The problem with our faith development is that for most of us we approach it completely wrong. Many of us actually believe we can grow our faith the way I began my fitness routine. I started slowly – I bought some fitness water. Then I really ramped it up by buying some fitness equipment for the house. Then I bought a membership to a gym – not really I didn’t want to make that much commitment!
I believe we do the same when we come and sit in the pews and believe that our faith will somehow grow by being there – your faith will not grow any more by that activity alone – than I will get physically fit by drinking fitness water, hanging out in the lobby of the gym or hanging clothes on my exercise equipment – believe me I’ve tried.
So what then must we do to allow our faith to grow?
At about that same time Jesus left the house and sat on the beach. In no time at all a crowd gathered along the shoreline, forcing him to get into a boat. Using the boat as a pulpit, he addressed his congregation, telling stories.
"What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn't put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds. Some fell on good earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams. Matthew 13:1-8 The Message
Faith won’t just grow on its own. Faith is not somethin we scatter like seeds and wait (or hope) that it takes hold. Growing our faith takes planning. It takes as Bishop Schnase has coined it, intentional action, to grow our faith.
I have for you this morning 4 suggestions for being intentional with your faith development:
Memorize
We don’t do much memorizing any more and that is too bad. It is amazing the difference it makes when we memorize a passage of scripture. In so doing it becomes such a part of us that over time we begin to live it. When we read that passage over and over again and begin to repeat it to ourselves it is amazing how that can become a part of us.
For me that began in the summer of 1982 – James 1:12 was the theme for FCA Summer Camp. It was so entrenched in me that it is how I chose to live – with perseverance. People that know my story of the past nearly 30 years know that I have lived this passage. Truth is I haven’t lived it – I have believed it and therefore it has become my life.
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, for when he has stood the test – he will receive the crown of life that God has promised” (James 1:12)
Study
Now let’s expand our intentional action to include the act of study. Study means having some time to focus or concentrate. It also enables us to comprehend what we are studying.
The disciples came up and asked, "Why do you tell stories?"
Study can include reading before we go to bed, or arising early enough to have that devoted time. But Study also means reflecting on what we have read. I believe the Bible speak to us whether we are trained and learned or not. There are basic questions we can ask as we study:
- What does this passage say to me about the nature of God?
- What does this passage say to me about the nature of people?
- What does this passage say to me about who I am?
- Where am I in this story?
The Bible is one big book of stories to teach us. We should want to understand the stories. As a church we are in the process of setting goals to add more Study groups each year. Why? Because study with a group is easier.
Accountability
While we can study by ourselves, most of us will find it easier when we are in a small group. The statistics tell us that most people who do not join a small group within six months of joining a church will become inactive within a year.
Being a part of a small group is an important step in growing your faith. Studying in small groups helps us find encouragement and accountability. What if as a church we had monthly Bible Study and Accountability Groups that met in homes (encourage visitors)? What if each meeting began with a simple question: How has it gone with you since last we met? (This is exactly the way John Wesley began the Methodist movement – How is it with your soul?). There would be scripture to read and reflect on light of the study questions then prayers would be said.
Imagine the witness this intentional action could have with your neighbors. There may be someone you know that you could invite to a home before you would ever think to invite them to church and more people might come to Christ in ways like this than ever before through our formal worship.
Doers of the Word
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. James 1:22 (KJV)
As much as we need to intentional in our study, we need to be intentional in putting our learning into practice. Study without implementing what we have learned is empty study. We need more doers and less theologians and academicians.
Our mission committee is working to provide some clear goals for the church so that we might better understand all that is being done because you gave to the church and missions. But, they are also working to provide more opportunities for service throughout the year. What if in addition to the Adult Work Camp every year, we were able to add a Family Mission Project or a Youth Mission Trip? What if we were able to offer some day trips for mission? What if this church took back some of the work being done by our Trustees Office (in the name of Gov’t welfare) and instead did it in the name of Christian Love and Service?
The problem with commitment is that it requires time, but that is why it is called intentional. You have to make the time. And I know from personal experience and from the shared experiences of many of you as well that once you make the time – you discover you don’t know how you survived with out the intentional time of study.
Is it not time that collectively we commit to being students of God’s word? It is time we all became intentional about growing our faith. And if we did, what could happen?
Jesus already told us, "The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams."
We have goals to grow in numbers in worship - to grow the number of small study groups we offer – to grow the number of people active in mission service.
It is my hope that we reach these goals. I pray that is your hope as well – that we can become the type of vital individuals - a vital congregation - a vital church - that reaps a harvest beyond that which we might ever dream or for that matter that which we declare as a goal.
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