Jesus commands us, as his Church, to be and make disciples. While the process of sanctification is a continual “transformation into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord” (2 Cor. 2:18), we should also have markers which tell us we are equipped for works for service, attained unity in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, and become mature (Eph. 4:12-13). Toward that end, Oakdale Wesleyan Church has set up 12 markers, Living Stones, as steps of discipleship, so that we “like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5).
It is my hope, prayer, and work, that Living Stones become a useful tool for people to have a continual transformational relationship with God beyond just my local church. Toward that goal, and with the encouragement of others, I am currently working on a book and proposal to get this discipleship tool out to the church at large. This will likely be the key focus of this blog for several months.
To be a part of this process with me right now, you can subscribe to this blog, follow me on twitter (@pvtillman), and check out the following links:
- The Missional Discipleship Groundswell Podcast on Living Stones. This is part 1, of what should be an ongoing dialogue with Heath Mullikin (@heathmullikin) and Jeremy Summers (@jeremysummers) about Living Stones. This podcast covers the development story of Living Stones and provides a quick overview of the 12 discipleship markers.
- The Living Stones sermon series given at Oakdale Wesleyan Church. This series expounds the Living Stones markers as illustrated in the lives of the 12 sons of Israel, blessed in Genesis 49:1-28.
- The Living Stones Discipleship page at Oakdale Wesleyan Church, which gives an explanation of Living Stones.
