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Help People Know God

We’re celebrating 10 years of God’s faithfulness and revisiting why we exist: to help people know God (John 17:3). Not just to know about Him, but to truly know Him. Our hearts are resetting around our mission—Practicing the Way of Jesus—and the four Pursuits that shape us as a church: Presence of God, Transformational Discipleship, Kingdom Community, and Sacrificial Mission.

Today’s message calls us to move from information to true relationship with the Father who loved the Son before creation (John 17:24). We’ll explore practical pathways to host His presence, be formed into Christlikeness, belong as family, and live a daily life of surrender and mission—because this next decade is all about keeping Jesus at the center.

So grab your Bible, your BTJ, or something to write on—and let’s step in together.

Josh Blount
Look at What The Lord Has Done

The Belonging Co.

I've Witnessed It

Passion

Isn't He Worthy

New Song Worship

Vision keeps you on target and helps you stay passionate. There may be a million things clamoring for your attention, but clear vision keeps God’s priorities central. — Bayless Conley

Vision: Help People Know God

Mission: Practicing The Way of Jesus

Pursuit 1: The Presence of God
Pursuit 2: Transformational Discipleship
Pursuit 3: Kingdom Community
Pursuit 4: Sacrificial Mission


Vision: Help People Know God

John 17:3

And this is eternal life, they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

An “informationship” is information without intimacy, knowledge without relationship, theology without encounter.

What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. — A.W. Tozer

John 17:24

Father, you loved me before-the creation of the world.

God is revelaed as a loving father.

The essence of God is intimacy. His eternal posture is not grasping but giving.

Love is not something God has, Love is who He is.

Helping people know God means inviting people into the most real and authentic relationship of their lives — a relationship with the God who created them, and who loves them more deeply and faithfully than anyone else ever could.


Mission: Practicing The Way of Jesus

Following Jesus isn’t just about believing the right things, it’s about becoming a certain kind of person.

2 Corinthians 3:18

We are to be being transformed into [Christ’s] likeness

Romans 8:29

Predestined [all believers] to be conformed to the likeness of His Son.

“Being transformed” refers to the process.

“Conformed” refers to the finished product.

We’re on a a journey to become like Jesus!

newsongpeople.com/pathway


Pursuit #1: The Presence of God

At New Song Church, we pursue the presence of God by seeking Him first and above all else.

Jesus shows up where He’s invited.

Revelation 3.20 

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 

The #1 person we want at New Song is God!

Did I help host the presence of God today?

Was my worship pleasing to God?

Was my serving pleasing to God?

Were my conversations pleasing to God?


Pursuit #2: Transformational Discipleship

We pursue transformational discipleship by focusing on spiritual formation and living into every Christian’s destiny — to progressively grow in Christlikeness.

True discipleship must result in transformation. To profess Christ yet remain unchanged is to deny His very power. For the Spirit of God is not given to decorate the soul but to recreate it. We are not called to admire Jesus, but to resemble Him. And this, mark it well, is no option. The soul that resists transformation resists Christ Himself. — A.W. Tozer

1 John 2:6

Whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked.

Christianity, for many, is not about being like Jesus; it has been reduced to a cultural tradition.

The gospel does not merely inform us; it transforms us. Cultural Christianity gives you information about God, but no intimacy with Him. It teaches you the language of faith without the life of faith. And that is dangerous, because it convinces people that Christianity is an accessory—something you add onto your life—when in reality it is a new creation, a whole new identity. The gospel always creates change. Where there is no change, there is no gospel. — Tim Keller

Ephesians 4:22

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

You don’t just drift into Christlikeness; you deliberately put off the old patterns and deliberately put on the new life in Christ.


Pursuit #3: Kingdom Community

We pursue relational community by living into the reality of the family of God and desiring unity across generational, racial, political, and economic divides.

1 Thessalonians 4:13 

We do not want you to grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.

BE THE CHURCH—Church = Family!

Ephesians 2:19

You share citizenship with God's people and are members of His family.

Members of His family” - related by blood

Family is where you’re fully known and fully loved.

The church isn’t a social club you attend when it fits your schedule. It’s a family you belong to, a people you commit to.

Acts 2:42 

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. 

  • Show up. Commit to weekly gathering. Say three hellos. Learn three names. Stay five minutes longer.

  • Join a team. Serving turns strangers into family.

  • Get in a group—and build your core. Join a small group, then form a core of 2–3 same-sex friends who you can get real with. Confess sins, tell the truth, pray for healing (James 5:16).

  • Open your table. Don’t “entertain,” share a meal. “Hey, come over—bring the salad, we’ll do the pasta, we’ll all clean up.” Talk real life: marriage, habits, what God’s saying—not just fantasy football. How’s your soul? Turn sacred spaces into Kingdom spaces.

  • Start now somewhere. Pick something and say “Yes”  now. Serve saturday, Midweek Prayer, Students min, Kids min.

  • Be the friend you’re looking for. Text first. Invite first. Follow up. Show up.

  • Plant your life. Membership is setting down roots so you can flourish.


Pursuit #4: Sacrificial Mission

We pursue sacrificial mission by giving, serving, and loving sacrificially in our homes, our church, our community, and the world.

The way of Jesus is the way of sacrifice. 

Luke 9:23

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily  and follow me.”

To truly follow Jesus means to live a life of sacrifice.

Romans 12:1

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God— this is your true and proper worship.

Matthew 16:25

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

In God’s kingdom, surrender is gain.

Sacrificial mission and true worship are inseparable.

Vision: Help People Know GOD || John 17:3 “And this is eternal life, they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”


  1. Looking back, looking ahead:

    • The message reminded us that the story of New Song isn’t about what we’ve done, but about what God has done. Where have you seen God’s faithfulness in your own life over the past decade? How does that give you confidence for the next season?

  2. Knowing God vs. “Informationship”:

    • The difference was made between an “informationship” with God (knowing about Him) and a relationship with God (knowing Him personally). Which of those do you find yourself leaning toward right now, and what helps you grow deeper in truly knowing Him?

  3. Our Vision and Mission - Help People Know God / Practice the Way of Jesus:

    • What’s one area of your daily life where you feel God calling you to “practice the way of Jesus” more intentionally? (e.g., work, school, friendships, family, serving, generosity).

  4. The 4 Pursuits (Presence of God, Transformational Discipleship, Kingdom Community, Sacrificial Mission):

    • Which of these four resonates most with you right now? Why? And which one do you sense God inviting you to step into more this year?

MEET ME HERE: The Secret Place


Power Verse: Matthew 6:6 “But when we pray, go into your room and shut the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father, who sees you in secret, will reward you.”

Week 2 - Why go to the Secret Place? - Luke 10:38-42 - WE ARE MADE TO SPEND TIME WITH GOD INSTEAD OF BEING DISTRACTED!
What was Martha too busy doing? “She was distracted with much serving.”
What did Mary choose to do when Jesus got to the house? Sat at his feet and listened
Why do you think it’s important to have a quiet place to go to?
How can we be more like Mary?

MEET ME HERE: The Secret Place


Power Verse: Matthew 6:6 “But when we pray, go into your room and shut the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father, who sees you in secret, will reward you.”

Week 2 - Why go to the Secret Place? - Luke 10:38-42 - WE ARE MADE TO SPEND TIME WITH GOD INSTEAD OF BEING DISTRACTED AND TROUBLED!
What was Martha too busy doing? “She was distracted with much serving.”
What did Mary choose to do when Jesus got to the house? Sat at his feet and listened
Why do you think it’s important to have a quiet place to go to?
How can we be more like Mary?

MY FRIEND JESUS by saddleback kids



Power Verse: "To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge." Matthew 13:12
Learn the hand motions here!


Week 5: Jesus Washes the Disciples Feet
What is something you like about your best friend?
How can you put your friends first?
Who teaches us how to be a good friend? Jesus
Who is someone you can be a good friend to this week?

MY FRIEND JESUS by saddleback kids



Power Verse: "To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge." Matthew 13:12
Learn the hand motions here!


All Month - John’s Letter About Love
Who is the best friend we could ever have? Jesus
What kind of love does Jesus show us? Selfless love that puts others first
How can you be a good friend? Give some examples!
What chore or job do you not like to do? How is this selfless?