles openly demonstrates our desire to pursue growth and freedom in Christ.
4. Do not romanticize your sin. It is tempting in group settings to compare struggles or take pride in things that grieve the heart of God. We do not celebrate sin; we celebrate repentance.
5. Scripture calls us to refrain from gossip. Please operate under the direction of God’s Word in the handling of information shared within the group. In order to provide a safe environment for your group, you must commit to NOT share information about one another outside the group, except in rare circumstances, such as:
| Potential harm to self or others
| Reports of abuse or potential abuse to a child, the disabled, or an elderly person
Leaders sometimes share information with Soul Care Leadership and Mentors for the ongoing growth of leaders and the health of the group and its members.
6. In Thrive, each person should be allowed to share without interruptions. However, like most other successful conversations, others are free to contribute with comments or observations only to the extent that it is helpful for the person that is sharing. Counsel must be biblically rooted.
Thrive Participant Commitment
After prayerful consideration, I believe that God is leading me to participate in this season of Thrive. I understand that by being in this study, I am committing to the following:
o To not miss more than 2 small group / large group / Mentor meetings this semester
o To be prepared each week, having read through, thought through, prayed through, studied, and thoroughly completed each lesson, as well as any other homework
o To not just answer the questions, but to diligently seek to apply these biblical principles to my daily living
o To complete this process, setting aside these next few months to work on my relationship with God and others
o To establish and maintain open and honest communication with my group leader, mentor, and any staff leadership
o To be teachable and follow the leadership in the Thrive program
o To uphold the Thrive Small Group Ground Rules (see previous page)
o To be on time to the meetings each week
By signing below, I am agreeing to the above commitment and understand that the church acts as a church, not a counseling center. Therefore, we are not acting as professional counselors but as ministers of the gospel of Jesus. By signing here, you are acknowledging that you have read this statement and agree to adhere to the group guidelines, have completed the Thrive prep work, and are desiring to participate in the biblical counsel and community outlined in this packet.
SIGNATURE OF PARTICIPANT
WITNESS/GROUP LEADER
Date: ___________________
Date: ___________________
Day One (Sample Homework)
INTRODUCING THE CREATOR
To know God is to love God. (He is that good!) To love God is to trust God. To trust God is to obey God. Therefore, let us introduce you to God.
In the beginning, God laid the foundation of the world with precision and in an awesome display of His immeasurable power, to His glory.
PSALM 8:1
HEBREWS 1:10
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. You Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands.
READ GENESIS 1:1–2:3
1. Who is the central character introduced in the creation narrative? Who is ultimately inspiring the writer to write? What does this tell us about our Creator’s desire for us to know Him?
REVELATION 4:11
Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created
2. What can be known about God in observing this opening scene?
POINT OF INTEREST: Blurring the distinction between the Creator and the creation lends to all kinds of problems, as He alone is worthy of our worship.
ROMANS 1:25
They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
3. How is the creation described in Genesis 1:2?
4. T hrough what means does God bring light to the darkness, bring order to what is disordered and fill what is empty?
HEBREWS 11:3
By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
5. Where is God in relation to what He governs?
ACTS 17:26–27
And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward Him and find Him. Yet He is actually not far from each one of us.
6. What is the result when God speaks (vv. 3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26, 29)? How might this affect our confidence in God to deliver on His promises or His ability to carry them out?
7. What adjective is used to describe all that proceeds from God (vv. 4, 10, 12, 1 8, 25, 31)?
8. God is creating with rhythm. He is ordering time, space and matter. He orders work and rest. What work is done between evening and morning each day? What is done on the seventh day?
MARK 2:27
And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”
9. How does God create mankind distinct from the rest of His creation (v. 26)? In a world that is searching for identity, what does this tell us about who we are?
POINT OF INTEREST: In a world that is confused about gender, we see God create male and female equal but distinct, of the same kind but different.
PSALM 8:3–6
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet.
10. Verse 28 is referred to as the cultural mandate. In a world that is searching for purpose, what has God revealed as our purpose?
11. T he mandate gives authority (responsibility) to steward God’s creation. As image bearers, who’s character are we to emulate in the stewardship of the creation? How does naming suggest authority?
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.
JOHN 1:1–3