This past week Brent Glossinger and I met with the spiritual formation director of another local Christian school. Over lunch at Angie’s, we chatted about what our respective spiritual formation and discipleship programs look like. As I began to listen to Brent explain discipleship at FRCS, it struck me how unique FRCS really is compared to many other schools.

Brent explained the story of how discipleship evolved at FRCS. Several years ago, after returning from a trip to Israel, Brent realized that Jesus’ method of forming his disciples was drastically different from most Western models. Instead of lecturing in a classroom and teaching primarily with books, Jesus lived life alongside his disciples, and taught them by way of living life together.

So what would this mean for Front Range Christian? Brent slowly began crafting our discipleship program, based on the idea that people change in relationship with others. The program took time to develop, but today it is changing lives. This is how it works.

A select group of juniors and seniors at the high school have the option of being discipleship group leaders for junior high students. These students lead a group of 7th and 8th grade students once a week. They also mentor students at the elementary school throughout “Mini-Me Discipleship Program.” Once a month “the big kids” mentor elementary students through leading a lesson and praying with the students. Even the elementary students mentor other students, as 6th graders show 2nd graders how to use their iPads (see photo), and 3rd graders spend time with preschoolers!

Is it working? Brent told us a story: “Several years ago, one of our junior high students unexpectedly lost a parent. She was devastated and didn’t know what to do. The first person she called was her discipleship group leader. The leader then called me and asked what to do. I told her to listen and pray. It was then that I knew that our discipleship program was changing lives. I still get choked up when I think about it.” Along with this story, it's exciting to have juniors and seniors who now want to lead because of the impact their Jr. High d-group leaders had on them, and to hear of alumni who are leading groups at college.

When Brent sent out a video he made this past week showing discipleship and mentoring at FRCS, I opened it with a big smile. Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples of all nations” is happening before my eyes.