Transforming Minds and Hearts: The Importance of Discipleship Groups at TCS

By Samantha DePriest

From the very inception of Trinity Christian School more than thirty-three years ago, our mission has been to prepare today’s student to impact tomorrow’s world; by educating minds for cultural engagement, equipping hearts for character development, and empowering hands for compassionate service. Here at TCS Discipleship groups play a vital role in fostering spiritual maturity, deepening relationships, and providing a vibrant and diverse community that mirrors heaven. Discipleship groups provide a space for our students to grow in their faith, support one another, learn from our teachers and staff, and make a lasting impact for Christ on the world around them.

Lower School Foundation

Our lower school is committed to fostering a strong Christian foundation in each of our students. Our students participate in weekly chapel gatherings to promote spiritual development in a fun, engaging, and age appropriate format. An annual Spiritual Emphasis Week centered around a Biblical theme that promotes spiritual growth in our students through a variety of activities is also something our lower school learners look forward to.

Middle School Discipleship

In the 2023-2024 school year, our Middle School team added another growth opportunity for students provided through weekly discipleship groups. Middle School Director of Spiritual Development Mr. Wesley Lassiter oversees the Discipleship Group lessons and works together with our teachers and staff to provide a relevant lesson each week. Students are placed with a Discipleship Group leader and remain with the same leader throughout their three years of middle school. All middle school Discipleship Groups are discussing the same lessons each week which makes it easy for parents of multiple middle school students to discuss at home the weekly focus.

Middle School principal Mr. Adam Vinsons shares, “In conjunction with the overall mission and vision of TCS as a whole, we are committed to preparing our students for their tomorrow. We believe the middle school years are massively important in the development of a child. It’s a time of change socially, emotionally and physically as students navigate the stages of puberty. It’s a time of spiritual change as well with students beginning to both question and understand more and more about the world around them. These are the years when students begin taking a deeper ownership of their personal faith in God as well. Where will they turn for their answers? From whom will they seek guidance? What examples will they be exposed to and follow?

To bear the image of God well, we believe students need to understand their talents, giftings and abilities given to them by God, and we seek to give them those opportunities through creative and engaging classroom lessons taught with a biblically immersive experience along with a wide-variety of extra-curricular opportunities to explore as well. Not only will your child experience strategic programs for their academic and social development, the spiritual growth of each student is emphasized through Bible classes, chapel services and discipleship opportunities..”

Each year the Middle School holds a Discipleship Day for students.. Discipleship day is an entire day that exclusively focuses on the spiritual growth and development of our students and includes special chapel services, breakout sessions and small group discussion during the day. All academic classes are cancelled on this day to allow our students to intentionally focus on spiritual growth. This years Middle School Discipleship Day is coming up on Wednesday, December 11th.

High School Spiritual Development

Chapels and Discipleship Groups are a defining element of Student Life at TCS. This is where spiritual growth happens. One of the greatest privileges of being a student at TCS is the opportunity to gather as a school for chapel each week. Everyone participates in student led worship and thematic instruction designed to help them grow in Christ.

High School Discipleship Groups, or “D Groups” as the students refer to them as, are an integral part of spiritual growth here at Trinity. Discipleship Groups are Christ-Centered small groups where students meet with leaders to read the Word of God, encourage one another, as well as do life together. The desire is for each student to grow more intimately and deeply acquainted with God’s word, to recognize His voice, and to understand His will for their lives. In high school at TCS, these groups offer student choice in selection and participation. The start of the new year is a perfect time for our students to jump on in if they are not already involved in a group. Below are the times and locations for each of our High School D Groups.