GROW TO KNOW GOD DEEPLY
“If you live gladly to make others glad in God, your life will be hard, your risks will be high, and your joy will be full.”
- John Piper
DNA Groups
One of the primary ways the Holy Spirit does His work in the heart of the Christian is through relationship with others. We were not designed to live solitary lives, disconnected from one another, but rather to press on in our sanctification through authentic relationships. We need each other!
One of the primary environments where this happens at Calvary Restoration is through DNA Groups. These groups are generally 2-4 people, gender-specific, and are anchored by two big ideas:
1) Reminding one another of the goodness of God in the Gospel and it's daily application, and
2) Helping one another determine what God is up to in each others' lives.
These two big ideas are fleshed out through studying together, fighting sin together, encouraging one another, praying together, worshiping together, and sharing life and mission. A DNA group is not simply a Bible study, accountability group, or prayer meeting. Rather, a DNA group incorporates elements of all of these as we seek to know one another and sharpen each other. In this way, we each fulfill our call with one another to make passionate, joyful disciples of Jesus.
CALVARY INSTITUTE
Calvary Institute is a series of classes and Bible studies designed to help us Grow to Know God Deeply. These classes study God’s Word, theology, and equip us to be mature in Christ. Our prayer is that those who participate will have their passion for our Lord grow stronger and their heart for worship burn greater.
Evangelism Worships Planned for Spring 2024
More Info Coming Soon
Some of these classes meet in person, and others have a Zoom option. If you’re interested in joining one of these classes, please contact us at Aurora@thecalvary.org
WOMEN'S MINISTRY
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
The Women of Calvary (WOC)
“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Titus 3:3-6
The Women of Calvary (WOC) group was developed to reach all women in every season of life. We were not created to walk through this journey alone. We need other women to support and encourage us. To laugh with when the journey is good and to cry with when the journey is hard. Before we were wives and mothers we were women and we need each other to formulate those deep relationships that only other women can offer. But what does it mean to be a woman? To be a Godly woman? To serve each other? Titus 3:3-6 talks about who we were without Christ and who we are becoming in and through Him. Through our connection with Jesus and each other, we can struggle with the hard questions of life, pray with and for each other, and rejoice together. You are not alone.
If you have any questions please call Laura Mahoney at (641) 430-0394.
BAPTISM
"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."
- Romans 6:4
What it Means to be Baptized
Being a follower of Christ prompts us to continue in our growth in sanctification, obedience and surrender to God. Baptism is a pivotal step in the growth of a Christian. Scriptures tells us that after Jesus resurrected from the dead, He instructed His disciples to make more disciples, baptizing them as part of that growth process.
Baptism is an outward expression of an internal transformation and surrender. It symbolically portrays a believer’s identification with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It proclaims to all that we have died to our old self and now live in the freedom of new life in Christ as a forgiven child of God and devoted follower of Jesus.
Baptism follows the example set by Jesus, found in Mark 1:9.
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
Our new life with new priorities and passions is inaugurated with an act of obedience. If you are a believer in Jesus but have not been baptized, we encourage you to read about baptism in the Bible.