Kankakee First Church of the Nazarene - IL

AUGUST 30, 2026

A Spirit-Dependant Church

Pastor Jenna Luoto - Spiritual Formation Pastor

This week launches a new series called "Becoming the Church" — an honest look at what the Church is actually supposed to be according to the New Testament, compared to what it has become after 2,000 years of drift. Pastor Jenna opens by asking a challenging question: if we stripped away everything we have added to church over the centuries, does what's left actually match what Jesus intended? Drawing from Acts 1 and the early church in Acts, she argues that the one thing the first disciples had that we most often lack isn't knowledge, gifting, or commitment — it's a radical dependence on the Holy Spirit. Jesus told the disciples not to go anywhere until the Spirit showed up. The early church didn't run their programs and ask God to bless them; they followed where the Spirit was already moving, and God used them to do what no human effort alone could accomplish. The question for K1 is this: are we a Spirit-led, Spirit-empowered church, or are we a smart, savvy, and self-sufficient one?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Pastor Jenna described "mission drift" — the way organizations slowly lose sight of their original purpose through many small changes. Where do you think the American church has drifted furthest from what Jesus originally intended?
Jesus told his disciples — who were already trained, prepared, and fully committed to the mission — to wait. Why do you think clarity and commitment alone aren't enough to fulfill the mission of the church?
Pastor Jenna drew a contrast between a church that "makes plans and then asks God to bless them" versus one that asks "God, where are you moving and how can we join you?" Which describes how you tend to approach decisions in your own life?
The early church in Acts expected the Spirit to show up and move. Do you find yourself actually expecting God to do things that only God can do? What does your prayer life reveal about that?
We can run programs, lead worship, preach sermons, and organize outreach without including the Spirit at all. Where in your own life or faith have you been "doing the things" while quietly stopping to expect God to actually move?
Moses said, "If you don't personally go with us, don't make us leave this place." That is Pastor Jenna's prayer for K1. What would it look like for you personally to live with that level of dependence on the Spirit this week?

Discussion Guide

LAST WEEK'S QUESTIONS

LIFETRACK RETURNS SEPTEMBER 13th!

No matter where you are at on your journey, Lifetrack is the first step that we encourage you to participate in here at Kankakee First Church. This is where you will learn about WHO we are as a church, WHAT we believe, and HOW we are structured to help you along your spiritual journey. Lifetrack is a four-step process that helps you discover your redemptive purpose and live the life God created for you. You will learn more about who we are as a church and who God has created you to be.
Lifetrack is also our onboarding for serving on our DreamTeam.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Groups will start the week of September 13th!

FIND A GROUP

EMAIL ADAM TO SIGN UP

ORDER MUMS HERE

Each Fall, we host a "Welcome Back" lunch for college-age students where we can get to know you and help you get connected! If you are a college-age student, we hope that you will join us! If you aren't and would like to help with the event, sign up below!