Recommended Actions For Spiritual Growth

The following actions can help you complete your intentional plan for your spiritual growth. See these as suggestions to get you started, rather than a list of the only possibilities. Trust God to guide you in your choices. The key to growth will be his work in you as you intentionally seek his kingdom first. Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Abide in Christ.
John 15:4 “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”

1. Regularly attend worship services at your church.
2. Set aside a specific time and location for a regular quiet time.
3. Establish a practice of worship preparation through prayer and confession.
4. Learn about and practice biblical fasting.
5. Learn about your identity in Christ.
6. Regularly thank God and give him praise in all situations.
7. Make a list of things that hinder your spiritual growth. Seek God’s help to remove those hindrances.

Live in the Word.
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, . . . and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

1. Memorize one Scripture verse each week.
2. Take notes from sermons. Evaluate how the lessons apply to your life.
3. Establish a regular time for personal Bible study. Take notes from the studies and evaluate how the biblical truths you learn can apply to your life.
4. Use a concordance and Bible dictionary to enrich Bible study.
5. Read one chapter from the Bible each day. Discover one action required and do it.
6. Meditate on the character of God described in the chapter you read.
7. Share with someone a specific thought you learned from your Bible study or a specific way that a passage applied to your life.

Pray in Faith.
James 1:5-6 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.”

1. Pray for your elder, ministers and Sunday school teachers regularly.
2. Enlist a prayer partner and meet regularly for prayer.
3. Journal your prayers and record how prayers are answered.
4. Study the prayers in the Bible.
5. Do a topical Bible study on prayer. Share with another person or group what you learned.
6. Pray each day.

Build Godly Relationships.
Ephesians 4:1-3,25,31-32 “. . . walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuf- fering, forbearing one another in love; endeavouring to keep the unity in the Spirit in the bond of peace. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour. . . Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

1. Ask family members to identify ways you can improve your relationships with each one.
2. Ask friends to identify ways you can improve your relationships with each one.
3. Make a list of people who have hurt you and ask God for help to forgive them.
4. Interview someone you respect for their godly relationship (e.g., a couple who has been married for many years).
5. Do a topical Bible study on building godly relationships in marriage and share with others.
6. Do a topical Bible study on building godly relationships as a parent and share with others.
7. Do a topical Bible study on building godly relationships with others and share with others.

Witness to the World.
Acts 22:15 “For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.”

1. Write your testimony and practice sharing it with another believer.
2. Be ready to share your testimony when asked.
3. Make a list of non-believers you know and begin praying regularly for their salvation.
4. Be sure your “light” is shining all the time, so friends, co-workers, and neighbors will notice your joy of salvation and sanctified life.
5. Invite a friend to a worship service at your church.
6. Include a specific focus on missions in your prayers.
7. Participate in a World Relief activity or missions trip.
8. Do a topical Bible study on witnessing to the world. Share with another person or group what you learned.

Minister to Others. 2 Corinthians 4:1, 3 “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.”

1. Complete a spiritual gifts inventory.
2. Volunteer for a ministry in your church where you can use your spiritual gifts, interests, and natural abilities.
3. Send notes of encouragement to your elder, minister, and Sunday school staff.
4. Visit one homebound person each week.
5. Look for families with new babies. Send a note of congratulations and drop off a gift or meal.
6. Volunteer to babysit for single parents in your church to give them a night out.
7. Volunteer to help in places where the needy are served, such as nursing homes, hospitals, Timber Ridge, Gateway Woods, homeless shelters, orphanages, food pantries, etc.
8. Volunteer to tutor students or help in a classroom at a local school.

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Lifeway Christian Resources, Nashville, TN. Adapted from content displayed on their website, www.lifeway.com. Adapted by Apostolic Christian Counseling and Family Services. Can be freely copied and redistributed. Not to be sold.

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