The Jesus Model
Thrive begins with the Jesus Model, a way of gathering together for the sake of mission. This process includes six core elements that define the process.
Cultivate A Tribe: Jesus began with a tribe of intentional participants. He created a space where grace was true and revealed the Kingdom of God as present and active. Learning and growth were exponential in a tribe as each participant took turns engaging and sharing the experience. This tribal model was small enough to be effective and large enough to create momentum.
Engage The Mission: Jesus engaged God’s mission of restoration and reconciliation: to release people from captivity and blindness, and to restore creation to wholeness. Jesus invited his follower to participate with God in what the Spirit was already doing through acts of justice and mercy. This mission of God would restore humanity’s relationship with God, with itself, and with the world around it.
Seek the Kingdom: Jesus created a sustaining vision of God’s kingdom, one that released humanity from religion and instead rooted it in faith. He found the presence of God in everything, and redeemed creation by seeing it from God’s perspective. By seeking the Kingdom of God, humanity would begin the pivotal step of process of discovering what was true.
Follow The Way: Jesus invited his followers into a new way of living, one that would model a transforming love that extended far beyond the exceptions and excuses. This Way of Jesus revealed a redemptive way of being human, one that called humanity to consistently overcome the lies. The Way transformed each person from the inside out and revealed the power of life over death.
Explore The Story: Jesus understood that He was part of the rich story of a people created in the image of God, one learning to overcome its own fear and captivity. His life was a revelation to the only question of existence, one that humanity got wrong in the Garden. This story would reveal a God who was relentlessly pursuing and overcoming any barrier to relationship through grace.
Go & Make Disciples: Jesus instructed His followers to continue what He started. He empowered and released them to start the process over again. This process of modeling the Way for others and telling the story of God’s redeeming grace would literally transform history. This Great Commission would establish an organic leadership development process, which produced exponential growth.