LIFE OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Orienting one’s life to seeking to love
God and others, while following the
teachings of Jesus Christ.
1
NOT SEEKING: This life is all there is. My life is all
about me.
2
SEEKING: Searching for meaning and purpose.
Could God’s grace be the answer?
3
RESPONDING: Recognizing and experiencing God’s justifying
grace.
4
FOLLOWING: Reorienting my life around God and being like
Christ.
5
COMMITTING: Making decisions that honor God.
TRAITS: risk taking for God, integrity, Biblical knowledge, the
fruits of the spirit
Possible steps to help you grow!
 Schedule a time each day for devotional Bible study and prayer. If you would like a guide for personal
worship you may consult these websites to purchase daily devotional materials: cokesbury.com,
christianbook.com or hiswaychristianbookstore.com
 Become involved in a small group Bible study.
 Attend worship regularly.
 Begin practicing a spiritual discipline such as silence, solitude, journaling, scripture meditation, or
fasting to help focus on your relationship with God.
 Take a risk by become involved in some type of service activity. See life of service for more info.
 Know your spiritual gifts. You may take a spiritual gifts assessment online or attend a spiritual gifts
workshop when it is offered at Glen Mar.
 Find a mentor or small group to help hold you accountable for growing spiritually.
WHERE ARE YOU ON THE SPIRITUAL PATHWAY?
LIFE OF WORSHIP
A Holy Spirit driven relationship with God,
based in awe and love, which results
in a passionate desire to honor God.
1
NOT SEEKING: I don’t feel any need to have a relationship
with God and I am not interested in attending a worship
service.
2
SEEKING: I recognize that something happens when people
gather to worship. I think that it may be beneficial to develop a
relationship with God. I attend a service of worship when I am invited or
it is convenient.
3
RESPONDING: I recognize that something happens in me when
I worship. I want to know more about God and to express gratitude
for what God does. I seek to attend a service of worship on a more
regular basis.
4
5
FOLLOWING: I recognize the purpose of daily worship. I love God and want to have a fulfilling personal
relationship with him. I attend a service of worship on a weekly basis.
COMMITTING: I recognize that my whole life is an act of worship. I seek to love God with all my heart, soul
and mind. I take every opportunity to worship in the Christian community and privately.
TRAITS: humble, authentic, thankful, God centered
Possible steps to help you grow!
 First thing upon waking each day, praise God for who you know him to be. Thank God for the day
made for you, and ask for your soul to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that you may grow in your
knowledge and love of him.
 Begin practicing a spiritual discipline such as silence, solitude, journaling, scripture meditation, or
fasting to help you focus on your relationship with God.
 Keep a journal and note experiences of God and revelations from him that occur during your day.
 Demonstrate your commitment to deepening your relationship with God by regular prayer, participation
in corporate worship, giving generously of yourself and resources.
 Begin active participation in helping lead worship as a liturgist, worship leader, choir member, etc.
 Suggested Reading – Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard, Celebration of the Disciplines by Richard
Foster.
WHERE ARE YOU ON THE SPIRITUAL PATHWAY?
LIFE OF CHRISTIAN RELATIONSHIP
Living by the love found in the
life, teachings and example of Christ.
A life driven by choices that reflect
our deep desire to know Christ and for
others to experience his love.
1
NOT SEEKING: My primary relationships are with family and
friends, but faith is not a component of our relationship.
2
SEEKING: I am open to people of faith and may even attend
church.
3
RESPONDING: I realize the need to be in a Christian community as a
part of my spiritual growth.
4
FOLLOWING: I am committed to being in a Christian community that
encourages spiritual maturity. I understand my actions impact how
others see God.
5
COMMITTING: I am regularly involved with believers and unbelievers. I invest in the lives of others
and I am held accountable. I seek to live always so that others experience God’s love.
TRAITS: grace filled, loves others, encouraging, helps, forgiving
Possible steps to help you grow!
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Participate in a group Bible Study: there is no better way to understand how we are meant to live
together than to learn from the scriptures.
Because relationships are difficult and challenging; spending time in reflection and prayer to yield
thoughtful, faith-filled decisions regarding others, rather than impulsive, self-centered choices.
Analyze relationships and choices by asking the question “How will this (choice/action) help
strengthen this individual in his/her faith journey? In my faith journey? Will he/she see Christ in me?”
Practice patience, empathy, and compassion for others.
Suggested Reading – Everybody’s Normal Till You Get to Know Them by John Ortberg.
WHERE ARE YOU ON THE SPIRITUAL PATHWAY?
LIFE OF GENEROSITY
Freely and joyfully surrendering all
things for God’s purposes.
1
NOT SEEKING: I do not give or when I give,
it is for personal motives.
2
SEEKING: I am starting to give, but only when it feels
safe or I am in control.
3
RESPONDING: I acknowledge that I have been blessed by
God and I am beginning to respond to the needs of others.
4
FOLLOWING: I give on a regular basis out of a sense
of obedience to God and in response to the needs of others.
5
COMMITTING: I joyfully give whatever is needed for the good
of others and God’s glory.
TRAITS: trusting God for everything, grateful, humble, thoughtful,
voluntary, worshipful
Possible steps to help you grow!
 Identify a talent (music, hospitality, listening, compassion, etc.) and find an opportunity like Walk to
Bethlehem or Vacation Bible School to use it freely for the benefit of others.
 Give your time (on a regular basis) to an activity or cause (Social Justice, PATH, etc.) that brightens
the lives of others. Consider a spiritual gifts inventory to help you discover the right fit.
 Contribute food to a Food Bank, or pay for a meal for a grieving family.
 Give up a daily indulgence such as ice cream or coffee, and donate the money you save.
 Decide to postpone a major purchase in order to increase annual giving.
 Commit to make a weekly/monthly financial contribution (regardless of the amount) to the church as an
act of worship.
 Take time, on your own or with a professional, for prayerful financial planning. Use the exercise to see
how much God has provided for you and how God may be able to provide for others through you.
 Suggested Reading – Enough by Adam Hamilton, More or Less by Jeff Shinabarger
WHERE ARE YOU ON THE SPIRITUAL PATHWAY?
LIFE OF SERVICE
Accomplishing God’s purposes by
loving and caring for others with all we
have been given.
1
NOT SEEKING: I serve out of my own capacity and
generally for personal motives.
2
SEEKING: As I serve, I see my actions as part of something
bigger than myself. As I serve, I see a difference in myself and
the recipients of my actions.
3
RESPONDING: I serve because of the example of Christ. As I
serve, I experience God’s grace in myself and God’s love towards
others through me.
4
FOLLOWING: I serve out of gratitude and wanting to reflect God’s love.
5
COMMITTING: I serve sacrificially to be obedient to God’s will and
I rely on God’s power to minister to others. I am committed to bringing
God’s kingdom on earth.
TRAITS: ambassador, justice/mercy, servant heart, glorifies God,
relies on God’s power
Possible steps to help you grow!
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Begin praying for the needs of others and asking God how you might be able to help.
Serve a neighbor or family member by actively listening and meeting their needs.
Reflect God’s love by being an unpaid servant at the church.
Show others God’s love by going on a mission trip sponsored by Glen Mar.
Take the opportunity to serve at Walk to Bethlehem, Day of Service, VBS, etc. and witness how your
work contributes to changing the lives of people.
 Give time to serving a local charity like Route 1 Day Center, Grassroots Crisis Intervention, or
Salvation Army thrift shop.
 Suggested Reading – If You Want to Walk on Water…by John Ortberg.
LIFE OF WITNESS
Sharing my experience of
God’s grace with others through my
actions and words.
1
NOT SEEKING: I have nothing to share or I am
reluctant to say anything.
2
SEEKING: I am not sure what it means to be a witness.
I am looking for an example of a consistent witness.
3
RESPONDING: I have the desire to talk to others about God.
4
FOLLOWING: I am prepared to share my own faith story in an
intimate group.
5
COMMITTING: I am consistent in being a living witness. My actions
and my words line up.
TRAITS: spirit led, fruits of spirit, enthusiastic, gentleness
Possible steps to help you grow!
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Write out a story of how you experience God’s grace and share it with someone you feel comfortable
with or someone interested in the faith.
Whenever you experience God’s love and grace in your life share it with someone.
Make a list of people that may not know about God’s grace and begin praying for them. Be open to
opportunities to share your story.
Become a friend in faith for a confirmand or sponsor a new member at Glen Mar.
Talk to someone who is non-religious and ask them questions about faith and/or religion. Listen for
their story and if given the opportunity share yours.
Journal your ongoing story of God’s work in your life.
Start a discussion about God with someone who has questions about your faith.
Suggested Reading - Becoming a Contagious Christian by Mittelberg, Strobel, & Hybels. Use the
participant guide to discover your own style.
WHERE ARE YOU ON THE SPIRITUAL PATHWAY?