Getting Started
One of the first steps to growing spiritually is wanting to do so!
In fact, the Bible reveals that wanting to grow spiritually is a clear indication of the Holy Spirit working in your heart. Your desire is important because it shows that you are hungry to be a better person than you are now, to know God better than you do now, and to experience more fully God’s design for your life. So if you are dissatisfied with where you are spiritually, it’s a good thing!
However, most growth happens slower than we wish. Like plants in a garden, much of our growth is unseen: underneath the surface, our roots spread out and down, giving us stability and allowing us to drink deeply; but even our visible growth is so incremental, we do not notice it from day to day. Yet, growth is happening.
So long as certain basic needs are met for a living thing, growth is an expected part of life. However, as in trees, it may come in seasons: at times we burst forth with evident fruit, while at other times, little seems to be happening. The Bible sometimes portrays our spiritual growth as paralleling physical growth: as new Christians, we are “children”; as our experience and knowledge increases, we become “young people” in our faith; eventually, if we keep growing, God sees us as responsible adults, mature in our faith.
The Way helps you assess where you are spiritually and intentionally take practical steps to grow. It is a spiritual GPS that helps you figure out where you are and what direction you should head. Formed of twelve evaluative questions, this tool will help you prayerfully and practically assess what might be your next step.
Introducing each question is a video designed to sharpen our sense of need for that particular topic. It is not intended to answer the question so much as raise the need behind it.
Though the questions have some logical order––from belief in God in the first question to helping others come to the same conviction in the twelfth question––feel free to focus on any question that raises a need in your life at the moment. You don’t have to answer the questions in any order; and once you answer a question, you still may want to return to it again sometime along the path in the future.
Spiritually, we grow as we learn more about God, and experience more of his work in our hearts. We develop:
In fact, the Bible reveals that wanting to grow spiritually is a clear indication of the Holy Spirit working in your heart. Your desire is important because it shows that you are hungry to be a better person than you are now, to know God better than you do now, and to experience more fully God’s design for your life. So if you are dissatisfied with where you are spiritually, it’s a good thing!
However, most growth happens slower than we wish. Like plants in a garden, much of our growth is unseen: underneath the surface, our roots spread out and down, giving us stability and allowing us to drink deeply; but even our visible growth is so incremental, we do not notice it from day to day. Yet, growth is happening.
So long as certain basic needs are met for a living thing, growth is an expected part of life. However, as in trees, it may come in seasons: at times we burst forth with evident fruit, while at other times, little seems to be happening. The Bible sometimes portrays our spiritual growth as paralleling physical growth: as new Christians, we are “children”; as our experience and knowledge increases, we become “young people” in our faith; eventually, if we keep growing, God sees us as responsible adults, mature in our faith.
The Way helps you assess where you are spiritually and intentionally take practical steps to grow. It is a spiritual GPS that helps you figure out where you are and what direction you should head. Formed of twelve evaluative questions, this tool will help you prayerfully and practically assess what might be your next step.
Introducing each question is a video designed to sharpen our sense of need for that particular topic. It is not intended to answer the question so much as raise the need behind it.
Though the questions have some logical order––from belief in God in the first question to helping others come to the same conviction in the twelfth question––feel free to focus on any question that raises a need in your life at the moment. You don’t have to answer the questions in any order; and once you answer a question, you still may want to return to it again sometime along the path in the future.
Spiritually, we grow as we learn more about God, and experience more of his work in our hearts. We develop:
CONVICTIONSthat reflect God’s view of life
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SKILLSthat allow us to pray passionately, and read the Bible accurately, and serve effectively
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HABITSthat keep us on track––often called “spiritual disciplines” such as prayer, corporate and personal worship, giving, reading and meditating on the Scriptures
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DECISIONSthat move us ahead in our path of growth
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Convictions, habits, skills and decisions all are required if we are to grow as God intends. With that in mind, we’ve attached to each question possible actions for you to take, and resources that will help you move ahead as you form convictions and develop habits, learn skills and make decisions. We’ve given plenty of options for you to select from––you can do as many or as few as you think helpful, and return to them as often as you wish.
This is your individual path; everyone is in a different place along the path of life, confronted with different challenges and opportunities, and sensing different needs. One size does not fit all when it comes to spiritual growth, so don’t compare yourself to others. Frankly assess where you are and what your next step is.
Spiritual growth will require your initiative. Whether you move ahead on the path or stay where you are or fall back or even get off track is up to you. Nobody can make you do anything; on the other hand, no one can grow for you. This adventure of moving along the path of spiritual maturity demands your buy-in and initiative.
It reminds us that our growth should be intentional. Few people grow haphazardly. If you want to know God, and experience his work in your life, you will have to be intentional about seeking him. God promises, “You will seek and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). Whether forging convictions about who God is or his purpose for your life, or learning skills about how to use the Bible or sharing your faith, developing habits of worship and prayer or fellowship, or making strategic decisions to move forward, they all require you to be intentional.
I think you’ll find The Way stimulating and encouraging to your growth. We’re very excited about it, and hope you’ll use it regularly.
This is your individual path; everyone is in a different place along the path of life, confronted with different challenges and opportunities, and sensing different needs. One size does not fit all when it comes to spiritual growth, so don’t compare yourself to others. Frankly assess where you are and what your next step is.
Spiritual growth will require your initiative. Whether you move ahead on the path or stay where you are or fall back or even get off track is up to you. Nobody can make you do anything; on the other hand, no one can grow for you. This adventure of moving along the path of spiritual maturity demands your buy-in and initiative.
It reminds us that our growth should be intentional. Few people grow haphazardly. If you want to know God, and experience his work in your life, you will have to be intentional about seeking him. God promises, “You will seek and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). Whether forging convictions about who God is or his purpose for your life, or learning skills about how to use the Bible or sharing your faith, developing habits of worship and prayer or fellowship, or making strategic decisions to move forward, they all require you to be intentional.
I think you’ll find The Way stimulating and encouraging to your growth. We’re very excited about it, and hope you’ll use it regularly.