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While at Growthtrac, you'll notice
a recurring theme:
Join a Small Group!
Whether you're a spiritual seeker, a new Christian or even if
you're a mature believer, we recommend small group involvement
as your next step. Read this article
about small group.
Small group will change your life.
There is no black-and-white formula for spiritual growth —
However, if you're a new Christian,
there are some fundamental action steps you should take.
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Baptism
Communion
Membership
Worship
Spiritual Gifts
Small Group
Basic Training
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Begin reading
the Bible and Pray. |
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Is
there a 'next-step' service at your church?
Start attending! |
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Discover
your spiritual gifts and serve in a ministry! |
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Take
advantage of learning opportunities at your church. |
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Get
involved in Community — Join a Group! Build relationships. |
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Once
a person admits that he or she is a sinner and turns to Christ
for salvation, the Bible says the watching world needs to
know. Baptism has always stood as a kind
of public test for people who have moved from being a seeker
into being a believer.
Believers are those who have realized that their sin has separated
them from God. They have given up all efforts to reach God
through good works or religious activity. They have concluded
that Jesus Christ's death on the cross for their sins is the
only thing that can bridge the gap between them and God. A
believer is someone who has decided to trust Christ alone
for his or her salvation.
If
you have come to this point in your spiritual journey, then
you are ready to be baptized.
A
word about infant baptism... If the purpose of baptism is
to publicly identify a believer in Jesus Christ, you may well
be asking yourself, "What was the significance of my
baptism as a baby?" In the Bible, we find parents bringing
their children to Jesus. He held them and prayed for them
and told us to welcome them. But He did not baptize them,
and He did not tell anyone else to baptize them. Baptism is
for those who have made a personal decision to trust Christ
alone for their salvation. If you were baptized as a child,
it was the intent of your parents that you would one day be
a follower of Christ. Your baptism as an adult can be viewed
as the fulfillment of your parents' wishes. It in no way repudiates
the baptism you received as a child.
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Communion is a solemn, holy sacrament. This is a time to slow
down, and through focused worship and prayer, remember what
Jesus did for us. Participating in this sacrament should be
a priority in your life.
The "Lord's Supper" (1 Cor. 11:20) is also called "the Lord's
table" (10:21), "communion," "cup of blessing" (10:16), and
"breaking of bread" (Acts 2:42).
In the early Church it was called also "eucharist," or giving
of thanks (compare Matt. 26:27), and generally by the Latin
Church "mass," a name derived from the formula of dismission,
Ite, missa est, i.e., "Go, it is discharged."
The account of the institution of this ordinance is given in
Matt. 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:19,20, and 1 Cor. 11:24-26.
It is not mentioned by John. It was designed...
- To commemorate the death of Christ: "This do in remembrance
of me."
- To signify, seal, and apply to believers all the benefits
of the new covenant. In this ordinance Christ ratifies his
promises to his people, and they on their part solemnly
consecrate themselves to him and to his entire service.
- To be a badge of the Christian profession.
- To indicate and to promote the communion of believers
with Christ.
- To represent the mutual communion of believers with each
other.
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Are you ready to commit? If you've decided on your church
home, take the next step. Membership is about moving forward
in your journey with Christ and being a participating member
of your church community. Get in the game!
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Is your weekly church experience repetitive and uninspiring?
Are you ready for some deeper bible teaching and worship?
Ready to kick your Christian life up a notch?
Some churches offer next-step services
designed to take you to new places in your Christian growth.
These graduate level services are sometimes scheduled mid-week
or as a second service on the weekend.
Private worship is exciting too. When's the last time you listened
to Christian music? Pick up some CD's and take worship with
you — anywhere!
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One of the most satisfying aspects of the Christian life is
serving at your church. To really be effective in your volunteer
ministry, you need to serve in an area God made you passionate
about, doing things that God has gifted you to do. Discovering
your spiritual gifts is the first step.
Spiritual gifts are your god-given ability to serve others.
This discovery process will help get you connected in a meaningful
ministry you are passionate about and where you can really make
a difference.
Many churches offer spiritual gifts
workshops. Check with your church.
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A small group of four to six couples provides the optimal forum
in which you can develop significant relationships and become
more like Christ. Facilitated by trained leaders, small groups
meet approximately twice a month for relationship building,
guided study, and serving opportunities.
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Build your faith and confidence by attending teaching events
at your church. Be intentional about increasing your knowledge.
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