I love going to a store where you get to sample something, or experiment before you guy something. Grocery stores often do that. In the deli section you can sample items. You can test drive a car before you buy. Best Buy lets you play with the toys first. We often like to do that because you don't want to buy something, and then later not like it...or wish you would have checked it out before you bought it.
I think people are sometimes like that when it comes to following Jesus. People don't decide to follow Jesus blindly. People want to go at their own pace of knowing more about Jesus before they decide to follow. Often people go through a process of exploring who he is. They may even want to participate and "try some things out". People may want to experience part of what it means to follow Jesus before they actually decide to follow Jesus.
We think Networks will give people an easy, comfortable way to do that. They can hear some things, ask questions, serve, talk to other followers, check out a Beginnings Group, and go at their own pace. It can give people a place to belong before they take a step to believe.
What about you? Where are you in the process? What's your next step to experience to help move you more to following Jesus?
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