How to grow spiritually

QUESTION

I need to grow spiritually and be a partaker of the word what best to do? I  am a Christian.

ANSWER:

Brilliant:

I appreciate your genuine desire to please God. Could you please tell me a little about your background? I think I see that you live in Iceland. What is your town? What do you do for a living? Are there churches close to you? How did you become a Christian?

Here are some steps to follow on Christian growth, and then I will suggest that you start by enrolling in our course on Christian Foundations. It will give you a good start on your Christian journey.

1. The first step is to be sure you are a Christian. In the table of contents on the Bible-teaching-about.com website there are good articles on how to become a Christian. Carefully and prayerfully read those articles.

Basically, the process is found here, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). In another place it states, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of youselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast” (Ephesians 2:8, 9).

To believe means that you cast all you trust and faith upon the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ to save you, which means the forgiveness of your sins and granting of eternal life.

Knowing our position and status in Christ is important. At salvation, we become forgiven, born again and adopted into the family of God, and justified. We have the right to be the children of God, and can approach Him with boldness and confidence as with a father (Cf. Hebrews 4:15, 16).

2. Step two is to seriously study the Bible. What we know about God and growth is found in the Bible. Consequently, you need to read it, understand it, and apply it to your life. It is good to set out a daily routine to Bible reading. Start with an easy translation such as the New International Version, or New American Standard Bible – or even a good paraphrase such as the Living Bible.

You need to know what God is like, how He thinks, how He relates to you, how you are to relate to others, and what He expects of you. The Bible is God’s special word to you.

I suggest that you start with the Gospel of John or Romans. When you study, have a pencil and paper with you, and take notes. Write down the insights that come to your mind. In other words, study the Bible.

The Bible says, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). In another place we read, “like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” (1 Peter 2:2).

3. Step three is prayer. A good pattern to follow is the so-called Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13. You can memorize it, and then practice praying it back to God. Soon, you will learn how to be a great prayer warrior. Another pattern some people use is the ACTS method. It is an acronym. The A is for adoration and worship to God. The C is for confession of sins you have committed. The T is for thanksgiving to God for His abundant provision and blessing. The S stands for supplication, or asking requests from God. Daily prayer is good.

Prayer is just talking to God in your own word, and with an open, humble, and obedient heart.

4. Step four is Church. It is important to be with a group of likeminded Christians so you can teach each and encourage each other. It is like the difference between a twig and a bundle of wood. If you set just a small twig on fire, it will soon sputter out. However, if you set a bundle of wood on fire, it will burn hotter and longer.

In church it is important to partake of the ordinances, or sacraments. They involve two: water baptism, and the Lord’s Supper, or Communion.

5. Step five is to become involved in Christian service. Each of us has a special ability, or gift, given to us by the Holy Spirit. We are to use it to advance the Kingdom or Cause of Christ. The overall marching orders for Christian service is in the Great Commission where Jesus Commanded, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

Evangelism and discipleship are the two main services. However, other activities in the name of Christ are certainly valid. This would include medical work, education, and charity.

6. Step six is to worship God. A great pattern to follow is found in 1 Chronicles 29:10-20. Reading the Psalms also gives you examples how to personally worship God from our heart. We worship God in our own private lives, and also corporately with other Christians in church. Singing Hymns to God is a form of worship. Worship means “worth” in old English. Worship, then, is recognizing the awesome worth of God Almighty and expressing it in our heartfelt adoration, love, and devotion. Just saying the words of prayer or worship is not worship. However, if we say and mean them in our heart, then it is worship.

7. The last thing I would suggest is to get into a serious study of the Bible, theology, and practical living and service. You can do this by going through our course on Christian Foundations.

Please feel free to ask any questions. I have attached a welcome letter with some links on how to take the course online. I will also attach a copy of the ebook with this email.

All the best; and God bless,

Dr. Newman