I Love It When a Plan Comes Together!

You NEED a spiritual growth plan!

When you set off on an adventure, you spend at least some time looking at maps and planning things out. When it comes to our spiritual lives, however, we don’t always do as much planning as we could. So get out a piece of paper and a pencil (or open a new file on your computer) and get started: 

When you write it down, a couple of things happen:

1. You have to think through the details and be specific as you write it out.

2. You don’t forget your goals and you can follow your progress.

Remember that your goal is Sanctification (spiritual growth). Christ and the Gospel must always be the central focus of everything. (Matthew 6:33)

So to help you out, here are some suggested areas that you might want to think about as you put together your spiritual growth plan (SGP). 

Christ-Focused Life

--> What specific things can you do to stay focused on Christ throughout the day?

What music should you listen to?

What should you be reading?

Have you thought about putting little cards here and there. 

Maybe set a reminder on your phone.

Have you contemplated your sinfulness recently?

--> Have you thought about the cross today?

Have you thanked God for all He has given you recently? (James 1:17)

Scripture Saturation

Charles Spurgeon said “when you cut me, I want to bleed Bibleen” - meaning that he wanted to be so saturated in Scripture, he would bleed Bible if he was cut. That’s a lot of Bible. That’s a worthy goal. What are you doing to move in that direction?

There are several things that you should be doing in the area of Bible

1. Hear the Bible (Are you in church consistently? Ready to listen? Taking notes?) 

2. Read the Bible (what is your Bible reading plan?)

3. Study the Bible (reading is great, but studying is where it comes alive)

4. Memorizing the Bible (not the whole Bible. Start with this week’s fighter verse)

5. Meditating on the Bible (memorization leads to meditation)

--> If you’re free Wednesday night, June 6, at 6:00 p.m. - we’re learning how to study the Bible and more! We'll also be looking at many things that will help you with your spiritual growth this Summer at FOF!

Prayer

God speaks to us through the pages of Scripture. Prayer is talking to Him. 

Do you have a prayer list? One acronym that is helpful in approaching a prayer time is “ACTS”

A - Adoration - praising God for who He is and what He has done

C - Confession - confessing any sin in your life. 

T - Thanksgiving - thanking Him for His many blessings in your life

S - Supplication - praying for needs. Your own, and others.

Sometimes it’s hard to stay focused when you pray. If your mind wanders and you get distracted, click here for a helpful article about praying. 

Also, extended times of prayer, while not always possible on a daily basis, are so wonderful when you get a chance. 
Click here for a prayer hour guide. 

A couple more prayer articles:
• Kill Prayer Distractions

• Pray for your Prayer Life

• Pray the Scriptures

Evangelism

You need to understand the gospel better. We all do. I include myself in this category. What are you doing to understand the gospel better? How are you growing in your understanding of what Christ has done for you? In your need for Him? In trusting in what He has done for you on the cross? Are you living what C.J. Mahaney calls “a cross-centered life?”

Can you share the Gospel in one minute? (check out the first blog here for some thoughts about that). Are you growing in your understanding of the gospel?

What will you do this week to move forward in your understanding of the gospel? What will you do this week to equip yourself to be able to share it more effectively?

--> Who are you intentionally building a relationship with? Neighbor, co-worker, classmate...

Here’s a helpful article: http://salternlite.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/tim-kellers-top-10-evangelism-tips/

Worship

Worship is a discipline. Not only in daily life, intentionally living a life of worship, but also corporate worship. What do you do to prepare your heart for your church’s corporate worship services? Do you get enough sleep on Saturday nights so that you are awake, alert, and can fully engage in the services? Do you come prepared (Bible, notebook, etc.)? Do you remove distractions (cell phone, people that might distract you, etc.) so that you can focus on God during the service?

--> What else can you do to be more engaged in corporate worship?

Engaged & Serving

How are you serving the church? 

How are you gifted to serve the church?

Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? (We’ll be covering that at FOF on a Wednesday night this Summer)

Are you truly engaged in the body?
What can you do to be more engaged in the body? How can you be better connected to the body? 

--> Who should you invite to your home for dinner in the next few weeks?

A Special Question For Dads

--> How are you leading your family spiritually? What are you doing to foster and encourage their spiritual growth?

About Reading Books:

Al Mohler (president of Southern Seminary) says that reading is the way that God has chosen to make His people grow (watch this video when you have a few minutes). The summary is this: you should be reading. Obviously reading the Bible is always the priority and nothing should ever replace it as the central focus of your reading. There are many books that you could spend time reading. Always choose books that will encourage you to grow in knowledge and wisdom. Many books are not helpful to your spiritual life. 

The list below is not a comprehensive or exhaustive list, but these are books that have been helpful to me and that come highly recommended from other trustworthy pastors. The goal is to grow in your love of God, His word, and sound doctrine.

The books listed below are books that are based on truths found in Scripture and will help you in your search to be rooted in sound doctrine. Remember - what  you read is important. It is also important what you choose not to read. I’ve listed them in a basic “order of importance.” The first few books will serve as a great foundation for a lifetime of reading and spiritual growth. 

A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent 

Living the Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney

Stop Dating the Church by Josh Harris

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald Whitney (click here for kindle)

Some other books that will be helpful in your SGP:

The Gospel According to Jesus by John MacArthur (click here for kindle)

Knowing God by J.I. Packer (click here for Kindle)

The Gospel and Personal Evangelism by Mark Dever (click here for kindle)

(Check out “Resources” in a few weeks on the church website for a more comprehensive list of books)

I pray that you would be more effective and productive for the kingdom of God as a result of your Spiritual Growth Plan. 

Soli Deo Gloria!

Rob

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