How To Grow Up

We've been chatting around the topic of spiritual maturity, and yesterday I shared part of my journey toward spiritual maturity in my blog Growing Up Godly. Today, I wanted to share some of the personal strategies I have used successfully in my own growth journey.

Everyone learns and responds differently to visual, verbal and intellectual cues, but I hope that the strategies I suggest can inspire everyone who wants to grow in some way.

Live Outside The Box

As believers, we get comfortable with routine. But to grow spiritually, I challenge you to break with your normal routine and radically embrace new ways to grow. What might these be?.....you ask me. Great, I'm happy to give you some ideas!

Explore Various Teachers

There is so much great teaching existing in cyberspace nowadays. If you are in a large metropolitan area like Atlanta, where I live, there is access to many great churches. Each church has its own culture of worship, messages, group environments and fellowship opportunities. Research them, ask your friends to join you, and get there!

Spiritual maturity comes from worshiping and learning in a community of believers, no matter which church they call home. You can stream these messages on your phone, on YouTube (if you have a smart TV you can play them on your TV), or even purchase DVD series.

Besides my own pastor Kevin Myers at 12Stone, one that speaks into my life is Louie Giglio at Passion City Church (love attending here, the worship is amazing!). I like streaming messages from Rick Warren at Saddleback Church, Robert Morris at Gateway Church, Bill Hybels at Willow Creek Church, and Bill Johnson at Bethel Church. These churches are in California, Texas, Chicago, and Atlanta - so take advantage of modern technology to explore churches nationwide you might love!

Sharpen Your Weapons

The weapons of a close walk with God are worship, the word, and prayer. Spend time daily in each of these. Stream worship music online with the words, and you can build intimacy with the Lord in practicing these. Select a bible study guide on a topic or book that interests you and dive in. I've done these with just one other friend at times, and it's really fun! Spend more time in prayer for others, and use the "Search Me" prayer in Psalm 139 to ask God to show you anything that could be hindering your growth.

For streaming worship music, try Hillsongs, Bethel Music, Elevation Music, Passion City and Chris Tomlin (Chris Tomlin used to be the worship leader at Passion City but he recently moved to Nashville). I also love attending Nights of Praise at different churches. One I frequently attend is Northpoint Church's Night of Praise. I also love going to International House of Praise (IHOP) for their 24 hour worship music and prayer access.

Tap Into Community

Join a small group or build an accountability group to help challenge you to grow. Ask people whose faith you admire what books, teachers and messages influence them. When you read a book, schedule a coffee to discuss how it impacted ou. Nearly every chance I get, I say "yes" to invitations to participate in workshops, spend time with other believers, or lead/teach small groups. It's through this community that we get support during difficult times, get to use our gifts to build up others, and see God's work manifest in so many different kinds of lives.

Get Mentors & Friends

In my quest for maturity, I made choices for mentors and friends whose faith I want to emulate. I've heard it said that we are the sum of our five closest friends. Are you surrounding yourself with close friends who spur you on in your faith? Remember, iron sharpens iron!

Live In the Moment

Resist the very human urge to play out scenarios in your life of what "could" happen. All too often, that leads us to worrying and stressing about things out of our control. Paul tells us to "rejoice in our circumstances" so even if you are in a less-than-ideal season right now, God has you there so that you can purify and grow your faith, so celebrate the fire that is purifying you!

I would love to hear about growth strategies that were effective in your life, or your thoughts on mine. And until we meet again, Praise Crazy!