Aligning with God’s Vision: The AXE Model for Growth

Devotional

Day 1: Write the Vision and Make it Plain

God calls His people to receive His vision, write it clearly, and wait patiently for its fulfillment, even when it seems slow. Vision is not just for leaders but for the whole community, and clarity in vision allows everyone to run with purpose. When we align ourselves with God’s timing and direction, we can trust that what He has promised will surely come to pass, even if it requires waiting and perseverance. [39:15]

Habakkuk 2:2-3 (ESV)
And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to wait patiently for God’s vision to unfold, and how can you make that vision “plain” for yourself and others this week?

Day 2: Aligning Our Plans with God’s Will

Our own plans and ambitions may seem good, but true fulfillment comes when we surrender them and align ourselves with God’s greater purpose. Sometimes this means leaving our comfort zones, letting go of personal preferences, and being willing to serve where God calls—even if it’s not what we originally envisioned for ourselves. Like Abraham, we are called to trust God’s direction over our own, knowing that His will ultimately prevails. [43:04]

Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)
Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Reflection: Where in your life do your plans need to be surrendered so that God’s purpose can prevail, and what is one step you can take today to move in that direction?

Day 3: Devotion to Apostolic Teaching and Church Community

The early church flourished because they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. This model of biblical foundation, discipleship, and loving community is still vital today. When believers gather in unity, share meals, and encourage one another, the church becomes a place of growth, transformation, and genuine relationships that reflect Christ to the world. [50:07]

Acts 2:42, 46 (ESV)
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers… And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts.

Reflection: How can you intentionally build deeper fellowship and unity with others in your church community this week?

Day 4: Generational Discipleship—Focusing on Men and Children

Building a strong, Christ-centered community requires intentional investment in both men and children. When men are engaged in faith, families often follow, and when children are trained in God’s ways, they are less likely to be swayed by negative influences. The church is called to create environments where men can connect authentically and children are nurtured in faith, ensuring that the next generation is equipped to follow Christ. [01:05:26]

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Reflection: Who is one man or child you can encourage or support in their faith journey this week, and what practical step can you take to do so?

Day 5: Everyone Serving Together—The Power of Teamwork

The vision God gives is accomplished when every member of the church finds a place to serve, no matter how small the role may seem. True community is built when people volunteer their time, gifts, and resources—whether it’s cooking, greeting, teaching, or simply helping where needed. When everyone participates, the church thrives, needs are met, and God’s mission moves forward with strength and unity. [01:14:44]

1 Corinthians 12:14, 27 (ESV)
For the body does not consist of one member but of many… Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Reflection: What is one area—big or small—where you can offer your time or talent to serve your church family this month?

Sermon Summary

Vision is a powerful force that shapes not only our church but our individual lives. God calls us to write the vision plainly, to make it clear so that all who read it can run with purpose. Yet, vision is not always easy. There is often a struggle between our own desires and God’s greater plan. Like Jesus in Gethsemane, we must learn to say, “Not my will, but Yours be done,” surrendering our preferences and aligning ourselves with God’s direction. This alignment may require us to step out of our comfort zones, to leave behind what is familiar, and to embrace the new things God is calling us to do.

Our vision at Freeport is to nurture and build the family of God, creating a loving environment where families are equipped to grow in faith, experience healing, and build strong, Christ-centered relationships. Our mission—reflecting Christ, reproducing mature believers, making ready the church, reaching others, and relating with believers—remains generational, rooted in the collective heart of our congregation.

For this new season, we are embracing the Acts model: apostolic teaching, church community, transformation, and sending. Apostolic teaching grounds us in biblical truth and discipleship, while church community emphasizes unity, generosity, and genuine fellowship. Transformation is both personal and communal, as we allow the Holy Spirit to change us from the inside out. Finally, “sending” means we are not content to remain within our walls; we are called to reach out, to evangelize, and to serve.

Practically, this means focusing on home church gatherings, Sunday evangelism, and “breakfast church”—sharing meals and building relationships as the early church did. We are intentionally targeting men and children, recognizing the generational impact when fathers and young people are reached and discipled. But to accomplish this vision, everyone is needed. Each person has a role to play, whether in discipleship, hospitality, children’s ministry, or simply offering a helping hand.

God is inviting us to reset our calendars—not according to the world’s schedule, but according to His timing and purpose. As we step into this new season, let us each seek God’s vision for our lives, align ourselves with His will, and commit to serving together for the flourishing of our church and community.

Key Takeaways

1. Align Your Vision with God’s Will True vision requires surrendering our own plans and desires to embrace God’s greater purpose. This alignment may mean letting go of comfort, ambition, or personal preference, but it leads to a life of deeper fulfillment and impact. Like Jesus and Abraham, we are called to trust God’s direction, even when it challenges us to step into the unknown. [41:07]
2. Embrace Community and Generational Mission Building a strong, loving church community is not just about programs but about genuine relationships and shared mission. When we invest in one another—across generations—we create a legacy of faith that endures. The mission of the church is not the work of a few, but the calling of all, rooted in the collective vision God has given us. [44:44]
3. Transformation Must Be Ongoing and Shared Spiritual growth is not a one-time event but a continual process, both individually and corporately. We must allow the Holy Spirit to transform us daily, so that our lives and our church reflect Christ more fully. True transformation is visible in changed hearts, renewed minds, and a community that looks more like Jesus year after year. [52:44]
4. Everyone Has a Role in God’s Vision The fulfillment of God’s vision requires the participation of every member. Whether through teaching, hospitality, prayer, or practical service, each person’s contribution is vital. Serving together not only accomplishes the mission but also deepens our sense of belonging and purpose in God’s family. [74:44]
5. Reset Your Calendar to God’s Timing Rather than being bound by the world’s schedules and expectations, we are called to discern and follow God’s timing. This spiritual reset allows us to move in step with the Holy Spirit, prioritizing what matters most and being open to new ways God may lead us in this season. [55:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[39:15] - The Power of Vision
[40:27] - Aligning Our Will with God’s
[41:44] - Choosing God’s Path Over Ambition
[42:43] - Embracing Our Place and Purpose
[43:43] - Leaving Comfort Zones for God’s Call
[44:44] - Freeport’s Vision and Mission
[46:51] - Launching the Acts Model
[47:59] - Apostolic Teaching Explained
[49:42] - Building Church Community
[50:34] - Transformation: Personal and Communal
[51:16] - The Sending Church: Evangelism
[53:17] - Key Focus Areas for the Season
[55:16] - Resetting Our Calendar to God’s Timing
[56:22] - Home Church, Evangelism, and Breakfast Church
[58:52] - Targeting Men and Children
[73:58] - Everyone’s Role in the Vision
[78:18] - Personal Vision and Next Steps

Bible Study Guide

Freeport Small Group Bible Study Guide: Vision & Mission

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### Bible Reading

Habakkuk 2:2-3 (ESV)
> And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”

Proverbs 29:18 (ESV)
> Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.

Luke 22:42 (ESV)
> “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

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### Observation Questions

According to Habakkuk 2:2-3, what is God’s instruction about vision, and what does He promise about its timing?
In the sermon, what are some reasons given for why aligning our vision with God’s will can be a struggle? [[40:27]]
What are the four main parts of the Acts model that the church is adopting for this new season? [[46:51]]
What practical steps did the sermon mention for building church community and reaching others? [[56:22]]

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### Interpretation Questions

Why does God ask us to “write the vision and make it plain”? What might happen if the vision is not clear or shared? [[39:15]]
The sermon talks about Jesus saying, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” What does this teach us about surrendering our own plans for God’s greater purpose? [[40:27]]
The Acts model includes “transformation.” What does it mean for transformation to be both personal and communal in the life of the church? [[50:34]]
The sermon highlights the importance of everyone having a role in God’s vision. Why is it necessary for every member to participate, and what could happen if only a few are involved? [[01:14:44]]

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### Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to align our personal vision with God’s will, even if it means leaving our comfort zones. Is there an area in your life where you sense God asking you to surrender your own plans? What would it look like to say, “Not my will, but Yours be done” in that area? [[40:27]]
The church is focusing on home church gatherings, Sunday evangelism, and “breakfast church.” Which of these excites you most, and how could you personally get involved or invite someone new? [[56:22]]
The Acts model emphasizes reaching men and children for generational impact. Do you know a man or a child who could benefit from being part of our church community? What is one step you could take to reach out to them this month? [[58:52]]
Transformation is described as ongoing and shared. In what area of your life do you desire to see spiritual growth or change? How can the group support you in this process? [[52:44]]
The sermon asks everyone to serve in some way—whether in discipleship, hospitality, children’s ministry, or practical help. What is one area where you feel called to serve, even if it’s just once a month? [[01:14:44]]
God is inviting us to “reset our calendars” to His timing. Are there activities or commitments in your schedule that you sense God asking you to adjust or let go of so you can better follow His purpose? [[55:16]]
The mission is described as generational and rooted in the collective heart of the congregation. How can you help build genuine relationships across different ages and backgrounds in our church? [[44:44]]

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Sermon Clips

You never thought about going? I was like, yeah, but it was a very short thought. Because I am where God wants me to be. He wants me to be in Freeport. I always tell him I have to go back to Freeport. This is where God wants me to be. And so I want you to come to that place where it is you realize where God wants you to be and where he wants you to serve. It is a privilege and an honor to lead this house at Freeport. [00:42:37] (27 seconds) #LightForOurPath

``Scripture also tells us that many are the plans of a man's heart, but the will of the Lord is what prevails. Again, our plans have to come into alignment with what God is saying. Let me put it this way. We have to come out of our comfort zones. If you think about Abraham, God gave Abraham a vision and a promise, but he had to leave what it is he was, what he was familiar with, and then he had to leave who he was familiar with. And that is a requirement at times, that we have to leave from where we are, not necessarily in the physical sense, but in the spiritual sense. [00:43:09] (43 seconds) #GenerationalMission

There are some friends and there are some people that, it's not a season for them. There are times where it is we have to leave our comfort zone and say, this is what we are accustomed to. I've had to wait in recent times to change and say, God, I don't want to live by my preferences. Because if I live by my preferences, I wouldn't do certain things. So I prefer to be off camera. I prefer not to do social media. But, if the Lord would ask me to do it, then I need to change my preferences. [00:43:52] (38 seconds) #AxeModelMovement

But apostolic teaching is basically biblical foundation and discipleship. When you look at the root word, it meant the sent one. So we're sent and to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. That is what it is they did. And so when it comes to apostolic teaching, the focus is biblical foundation, preaching Christ, and discipling others. So the focus here is on Bible study, teaching, doctrine, spiritual formation, and mentoring. The scripture tells us that, and they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship. [00:47:36] (39 seconds) #SentToServe

In terms of church community, we want to focus on fellowship. We want to focus on unity. And what we want to focus here is building loving relationships. Right? We want to focus on unity, as I said, generosity, and breaking bread, meeting with one another, and having meals. We focus on the church community here. Scripture tells us they continued daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house. They did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart. [00:49:38] (35 seconds) #SpiritLedShift

When it is we talk about transformation, we want to talk about personal transformation and communal transformation. So not just in certain individuals transform, having transformation, but all of us transforming together. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, through prayer, deliverance, and counseling. It says that Philip went down, and he proclaimed them, and the crowds paid attention. And it says he did signs for unclean spirits who were crying out with a loud voice, and came out of many who had them. And so we want to focus on transformation when it comes to free ports. [00:50:40] (43 seconds) #HomeChurchRevival

The last part is sending. And when we talk about sending, we're talking about the local outreach. We're talking about evangelism. We're talking about going outside of these four walls. We want to equip our believers to go and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. It says in Acts 14, verse 21, when they had preached the gospel to that city, they made many disciples. And then they returned to Lystra and Antioch. They went to different places, making sure that they had disciples. [00:51:22] (38 seconds) #SundayEvangelism

We can't have people sitting down in the pews and then five years after, or even three years after, people are still operating the same way. Transformation has to take place daily, weekly, yearly. And when it comes to sending, I keep saying, if it is, we keep sitting down in these seats. We're not doing what we're supposed to do. We need to go out and to reach others in the community. And so when it comes to the Acts model, some of the things that we're focusing on, we're going to the next slide. [00:52:44] (33 seconds) #TargetedOutreach

But what we want to do is we want to see what God is saying and when He's saying to do it at this point in time. We want to focus and shift to what God is saying. We also have the Hebrew calendar that starts in September. We also have the church year that starts November 1st. But what we want to do is that we want to follow what God is saying to us and in His timing. So God is calling us, like the early church in Acts, to align our time and purpose with His mission. [00:55:23] (33 seconds) #TrainTheNextGen

We're also going to be focusing on our children. Our children are very important in terms of focusing on them as well. And I want to invite, the scripture says to train up our children in the way that they should go. And when they're old, they wouldn't depart from it. Let's be real. And I want to invite Rosanna to come at this time. You know, as Jesse was mentioning, in the previous generations, we didn't have a choice about going to church. And I believe we lost a generation because we decided to give them a choice. [01:05:04] (41 seconds)

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