Student Discipleship Groups

Student Discipleship Groups: Fostering Spiritual Growth and Community

Love God. Show kindness. Seek truth. These are three of the five core values that Charlotte Christian has implemented in their students’ everyday academic and social lives. In and out of the classroom, these values build the foundation and character that this community represents. One of the many ways that Charlotte Christian has incorporated teachings of loving God, showing kindness, and seeking the truth is through the middle school and upper school discipleship groups. This blend of grade levels has enabled students to connect with God’s word and build cross-division relationships outside the classroom environment.

Upper School Spiritual Life Director Jeremey Cummings and Middle School Spiritual Life Director Rian Berger established two Bible study-focused groups: Dodgeball & Discipleship and Supergirl Devotionals. “The vision for the middle school discipleship groups was to give the students an informal discipleship opportunity outside the classroom,” said Mr. Berger.

Both groups are comprised of middle school students led by their upper school peers. Supergirl Devotionals studied crucial aspects of the Bible by analyzing the book of James. The middle school girls loved hanging out together, and adding the upper school leaders into the mix. One of the upper school students who gracefully helps lead Supergirl Devotionals is junior Maisie Macholz. When speaking to Maisie about her experience, she expressed immense joy regarding the middle school students she has been able to get to know during this process. “Through spending time with them, walking alongside them in their faith, and sharing the gospel, I aim to demonstrate the transformative power of God’s love. When younger students see the joy and fulfillment that my faith brings to my life, it may inspire curiosity and a desire to explore their relationship with God,” she said.

Eighth grader Carson Scerri had many positive remarks about Dodgeball & Discipleship. “Dodgeball was a great incentive for people to come to discipleship groups. I definitely learned more about Peter since we studied the disciples. I thought it was great having the high schoolers work with us because usually we don’t see them,” he shared. Connecting through a common interest, like dodgeball, helped them dial in during devotionals that were short and sweet but filled with great information. Next semester, upper school students will lead lessons about biblical prophets. These discipleship groups have enabled middle and upper school students to build long-lasting relationships that have bloomed on the premise of God’s word.