The Five Affirmations

We are passionate about making disciples. However, before we can make disciples, we have to know what a disciple is. Jonathan Parnell provides a helpful definition for us. “Applied to Jesus, a disciple is someone who learns from him to live like him — someone who, because of God’s awakening grace, conforms his or her words and ways to the words and ways of Jesus. Or, you might say, as others have put it in the past, disciples of Jesus are themselves ‘little Christs.’”

God wills that every human being would begin to look more like Christ. It is his desire that we would be transformed into the image of Jesus.

Ultimately, this is a work that only God can do in and through us. 

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Cor 3:18).

However, that doesn’t mean we just passively sit and wait for God to change us. While we can’t transform ourselves, we can put ourselves in the best possible position to experience God’s transforming grace. That’s where the Five Affirmations come in. As a church, we believe that if every individual Christian at City of God could affirm these five statements, then they would be on their way to making progress as a disciple. 

I Am Loved

Goal: For people to know, believe, and root their identity in the gospel. We are loved by God because of what Jesus has done for us through his death and resurrection

Significant Scriptures: 1 Jn 4:16-21; Eph 2:4-7; Jn 3:16; Rom 5:6-11; 2 Thess 2:16-17; 1 Jn 3:1-2

I Am Known

Goal: For people to cultivate deep and significant relationships with other believers at City of God Church.

Significant Scriptures: Heb 3:13; Gal 6:1-2; 1 Cor 12:14-20; Jn 13:35; Ac 2:42

I Am Growing

Goal: For people to progressively grow into the person God created them to be, that is, into the image of Christ. This growth might include one’s personal relationship with God, the fruit of Christian character, and obedience to Christ’s commands.

Significant Scriptures: Jn 14:23; Gal 5:22-24; 1 Jn 5:1-5; Jn 17:3; Eph 4:11-14; Gal 5:22-24

I Am Serving

Goal: For people to identity and use their spiritual gifts in God’s service for the building up of the church.

Significant Scriptures: Rom 12:4-8; 1 Cor 12:4-7

I Am Sent

Goal: For people to view all of life through a missionary lens. Every Christian has been sent out into the world with the good news of the gospel. 

Significant Scriptures: Mt 28:18-20; Jn 20:21; 2 Cor 5:18

These five affirmations form the foundation of everything we do as a church. All of our ministries exist to help cultivate these affirmations in the lives of those who call City of God home.