Planting Partners

Relational Renew - Growing A Spiritually Mature Church

Eph 4:14 (PH), 1 Cor. 12:11 (NIV), James 3:17-18 (CEV), Romans 8:29 (nIV), 1 Peter 5:2 Amp), Pr. 27:23 (NIV), Matt 7:17-20 (NIV) , John 15:8 (NLT)

8 Laws of Spiritual Growth

1.     Spiritual Growth is Incarnational

Gal 2:20 (NIV)

1 Cor 3:6 (NIV)

Phil. 2:12-13 (NIV)

Fact: Spiritual Growth is Both

2.     Spiritual Growth is Intentional

a.     Myth: Growth is Automatic

b.     Reality: We Grow By Making Commitments

Move people from - Come & See to Come & Die - It’s a process

Tools we use:

1. Weekly Commitment Cards
2. Covenants - Neh. 9:38-10:1
3. Sermon Notes

• Incresses attention
• Retention
• Participation
• Covers more material
• Review stuff for years to come
• Basic for SG discussion
• Use multiple translations
• Unbelievers Don’t Bring Bibles.

2.  Incaremtental

Myth: growth is Instant

Reality: We grow through a Step-by-Step Process

4 Spiritual Growth is Personal

Reality: We Grow According to our S.H.A.P.E.

Tools:

1. Shape Interview
2. Spiritual Health Assessment 2 Cor 13:5 (NRSV)
3. Prayer Garden

5.  Spiritual Growth is Habitual

Reality: We Grow By developing Good Habits (Spiritual Disciplines)

Tools:

1. Assign Homework – Jesus, “Now, Go and Do Likewise”  Be doers of the Word…
2. Purpose Driven Life Journal
3. Drive Time Devotions – podcasts
4. Email Devotional
5. Guide to Fasting
6. Help people develop habits not attend more meetings.

6. Spiritual Growth is Relational/Communal

Myth: Can Attain Maturity by Yourself

Reality: we only grow in community – Heb 10:24-25

Tools

1.     Small Groups

2.     Spiritual Coaches

3.     Retreats

Heb. 5:12 (NIV)

6 Spiritual Growth is Multi-Dimensional

Myth: Maturity is measured by your Bible knowledge

Titus 2:1 (GW)

Reality: It takes  all Five Purposes to grow

1. Warmer through fellowship
2. Deeper through discipleship
3. Stronger through worship
4. Broader through ministry
5. Larger through mission

James 1:27

8.  Spiritual Growth is Seasonal

Gen 8:22 (NLT)

Reality: We Grow and we Consolidate – We Grow in Spirts

Push the people and then back off and give them space – We call the growth seasons campaigns.  We have six weeks because it takes about six weeks to develop a habit.

The Tools:

1. I want to grow
2. I love my church
3. Millennial Members
4. Building for Life
5. 40 Days of : Community, Faith, Purpose, Love, Mission, Peace
6. Five Reinforcements: 
7. Hear it
8. Read it
9. Talk about it
10. Memorize a Verse

James 15:16 (NIV)