<p> The Building Blocks of Faith A Discipleship and Faith Formation Tool</p><p>What are the Building Blocks of Faith? The Building Blocks of Faith answer a simple question: “What do people need in order to grow in their faith?” They serve as a tool for strategizing and implementing a comprehensive ministry overview and for shepherding a stronger discipleship and faith formation culture. The Building Blocks are based on four themes of faith development for all ages:</p><p>● I Belong. </p><p>● I Know and Understand. </p><p>● I Have Hope. </p><p>● I Am Called and Equipped. </p><p>These statements reflect Scripture and the Heidelberg Catechism: </p><p>● I belong to Jesus and thus to his body, the church.</p><p>● Because I belong, I know the story of God’s faithfulness, of which I am a part.</p><p>● That story has a climactic conclusion! I have hope, through Christ, in all of God’s promises. God is making all things new, and he is using us to accomplish that.</p><p>● Inside that story, I am called to work in God’s kingdom, and I am equipped to do that work.</p><p>For further reading on the Building Blocks concept, visit the Lifelong Faith journal’s homepage to download the Fall 2014 (vol. 8.1) journal article “Building Blocks of Faith” by Laura Keeley and Robert J. Keeley. Why are the Building Blocks helpful? Often we equate discipleship with programs, but it goes much deeper. The Building Blocks of Faith provide a tool for addressing issues that lie behind programming. </p><p>● The Building Blocks identify a process, not a program, and processes build capacity for greater depth. Because this involves a process, the outcome will look different for every church.</p><p>● The Building Blocks tools are very flexible and can be worked out in one’s congregation in a variety of ways.</p><p>● The Building Blocks are built on the premise that worship is central to faith formation and can be a catalyzer for other faith formation ministries in a congregation.</p><p>● The Building Blocks emphasis on “belonging” in congregational life places the rich biblical account of grace at the center of our discipling ministries. </p><p>● The Building Blocks have the potential to provide a common vocabulary for discipleship. In the past the Heidelberg Catechism served in this way; the Building Blocks provide a link between the catechism and our present context. Without a refreshed common vocabulary, we are easily reduced to scattershot approaches to discipleship.</p><p>● The Building Blocks can provide significant diagnostic tools for cradle to grave discipleship.</p><p>● The Building Blocks help us see how a wide variety of ministries can work toward common goals.</p><p>● The Building Blocks are rooted in solidly Reformed traditions and gently encourage a congregation to reflect on its processes and to take small steps out of its comfort zones, thus minimizing the anxiety that change often evokes. The Building Blocks model feels safe and trustworthy.</p><p>Can we adapt the Building Blocks to serve the particular needs of our congregation?</p><p>Yes! The Building Blocks are designed to be flexible and adaptable. Here are just a few possibilities:</p><p>● They can be used as an umbrella concept for all congregational ministry for one year. For example, begin with a four-week preaching series that focuses on one Building Block per week, and follow up by encouraging various ministries to apply them.</p><p>● Invite two or three specific ministries to intentionally work with the tool (for example, youth group and Coffee Break,or whatever combination seems appropriate in your context). ● The Building Blocks can be used as a guide for one-on-one discipling conversations, whether they be elder visits, other visits, coffees with teens, and so on.</p><p>● The Building Blocks can help you develop a guide for family ministry that provides simple resources for parents to use. </p><p>● The Building Blocks can be combined with another emphasis that has been chosen for the year, such as leadership development, community involvement, grace rediscovered, becoming a storytelling community, and more. </p><p>● Faith Formation Ministries’ Regional Catalyzers are available to brainstorm with your leaders to discern the best adaptation for you.</p>