Father's Day at The Rocks | 1st September 2024

Pathways

We’re all asking 4 questions:

To that end, we, as a church, have recognised that for followers of Jesus, we should be able to confidently answer these four questions.
It is shaped in a wheel, because they feed into one another, but also because you can enter the wheel at any one of these questions and it will naturally lead to the others.

But you will notice that these four statements are centred around three characters - P, B and T.

These stand for Paul, Barnabas, and Timothy - three New Testament characters from the early church who provide an incredible framework for how relational discipleship should operate. Effectively - they show us the best way to follow Jesus in community.

Paul, Timothy and Barnabas

Paul: Who am I under?

A “Paul” is someone who is further along in their faith journey—someone who is wiser, more experienced, and more Christ-like. This is a person you intentionally seek out to mentor you, to provide guidance, and to help you grow spiritually. Having multiple “Pauls” can be beneficial, as different mentors offer unique insights and perspectives, helping you mature in various aspects of your faith.

Barnabas: Who am I with?

A “Barnabas” is a peer—a friend who is at a similar stage in their faith journey. This person is your running partner, someone who walks alongside you as you both navigate the challenges and joys of living out your faith. These relationships often develop naturally, especially through serving together in the church. Having a Barnabas ensures that you have someone to support you, challenge you, and grow with you in your walk with Christ.

Timothy: Who am I over?

A “Timothy” is someone younger or less experienced in the faith whom you are called to mentor. This relationship requires a shift in perspective, as it involves recognising that you have valuable wisdom to share, even if you feel unqualified. Just as Jesus entrusted His disciples—ordinary, uneducated people—with the mission of spreading the Gospel, you too are equipped to invest in the next generation.
The reason we embrace these three characters is simple.

Discipleship is not just a church program; it’s a personal responsibility that each of us carries. By finding your Paul, Barnabas, and Timothy, you not only grow in your own faith, but you also contribute to the spiritual growth of others. This is the heart of discipleship—living out the command of Jesus to go and make disciples, right where you are, with the people God has placed in your life.

One of the best ways to meet one of these is by serving on a team, but another way is through a small group.

We effectively have two types of small group:

We call these short term groups 'Pathways'. 

Why Are We Running These?

Despite our best efforts, some of us may still feel disconnected or uncertain about our next steps in faith. With a third of our attendees having no prior church experience, there’s a clear need for intentional discipleship that meets people where they are. This is both a joy and a great responsibility - helping everyone, regardless of background, grow in the way of Jesus.

At The Rocks, Pathways exist to address this need. These short-term, structured small groups are designed to help people grow through different stages of their faith journey. Instead of traditional courses, Pathways foster both spiritual growth and meaningful relationships, because we believe that people connected relationally are more likely to grow spiritually.

By joining a Pathway, you’ll gain clarity on the four essential questions listed above.

These groups provide a supportive space to explore these questions, gain meaningful content, share your journey, and be encouraged to live a life that reflects Jesus.

You are a vital part of the Church’s mission. Through Pathways, you’ll not only grow in faith but also be equipped to inspire and guide others. Take this opportunity to be part of a community committed to inspiring people to follow Jesus and making a real impact!

Our Pathways are organised further into two categories

CORE PATHWAYS

The Pathways everyone needs to on their journey of following Jesus.
ANSWER

A 4-week small group experience designed to help you explore the foundations of your faith, gain assurance in your salvation, and find answers to your big questions.
FOLLOW

A 6-week small group focused on learning essential Christian habits to grow as a Christ-follower.
EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY SPIRITUALITY

Coming 2026
EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

Note: We are currently piloting this with our leadership team, as we want this to be a core part of our church culture moving forwards. We can't wait to journey this with you, but we want it to be something that we champion from the top, down!
LEAD

Coming 2026

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