Dear sojourner,

The most important journey anyone can take is a spiritual journey with Jesus. He said in Matthew 7:14, “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Like any other journey, it can be perplexing. We, the church, can assist in pointing to the Way, the Truth, and the Life – Jesus Christ Himself. Becoming a disciple of Jesus is a life-long journey with the triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – offering authentic relationship, redemption, forgiveness, salvation, meaning and purpose to life, satisfaction of the soul, and restoration into the likeness and image of Christ in which we were originally created.


The Pathway to Discipleship is an intentional plan developed to help the church welcome, build, and deepen discipleship. It is centered on Wesley’s understanding of discipleship as a journey of grace. As with any journey, it is important to determine where you are now and where you desire to be. Know this, Jesus loves you so much He meets you where you are. But He loves you too much to allow you to remain there. He desires and empowers you to grow, live out your faith, and become holy as He is holy.


So once your starting point has been determined, the Pathway has been constructed to guide you on the path to becoming HOLY. It certainly is not an all-inclusive list of ways to move in that direction. Invite God to lead as you make decisions that will determine your individual-specific plan. Know you won’t be going alone!


As we map out the route, our hope is to help guide you, along with other sojourners, on a path that leads to an intimate relationship with Jesus, transformation of the heart, and a holy life lived in the likeness of Christ.


Let’s get packing!!



On the Journey with You,


Rev. Stephanie Kidd, Associate Pastor


2025_Discipleship_Path_Booklet.pdf


“But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”—Matthew 7:14


pathway navigation

Click on the graphics below to determine where you are in the journey as well as find helpful tips for your current stage. As always, please contact Rev. Stephanie Kidd (skidd@firstshreveport.com) if you have any questions or concerns.

  • stage one:

    Exploring

    christ

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  • stage two:

    transforming

    in christ

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  • stage three:

    maturing

    in christ

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  • stage FOUR:

    centering

    in christ

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Below you will find a collection of helpful resources for this journey! We are always looking for ways to walk beside you and equip you as you grow in Christ. 

  • TRADITIONAL WORSHIP

    Location:

    First Methodist Church Sanctuary

    500 Common Street, Shreveport, LA 71101

    Get Directions

    Meeting Times:

    Sunday Mornings -8:30 & 11:00am


    CONTEMPORARY WORSHIP

    Location:

    Emmett Hook Center

    550 Common Street, Shreveport, LA 71101

    Get Directions

    Meeting Times:

    Sunday Mornings - 11:00am


    Most services last somewhere around an hour long, and are not age-distinct. Our traditional services are more formal in attire while our contemporary service tends to be more casual. We have all ages attending our Sunday morning services, so no matter what your preferences are, you're welcome to attend! Childcare is available on Sundays in the Children's Ministry Center.

  • CORNERSTONE


    Adults 50’s – 60’s • E&A Building 316


    Contact Monique Cunningham – mo@moniquecunningham.com


    Cornerstone is an interactive class format focused on Bible study using roundtable discussion that focuses on putting Scripture into practice in everyday life. This is done through DVD presentations facilitated by class members and guest speakers serving in the local or global mission fields.




    CLASS OF ‘24


    All Ages, Couples & Singles • Lower Level • Sanctuary 106


    Contact Rick Foster - class24fmc@gmail.com


    Looking for a Bible study that focuses on the Word? We enjoy discussion with our goal being life applications and to grow in Christ as we fellowship together. 




    CROSSROADS


    Adults 50’s & 60’s • E&A Building 312


    Contact Alyson Foreman – alybdf1219@outlook.com


    This class incorporates an interactive Bible study and discussion that focuses on putting Scripture into practice in everyday life. Members of this class are in various stages of life and welcome open and honest discussion of relevant issues facing today’s Christ followers. 




    DESIDERATA


    Mature Adults • Lower Level - Sanctuary 103


    Contact Mary Beth and Henry Conly – marybethmom3@aol.com


    This class seeks to grow in their relationship with God with Biblically based lessons. Class discussion is encouraged as we learn from each other, while studying Scripture and following the teachings of Jesus. We enjoy quarterly socials and support a variety of local and global ministries.




    EMPOWER HOUR


    Adults 20’s & 30’s, Young Couples, Parents with Young Children • Lower Level - Sanctuary 102


    Contact Wil Adams – wil.adams@ymail.com


    Join the Empower Hour as they discuss Scripture and how to apply it in the world of young families and parenting. 




    FAITH, FELLOWSHIP & FRIENDS


    Adults 30’s & 40’s, parents of elementary-teens • E&A Building 313


    Contact Whitney Howell – whitneyehowell@gmail.com


    Members of Faith, Fellowship & Friends seek to grow in faith through Scripture-based study with a focus on building friendships in an open and inviting environment. This group experience offers participants a chance to grow in their faith while enjoying fellowship with each other. 




    FRIENDSHIP


    Adults 60’s-70’s • E&A Building 315


    Contact Rusty Palmer – Rpalmer864@aol.com


    Friendship is a community of believers committed to studying the Bible from the perspective of the culture and times during which it was written and strive to engage contemporary culture through a biblical world view. This is done through DVD presentations, facilitated by class members, invited lecturers, book reviews, or guest speakers serving in the local or global mission fields.




    LIFESPEAK


    Adults 30’s-40’s • Lower Level - Sanctuary 107


    Contact Lindsey Lewis – llewis82@gmail.com


    Lifespeak is a facilitator-led Bible study that engages in roundtable discussion and uses study guides to promote the life application of our faith and walk with Christ. This class is heavily involved with local and global missions and promotes fellowship through a variety of social events for men, women, and families. 




    MARINERS


    Adults 60’s & 70’s • E&A Building 314


    Contact Jennifer Owens – jpowensyid@aol.com


    The Mariners gather with friends on Sunday mornings for coffee, snacks, and traditional Sunday School. They take part in structured Bible study, as well as lessons and discussions led by guest pastors, speakers, and class members on current religious topics, and local and global missions. This is a service-oriented group that hosts occasional socials, and supports members of the class and the church by taking part in local and global missions work. Our Mariners aprons make us easily recognizable at church events!




    THE SEEKERS


    All Ages • Dawson 314


    Contact Jean Fouts – jeansfouts@yahoo.com


    The Seekers class starts each Sunday with a time of fellowship and coffee. They love our great, great Church and community and try awfully hard to love their neighbor as themselves. All quarantine negativity and wish to chase Jesus and nothing more. Their mission statement is: “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105. They begin their class by singing 3 stanzas of one Cokesbury Hymn. They have a variety of outstanding teachers (including Seekers’ members), who present topics which incorporate Bible study into everyday life. The class supports mission projects in the Shreveport-Bossier-Barksdale community and holds well attended social gatherings 3-4 times a year.




    WOMEN OF FAITH


    Women All Ages • E&A Building 317


    Contact Jody Thurmon - jthurmon@aol.com


    Women of Faith is a Sunday School Class of Women of all ages seeking Fellowship and Bible Study. The Bible is taught using a variety of methods including DVD, Lecture and Group Discussion, in order to grow our faith and fellowship in Christ and develop lasting friendships with one another!



  • *Please also reference the "Hear the Word" section of your current pathway stage for a list of recommended books & studies!


    Helpful Articles:

  • Music can be such a transformational and helpful way to enter into worship and awareness of God's movement and presence in our lives. Please click the link below to open up a curated Spotify playlist of songs that we find worshipful and helpful in our journey. You'll find many of the songs are recent songs from our worship services.




  • EXPLORING CHRIST (Prevenient Grace)

    • Genesis 1:1-31
    • Genesis 3
    • Psalms 139
    • Jeremiah 31:3
    • Ezekiel 34:11-16
    • Luke 15:20-32
    • John 6:44-47
    • John 16:13-15
    • Romans 5:6-11
    • Romans 8:31-39
    • 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
    • 2 Corinthians 7:9-11
    • 1 John 4:10, 19
    • Revelation 22:17
  • TRANSFORMING IN CHRIST (Justifying Grace)

    • Jeremiah 31:3, 31-34
    • Matthew 11:28
    • Matthew 16:24-26
    • Luke 15:20-24
    • Luke 19:1-10
    • Luke 22:14-20
    • John 3:16
    • John 13:34-35
    • Romans 3:21-28
    • Romans 5:6-11
    • Romans 12:1-2
    • 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
    • Ephesians 2:4-10
    • Ephesians 4:17-24
    • 1 John 4:7-12
  • MATURING IN CHRIST (Sanctifying Grace)

    • Matthew 22:37-39
    • Matthew 25:31-40
    • Matthew 28:18-19
    • John 15:1-12
    • Romans 5:5
    • Romans 8:15-17
    • Romans 12:6-8
    • 1 Corinthians 12-14
    • Galatians 5:22
    • Ephesians 3:14-19
    • Philippians 2:1-12
  • CENTERING IN CHRIST (Entire Sanctification, Perfect Love)

    • Acts 15:9
    • Romans 6
    • Romans 8:21
    • 1 Corinthians 10:13
    • 2 Corinthians 7:1
    • Galatians 2:20
    • Ephesians 4:13
    • Philippians 3:12-15
    • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
    • Hebrews 4:1
    • Hebrews 6:1
    • 1 Peter 4:1-2
    • 1 John 3:9
    • 1 John 4:17
    • 1 John 5:18