David and Mary began their journey at church when they were just 4 years old, entering the Sunday School program full of excitement. Every Sunday, they eagerly listened to the 52 major Bible stories, like Noah’s Ark and David & Goliath, learning that the Bible wasn’t just a book of tales, but the true and authoritative Word of God. They were taught that every answer they would ever need could be found in the Bible, and that they should always turn to Scripture first. As they grew into ages 6-8, they continued to absorb this key lesson: that the Bible is the foundation of truth. In every lesson, they were encouraged to compare everything they learned against God’s Word.
By the time David and Mary reached ages 9-11, their understanding deepened. They began to study apologetics—learning how to defend their faith and confidently explain why the Bible is trustworthy. They were not just reading Bible stories anymore; they were understanding how these stories fit into a bigger picture of God’s plan and how the Bible provided answers to the big questions in life. They were now grounded in the belief that Scripture was their compass, guiding their decisions and behavior, both inside and outside the church.
As teenagers, David and Mary entered the teen group at age 12. Over the next few years, in monthly meetings, they tackled real-life issues like identity, peer pressure, and morality. Whenever they faced challenges in school or with friends, they knew to turn to the Bible for guidance. Their church leaders reinforced this mindset by showing them how the Bible speaks to every aspect of life, helping them navigate the world around them. Through these years, their faith matured, and they became more involved in serving others within the church.
At age 15, David and Mary began their Baptism Class, a critical step in their spiritual growth. Over several months, they completed a curriculum of 101 units, preparing them for water baptism. They fully understood the commitment they were making—a public declaration of their faith in Christ. On the day of their baptism, they stood before the church, proclaiming Jesus as their Lord and Savior. This marked their official membership in the church community, where they continued to serve, now with a deeper sense of responsibility and devotion.
As young adults, David and Mary entered the Pre-Marriage Class, knowing that their church had prepared them well for this new chapter. Over 3-4 months, they learned about the biblical foundations of marriage—how to build a relationship that would honor God, rooted in Scripture. They covered topics like communication, resolving conflict, and managing finances, all through the lens of the Bible. As they prepared for their wedding, they knew that the same guiding principle that had shaped them since they were children—trusting in the authority of God’s Word—would continue to anchor their new life together. With this strong foundation, David and Mary entered into marriage, ready to build a home where Christ and His Word would always be at the center.
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<aside> ✍🏻 Document Update on Sep 10th, 2024 by Paul Natekin Solid Foundation Texas
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