So much is written about spiritual growth, and anyone in a relationship with God wants to grow spiritually. Yet often it can seem so complicated! We can feel pulled between intellectual approaches on the one hand and the pursuit of mystical experiences on the other. One expert tells us to look back into the mists of time, while another tells us to look within or to look at their list of how-to steps. In the midst of all the noise, somehow Jesus often gets lost. In this Pre-Forum Conference, we will consider some simple biblical insights that will help us grow spiritually in a straightforward, practical, and Jesus-focused way.
Session 1: Understand the Power of Fallen World Gravity
Our world was profoundly changed by humanity’s great fall in Genesis 3. The after-effects of that day still shape every day for us all. How does the spiritual gravity of this fallen world pull on us in respect to religious inclinations, cultural/societal leanings, and most importantly for this seminar, spiritual growth?
Session 2: Looking At – The Basic Orientation of a Christian Heart
In the midst of all the complexity of Christian ministry, there is a basic orientation of a Christian heart. What, or who, are we to look at? The right answer, of course, is Jesus. We will look at key passages from the New Testament that present the full impact of this truth.
Session 3: Looking To – The Motivation for Spiritual Growth
Life in this world is often a struggle. Where can we find motivation to keep going when everything encourages us to fall back? In this session, we will consider the motivation for spiritual growth, focusing primarily on the book of Hebrews.
Session 4: Looking Away From – The Distractions from Spiritual Growth
The gaze of our affections is continually tugged away from Jesus by other attractions. What are these magnetic pulls on our affections, and what can we do about them?
Session 5: Looking With – We Do Not Travel Alone
Too often, we think of spiritual growth as an individual exercise. But we do not travel alone. We will finish the seminar by considering some companions for our journey.
