What is the GROW experience and how is God calling us to GROW?

During September and October 2009, GROW has been an experience of worship, study and Christian community to meet you where you are, and allow the Holy Spirit to move you toward a Christ-centered life. Faith, like a plant, has different needs in its stages of growth. No matter how early or far we find ourselves along the path, each of us can take the next step.

In our weekly worship, through the examples of biblical characters, we have grown in the spiritual practices that God uses to form us in Jesus’ likeness and image and as a church, and participate in God’s transformation of the world.

In November, having concluded our GROW series, each of us is engaging in making new commitments to all the spiritual practices—Prayer, Scripture reflection, Community Worship participation, Gift-based Service, Small Group Community, Financial Generosity and Invitational Evangelism.  

 

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GROW Weekly Sermon Topics

Through the examples of some of the lesser known characters in the Old Testament, we grew in understanding of and commitment to the spiritual practices by which we grow into a Christ-centered life.  

Sept. 13: Nehemiah (Prayer)
Focus text: Nehemiah 1:5-11, 9:32-37, 13:28-31
The story of Nehemiah’s rebuilding of the wall begins in prayer and returns to prayer along the way.  His life is intertwined with God. What can we learn from his example about a growing life of prayer?

Sept. 20: Josiah (Scripture)
Focus text: II Kings 22:1-23:27
Josiah finds the book of the law in the Temple and has it read to everyone.  They respond by with a commitment to follow God’s commands.  What can we learn from Josiah about living a biblically-rooted life?

Sept. 27: Malachi (Generosity)
Focus text: Malachi 3:8-12
Malachi confronts the people with their lack of commitment and discipline, calls them to respond, and promises God’s blessing as a result. What can Malachi teach us about the spiritual discipline of generosity?  

Oct. 4: World Communion Sunday  |  Hosea (Evangelism/Invitation)
Focus text: Hosea 3:1-5, 11:1-9
Hosea’s story is a dramatic picture of the persistent love of God that never gives up on us and is the basis and motivation for our emphasis on invitation/evangelism.  

Oct. 11: Jethro (Small Group/Community)
Focus text: Exodus 18:1-27
Jethro advises Moses to break the Israelites into small groups to accomplish their mission.  What would it mean for us to share the life of the faith in community with other disciples?

Oct. 18: Aaron (Corporate Worship)
Focus text: Exodus 29:1-46, Romans 12:1-2
Aaron is the first in the line of priests.  He teaches the Hebrew people the way of worship, including details for the sacrifices.  Paul calls us to give our bodies as a “living sacrifice which is your spiritual worship.”  What difference will it make for us to realize that worship always involves sacrifice?  What is the sacrifice for us?

Oct. 25: Esther (Gifts-based Service)
Focus text: Esther 4:9-17
Esther was called to do what she could do with no guarantee that it would make any difference, but it resulted in the salvation of all the people. What does it mean for us to offer the gifts we have been given in hope that God will use them in his mission of transformation of the world? 

Nov. 1: Commitment Sunday/All Saints’ Day  |  Ruth (Commitment)
Focus text: Ruth 1:15-18
Ruth promises not to turn back from following Naomi.  Her human commitment is a picture of what it means to follow Jesus. What commitment will we make to the practices that will shape our lives as followers of Jesus Christ?

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Daily Discipleship Journal

 

Enrich your faith journey and deepen your understanding of the Bible by downloading and printing this Daily Discipleship Journal. It provides this week's daily scripture readings, plus thought-provoking questions and space for you to record your daily reflections.

 

Next Week: Nov. 1 — Nov. 7, 2009 — .pdf format  (33 KB)