12 Key Areas
We will focus on 12 key areas that we aimed to keep in balance while raising our now adult children. In other words, we've been mentoring as a way of life for almost 40 years. Many people think that discipleship or mentoring is just about teaching the Bible and attending church, but we see it differently. We believe that biblical discipleship and mentoring involve applying God's word to all aspects of our lives in a holistic way, together. This is why we will start by breaking life down into 12 Key Areas, which allows us to gain a deeper understanding of each aspect and how each area works together to achieve overall balance. And no, our goal isn't to keep these separate and compartmentalize, but to show you how to evaluate and consider the whole of a holistic Christian Life.
We've seen God build and rebuild our family, time and time again, and we believe God can reconstruct any other family, community, or nation that cries out to Him. It's not about being perfect but loving God and others the way HE defines love in His whole word. That's why we call this the Holistic Christian Life. :-)
And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt;
you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;
you shall be called the repairer of the breach,
the restorer of streets to dwell in.
Is. 58:12
This section provides a quick overview of each of the 12 Key Areas we will be learning about. We will rotate through these on different social platforms...
1. Biblical Foundations
Imagine being dropped into an unknown land with no map, no guide, and no direction. Would you ever find your way? The same is true for life. But what if we told you… God has already given us the perfect map? Today, let’s unfold it together.”
Here we’ll explore how the whole Bible serves as our ultimate map, guiding us through every stage of life. Whether you feel lost or just need clarity, this message is for you.
Where are you in your journey? What foundational truth has helped you navigate life?
2. Adulting, Parenting, & Mentoring
Did you know that adulting prepares us for parenting and parenting prepares us for mentoring younger men and women? God's "Bible College" is built into our lives just as we aspire to be like Christ every day. Biblical wisdom isn't just about having a head knowledge of the scriptures but actually living it out in daily life, while no one else is looking but God. True Christians are known by their fruit, not just their teaching.
Are you producing good fruit in others' lives in your life?
3. Identity, Roles & Gifts
Have you ever wondered, Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? These foundational questions shape our lives that need to be answered.
However, identity isn't just about us, but also about how we relate to others in ALL walks of life. Understanding all your God-given roles shapes your interactions with family, church, work, society, and the world. But in today’s world, roles are often confused or undervalued. In this area, we’ll explore how understanding our rights and responsibilities in each role brings peace, balance, and fulfillment in our relationships with God and others. Let's examine these areas of our identity!
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Created Gender Identity: How God formed us
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Foundational Identity: Who we are in Christ
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Functional Identity: Roles in family, church, government & business
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Gifted Identity: Gifted to serve
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Covenantal Identity: As a citizen, family, and nation of God
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Missional Identity: Sent to serve as God's ambassadors
Have you ever explored these other aspects of your identity? God has placed these other aspects of our identity in our lives to affirm us in our walk!
5. Heart & Mind
The world is filled with distractions. News, social media, comparison—so many voices tell us what to think and feel.
Your heart, your mind, your will, and your emotions need care just like your body. We’ll discuss renewing your mind with Scripture, guarding your heart, and maintaining emotional peace in a fast-paced world.
When we feed our minds with truth, we see life more clearly, make better decisions, love others more deeply, and find peace even in uncertain times.
What do you do to keep your mind, will & emotions at peace during challenging seasons?
4. Soul & Spirit
What if I told you… You were never meant to navigate life alone. Just like a compass always points north, the Holy Spirit leads us in the right direction—IF we’re willing to follow.
Walking in the power of the Holy Spirit is about more than just belief—it’s about living with boldness, faith, and freedom. We’ll explore how to hear God’s voice, trust His leading, and step into the spiritual power He promises us.
6. Body
If your body were a house, what kind of shape would it be in? Would it be well cared for, or falling apart? The Bible calls our bodies the ‘temple of the Holy Spirit.’ Here we’ll talk about how to care for your body as an act of worship.
Many people separate faith and health, but God calls us to care for our bodies. This area explores biblical principles for exercise, rest, nutrition, and fasting, and how taking care of your body helps you fulfill your God-given purpose.
How do you take care of your body as a way to worship & serve God?
7. Environment
Have you ever walked into a home and immediately felt at peace? What if your home could be a sanctuary—not just for you, but for your family and guests? Today, we’re unlocking the key to creating a God-centered environment.
While our temporal home falls short of our eternal home, we still need to ensure it's not a burden and doesn't dominate us. Remember, we are ambassadors just passing through this world. What do we really need on this journey?
Your home environment can shape your emotions, productivity, and affect your faith. We’ll discuss how to cultivate peace, hospitality, and a Christ-centered atmosphere, without falling into laziness or enabling unhealthy habits.
What’s one thing you do to make your home a place of peace and growth?
8. Money
You work too hard to live paycheck to paycheck. Whether you’re struggling with debt or building your savings, the 7 Baby Steps will help you take control of your money for good. We will be working through Dave Ramsey's "7 Baby Steps."
What is God speaking to you concerning money from His Word? Not sure? Let's find out together!
9. Marriage
Marriage, as God designed it, is meant to be for a lifetime & reflect God's marriage to His Bride, Israel, and the Church. Understanding how it works also affects other spheres of our lives. And what is God looking for through all these spheres? A love that would reproduce "godly seed." It doesn't matter whether it's as a nation, a church, or a couple; this is His holistic goal in all of these spheres when he brings people together. Solid marriages and families lead to healthy churches, workplaces, and even a nation, fostering stability and producing healthy individuals who contribute to strong societies and a godly nation. Meaning, marriage isn't just about marriage!
What is God speaking to you through his word?
10. Community
When the Bible speaks of the “church,” it never meant a building but a people set apart by God. In Acts 7:38, Stephen even refers to Israel under Moses as “the church in the wilderness” — showing that God has always had one covenant family. The New Testament church isn’t something brand-new, but the continuation and fulfillment of God’s people throughout history.
Why does this matter for us today? Because many believers have forgotten what it truly means to be part of God’s holy nation. Paul says in Ephesians 2 that believing Jews and Gentiles are now united as “one new man” in Christ — no longer strangers, but fellow citizens in God’s household. Romans 11 reminds us that Gentile believers are “grafted in” to the same tree of faith, with roots that trace back to Abraham.
When we lose sight of what it truly means to be God’s children, we don’t just miss a teaching — we risk losing the very generational blessings God promises to families who walk in His ways. This bigger picture shapes how we live as a community today: to love God, love others, and pass His blessings to future generations.
11. Work
Paul says even ordinary labor becomes an offering when it’s done with the mindset of serving Christ. Our daily tasks are elevated to worship when our motive is obedience and love for God. Worship is not just singing or sacrifices, but living all of life before God. This means every aspect of life—including work—is part of worship. Even the most ordinary activities, when done with the right heart, glorify God.
Adam was placed in the garden “to work it and keep it.” Work was part of humanity’s purpose even before sin entered the world. God filled Bezalel with His Spirit for craftsmanship on the tabernacle. Their skilled labor was worship because it was dedicated to God.
Scripture teaches that daily work, when done in faith and for God’s glory, becomes an extension of worship. It is not less “spiritual” than praying or singing—it’s all part of offering our lives back to Him.
The Bible sees work and worship as deeply connected. While worship includes specific acts (prayer, praise, gathering), it also extends into all of life. When we work with integrity, diligence, and a heart toward God, our work itself becomes worship.
It's all about the heart isn't it?
12. Our Mission
Our mission as Christians can be summed up in three interwoven callings:
1. Love God and Love Others
Jesus said the greatest commandments are:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).
“Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
This is the heartbeat of our mission: devotion to God and sacrificial love toward people.
2. Make Disciples
Before ascending into heaven, Jesus gave the Great Commission:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20).
Our mission is not just to believe privately, but to actively share the gospel, nurture others in faith, and live as witnesses of Christ.
3. Live as Ambassadors of the Kingdom
Paul calls us “ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20).
That means:
Representing God’s truth and grace in a broken world.
Living holy lives that reflect His character (1 Peter 2:9, “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation”).
Seeking justice, mercy, and humility in everyday life (Micah 6:8). Our mission as Christians is to glorify God by loving Him fully, loving others selflessly, and making disciples of all nations—living as faithful ambassadors of His Kingdom until Christ returns.
Do you sense God's call on your life today?