What are the basics of growing as a Christian?
This is an important question, and every Christian needs growth whether they are a new Christian, a mature Christian, or a struggling Christian. Maybe you've grown and are experiencing a spiritual plateau or a dry spell. Maybe you just don’t know where or how to start.
One of my hobbies is playing table tennis. Just as in table tennis and any other pursuit you may be involved in, if you want to improve you need to practice. You also need to learn and add disciplines to your practice. At first, you may just spend time playing. Then start practicing your serve, or your spin, or ball placement. Later you add to your growth by learning and practicing new techniques for different aspects of your game.
Likewise, to grow spiritually, spend time practicing. As you want to take that next step, refocus, or learn new techniques. Avoid learning some of those bad habits or techniques that could slow or limit your growth.
What are the core practices for spiritual growth?
There are three core practices of the Christian faith. They are to:
- read God’s Word
- pray, and
- worship God
All three of these are required, none are optional. It is important for each of these, as you are beginning, and growing, to keep each of these pure. In other words, don’t add to them with other aids or props. Adding to them may get you into harmful or limiting techniques. I’ll go into more on each of these, but this is important to keep it simple to start with, and to keep it free from pollution as you mature.
Each of these practices should be done individually, as a family, and as the body in church. Each of these contexts is important, for they are all commanded in God’s Word. These three core practices should all be done every day (not necessarily corporately, but at least individually.
I make a distinction between these practices and the sacraments. The sacraments are signs and seals to remind us of God’s love and covenant with us. The sacraments can be classified in the context of corporate worship and faithful administration of the sacraments is one of the signs of a true church.
What are the goals of spiritual growth?
As you faithfully practice these with discipline, you will grow in maturity, and knowledge of the Lord. Through these you will get spiritual food, to sustain you. In John 15, Jesus reminds us,
”I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit;”
We will bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
As we bear fruit and grow, we must not forget that we may get pruned (disciplined). When we are disciplined, it may feel like we've been cut off, but God will not cut off those that are His.
Conclusion
As you grow, you will see your growth, you will see more and more of God’s hand in your life and in the history of the world, and you will sense God’s leading through His promised Holy Spirit.
Here are a few closing scriptures of encouragement:
1 Corinthians 9:24b,
“Run in such a way as to get the prize.”
Galatians 5:7,
“You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?”
Hebrews 12:1b,
“let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
Spiritual growth is important; it takes discipline, and yields its fruit. A fruit does not grow to maturity in a day, but grows as it gets the nourishment that it needs. Don’t get discouraged, keep running and you will finish the race well, God is faithful!
