How to Grow in Your Faith: Defining Spiritual Growth

Each week at Second Mile’s worship gathering, individuals have the opportunity to mark on their communication card that they would like information on “Growing in My Faith.” This has led us to create a resource that explains what spiritual growth is and how it happens. Today begins a series of posts on How to Grow in Your Faith.

What is Spiritual Growth?
Before we discuss how to grow spiritually, we have to consider what spiritual growth is. Spiritual growth can ultimately be described as becoming more like Jesus. The Scripture continually affirms that God’s goal is for his people to become like his Son, Jesus:

“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Romans 8:29)

“Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” (Colossians 3:9–10)

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Theologians have used the word “sanctification” to describe this process of spiritual growth. Wayne Grudem defines sanctification as “A progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and more like Christ in our actual lives.” This definition is helpful because it tells us that:

(a) Spiritual growth is a process that takes time. Though we would like to be instantly changed in all the aspects of our character, this is not how the process works.

(b) Spiritual growth is a work of God and of man. This means that there will be no spiritual growth without God’s help and there will be no spiritual growth without our effort. If we try to grow apart from God’s help and grace, we will fail. If we do nothing and simply assume that growth will “just happen” we will not experience much change. This process is described well in Philippians 2:12-13, which says that Christians should “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling [our part], for it is God who works in you [God’s part], both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”

(c) Spiritual growth always involves increasing freedom from sin. There is one primary obstacle that prevents us from fully enjoying God: sin. Therefore, it does not matter how much Bible knowledge we acquire, how much volunteer work we begin to do for the church, or how spiritual we feel—if we are not becoming increasingly free from sin, we are not really growing.

(d) Spiritual growth is becoming like Christ. Jesus not only avoided sin, but he also lived a life of righteousness and blessing to those around him. True Christlikeness is not just avoiding sin, but also loving God and people like Jesus. True spiritual growth always makes us more loving.

Is there anything we’re missing? Anything you’d add?

POLL: What has most influenced your spiritual growth?

This is a tough question — especially if you have to only pick one. But give it a try! What has impacted you the most?

How would you help somebody grow spiritually?

We are trying to write a brief resource that we can send to people who mark on their communication card that they would like information about “Growing in my faith.” Of course, every person and situation is different, but we think there are some key truths that can be universally helpful in stimulating spiritual growth

We’ll post a final version soon, but in the meantime…

What principles would YOU include if somebody was asking you how he or she could grow in faith? Click here to reply.

Are you making it count?

I helped out with a funeral today for some friends of a family in our church. Though I’m a relatively young man, I have had many opportunities to participate in funerals. It may surprise you to know that I consider those experiences a blessing.

At every funeral, this verse comes to mind:

It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. (Ecclesiastes 7:2)

Indeed, every time you see a lifeless body, hear the cries of loved ones left behind, and hear memories and stories of a vapor-like life, it makes you stop and think.

Someday you and I will die. That is the “end of all mankind.” Will you take it to heart?

Are you doing something today to make sure your life counts?

A Weekend of “Firsts”

This is an exciting weekend for the people and ministry of Second Mile Church. Watch this video for more info:

Fore more information and directions to the Second Mile Birthday Picnic, click here.

Would you die for Jesus? How do you know?

Steve Timmis, co-author of Total Church and Western Europe Acts 29 Director, recently posted a series of tweets on laying down your life for Jesus his thoughts are worth sharing. These are in the order that he wrote them.

• How can I be sure I would lay down my life for sake of Jesus & the gospel? Perhaps I’ll be like Peter in his bravado and subsequent denial?
• Can’t ultimately be sure until I’m called on to do so. But there are indicators in what I am reluctant to give up…
• If I’m not prepared to give up my bed to go and serve someone, I can be fairly confident I won’t give up my life…
• If I refuse to give up a holiday abroad so I can support someone in gospel ministry, I can be fairly confident I won’t give up my life…
• If I’m not willing to pursue people who are different from me in order to bless them, I can be fairly certain I won’t give up my life…
• If I’m not prepared to miss out on promotion so I can stay & help plant churches, I can be fairly certain I won’t give up my life…
• If I’m not prepared to jeopardise a friendship so that I can tell others about Christ, I can be fairly certain I won’t give up my life.
• “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Jesus Christ

Which of these stand out the most to you?

HT: Acts29 Blog

15 Great Relationship Questions

Matthew preached a great sermon yesterday on the importance of living in biblical community. It brought to mind this resource from fellow Acts29 pastor Brian Howard of Copperhill Church. These questions are challenging, but helpful as you seek to evaluate the quality of your relationships.

1. Who in your life knows the sin that you struggle with? (James 5:16)

2. Who do you meet with regularly to pray? (Matt 18:19-20)

3. With whom are you living a life of love in front of unbelievers? (John 13, 17)

4. Who has corrected you in some area of your life recently? (1 Tim 5:20)

5. Who have you corrected recently? (1 Tim 5:20)

6. Who are you currently discipling and teaching with Scripture? (2 Tim 2:2)

7. Who do you meet with regularly to discuss what you are learning in the Bible?

8. Who will be by your hospital bed to pray for you and encourage you?

9. Who will fight to keep you from straying from the faith?

10. Who do you serve by using the gifts that God has given you?

11. Who are you partnering with to reach non-Christians that you know?

12. Who do you meet with when your marriage is in trouble?

13. Who is regularly praying for your marriage?

14. Who are you encouraging daily? (Heb 3:12-13)

15. Who have you recently counseled with the word of God?

#11 is the toughest for me right now. Which of these are most challenging for you? Which of these are the most encouraging?

Resources for the New Year

Though I do not intend to make any New Year’s Resolutions this year, I do think that the end of a year and beginning of a new one is an ideal time to take inventory of our lives and make any course corrections that are necessary. So, here are some helpful resources for approaching the new year of 2010.

• Michael Hyatt has a great post on Seven Questions to Ask About Last Year (btw, this is a great blog with lots of helpful insights).
• Biblical Counselor David Powlison addresses the topic of New Year’s Resolutions.
• Donald Whitney has 10 Questions to Ask in the New Year.
• Justin Taylor has a helpful post on Resolutions and Regret.
• Igniter Media has a creative video related to the New Year.
• Sam Storms Top 10 Books of 2009.
• Tim Challies Top 9 Books of 2009.
• Here’s an assortment of Bible Reading Plans:
  • YouVersion has 20+ plans available, all of which are accessible by iPhone or mobile phone and have lots of customizable options
  • Crossway has about 10 plans available.
  • Ransom Fellowship’s “Bible Reading Plan for Shirkers and Slackers” (here’s an explanation)
  • Discipleship Journal has the following reading plans:
    • Discipleship Journal Book at a Time
    • Discipleship Journal Original (here are bookmarks for the 1st half and 2nd half of the year)
  • The ESV Study Bible Plan
  • The M’Cheyne One-Year Reading Plan
  • The Journey Engage Plan (with accompanying online media)

What resources have you come across that have helped you prepare for 2010?

URGENT: NO GATHERING TODAY!

Due to circumstances beyond our control, there will NOT be a worship gathering today, December 27th.

Perry High School is experiencing an unexpected power outage that appears to be serious in nature and will take a few days to resolve.

We look forward to being together again next Sunday, January 3rd as we kick off the new year.

See you next week!

P.S. This might be a good opportunity to worship as a family. Click here for some helpful ideas.

Special Christmas Offering

I’m so excited about our opportunity to give in an over-and-above way to bless some people in real need. This Sunday we’ll be taking a Special Christmas Offering that will will be used in the following ways:

• 50% will be used in 2010 for benevolence to families inside and outside of Second Mile who have been hit hard by the economic downturn. It’s no secret that this is a significant—and growing—group of people. Gifts will provide groceries, power, and other essential resources for families in need.
• 50% will be given to Biblical Hope, a ministry devoted to providing biblical counseling for women. More than half of these women are not yet followers of Christ, and get referred to Biblical Hope by Crisis Pregnancy Center. These women are often stuck in life-dominating trials and the ministry is a great source of encourage-ment and truth. Gifts will provide Bibles, resources, and other practical items for these hurting women.

If you’d like to participate in this special offering, simply designate your check with “Special Christmas Offering” and either bring it on Sunday or mail it to PO Box 1137, Queen Creek, AZ 85242.