Let's Grow together
God directed us to be disciples and to disciple others
Discipleship is a foundational part of our relationship with Christ. In John 8:31 He said to the Jews who believed in Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." So there is freedom in being a disciple of Christ. It's a word that may sound very biblical and even archaic, but it just means a 'follower' or 'student'.
Christ also left us with what we refer to as 'The Great Commission' in Matthew 28:18-20. He said “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
This Great Commission is not just directed to missionaries and evangelists. It's to every one of us. God want's disciples - students who will follow Christ, living out the Word of God every day. The world tries to pull us away with distractions, but there's truly nothing more important than being His disciple.
Discipleship is a foundational part of our relationship with Christ. In John 8:31 He said to the Jews who believed in Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." So there is freedom in being a disciple of Christ. It's a word that may sound very biblical and even archaic, but it just means a 'follower' or 'student'.
Christ also left us with what we refer to as 'The Great Commission' in Matthew 28:18-20. He said “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
This Great Commission is not just directed to missionaries and evangelists. It's to every one of us. God want's disciples - students who will follow Christ, living out the Word of God every day. The world tries to pull us away with distractions, but there's truly nothing more important than being His disciple.
Check out this video on Discipleship. We ALL need to grow and keep growing!
The only way we can live out His Word is to start with knowing what God has said. Jesus is the living Word (John 1:1-4) and the Bible is the written Word of God. The Word is the foundation of our faith. As disciples, we choose to become students following Jesus as our Master, Teacher, Lord and Savior.
What is Discipleship?
It's more than classes. It's learning ABOUT God, but also KNOWING HIM intimately and learning how to live to His glory. We share our faith, bringing others to Christ, and teaching them to become disciples themselves. So, it's a lifelong process. But we have to start somewhere, so we invite you to study with us in a powerful series of classes that will help you understand your faith, your salvation, and how to give God glory as we live our daily lives.
As we start our process of becoming disciples of Christ, there are some steps we need to take. Before you start the discipleship class, please look at First Steps 1-4 (at the bottom). They are vital for every believer.
What is Discipleship?
It's more than classes. It's learning ABOUT God, but also KNOWING HIM intimately and learning how to live to His glory. We share our faith, bringing others to Christ, and teaching them to become disciples themselves. So, it's a lifelong process. But we have to start somewhere, so we invite you to study with us in a powerful series of classes that will help you understand your faith, your salvation, and how to give God glory as we live our daily lives.
As we start our process of becoming disciples of Christ, there are some steps we need to take. Before you start the discipleship class, please look at First Steps 1-4 (at the bottom). They are vital for every believer.
Step 1: Life Groups
Find a Life Group. We have several groups in Sarasota and Bradenton, with plans to expand. We would like to have an English group soon. In the meantime, the Spanish groups can provide translation as necessary. Life Groups are a vital part of church life. They fulfill needs that are difficult, or impossible, to fulfil in a Sunday service. A mid-week small group provides social connection, spiritual growth and leadership training. It's a place where we can ask questions, talk about life and spend quality time together with people who share our faith. We love our Life Groups!
Step 2: Established Course Level 1
We offer several options to study. 'Established' is a course consisting of three classes of 16 lessons each, so 48 in total. Every Spring and Fall we offer in-person classes in the church, where we can not only learn, but interact and receive impartation from the Holy Spirit. The classes are offered in Spanish and English. It's the best way to do it.
IF you cannot attend the classes due to work conflict, distance, or mobility, we offer these same classes, in both languages, online. It's the same material, just not as good as the group experience, and no chance to ask questions. You may register and start the class in English by going here.
Find a Life Group. We have several groups in Sarasota and Bradenton, with plans to expand. We would like to have an English group soon. In the meantime, the Spanish groups can provide translation as necessary. Life Groups are a vital part of church life. They fulfill needs that are difficult, or impossible, to fulfil in a Sunday service. A mid-week small group provides social connection, spiritual growth and leadership training. It's a place where we can ask questions, talk about life and spend quality time together with people who share our faith. We love our Life Groups!
Step 2: Established Course Level 1
We offer several options to study. 'Established' is a course consisting of three classes of 16 lessons each, so 48 in total. Every Spring and Fall we offer in-person classes in the church, where we can not only learn, but interact and receive impartation from the Holy Spirit. The classes are offered in Spanish and English. It's the best way to do it.
IF you cannot attend the classes due to work conflict, distance, or mobility, we offer these same classes, in both languages, online. It's the same material, just not as good as the group experience, and no chance to ask questions. You may register and start the class in English by going here.
Step 3: Serving
Everyone can serve in the church starting with the important tasks of setting up for services on Sunday morning, resetting everything in place after the service, leaving it ready for the next activity, cleaning up the parking lot, and being available to help with other tasks that may be needed. We have a serving team called Power Team. Anyone can serve by talking with Reception and then showing up early on Sunday morning.
After taking Level one of the Established course, there are more serving opportunities available, including Ushers, Greeters, Kids, Youth, etc. Some ministries require more in-depth training and experience, but there are many opportunities to serve God and others through the ministries in IPF.
We also are always looking for opportunities to serve outside the church walls. Evangelism outreach, community service, prayer and cold water at the beach, hospital visitation, nursing homes, providing meals for the sick, teaching Spanish scripture-based ESOL and so many more possibilities. If you'd like to be involved with these types of outreach, please let us know and we'll connect you with others with the same heart.
Step 4: Established Course Levels 2 & 3
Every semester, Spring and Fall, we offer all three levels of this course. While only level 1 is required to serve in the basic ministries of IPF, the material in the 2nd and 3rd levels is great! You don't want to miss out on this great course. Some ministries also require these levels, and we ask our leadership to also complete this course. While we get started with this new course, we are offering Level 1 in Spring 2025, then 1 and 2 in Fall 2025, and finally, all three levels from Spring 2026 on. We are working to complete all three levels on line, and these will probably roll out as we teach those 2nd and 3rd levels live.
Everyone can serve in the church starting with the important tasks of setting up for services on Sunday morning, resetting everything in place after the service, leaving it ready for the next activity, cleaning up the parking lot, and being available to help with other tasks that may be needed. We have a serving team called Power Team. Anyone can serve by talking with Reception and then showing up early on Sunday morning.
After taking Level one of the Established course, there are more serving opportunities available, including Ushers, Greeters, Kids, Youth, etc. Some ministries require more in-depth training and experience, but there are many opportunities to serve God and others through the ministries in IPF.
We also are always looking for opportunities to serve outside the church walls. Evangelism outreach, community service, prayer and cold water at the beach, hospital visitation, nursing homes, providing meals for the sick, teaching Spanish scripture-based ESOL and so many more possibilities. If you'd like to be involved with these types of outreach, please let us know and we'll connect you with others with the same heart.
Step 4: Established Course Levels 2 & 3
Every semester, Spring and Fall, we offer all three levels of this course. While only level 1 is required to serve in the basic ministries of IPF, the material in the 2nd and 3rd levels is great! You don't want to miss out on this great course. Some ministries also require these levels, and we ask our leadership to also complete this course. While we get started with this new course, we are offering Level 1 in Spring 2025, then 1 and 2 in Fall 2025, and finally, all three levels from Spring 2026 on. We are working to complete all three levels on line, and these will probably roll out as we teach those 2nd and 3rd levels live.
The First Steps in Seeking God
Just to make sure we have a solid beginning, we need to ask a few questions. So we include these four steps, which you may have already completed. We just want to make sure. People come from all different backgrounds, and we don't want to leave gaps in our foundation. So...
Step One: Salvation
Have you been born again? In case you are not sure of your salvation, it's very important that you are sure. or if you've not been water baptized, not counting as a baby, you'll want to make sure you are established in the Kingdom of God.
Just to make sure we have a solid beginning, we need to ask a few questions. So we include these four steps, which you may have already completed. We just want to make sure. People come from all different backgrounds, and we don't want to leave gaps in our foundation. So...
Step One: Salvation
Have you been born again? In case you are not sure of your salvation, it's very important that you are sure. or if you've not been water baptized, not counting as a baby, you'll want to make sure you are established in the Kingdom of God.
Both are commandments from Christ. He said in John 3, ‘You must be born again.’ If you're not sure what that means, please let's make sure. Some of us have grown up in churches where we are members but have never actually been presented with the truth of HOW to be born again. Jesus wasn't joking. We MUST be born again to receive eternal life.
Step Two: Baptism in Water
Secondly, He was baptized in water in the Jordan River, after which the Holy Spirit descended upon Him and the Father said “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Later, Jesus challenged His disciples to also be baptized. Acts 2:36-39 reads “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the [k]remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Every believer is directed to repent and be baptized. The willingness to submit to baptism is an outward expression of inward faith in Christ . Water baptism is NOT the same as salvation, but happens AFTER you confess Christ and are born again.
Step Two: Baptism in Water
Secondly, He was baptized in water in the Jordan River, after which the Holy Spirit descended upon Him and the Father said “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Later, Jesus challenged His disciples to also be baptized. Acts 2:36-39 reads “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the [k]remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Every believer is directed to repent and be baptized. The willingness to submit to baptism is an outward expression of inward faith in Christ . Water baptism is NOT the same as salvation, but happens AFTER you confess Christ and are born again.
Step 3: Baptism in the Holy Spirit
There is a third baptism. Doctrinally, Baptism in Christ is the first, the new birth. Baptism in water is the second baptism. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the third baptism, While it's not required to be baptized in water or the Holy Spirit to go to heaven (the thief on the cross had no opportunity to be baptized in either), they are both important steps of faith.
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is biblical and very present in the New Testament. It's what happened when the disciples came out of the upper room, having been touched by tongues of fire and speaking in other tongues (Acts 2:1-21 ). One common point of confusion is between the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 12-14) with the private infilling that every believer can and should receive. There are several reasons we believe that every believer should be baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. 1) In scripture, we see that after the upper room, it's what happened when people were born again. 2) The Apostle Paul emphasized speaking in other tongues., including the difference between the public and private gift of tongues. Simply put, there's a place in the church for this gift, but every believe needs to be able to speak in tongues, since we pray mysteries by the leading of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26).
We also speak from personal experience. Most, if not all in our congregation have been baptized in the Holy Spirit and we speak/pray in other tongues. It's nothing weird, it's just new to some people because of what we've been exposed to. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is It's definitely from God, it's biblical, it's available to EVERY believer, and it opens the door to greater grace and power. While we refer to this Baptism experience as 'it', we should really say HE is available, since it's the
There is a third baptism. Doctrinally, Baptism in Christ is the first, the new birth. Baptism in water is the second baptism. Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the third baptism, While it's not required to be baptized in water or the Holy Spirit to go to heaven (the thief on the cross had no opportunity to be baptized in either), they are both important steps of faith.
The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is biblical and very present in the New Testament. It's what happened when the disciples came out of the upper room, having been touched by tongues of fire and speaking in other tongues (Acts 2:1-21 ). One common point of confusion is between the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 12-14) with the private infilling that every believer can and should receive. There are several reasons we believe that every believer should be baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. 1) In scripture, we see that after the upper room, it's what happened when people were born again. 2) The Apostle Paul emphasized speaking in other tongues., including the difference between the public and private gift of tongues. Simply put, there's a place in the church for this gift, but every believe needs to be able to speak in tongues, since we pray mysteries by the leading of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26).
We also speak from personal experience. Most, if not all in our congregation have been baptized in the Holy Spirit and we speak/pray in other tongues. It's nothing weird, it's just new to some people because of what we've been exposed to. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is It's definitely from God, it's biblical, it's available to EVERY believer, and it opens the door to greater grace and power. While we refer to this Baptism experience as 'it', we should really say HE is available, since it's the
greater manifestation of His presence that comes through this. If this third baptism is new to you, we invite you to explore the possibility that there is more than you have experienced. It's very simple to receive this baptism... we just ask and we are baptized with His greater presence. It's different than the presence of the Holy Spirit that every believer has in the new birth. It's a higher, stronger presence that opens the door to the Gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:1-11). Did you ever wonder why some churches have more healings, prophesies, and other gifts in operation? The answer is that some churches give place to this more, and God always operates through our faith. If we don't believe in or expect something from Him, we shouldn't be surprised when we don't have it.
If you have questions about this baptism, we invite you to watch this short video by Andrew Wommack. You may also want to study more about it. There are some great books and videos available.
We should mention that many of us have been affected by erroneous teachings against the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. If we have been told that it's not for today, we have been deceived, and we need to see in the scriptures that it is!
There's no formula, any more than there is for Salvation where we call on the name of the Lord (per Romans 10:8-13). In the same way, we ask Him for the Holy Spirit and He gives us this infilling. We may or may not not have tongues of fire set upon us, but it's definitely spiritual and powerful. So just ask Him! If you need or want help, please ask us.
Step 4: Read the Word and Pray
Once you're sure you are saved, you can become a disciple. It will be necessary to read your Bible (we recommend you start reading the entire Bible. It's not hard. It just means spending some time to read the message God has sent to you. There are some great Bible reading plans in print, as well as apps like the phone app YouVersion. It's also very important that you start praying. Prayer is simply a conversation with God. It's two-way, so as you pray and speak to Him, listen for His voice. Don't wait for a booming voice from heaven. He typically speaks to us typically in our hearts, in a quiet voice on the insideinside. As believers, the Holy Spirit lives inside us, in our spirit man. That's where He directs us, approving or disapproving what we are praying about. There are times where He may speak to us through interpretation of our prayer in the Spirit, but more often it's a perception. As we mature, we become more 'in tune' with His voice.
If you have questions about this baptism, we invite you to watch this short video by Andrew Wommack. You may also want to study more about it. There are some great books and videos available.
We should mention that many of us have been affected by erroneous teachings against the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. If we have been told that it's not for today, we have been deceived, and we need to see in the scriptures that it is!
There's no formula, any more than there is for Salvation where we call on the name of the Lord (per Romans 10:8-13). In the same way, we ask Him for the Holy Spirit and He gives us this infilling. We may or may not not have tongues of fire set upon us, but it's definitely spiritual and powerful. So just ask Him! If you need or want help, please ask us.
Step 4: Read the Word and Pray
Once you're sure you are saved, you can become a disciple. It will be necessary to read your Bible (we recommend you start reading the entire Bible. It's not hard. It just means spending some time to read the message God has sent to you. There are some great Bible reading plans in print, as well as apps like the phone app YouVersion. It's also very important that you start praying. Prayer is simply a conversation with God. It's two-way, so as you pray and speak to Him, listen for His voice. Don't wait for a booming voice from heaven. He typically speaks to us typically in our hearts, in a quiet voice on the insideinside. As believers, the Holy Spirit lives inside us, in our spirit man. That's where He directs us, approving or disapproving what we are praying about. There are times where He may speak to us through interpretation of our prayer in the Spirit, but more often it's a perception. As we mature, we become more 'in tune' with His voice.
Step 5: Connect with your Church
Every Christ-follower needs a congregation. We encouraged by the writer of Hebrews to not foresake the assembling of ourselves together (Heb10:25). When we connect with a local church, we set roots and are grafted into a spiritual family. Just because we are in the family of God, doesn't mean we are united as fellow believers. We need the shared faith to stand strong. There's such a strong influence from the world, we need the support of our family in Christ. This means connected in serving, in giving through tithes and offerings, in growth and leadership, and in involvement in the general church activities (within reason).
Of course there's a lot more to our spiritual life, but these four steps are the beginning, and then we continue to grow through time and experience.
Every Christ-follower needs a congregation. We encouraged by the writer of Hebrews to not foresake the assembling of ourselves together (Heb10:25). When we connect with a local church, we set roots and are grafted into a spiritual family. Just because we are in the family of God, doesn't mean we are united as fellow believers. We need the shared faith to stand strong. There's such a strong influence from the world, we need the support of our family in Christ. This means connected in serving, in giving through tithes and offerings, in growth and leadership, and in involvement in the general church activities (within reason).
Of course there's a lot more to our spiritual life, but these four steps are the beginning, and then we continue to grow through time and experience.