Summit Church
We See A Church Pt 4 | God's Values for Our Church | Jim Ladd
Locations & Times
Summit Church
7200 S Clinton St, Centennial, CO 80112, USA
Sunday 10:00 AM
The Big Idea: Changing the world is easier than you think.
What followed the birth of the Church is the greatest multiplication of faith the world has ever seen - especially given the absence of technology and industrial advantage.
What followed the birth of the Church is the greatest multiplication of faith the world has ever seen - especially given the absence of technology and industrial advantage.
Acts 2:42-47
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”
How did they do it?
Through a radical commitment to a few core values.
Through a radical commitment to a few core values.
Our Core Values:
1. FOLLOW
2. CONNECT
3. GROW
4. LEAD
1. FOLLOW
2. CONNECT
3. GROW
4. LEAD
- Follow Jesus
This is the foundation of everything we do. Following Jesus means surrendering to Him, aligning with His teaching, and centering our lives around Him. It’s the heart of our identity as a church. This value replaces behavior-based values like "Love People" or "Choose Joy" by going deeper—calling people to a surrendered life in Christ. It’s especially meaningful for shaping Dream Team culture.
This is the foundation of everything we do. Following Jesus means surrendering to Him, aligning with His teaching, and centering our lives around Him. It’s the heart of our identity as a church. This value replaces behavior-based values like "Love People" or "Choose Joy" by going deeper—calling people to a surrendered life in Christ. It’s especially meaningful for shaping Dream Team culture.
John 10:27
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
👉 Our identity is found in knowing and following the voice of our Shepherd.
“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
👉 Our identity is found in knowing and following the voice of our Shepherd.
Luke 14:26-27
““If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
👉 Following Jesus is a daily act of surrender and alignment with His way.
““If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
👉 Following Jesus is a daily act of surrender and alignment with His way.
Matthew 4:19
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
👉 The call to follow Jesus is both relational and missional.
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
👉 The call to follow Jesus is both relational and missional.
- Connect Relationally
This reflects the four key relationships introduced in Step 1 of our pathway: Church Family (gathered worship), Circle of Friends (Small Groups), Table for Two (1–2 accountability partners), and Alone with God (1-on-1 time with God).
Being rooted in practicing these levels of relationship is essential to spiritual health and authentic community.
This value is not limited to inside my church and family. I am willing to connect relationally to people who see the world dramatically differently than I do. (Radically different than our world currently demonstrates)
This reflects the four key relationships introduced in Step 1 of our pathway: Church Family (gathered worship), Circle of Friends (Small Groups), Table for Two (1–2 accountability partners), and Alone with God (1-on-1 time with God).
Being rooted in practicing these levels of relationship is essential to spiritual health and authentic community.
This value is not limited to inside my church and family. I am willing to connect relationally to people who see the world dramatically differently than I do. (Radically different than our world currently demonstrates)
Acts 2:42–47
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship... They broke bread in their homes and ate together... and the Lord added to their number daily.”
👉 The early church grew through authentic community.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship... They broke bread in their homes and ate together... and the Lord added to their number daily.”
👉 The early church grew through authentic community.
Hebrews 10:24–25
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on... not giving up meeting together... but encouraging one another.”
👉 Relationships are where spiritual formation and encouragement happen.
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on... not giving up meeting together... but encouraging one another.”
👉 Relationships are where spiritual formation and encouragement happen.
Ecclesiastes 4:9–10
“Two are better than one... if either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
👉 God made us for relational strength, not isolation.
“Two are better than one... if either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”
👉 God made us for relational strength, not isolation.
- Grow Continually
Discipleship is a lifelong journey, and this value calls people to keep taking intentional steps forward—whether it’s getting baptized, joining a group, serving on a team, or stepping into leadership. It reflects our belief that no one ever “arrives” spiritually—we’re all in process. This aligns with the language of “Next Steps,” which is already familiar in our church culture.
Discipleship is a lifelong journey, and this value calls people to keep taking intentional steps forward—whether it’s getting baptized, joining a group, serving on a team, or stepping into leadership. It reflects our belief that no one ever “arrives” spiritually—we’re all in process. This aligns with the language of “Next Steps,” which is already familiar in our church culture.
Philippians 3:13–14
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal...”
👉 The Christian life is marked by movement and continual growth.
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal...”
👉 The Christian life is marked by movement and continual growth.
2 Peter 1:5–8
“Make every effort to add to your faith... For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure... they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive.”
👉 Next steps are about growing in spiritual maturity over time.
“Make every effort to add to your faith... For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure... they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive.”
👉 Next steps are about growing in spiritual maturity over time.
Colossians 2:6–7
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him...”
👉 There’s always more room to grow deeper in Christ.
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him...”
👉 There’s always more room to grow deeper in Christ.
- Lead Like Jesus
This value captures our mission at a personal level. Every believer is called to lead—starting with their own Oikos.
This value captures our mission at a personal level. Every believer is called to lead—starting with their own Oikos.
Genesis 12:2–3
“I will bless you... and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
👉 We are blessed by God to be a blessing to others.
“I will bless you... and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
👉 We are blessed by God to be a blessing to others.
Mark 5:19
“Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you...”
👉 Jesus sends us to our Oikos—our circle of influence.
“Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you...”
👉 Jesus sends us to our Oikos—our circle of influence.
Acts 1:8
“You will be my witnesses... in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
👉 We are empowered by the Spirit to live missionally, starting with those closest to us.
“You will be my witnesses... in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
👉 We are empowered by the Spirit to live missionally, starting with those closest to us.
Matthew 5:16
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
👉 B.L.E.S.S. is about living visibly and intentionally for others’ benefit.
“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
👉 B.L.E.S.S. is about living visibly and intentionally for others’ benefit.
Discussion Guide
The Big Idea: Jesus made changing the world easier than you think.
Icebreaker
* What’s one value (big or small) that you hold so strongly you’d never compromise on it? (It could be serious—like faith or family—or lighthearted—like pineapple not belonging on pizza!)
Discussion Questions
1. Churches rarely split over theology but often over values, methods, or culture. Why do you think values are so powerful in uniting or dividing people?
2. Think about your family or close relationships. Have you ever experienced tension or even distance because of differing values? How did it affect you?
3. Acts 2:42–47 describes the early church’s radical unity. Which of their shared values do you think is the most countercultural? How do you feel about them for your own life?
4. Our Elders highlight four core values: Follow, Connect, Grow, Lead. Which of these feels most natural to you? Which feels most challenging?
5. Jesus calls His followers to surrender everything (Luke 14:26–27). What does daily surrender look like for you in this season of life?
6. “Connect Relationally” includes connecting with people who see the world very differently. How can we do that in a way that’s both authentic and Christ-centered?
7. In Philippians 3:13–14, Paul talks about “straining toward what is ahead.” What does “growing continually” look like practically for you right now?
8. Everyone is called to lead like Jesus, starting with their Oikos (circle of influence). Who is in your Oikos that God is asking you to bless or influence right now?
9. The early church grew without technology or mass communication, yet the gospel spread rapidly. What does that teach us about the power of values lived out in community?
10. Jim challenged us to pick up a key, wear it while praying who you might encourage it with, and then give it to them - to be someone who helps unlock faith for others. Who in your life might need that kind of “key,” and what step could you take this week to be that person for them?
Icebreaker
* What’s one value (big or small) that you hold so strongly you’d never compromise on it? (It could be serious—like faith or family—or lighthearted—like pineapple not belonging on pizza!)
Discussion Questions
1. Churches rarely split over theology but often over values, methods, or culture. Why do you think values are so powerful in uniting or dividing people?
2. Think about your family or close relationships. Have you ever experienced tension or even distance because of differing values? How did it affect you?
3. Acts 2:42–47 describes the early church’s radical unity. Which of their shared values do you think is the most countercultural? How do you feel about them for your own life?
4. Our Elders highlight four core values: Follow, Connect, Grow, Lead. Which of these feels most natural to you? Which feels most challenging?
5. Jesus calls His followers to surrender everything (Luke 14:26–27). What does daily surrender look like for you in this season of life?
6. “Connect Relationally” includes connecting with people who see the world very differently. How can we do that in a way that’s both authentic and Christ-centered?
7. In Philippians 3:13–14, Paul talks about “straining toward what is ahead.” What does “growing continually” look like practically for you right now?
8. Everyone is called to lead like Jesus, starting with their Oikos (circle of influence). Who is in your Oikos that God is asking you to bless or influence right now?
9. The early church grew without technology or mass communication, yet the gospel spread rapidly. What does that teach us about the power of values lived out in community?
10. Jim challenged us to pick up a key, wear it while praying who you might encourage it with, and then give it to them - to be someone who helps unlock faith for others. Who in your life might need that kind of “key,” and what step could you take this week to be that person for them?