Discipleship + Table Communities
Discipleship is not just what we do; it’s who we are.
Discipleship is not a single moment, but the process of our ongoing formation in Christ (Galatians 4:19). Jesus invites ALL to follow Him as we give Him access to every part of our lives; forming us into a growing community of love (Ephesians 4:16).
The framework of discipleship that helps aim our lives as a church family:
Be with Jesus
Become like Jesus
Do what Jesus did
We desire to join our lives with God’s story found in Scripture and believe that following Jesus is best lived together in community, and that’s why community is prioritized at every stage with the First B family.
Whether you are a child, a teenager, a young adult, middle-aged adult, or senior adult; the invitation is the same: commit to a smaller group as you practice being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did.
For adults, Table Communities are how the First B family will practice community together!
Table Communities
We like to think of our church family as:
A community,
of communities,
for our community.
We gather on Sundays as a large community weekly for worship, truth, and encouragement.
We scatter throughout the week into Table Communities to know and be known as we grow and follow Jesus together.
We show up for the Sioux Falls Metro community to serve and meet various needs around us.
What exactly are Table Communities?
A group of 5-12 people that commit to showing up for one another weekly around a table to share a meal, remember the love of Jesus through communion, and embody the values of: rhythm, belonging, hospitality, and service.
Table Communities as our vision to partner with the Spirit’s desire for growth in our lives:
We recognize that our surrounding culture often shapes us to be people of consumerism, transactionalism, individualism, comfort, and convenience.
Table Communities exist to resist these values and instead, build in space for the Holy Spirit to form us into people who look more and more like Jesus. We’re after deep beneath-the-surface transformation, where the fruit of Spirit overflows from our lives!
God is inviting you to know and be known around the table. What's holding you back from stepping into a life of community?
Fill out the interest form below to take your first step!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long would I have to commit?
We encourage participants to commit to one trimester at a time
What are the trimesters?
First Trimester: Mid-Sep through Mid-December
Second Trimester: Mid-January through May
Summer Trimester: June through August
Will my Table Community have a leader?
Yes, there will be 1-2 trained Table Leaders per TC
Will the Table Leader be responsible for everything?
No. Our desire is to see shared leadership, where multiple people take on a role for the good of their TC
Is childcare provided?
We are trusting that each Table Community, together, will make the best decisions regarding childcare. Ryan, our Discipleship Pastor, is available to brainstorm solutions if needed!
How will meals work with each Table Community?
Each TC, along with the Meal Coordinator, will decide what works best for them! A TC could do potluck style each week, contribute financially each week, go out to eat, or intentionally plan cheaper meals. We trust that each TC will help carry the load and make the best decision that fits the context of their group!
Does a TC need to gather weekly?
Yes. The weekly commitment is the bare minimum of being a Table Community.
What will happen if I commit, but don’t have perfect attendance?
It’s not perfect attendance we’re after! We’re after becoming a people who are committed to showing up for one another, praying for one another, serving one another and our community, being vulnerable with one another, and pushing one another along in our spiritual growth. This requires sacrifice, inconvenience, discomfort, and a whole lot of love!
What do we do if there is a church wide event happening during our Table Community time?
You’re encouraged to participate in the event as a Table Community and reschedule your TC gathering time for that week!
Can a TC do whatever they want?
The goal is to make it clear what people are saying, “yes” to when committing to a TC. If you are not interested or ready to commit to the rhythm and values of a Table Community, that is okay. You are encouraged to pray through ways you CAN follow Jesus in the context of community.
Why are Table Communities so passionate about this rhythm, set of values, and commitment level?
Because ALL of us are more likely to fall into the patterns of our culture.
Table Communities exist to help us resist the values of our surrounding culture, and instead, intentionally build our lives around Jesus, together, for the life of our Sioux Falls community.
We desire to move the First B family toward living a life of rhythm over living randomly. We do not become like Jesus by accident. While the vision of Table Communities is not the silver bullet, magic pill, or green juice that will put everyone on the “fast-track” to become like Jesus, this is the vision we’re committed to within the First B family context.
Interested?
Conact the church office to get more information.