It is easy to believe and live like we are going to continue to grow as followers of Jesus just because we are alive and breathing. But my observation is that a lot of Christians have been plateaued for a long time – boredom is a common complaint amongst Christians!
Growth doesn’t happen in our lives simply by being alive. It seems to me Jesus was very deliberate about calling his disciples forward into growth. He exposed them to truth or demonstrations of Kingdom activity and then called them forward into that area of experience – demonstration and proclamation.
How does God expose us to new things that require us to grow? I would suggest there are 4 main ways He invites us to grow.
1. Through exposure to truth in the Bible – given for transformation not information! As you read the Bible, ask yourself – is there something here for me to believe? to practice?; to turn from?
2. Through power encounters and Kingdom clashes – notice what you notice as you go through your day. Our days are full of “God moments” – but we can often miss them if we are rushing
3. Through the Holy Spirit speaking to us
4. Through other people discipling us – we need people who will call us forward in our following of Jesus; and we need to be deliberately calling other people forward – one hand forward and one hand back!
We need to invite pressure in our lives to push us into growing – stagnation and boredom are the only other alternatives!
More next week!
Heya Lloyd – Yeah this is true I think, but maybe could add a 5th factor that seems to motivate me to grow. It seems to me that when I’m going through tough or scary times I take steps towards God and looking back they are growing times. Anyway thats my 2 cents! (I reckon this post ties in nicely with the “balance” one!)
Chur Chur