I've been reading an interesting book entitled, Move: What 1000 Churches Reveal About Spiritual Growth. This book is a project of Pastor Bill Hybels' church designed to determine what conditions and activities foster spiritual growth at all levels of Christian maturity. The project began with a massive survey of attendees at 1,000 churches. Quickly, common denominators for spiritual growth were revealed. I'm going to focus today on three. They  will not surprise you.

 

   The first two walk hand in glove as foundational personal spiritual disciplines, without which spiritual growth is stifled -- reading the Word daily and personal daily prayer time. Across the "spiritual continuum", from infant Christians to seasoned Christians these two were found to be absolutely necessary for spiritual growth to prosper. For those of you who recognize these as personal weaknesses, I'll suggest a simple path for you to walk to restart your spiritual growth and get off the plateau where you are stranded.

 

   First, read the Word. This is so simple and takes only a slight investment of time to produce enormous results. Read a passage of scripture each day. My wife and I read two chapters a day when we are reading a narrative (a portion of the bible which tells a story), and one chapter if we are reading theological explanations (like the book of Romans). Each

day we individually read, then at some point when we are together, we briefly discuss what we have read. Maybe once a week when the discussion goes deep we'll refer to a modern bible commentator like David Guzik to get more clarity. We also usually look up the meanings of names and names of places mentioned to further illuminate the scripture.  All of this involves ten minutes of reading and ten minutes of discussion -- not a burdensome amount of time. It's so simple. Pick a book that interests you and begin to read a little each day. Find a spiritual mentor you can consult when you have a question. In one year, you'll be amazed at the scriptural ground you have covered and spiritual growth you've found. The bible is written so that ordinary people can understand it, but only if they read it. 

 

   Second, daily personal prayer. Genuine Christianity is based on a personal relationship with Jesus. That relationship can never reach the level of intimacy that the Lord desires without daily prayer, a practice that my friend Pastor M.K. Babu rightly calls "sitting with the Lord". Find a quiet place and pray each day. Pray in your normal voice, as if you were taking with a friend (you are). Confess your sins, praise Him, and talk about your concerns. Ask Him to help you understand the scripture you are reading. Tell Him you love Him, and thank Him for saving you. Quickly, this will become your favorite time of the day.

 

   Finally, Move identifies one absolute roadblock to spiritual growth -- failure to recognize and submit to the authority of scripture. If you don't admit that the bible is God's Word and submit to its authority to govern your life, your Christian walk will stifle and die. This presents a simple choice. Do I believe the bible or not? I pray you choose to believe it.

 

   Move has so much more than these things to offer, and I suggest you read it (but not in place of reading the bible). What I have mentioned are simple, but life changing things. Begin today. You'll be blessed.

 

Copyright 2013 Mission of the Master Ministries, Inc. May be reproduced in whole of in part without prior written permission if a link is provided to http://wordworkswednesday.bogspot.com