There's a next step for you
No matter where you are on your walk with Christ, there is a next step for you at Calvary Church in Naperville.
Our spiritual formation isn't about a destination. It's a journey!
This discipleship pathway helps you take your next step as a follower of Christ. Whether you are new to the faith or are a seasoned believer, we invite you to grow into a fully devoted follower of Christ through this discipleship pathway.
Take these next steps in any order, whenever you're ready.
Following Jesus
Following Jesus is for anyone who is new or newer to the faith and/or those looking to be baptized in water.
Our four-part Following Jesus course lays a strong foundation for a life of faith in Christ. Whether you're just starting or starting over, this course will teach you an overview of topics such as prayer, worship, the Bible, hearing God's voice, and understanding the Holy Spirit. This discipleship pathway is perfect for anyone looking to dive deeper into the Christian faith. Following Jesus is also the pathway for Water Baptism.
New to faith? Read how to begin a relationship with Jesus.
4-week course, Sundays at 11 a.m., Next Steps Room (near door 24) Register for Following JesusGrowth Track
Growth Track is for anyone who is new to Calvary and/or is ready to start serving.
If you're new to Calvary, Growth Track is a Bible class that introduces you to our mission, helps you discover your spiritual gifts, and gets you on track to make a difference.
What to expect
Growth Track is one class, 90 minutes, built to get you oriented at Calvary: where we've been, what we believe, and where God's leading us next. Along the way, you'll take a spiritual gifts assessment and a personality assessment, so we can help you find a place to serve that actually fits how you're wired. You'll leave with a clearer picture of Calvary, and a clearer picture of your own next step.
- Our Story: How Calvary started, and how we got to where we are today.
- Our Mission: What God's called us to: helping people become fully devoted followers of Christ who study, do, and teach the Word of God.
- The Discipleship Pathway: The four steps every follower of Jesus walks at Calvary: Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, Make a Difference.
- Partnership: What it looks like to partner with this church, through your time, talent, treasure, and testimony.
- What We Believe: The core of our faith: who God is, who we are as people made in his image, what the church is for, and the good news that holds it all together.
- Discover How You're Wired: A spiritual gifts assessment and a personality assessment, to help you see where you'd thrive, and where we could use you.
When is Growth Track?
Growth Track is a 90-minute class held the second and fourth Sundays of the month, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in Room 126 (near door 29). This class is offered in-person, and you only need to attend once. Oh, and tasty refreshments will be served!
Rooted
Rooted is for anyone who is ready for deeper discipleship and is looking for a community of believers.
Rooted is a practical and practiced teaching of key spiritual disciplines, including community. Each week, your group within the course will practice spiritual disciplines and build community through shared experiences. This discipleship pathway is a great way to grow alongside others with authenticity and accountability.
Sundays at 10:30 a.m. or Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. Learn About RootedLooking for a Life Group? Explore groups.
CalvaryU
CalvaryU is for anyone who is ready to make a serious commitment to their spiritual growth.
CalvaryU is a 28-week deep dive into God's Word in a learning community, designed for everyday people like you. The course will include an overview of the Old and New Testaments, how to read the Bible, major church doctrines and events, and more. Through gaining a greater understanding of the wholistic story of the Bible, you will come to know your story in a clearer way. Your instructor is Dr. Sean Sloan, Calvary's discipleship and education pastor. If you're looking for a Naperville Christian church that values biblical literacy and deep discipleship, CalvaryU is for you.
Course details
- Weekly course: Wednesdays, 7 to 8:15 p.m., $250 for 28 classes. Children's ministry (nursery through 5th grade) and youth services meet the same night.
- Wednesday dinner: come early and grab dinner at the Bistro, starting at 5:30 p.m.
- Monthly course: Saturday intensives, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., $385 for 7 classes, including continental breakfast and lunch.
- Course work: expect 4 to 6 hours of reading and assignments outside of class weekly. Books run $75 to $125 per semester.
- Policies: this course is nonrefundable. Everyone is allotted 3 absences per semester for the weekly Wednesday course. After that, they will be dropped from the course, and prorated refunds will not be offered.
Meet the instructor
Pastor Sean is passionate about seeing lives and homes transformed by God's Spirit and truth. He has served on staff at Calvary Church since 2020 as the discipleship and education pastor, most recently earning his Doctorate of Ministry at Southeastern University. Known as Calvary's "resident theologian," Pastor Sean has curated and developed this CalvaryU course out of his love for God's Word and God's people.
In the CalvaryU cooperative learning environment, we will also occasionally bring in guest teachers! All guests will be masters level teachers.
What can I expect in CalvaryU?
CalvaryU is a two-year journey into God's Word and His Spirit, built for anyone who's hungry to grow deeper and live out their faith in real life. You'll see the big picture, meet Jesus in every part of the story, and discover how your life can have lasting impact.
Over the course of the year during our in-person meetings, we will be completing an overview of the old and new testaments, to greater understand God's redemption plan woven through the pages. We'll also learn how to read the Bible, learn major church doctrines and events, explore the history of our faith, and learn how to discern today's cultural moments.
Those who complete CalvaryU Year One will receive a certificate of achievement, and graduates will be honored in a Sunday service.
What is the time commitment for CalvaryU?
This is a time and heart investment! In addition to attending the weekly class, there is 4 to 6 hours of required course work that will be graded. Setting aside this time is vital to successful completion of the course. What you'll gain through your studies will deepen your faith and help you live what you're learning.
Is attendance mandatory?
We understand that life gets busy; however, being present for the course is a must in order to understand the material and build relationships. Please note that everyone is allotted 3 absences per semester for our weekly Wednesday course. After that, they will be dropped from the course. Prorated refunds will not be offered if someone is dropped from the course.
Do I need to be a pastor or church worker to attend?
A deep relationship with God is not just for pastors and people working in ministry! We are all called to learn more about God, what his Word says, and the impact we are to have on the world regardless of our vocation.
Is childcare available?
On Wednesday nights, we have children's ministry for nursery age through 5th grade. We also have youth services for junior high through high school.
The next CalvaryU enrollment begins in summer 2027.
Water Baptism
Water Baptism is an outward expression of an inward commitment to Jesus. It is a public declaration of your faith, and an important foundation for Christian life. If you are 12 or older, you'll need to attend our four-part Following Jesus Course before being water baptized. If you are under 12, parental consent is required.
Every 4th Sunday of the month All About Water BaptismJoin a Serve Team
God has given each of us gifts and talents to help make a difference. And when we invest our time and talent into others, it changes the world! Check out some of our amazing serve teams and ask God where He's leading you to make a difference at Calvary Church.
Teams include Calvary Kids, Calvary Youth, Young Adults, Special Needs, Calvary Prime, Worship, Live Production, Creative, Greeters and Ushers, Parking, Care, Prayer, Community Engagement, and Missions. See what each team does.
Serve teams gather every week I'm Ready to ServeWe'll help you find your step
Stop by the Next Steps booth in the lobby any Sunday, give us a call, or send us a message. We'd love to point you in the right direction. Haven't visited yet? Let us know you're coming.