Discipleship Pathway
Take your next steps at Dayton First Church and discover how you can grow in your faith, serve others and connect with our community by moving into our Discipleship Track.
Your spiritual growth matters.
The Discipleship Pathway is designed to help you transform into a thriving disciple of Jesus by helping you to know God more deeply, grow in community, and make a difference in the world around you. Each part of the track is designed to help you find opportunities to help you invest in your spiritual growth, connect with the life of the church, practice the essentials of a healthy, flourishing faith, and grow in community alongside others.
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Discipleship and spiritual growth are not always as linear or predictable as we might hope. Following Jesus is a lifelong journey filled with seasons of growth, challenge, learning, healing, and transformation. At Dayton First Church, we want to help make that journey as clear and intentional as possible by providing practical next steps that help you grow in your relationship with Jesus, discover your purpose, and take meaningful steps of faith alongside a Christ-centered community.
Take Your Next Steps.
Take your next steps at Dayton First Church and discover how you can grow in your faith, serve others, and connect with our community.
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Compassion Ministries
Dayton First Church’s Compassion Ministries exist to demonstrate God’s love by serving the needs of our Faith family, offering hope, healing, and practical support to those facing hardship.
The Discipleship Pathway is your guide for taking the next step in your journey of faith at Dayton First Church. Spiritual growth is not always a straight line or a “check-the-box” process, but a lifelong journey of following Jesus alongside others. Whether you are new to faith or have walked with Christ for years, this pathway is designed to help you grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus, connect in authentic community, discover your purpose, and live out your faith in everyday life. As you continue the journey, our hope is that you would become more like Jesus while helping others do the same.
The Discipleship Pathway is for anyone desiring to take the next step in their relationship with Jesus—whether you are exploring faith for the first time, returning to church, or looking to grow deeper in your walk with Christ. Wherever you are in your journey, this pathway serves as a simple guide to help you grow in faith, connect in community, and continue becoming who God has created you to be.
Each step of the Discipleship Pathway is designed to help you grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus, discover your God-given purpose, and connect within a life-giving community. Along the journey, you’ll find opportunities to strengthen your faith, build meaningful relationships, serve others, and continue becoming more like Christ as the Holy Spirit shapes and transforms your life.
Baptism is a public declaration of your faith in Jesus Christ and a celebration of the new life found in Him. It symbolizes leaving the old life behind and walking in the newness of life through Christ (Acts 2:41; Romans 6:4). Baptism is an opportunity to boldly say “yes” to following Jesus and to continue growing as the Holy Spirit shapes your life to become more like Him.
Once you’ve taken this step, continue moving forward in your journey of faith. Explore the Discipleship Pathway by connecting in community, serving others, and discovering how God has uniquely created and called you. Spiritual growth is a lifelong journey, and every next step is an opportunity to grow deeper in your relationship with Jesus and live out your faith in everyday life.
Groups are where discipleship comes to life. They are a place to grow closer to Jesus while walking alongside others in authentic community. At Dayton First Church, we believe life change happens best through meaningful relationships that encourage, strengthen, and challenge us in our journey of faith. Through Groups, you’ll build lasting friendships, grow spiritually, and learn how to live out your faith in everyday life.
We believe we reflect the heart of Jesus most clearly when we serve others (Matthew 20:28). God has uniquely gifted every person with talents, passions, and abilities that can make a lasting impact. Whether you enjoy leading, creating, welcoming others, or serving behind the scenes, there is a place for you to get involved. Serving not only makes a difference in the lives of others, but also helps you build meaningful relationships, grow in your faith, and live out the love of Jesus in practical ways.
Generosity is an important part of following Jesus. As we grow in our faith and learn to trust God more fully, He shapes our hearts to live generously with our time, gifts, and resources (1 Timothy 6:17–19). We give not out of pressure or obligation, but in response to the goodness and faithfulness of God in our lives. Generosity is more than finances—it is a lifestyle of trust, worship, and surrender that reflects the heart of Jesus.