Spiritual Growth

We often treat parts of our lives separately. We do not relate our physical health, mental health, emotional and spiritual health. We act as though a diagnosis of some terrible disease would only affect our bodies but not our minds or spirits. This, of course, is not accurate. However, tending to each of these areas will look different. If we are bleeding we do not pray immediately – we administer a bandage. (praying may come later!)

So all areas of our being are connected. Which means that we can, and do grow in every way when we spend time on nurturing any of these areas. However, each area grows best when we tend to it in the way best for that area. You are not likely to add muscle tone by reading a book. You will add intelligence though, and that may lead you to understanding the exercises needed to add the muscle tone!

Spiritual Growth, in particular, is a life-long journey and is a category which can include many things. Ultimately we search for how to become more and more like Jesus in our lives. We seek transformation. (2 Corinthians 5: 17)  This is the idea that we become who we are meant to be and live in a way which reflects the love of God. Though this might sound daunting, John 14: 16-17 assures us that when we ask God for help in this aim we are given that help by the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5: 22-23 tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. As we delve deeper into our Spiritual lives, these attributes begin to show themselves outwardly.

So how do we go about “Growing Spiritually”?

–          Prayer – There are numbers of ways to do this, but the easiest is simply ask for God to make you aware of the areas where you need to grow spiritually. Then wait and watch!

–          Community – Find others who share your desire to grow closer to God and you will find we are ALL on the journey and need one another!

–          ASK – Don’t hesitate to ask someone who is a mature Christian. (and by that we mean someone who is beginning to show some of the “Fruits of the Spirit”) They can guide you to folks who will be happy to help you.

AT CHRIST CHURCH

Some of the ways we encourage Spiritual Growth:

Worship – We experience God’s presence when we worship together. We believe that when you join together as brothers and sisters to give honor to God, that God blesses us.

Prayer –  We have a prayer group which joins together to pray for the needs of individuals, the community and the world.

We also have a practice of inviting the Holy presence into things we do by praying before and after bible studies, meetings, ‘get togethers’ and before sharing a meal.

Learning – The “churchy” word here is Discipleship. We help each other to grow in faith. So we have learning opportunities which point us in the direction of “Loving God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength” Deuteronomy 6:5

So, the GOAL of Spiritual Growth –

Transformation: Ultimately when we see how our lives have been transformed by our Spiritual Growth and how they have the hope of continuing to be transformed – we find that others are attracted to that transformation and want to be a part of the positive changes they see in us. So, it’s a win-win!

Come join us on our walk to become people whose lives show love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.