"The greatest issue facing the world today, with all its heartbreaking needs, is whether those who are identified as Christians will become disciples--students, practitioners, apprentices of Jesus Christ." — Dallas Willard
LIFT Discipleship Communities
Living. In. Full. Transformation.
Trauma Informed Discipleship
David's Story
Though I have known since 17 that Christ died for me and that I am completely forgiven, it took 30 more years to understand a deeply hidden story running in the background of my life that affected my beliefs, actions, and relationships.
It was the story that I was the problem. Not a part of a problem. THE problem. The truth was, even as I tried to function in my marriage, family relationships, friendships, and ministry, I was beating myself up on the inside. I was my own worst enemy. I put almost everyone above me and tried to people-please to avoid any kind of conflict. Finally, I was able to understand the deeply buried trauma that almost burned my life to the ground.
Jesus gently led me into starting a healing journey like no other. A journey of realizing I'm actually NOT the problem. A journey of examining beliefs that have held me back from a full relationship with Christ and others for years.
Maybe you have trauma in your life. Maybe like me, you've created a story or narrative that is always running in the background of your life. Maybe you are ready to change that story and walk forward into the future Jesus has for you.
If you can relate, then LIFT is for you!
When I became a believer in
Christ at the age of 17, I had
no idea the journey I was
signing up for. College followed, then marriage, seminary, overseas missions, and finally, pastoring.
A Reframed Narrative
I used to see my past only through the lens of failure. Through LIFT, God’s truth has completely transformed how I see my growth in Christ. My family life is now a vibrant witness to the restorative work of spiritual formation.
Neighborhood Impact
When our small LIFT group started practicing soul-care together, we didn't expect our whole block to notice. Christ-centered maturity has empowered us to serve our neighbors with resilient hope and deep, practical love.
Trauma-Informed Discipleship
As many as of adults in the US have experienced a potentially traumatic event at some point in their lifetime.
No matter what walk of life you’re from, most of us will experience trauma. Often, we create stories around that pain that lead to irrational thoughts and hidden burdens. At LIFT, we offer a natural, Christ-centered way to walk through this trauma by changing the narrative, allowing God’s truth to transform the stories we tell ourselves and the thoughts that follow.
Are you ready to be FINALLY FREE?
What is LIFT?
LIFT Discipleship Communities Model is a simple framework designed to help people become more like Christ and help disciples multiply.
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Roots in Christ: Built on a foundation of Jesus Christ as Lord and Scripture as our guide.
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Whole-Person Growth: Focusing on spirit, mind, body, and relationships for daily transformation.
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Connected Ideas: Growth through Relational Community, Spiritual Formation, and Missional Engagement.
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Multiplying Impact: Designed to help you make disciples and launch new vibrant communities.
Because.....
Why does LIFT exist?
.....we need WHOLE LIFE TRANSFORMATION
to move beyond basic head knowledge to focus on becoming like Christ in every dimension of our daily lives.
.....we need WHOLE LIFE COMMUNITY
to practice soul-care and scriptural application together, turning faith into a lived experience for our families.
.....we need WHOLE LIFE INTEGRATION
to bridge the gap between Sunday worship and Monday reality by blending emotional awareness with spiritual formation.
.....we need WHOLE LIFE PURPOSE
to cultivate a maturity that empowers you to thrive in your neighborhood and throughout the week.
Why is LIFT different from anything else?
It's not a worship service.
It's not simply a Bible study.
It's not a typical community group...
So, what makes LIFT different from anything else?
LIFT is about becoming more like Jesus--together. We recognize that our past experiences, relationships, beliefs, and struggles can shape how we think, feel, behave, and relate to God and others.
Following Jesus involves more than knowing biblical truth. It means learning to live that truth as the Holy Spirit transforms us from the inside out.
LIFT brings together:
-biblical discipleship
-trauma-informed understanding
-authentic Christian relationships
-spiritual practices
-and loving accountability
to support whole-person transformation in Christ.
Too often, we are taught to forgive, trust God, love others, or change our behavior without addressing deeper wounds, beliefs, fears, and patterns that make these things difficult.
Changing Unbiblical
Beliefs and Behaviors
In LIFT Discipleship Community Groups, we don't just study the Bible. We let the Bible study us. We allow biblical truth to change unbiblical ways of thinking and acting.
How does LIFT fit in with the church?
LIFT operates under the headship of Christ and the wise covering of elders and overseers, flourishing through the APEST gifts — Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Shepherd, and Teacher — as they work in harmony within the Body of Christ.
The 3 Pillars
Our approach centers on three essential movements (or pillars as we call them):
Grow
Belong
Go
BELONG
"Find Your Community"
We were never meant to follow Jesus alone. LIFT creates a welcoming, Christ-centered community where people experience genuine belonging, relational joy, encouragement, and loving accountability.
Here we build trustworthy relationships, share life's challenges without pressure to disclose personal experiences, extend grace, speak truth in love, and support one another's growth. Belonging means being loved and accepted while also being challenged and encouraged to grow.
Grow
Belong
Go
Grow
Belong
Go
GROW
"Become More Like Jesus"
Spiritual growth involves more than gaining biblical knowledge. Through Scripture, prayer, spiritual disciplines, honest reflection, and supportive relationships, we learn to recognize unhealthy patterns, examine our beliefs in light of God's truth, and practice renewed ways of thinking, relating, choosing, and responding.
Growth involves personal responsibility, intentional practice, and loving accountability. We encourage one another to take meaningful steps of faith, make necessary changes, and develop greater maturity and Christlikeness through dependence upon the Holy Spirit.
GO
"Live Out God's Mission"
Discipleship doesn't end with personal growth. We are called to love and serve others, share the gospel, and make disciples. Through mentoring, encouragement, and opportunities for increasing responsibility. LIFT equips growing disciples to walk alongside others and, as they demonstrate readiness, help establish new discipleship communities.
We don't simply grow for ourselves. We grow to participate in God's mission and help others follow Jesus.
Bring LIFT to Your Church
What if discipleship involved more than attending classes, gaining biblical knowledge, or participating in church activities? What if every believer had opportunities to experience authentic Christian community, grow toward whole-person transformation in Christ, and become equipped to disciple others?
L.I.F.T. Discipleship Communities offers churches a biblical, relational, trauma-informed, and reproducible model for cultivating mature disciples who make disciples.
Designed to complement—not replace—the ministry of the local church, L.I.F.T. helps congregations connect biblical truth with everyday living through intentional relationships, spiritual practices, mentoring, and loving accountability.
BELONG. GROW. GO.
A journey of becoming more like Jesus—together!
Check out the question and answer section for churches below!
We want to hear from you!
David and Chara Paul
info@liftdiscipleship.org
505-755-3208
