Discipleship
It’s simple…discipleship. We never outgrow the need for Jesus and our own discipleship, nor do we outgrow Jesus’ commission to disciple. Restoring The Garden echoes the ministry of Jesus as described in Luke 4:18, where He proclaimed liberation for the oppressed, healing for the brokenhearted, and sight for the blind. Our mission is similarly rooted in compassion and restoration, though the specific needs of those we serve vary widely. Just as Jesus uniquely ministered to each individual, we believe in a personalized approach tailored to the specific needs of those God brings to us. Our desire is to embody the heart of Christ, offering a haven of rest and renewal for all who seek it.
Then Jesus came to them and said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
In a culture of distraction, burnout, and spiritual fatigue, we have designed Restoring The Garden is designed to be a set-apart time for you to grow as a disciple of Jesus, discover your true identity in Christ, and be formed in community. This is not a ministry or worship school, this is a place of intense heart focused approaches on empowering you with spiritual disciplines and emotional health tools. We want people to grow in connection with God, your own heart, and in your relationships. Life is full of joy, tension, and pain and learning how to stay rooted in God in every season is essential.
We are here for those who know they need help and don’t have all the answers—adults who want to follow Jesus, become lifelong learners, and are ready to be led in the challenging and rewarding work of spiritual formation. We long to partner with men and women who have vision for the areas where they want to grow and desire help getting there.
Discipleship takes commitment to receive as well as to give. The goal is not another program, but to simply do as Jesus commanded we do. To disciple. To walk out life together, the real, the raw, the ugly and the beautiful.
Discipleship
Growing Deep Roots
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
At Restoring the Garden, discipleship is at our core. Our vision is to empower you to cultivate a deep friendship with God, discern His voice, follow His lead, and thrive in the midst of life’s challenges. We believe that genuine growth and healing happen best in the context of authentic community.
Inspired by Jesus’ model of life-on-life discipleship, offering a transformative journey, we’ll walk alongside you, navigating life’s complexities together, and anchoring ourselves firmly in Christ.
What is a Disciple?
“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,’” ~ John 8:31
What is being a true disciple of Jesus? What did He mean by saying “You are truly my disciples” in verse 31? Let’s be really clear here: For Jesus “true disciple” is the same as “true Christian” or “true believer.” Jesus is not saying to be a “true disciple” you must reach the second stage of life as a believer. You do not first become a believer or “Christian” and then later attain the level of disciple.
There are many ministries that believe this. The typical school of thought is, you’re an unbeliever, then you are a believer, then you will grow into a disciple and then you have earned the title “disciple-maker.” This was not how Jesus thought or taught. Look at the words He uses in verse 31: “Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in Him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.’”
He did not say to these professing believers “If you abide in My word, you will become truly my disciples.” In other words, He did not teach that being a true disciple came in a later stage after choosing to believe in Him. It is clear! He said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.” Abiding in His word, mean to follow His teachings.
What does it mean to “abide in my Word”? Abide means to “remain,” therefore stay in His Word. What is His Word…His teachings. What does He teach? He is saying in verse 31, now that you have chosen to believe in Me, here is how you can know what you now are. Read His Word to discover His teachings and then your life is like that of a true disciple. You can know if your belief is real: you are now true disciples if abide in my Word. Live by my teachings.
Jesus eludes to no thought of a second stage of being a true disciple, it is from the beginning of your relationship with Him and pursuit of His teachings. True disciple means true believer, true follower.
What is Our Approach?
There is no one approach, there are no programs and this is not a vacation retreat. God treats each person uniquely, and that is our approach. When you visit we become more acquainted and as time unfolds, the reason you are visiting The Garden takes shape as the Father unfolds His purpose.
Biblical Counseling can address emotional burdens, discipleship provides guidance and growth, while Natural Wellness brings a focus on the wholeness of Soul, Spirit, and body promotes overall health. By implementing these solutions and creating a culture of support, we can cultivate a thriving ministry environment where those that visit can flourish and continue their vital work.
This is a place to connect with the Father and discover or rediscover His teachings and revelations that come with rest. The Father’s desire is for us to rediscover the Garden, the simplest time with Him, in purest form. To learn to be in His presence without the man-made filters we have each day.
Discipleship:
- Dedicated one-on-one guidance with a mentor.
- In-depth teaching on Scripture, prayer, intimacy with God, and holistic well-being.
- Collective worship experiences to foster unity and spiritual connection.
- Practical tools and support for emotional health and well-being.
- Weekly group interactions for connection and mutual encouragement.
- Intentional Sabbath…rest and renewal within the community.
Community Living:
- Immerse yourself in a vibrant community of individuals dedicated to spiritual growth and holistic well-being.
- Share daily meals and foster genuine connections with fellow students, staff, and local families.
- Cultivate strong and supportive relationships through intentional connection and investment.
- Experience the restorative power of communal living in thoughtfully designed spaces.
- Develop essential communication and conflict resolution skills through daily interactions.
Servant Leadership:
- Embark on a journey of selfless service by prioritizing the needs of others.
- Cultivate a heart of generosity by willingly setting aside personal preferences.
- Apply leadership principles learned to real-world situations.
- Create a welcoming and nurturing environment through hospitality and homemaking.
- Serve alongside our team in practical ways, supporting local families.
- Build deep connections with others through mentorship and community.
- Emulate Jesus’ leadership style by prioritizing humility and love.
Co-Creative Time:
- We believe that creativity is inherent in every human being, a reflection of our divine Creator. Artistic expression is a vital part of our journey, offering profound insights into our faith and understanding of the world.
- Immerse yourself in a creative space with dedicated time in our studio under the guidance of Donald and Alice.
- Cultivate your artistic voice through weekly art and music classes designed to inspire and nurture your creativity.
- Embrace the freedom to explore your unique artistic expression with support and encouragement from our team.
- No previous artistic experience is required; simply bring an open heart and a willingness to experiment.
Spiritual, Mental and Physical Disciplines:
- Weekly communal cooking.
- Rhythms of natural body care and physical wellness classes.
- Biblical counsel and inner healing opportunities based on the central truths of the Cross.
- Spending time tending to our community garden and the land.
- Develop spiritual disciplines, cultivating practices of worship, stillness, gratitude, and Sabbath to deepen your relationship with God.
- Develop practical skills, like learning healthy communication, conflict resolution, and emotional processing.
Discipleship isn’t just about learning; it’s about becoming. We invite you to embrace vulnerability, honesty, and a teachable spirit as we grow together.
We hope to create a transformative journey of faith and personal growth. Together, we’ll create a space where you can flourish and discover your true potential in Christ.