FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

All You Need to Know About Our Ministry

About the Ministry:

What is the meaning of Abide?

Abiding in Christ means living in Christ every day. It is a lifestyle of consistent dependence upon Him–his work in us and his direction for our lives. This idea of the abiding life comes from John 15, where Jesus describes the essential connection between the vine, the branches, and the vinedresser. We are the branches, and He is the vine, so, as he states, “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Are you affiliated with any denomination, organization, etc.?

No, Abide Ministries provides discipleship training for anyone who desires to learn how to walk with God into the abundant life He has for all His children. We do not see any denominations anywhere in scripture and believe that God has always seen all people as His children. We believe in the abundant life in Christ and the unity among believers that comes from daily walking with Him.

Is this for me and where do I start?

Abiding in the Vine is a discipleship course which can be taken by anyone at any time of their life. It does not matter if you have been in the church for decades, or if you have never been at all–if you desire to grow closer in your walk with Jesus, this course is for you! While there are no rules pertaining to who can take which course, we do recommend that you start with our fundamental Abiding in the Vine course, or attend an Abiding in the Vine retreat if you can.

Abiding Courses:

How does Abiding differ from a Bible study?

While a traditional Bible study focuses on knowledge, logic, and theological commentaries, Abiding in the Vine teaches you, through scripture, how to live a life connected to Christ and how to learn His will for you through walking with Him. Through this course, you will learn how to gain personal, scriptural revelation and rely upon Christ as your Teacher.

Is this for couples only? For new believers?

No, Abide Ministries content is for everyone! While our courses include content that will point couples to unity in their marriage and new believers to discover the incredible life Christ offers, this same content will help single people navigate their relationships with their inner circles of friends and long-time believers discover a greater depth in their relationship with Christ.

Is just doing a daily devotion good enough?

While daily devotions can bring interesting insights into scripture, this is not the same as an abiding relationship with Christ. Abiding is a personal relationship with our Lord, and does not rely upon the thoughts and wisdom of others. Through Abiding in the Vine, you will learn to hear from God for yourself and discover the abundant life that comes from truly and practically walking with Him.

Is "abundant life" the same as prosperity preaching?

The “abundant life” is not at all the same thing as prosperity preaching. While the prosperity gospel teaches the “name it and claim it” philosophy which asserts that God exists to give us whatever we desire, the abundant life proclaims the opposite: we exist to chase after God and be in relationship with Him. When we do that, we will experience the blessings of being in His presence, which include supernatural peace, joy, hope, love, adventures, and more. At Abide Ministries, we believe that all of us exist to live out God’s plan for us, not our own plans for ourselves, and that when we walk with Him, following Him step by step, He provides more than we could ever ask or imagine. The abundant life is about far more than physical possessions or worldly position–it is about experiencing the supernatural works of God throughout our lives.

How can you guarantee restoration?

No one can guarantee restoration but Christ. The good news is, He has already done the work, and is simply waiting on you to receive it. Through Christ, you can certainly find restoration, but it is dependant on you, and you alone, to receive it. His sacrifice has paid all penalties and His forgiveness covers all of us. If you turn to Him and accept Him as Lord, you will be forgiven and restored, and will experience the unconditional love and abundant life He offers!

How will Abide be different from courses/Bible studies I've done before?

If you have been in church for a long time, you have probably been taught about God, about the Christian life, and about the things you should or should not do. All these things are rooted in knowledge and action. Abiding, on the other hand, is about building a relationship with God and allowing Him to become your Guide and your Teacher. Instead of memorizing material and studying the nature of God, you will learn to know Him personally, hear His voice, and receive revelation from Him as He guides you into the abundant life He has for all His children. You can learn to do this today… with Him!

I want to take the ____ course, do I need to take Abide first?

There is no rule that says you cannot sign up and take any course you wish to. However, all of our courses are based upon the fundamental concepts taught in Abiding in the Vine, so we encourage everyone to take that course first, no matter how much previous knowledge you might have. Learning to live the abiding life is incredibly powerful and it is fundamental to all other aspects of the Christian life!

Retreats:

What does a typical retreat look like?

A typical retreat runs from Friday evening to midday on Sunday. During this weekend, you will experience deep, spiritual conversation, incredible times of food and fellowship, and the transformative power of Christ’s work in those who follow Him! These retreats are full of fun and fellowship, as well as learning to hear from God through His Word and experiencing His supernatural transformation and restoration, not only in your life, but also in the lives of those who attend alongside you.

How much does it cost?

The cost of a retreat varies a lot, depending on where it is held. Ask the retreat leader you are connected with, or contact us at https://abideministries.com/ to ask about a retreat in your area.

Is this a marriage retreat?

Yes and no. Abide Ministries retreats are a great place for couples struggling in their marriage to discover the path of healing, joy, and peace Christ has for them. However, our retreats are not exclusively for married people. Anyone from any walk of life is welcome to attend and will find great renewal and rejuvination in any aspect of life with which they are struggling.

Getting Connected:

How do I get connected to a retreat?

The easiest way to get connected to an Abide retreat is through our website https://abideministries.com/. This link will take you to our retreat page, where you can scroll through and click on any retreat that is listed as open. You can also go to our ‘Contact Us’ page to get in touch with someone who can direct you to a retreat near you.

How can I get the materials/get set up to do Abide with my small group/church?

How can I get the materials/get set up to do Abide with my small group/church?
If you have purchased the online course, you can use that as a small group study and download workbooks and/or order physical workbooks for the participants through https://abideministries.com/. Most people allow the group to watch one or two video segments (roughly 30 minutes each) together while they fill out their workbooks, and then have an open discussion as a group when the videos have concluded. We also will provide more comprehensive versions of the workbooks to help you out as a facilitator. You can contact the ministry at https://abideministries.com/contact-us to ask about downloading or ordering a facilitator workbook.
You can also use the same link to contact us with any further questions you may have, we are always available to assist you with whatever you may need. If you contact us, we will have someone reach out and walk through logistics with you.