Start Here
What do we mean by Equipped for the Kingdom?
It starts with putting on the helmet of salvation (Acts 6:17). The Kingdom we're talking about is not of this earth, therefore you must first become a subject of the King.
We believe that we are all sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
We believe that the consequence of our sin apart from God's gift of eternal life through Christ is death. (Romans 6:23)
We believe God demonstrated His love for us through the death of His Son while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8)
We believe that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead, and believe this in your heart,... that you are saved. (Romans 10:9-10)
If you grew up in the church this will sound familiar to you as the Romans' Road. In short, we trust God's word about whom He says He is, whom He says we are, and His plan for us.
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Put On The Full Armor of God
Now that you are a subject of the King. You are ready to begin your quest to be Equipped for the Kingdom.
We believe that your first step after salvation is to be baptized. This is part of your declaration to the world that you are now a new creation!
(2 Corinthians 5:17) In this, we follow the example of Christ, who was baptized at the beginning of His ministry by John the Baptist. This also is in obedience to his command in the Great Commission.
(Matthew 28:16-20)
We do not believe that baptism is what saves you, neither do we believe that baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation. After all, Christ forgave the thief on the cross who had no opportunity for baptism. We simply believe that to the best of our abilities we are to relentlessly pursue Christ and obey His commands!
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At last, it's time to suit up!
"Finally be strong in the Lord, and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's evil schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God."
(Ephesians 6:10-17)
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Now it's time to get down to the nitty-gritty part, you've actually got to go out in all that armor and live your daily life for Christ. As a young Christian or even as a Christian who is still a young person, this can seem really intimidating. Many churches have lost sight of what it means to disciple new believers or even simply younger believers.
This website in no way can replace the personal discipleship relationship that every Christian needs. We greatly encourage you to seek that mentor out, if one has not already stepped forward.
Equipped for the Kindom seeks to be a resource for you to answer those pesky questions that Youth Group didn't: To encourage you to seek wisdom in God's word, to break down strongholds of the evil one by speaking the truth in love and taking captive every thought, and to equip you for service.
