We believe that the overflow of our relationship with God is horizontal, into the relationships around us. Rather than being meeting or program-based, our passion is that the discipling of one another into maturity in Christ would happen through relationships within Oxygen Life, starting within the communities, which are small groups meeting mid-week.
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commanded us ALL to “make disciples of all nations… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” So our mandate is not just to make new converts to Christ, but that the WHOLE body would use the gifts God has given them to build each other up “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11).
A lifestyle of discipleship involves laying down our lives for one another, with regard to love, time, prayer, resources – a sharing of our lives together, with our unifying bond being Christ, not similar background, culture, financial status, etc.
It is within these loving relationships that true discipleship can happen – teaching, rebuking, correcting, training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17), encouragement, counselling, and so on.
When more, deeper issues arise, we have people who are more gifted in counselling who are then able to walk alongside the person in need. We also run a thorough counselling course once or twice a year to equip the saints in discipling more effectively.
My parents have struggled financially for years (almost 10 years now). Through these tough situations is how I actually came to rely on God and give my life over to Him (2004-ish). Through the years, my parents have asked me for money and sometimes I’ve loaned them money and sometimes I haven’t. Early on through wisdom from elders, I learnt that I should never “loan” money, I should rather “give” money with no expectation of receiving it back so that there is freedom in giving and no guilt put onto a relationship or a person. This was difficult for me as I thought in order to honour and respect my parents (a commandment) I needed to help them when they needed help. I had to make a stand for Jesus in my life and say that I couldn’t help them financially anymore. I had to separate myself from my earthly parents and follow what my Heavenly Father says is right and true. 2 Corinthians 12:14 “… After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children”.
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