Next: Grow

Series: Next
Grow by John Burke, February 3, 2008

In this message, John really jumped into the heart of the “Next” series: Figuring out where you are now in your spiritual journey and then deciding how to take the next step. This discussion/exercise will probably be much more useful for you if you heard the message on Sunday and took a look at the Next Step options in the program (or checked it all out on-line – see links at the end of this blog in our “next steps” section). If you get a chance, take a look before diving into the questions below.

1. In last week’s blog, we closed by asking you which step on the path, you think you might be walking? Today, start back right there. Take a look at the categories below.

Discover: “I’m checking things out. Either I’m not a Christ-follower, or I’ve very recently become one. I have questions, but I want more than easy answers. I want to get to know people and find out what this is really all about. I may be interested in a small group. I may be open to serving. I’m open to learning. Just don’t ask me to do anything weird.”

Develop: “I am a Christ-follower. I want to learn more, especially about developing a more satisfying experience with Christ. I have some experience with spiritual practices like studying Scripture, prayer, and walking with the Spirit, but I need greater consistency. I’d like to have “spiritual running partners” who know my struggles and inspire me to greater depth. From time to time, I slip back into old patterns not consistent with my commitment, and I’d like that to stop. I want to make a difference; I want to learn more about my unique role in the Body of Christ. I genuinely want to follow Christ.”

Deepen: “I have been consistently following Christ for years. I have daily spiritual habits that keep me connected with God’s Spirit and spiritual friends who challenge me to grow. I also have friends who are far from God that I pray for and serve regularly. I still have questions, but I know what I believe and why. I know my God-given purpose and I’m making an impact in the areas of my gifts and passions. Those who know me best would say that I’m becoming more and more of the person that God longs for me to be. My greatest desire is to help others discover, develop, or deepen their own walk with Christ."

Which fits you best? (Take a some time for every person who is comfortable to talk about where they are.) When it’s your turn, try to add some of your own words and experience that help describe where you are now. (Just a reminder: wherever you are, that’s where God loves you. The most important thing is not where you are but where you go next). (15 – 20 minutes)

2. Naturally, we want to look forward, but the next step here will be forward to the past: Where WERE you? Think back 1 month, one year, five years… whichever seems like the best period to catch a different phase in your life. Now think for a minute about what got you from there to where you are now. Write down or note for yourself any things or actions that triggered a next step. Take some time for each person to talk about these, and in a group, try to discuss each step in turn. So first, for those who thought they were in the Discover stage: Did you have a “pre-discover” stage? What got you to “Discover”? After the Discover folks have talked about their previous “next steps”, go on to do the same for Develop and then Deepen. If you can, keep a list of the any common types of events or actions that resulted led to a time of spiritual growth. (15 – 20 minutes)

3. Now, back to the future… you know where you are now, and you’ve considered some things that have created growth in the past for you and for others. What would be a good next step for you? Be sure to consider some of the next steps that are available through Gateway. If anybody in the group looked at the Next Step website, or know of specific opportunities at Gateway, spend some time to describe those. Now, select some options. Pair off. Then take about 5 minutes (each) to tell your discussion partner two or three things you think might be a good next step for you. (15 minutes)

4. Close with some time to decide individually whether there is a next step you want to take. If so, make a commitment about what and how and when you can move forward this week to journey on. Be sure to take a minute to ask the Lord to give you the excitement and the motivation to take the step(s) to move further into life with Him. (2 – 3 minutes)

Bible verses from this message:

I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young people, because you have overcome the evil one.
1 John 2:12-13

[Timothy be] nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
1 Timothy 4:6-8

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Mark 10:43-45

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again.
Heb 5:11-12

Get more - go further:

• Consider the questions at the Next Steps site to help you decide where you are on your path.
• Check out connections options at Gateway.
• You can search for related books on-line at the Gateway Bookstore or look for books at the "reality" bookstore in the "Garage".
• Remember - each Sunday's message is available by 5 PM on the day of the message. Past messages are also available for listening and download. Just go to Gateway's Sunday Messages. Free CD's of the messages will be available after the services at Gateway the following Sunday.