Discipleship happens within the local church.
“The greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether those who, by profession or culture, are identified as ‘Christians’ will become disciples – students, apprentices, practitioners – of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from Him how to live the life of the Kingdom of the Heavens into every corner of human existence.”
Dallas Willard
The Citizens Institute exists to train and equip members in theology, doctrine, and practice to follow Jesus and lead in the local church.
The Citizens Institute offers three Core Modules to help our people internalize their faith and connect it practically to everyday life. Our Core Modules are for everyone, and we hope all Citizens members will go through them at some point.
Additionally, we offer elective classes (called Formation Classes) to address various topics as needed in the life of our church.
Core Modules
Formation
Jesus calls us not just to think about him, but to obey him. The way we live out the Christian life is through ancient practices of being with Jesus and living his life in the world. In this Module we will walk through the basic practices of a disciple of Jesus, how to implement them in our lives, and how to teach others to do the same.
Next Module - Fall 2025
Scripture
The Bible is a collection of history, poetry, prophecy, and personal letters spanning thousands of years and dozens of authors. However, we also believe that it is the singular word of God. In this Module you will learn how the Biblical story fits together, and how you can better understand and even teach others about the Bible.
Next Module - Spring 2026
Theology
Everyone is a theologian. If you have ever thought about God, you’ve done theology! We want to help you have correct theology by covering the basics of our christian belief. In this module, our goal is to equip you with the foundations of Christian belief and tradition so that you can know God and help others know him better.
Next Module - Spring 2025
SPRING 2025 Module - Theology
Step 1 - Apply
Click below to fill out an application for the Spring 2025 Module. Due to limited space, we have placed a cap on the group, so please register by January 1, 2025.
Step 2 - Participate
The Spring Module meets Monday nights from January 27 - March 31 from 7pm-9pm. These evenings will be a mix of teaching and table discussions. Each week you will have assigned reading as well as some light writing assignments.
FAQs
Who is the Institute for?
The Institute is for any member of Citizens Church who wants to be more equipped to lead in the life of our church. This IS NOT a class for people who love reading and discussing ideas (though we will do that!) This is for anyone who wants to grow in their discipleship to Jesus and help others do the same!
How much does each Module cost?
To help offset the cost of resources, each module costs $50. This covers books and materials for the 11 weeks. We do not want the cost to be a barrier to entry for anyone. If you are unable to cover the cost, we have scholarships available! Email Tim.
Do I have to be a member to attend?
We are prioritizing members throughout the application process. If you want to learn more about becoming a member, click the link for membership above.
What if I can’t attend this semester but want to do future modules?
We totally understand that life is busy and comes with various seasons that may inhibit participation. We intentionally designed the Institute to be taken as you’re able. Although the modules will reference once another, they do not need to be taken in order. We encourage you to participate as you are able with what is offered each semester.
Other Formation Resources
Check out other spiritual formation resources our church has developed over the past few years.