How do you know when someone in your congregation is struggling with their faith? What signals you that someone is ready to take a leap of faith? Often the answer is when they tell you. The trouble is people often wait to share those things until it is critical and something needs to be done right away. Or worse, they don’t tell you at all and you find out after the fact.
As a Christian leaders, you spend a lot of time on teaching—whether it’s sermons, classes, writing, etc. You are giving your people input, valuable material, and hoping they will incorporate at least some of it in their lives. But are you building in a way for them to practice what you are teaching—to address the struggles and leaps as they emerge? A meaningful and practical way for people to interact with the sermons? I’m talking beyond sermon notes and small group questions but actually facilitating application and spiritual growth.
The Spiritual Growth Process
Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.
Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.
Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.
Then you will understand what it means to fear the LORD, and you will gain knowledge of God.
For the LORD grants wisdom! —Proverbs 2:2-6a, NLT
Proverbs 2 gives us a picture of the struggle to gain understanding. It’s not easy. The process is often frustrating and messy. Think of a time when you struggled to gain wisdom. Maybe it was late at night studying in your toughest college class. Or maybe it was in an effort to rebuild a broken relationship. How did you feel during that time? It is mental and emotional work. Now think of a time when you, or someone you know, struggled with a spiritual truth. Maybe it was focused on the sickness or death of a loved one? Or maybe a search for purpose and direction in life. The struggle is deep and real. And the path to wisdom is beyond good advice or a set of action steps—it’s personal.
Facilitating Faith
It’s said that you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. That may be true but you can provide an environment more conducive to a horse drinking water. You can consider the presence of threats—are there sights and sounds that trigger fear? The location, size and shape of the vessel—does it fit the situation can the horse reach it easily? Even the temperature and clarity of the water can make drinking the water more likely. When facilitating spiritual growth, its not just about providing the truth. You need to create an environment that encourages and supports the process.
Keep how it feels to struggle to gain understanding and wisdom in mind and imagine an environment dedicated to facilitating the transformative work of gaining spiritual understanding and wisdom.
- Who do you think would benefit from a safe space to search for understanding?
- How can you create a more safe and supportive environment for people to process spiritual truths?
- What elements would make the time and space more conducive to spiritual growth?
- In what ways does your approach need to change in order to support people as they struggle and take leaps?
- How is this different from your current Bible Study or Small Group process?
- What is one thing you can change today that would make the biggest difference to those engaging in their spiritual journey?
Resources
The Discipleship Difference- Every person is different and we all reflect God in different ways. So why is our typical approach to discipleship the same across the board? The Discipleship Difference lays out an intentional, holistic, and relational approach to discipleship that is individualized to meet each person wherever they are and help them take their next best step toward God.
Guide for Discipling- Created to encourage disciples new and old to love God, love others, and make disciples. With a total of forty lessons, each is supported by related scriptures and includes thought-provoking questions to encourage discussion. Pastors, church leaders, and individuals can use these guides in a variety of ways to grow in holistic discipleship. This curriculum has been customized for Lutherans, Episcopalians, and The Vineyard.
Coaching- You have a vision you want to make happen but are coming up against obstacles. Good news! Dr. Bob Logan has a couple of spots open on his coaching calendar. Email admin@loganleadership.com and request a complimentary 30-minute conversation with Dr. Bob to learn more about how coaching can help you maximize your effectiveness and move your vision forward.