WALKING
The Way – Part 3
Springcreek Church | Senior Pastor Keith Stewart
January 22, 2023
In this week’s installment of The Way, we turn our attention to our part in spiritual growth. What does it mean to walk with God? How do we cooperate with what He’s doing? And are we practicing life’s sacred rhythm like Jesus modeled for us? I used to say all the time, “I learned all about God in Bible college and Seminary but never really learned to walk with Him until I got involved in spiritual direction.” I want to share with you the things that excite me, challenge me and keep me on the path of spiritual growth. It's pathway proven over many years of walking with Jesus and is laid out clearly in the pages of God’s Word.
SERIES: THE WAY
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” – Jesus
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1.) In the first part of the message, Pastor Keith talked about how the answer to our sin problem is relational. In this section, he shared several principles that you can discuss as a group:
- We try to be LIKE Jesus rather than try to be WITH Jesus.
- Spirituality is not about competency. It’s about intimacy.
- Spirituality is not about perfection. It’s about connection.
- They are trying to make themselves good enough to gain God's favor by keeping laws and customs - but that is not God's way of salvation. Romans 10.3 (Living Bible)
- “If you try to become Christ-like in your external behavior you will simply turn into a devoted legalist, and people will run from you.” - Dallas Willard
Where have you seen these principles play out in churches? In others? In your own life? Why do you think so many invert what Scriptures teach and put all the emphasis on trying to be a good person rather than trying to be with Christ (which is the key to victory)?
2.) The three spheres of spiritual growth or what Pastor Keith referred to as Christ’s sacred rhythm, are growing, connecting, and serving. It’s time to do a spiritual check-up. Where are you strongest and where are you weakest? In what ways did today’s message challenge you to devote more time to the area where you have room for growth?
3.) The spiritual disciplines are all various ways of creating space for God in your life. Which disciplines have you tried and what has been your experience? Which ones have you never tried? How has God met you during your engagement with the spiritual disciplines?
4.)Of course, none of us grows in the way God intended in isolation from others. The Christian life, following in the ways of Jesus, means doing life in connection with a community of believers. How does individualism work against this? What have you found to be the benefits of connection in community? What are the challenges and fears people have of community? What can we do better as groups to bring down the barriers people have toward opening their lives up to others (and in the process opening up themselves more fully to God)?
5.) The final sphere of growth Pastor Keith discussed was service. We all need to be giving away what we have received from God. It helps both keep us tethered to reality and strengthens our faith as we trust God in challenging situations. Where have you had the most fulfillment serving? How has it challenged you and maybe even pushed you out of your comfort zone? How has your connection to God been strengthened through acts of service? If you met a believer who felt too timid, unfit, or even unqualified to serve, what would you say to them to encourage them to take this step toward service?
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