The Way

From the very beginning, Christians described their faith as "the Way." That reminds us that Christianity is ultimately a journey of becoming, of learning a new way to live into the freedom Jesus won for us. Whether you’ve been a churchgoing Christian all your life or you are a new Christian, you never “graduate.” There is always more to discover about who God is calling you to be and how God is calling you to follow and serve.

The Way is Messiah’s six-week discipleship course designed to help participants deepen participants’ understanding of themselves as disciples of the way of Jesus and as prophetic members of our reforming, Evangelical Lutheran movement.

Together we explore questions such as:

• How do Christians read the Bible faithfully?
• What does it mean to be saved by grace?
• How do worship, prayer, and the sacraments shape everyday life?
• What is distinctive about Lutheran theology and practice?
• How has God uniquely gifted me to serve my neighbor and participate in the life of the Church?

Because discipleship is a lifelong journey, The Way is offered twice each year and will be a regular part of our congregation's life. We especially encourage those preparing for baptism, confirmation, or membership to participate, but we also hope every member of Messiah—whether you've worshiped here for decades or just discovered our community—will take part in a cohort at least once. As we journey together, we develop a shared language, a shared understanding of our Lutheran tradition, and a shared commitment to following Jesus in the world.

What to Expect

• Six weekly sessions of discussion, teaching, and prayer
• A welcoming environment where questions are encouraged
• No prior biblical or theological knowledge required
• In-person and Zoom participation available
• Online resources to help you continue learning between sessions

Wherever you are on the journey, your next step begins here.